Campus Cuisine-  Beach Walk Cafe a healthy option students love

Beach Walk Cafe at CSULB, photo by E.Ozlen

     Sometimes our crazy class schedule leaves us feeling weak and depleted.  We can't always go home and craft up a perfect meal, with our mind and body's health a priority.  But don't feel stranded on a greasy fast food island, there is a wonderful place to get a fresh meal that you won't regret right here on campus.  You don't have to settle for less because there's a spot in the food court where every item on the menu is designed with health conscious ingredients, with a modern flare. 

     "Beach Walk Cafe is the healthiest place on campus, with the freshest ingredients you can find.  The most popular ordered menu item is our Beach Wrap, and work is in progress to provide nutritional facts for all dishes served."- Flor Campos, Zoology Major and Server at Beach Walk Cafe

Beach Walk Cafe Girls, photo by E.Ozlen

     What tastes right also feels right at the Beach Walk Cafe.  This is the place where convenience meets consciousness.  These dishes are worthy of a Belmont Shores sidewalk cafe, available on a student budget, and easily accessible right between classes.

Thai Chicken Spinach Wrap at Beach Walk Cafe, photo by E.Ozlen

     With everything from cranberry salads to Thai chicken spinach wraps, students enjoy delicious healthy meals without cheating on their diets.

Students Engaged in Recreation and Wellness

CSULB Recreation and Wellness Center entrance, photo by E.Ozlen

     Every day since August 2010, many Cal State Long Beach students are enjoying a 126,500 square foot facility, and are being active on campus.  Kinesiology student and building director Clarinda Soriano has been apart of the wellness center staff since it opened and says "We get up to 2,000 students daily, with mondays being our busiest day."  Some popular activities students take part in are general weight training and aerobics, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and indoor soccer.

Indoor Basketball Courts, CSULB Recreation and Welness Center, photo by E.Ozlen

     

     There are also many body sculpting group fitness programs offered in the wellness center such as kick boxing, butts & gutts, hip hop cardio, pilates, spin, zumba, and yoga to name a few.  These professionally taught classes are for people of all abilities, and best of all free to students and affiliates.

Free Spin Class CSULB Recreation and Wellness Center, photo by E.Ozlen

     Besides general health and fitness, it's very popular for students to get involved in a little friendly competition.  For our competitive natured students, the recreation and wellness center is the place to join the intramurals program.  A variety of sports are offered, such as softball and flag football, and students may form their own teams or sign up as free agents to be assigned to a team.   According to Isela Morelia of the intramural department, "sign ups open in the first two weeks of every semester, and don't wait to join because every semester all sports fill up to capacity.  Soccer and basketball fill up the fastest."

Students competing in an organized intramurals volleyball match, photo by E.Ozlen

Robek's Smoothies, CSULB Recreation and Welness Center, Photo by E.Ozlen

     After a grueling workout or an intense intramurals match, students enjoy protein shakes and fruit smoothies with vitamin boosts at Robek's.  Just outside of Robek's, students can cool off in the aquatic center where aqua fitness classes are also offered.  With such vast options to stay active on campus, students seem to love the recreation and wellness center.  Stop by and check the facility out for yourself, there is something to enjoy for everyone.

Indoor Jogging Track, CSULB Recreation and Wellness Center, photo by E.Ozlen

     Students here at Cal State Long beach are living actively as well as maintaining a great academic life.  Many of us living on or off campus remain health conscious, aware of our body's mental and physical state, and what we can do to improve our overall well being.

CSULB Campus, photo courtesy of Google

     
     There really aren't any excuses  since we are enjoying a 322-acre campus, with many new groups and facilities offered to us.  Students take advantage of tools that help us reduce the stress that comes along with an exhausting student life.  Along with what's provided by the University, we are blessed to be located in beautiful Southern California and can stay active outside in a virtually perfect climate.  Surfing, jogging, cycling, or yoga on the beach are some of the activities our students enjoy almost year round.  

Cycling on the boardwalk in Long Beach California, photo courtesy of Google

     It's not hard to make new friends and find people with similar interests since there are around 500 clubs, so students join one that suits their style, or start new ones every semester.  
     Its getting easier to eat right since new delicious eateries that offer healthy nutritious alternatives to fast food are sprouting up all over campus.  Along with great spots to grub, the state of the art recreation and wellness center serves as the perfect place to burn off a tasty meal.  After the gym or hours of studying, the aquatics center is the ideal spot for students to recharge and refresh.

Outdoor Sand Volleyball Court, CSULB Recreation and Wellmess cemter, Photo by E.Ozlen

     According to Beach Balance, an active student is more successful with better grades, and has increased energy.  Students and staff are continuing to improve ways for students to live healthy lifestlyes on campus.