Labels, Labels, Labels

     One of the most common aspects you hear about being health conscious, is reading the labels on what you're eating. And if you're the casual American, you'll think "Egh, I don't really want to" or "I don't care to" or you plain just don't do it because it's a chore to you, or your lack of interest on the subject. Everybody knows this feeling I'm talking about; it's not one I can explain in words well. Labels though, why are people telling you all the time to read them all? Well, for one, it's on your food, the stuff you eat and consume. I mean, that's a pretty good reason right? Well, that's a very baseline reason - the common sense reason, if you will. There are more serious reasons that you should be aware of; like the one's that they would rather you not to know. Do I have your attention yet?

     Companies are forced by the FDA to provide labels about what's in their products. For example, when you eat cereal, you can look on the side of the box and look at the ingredients of the cereal. These ingredients are put in descending order of how much of that ingredient is in that product. If it's the first ingredient, then it's the most abundant ingredient and vice versa for the last ingredient. A lot of times, when people try and be 'health conscious', they'll look at the ingredients and won't be able to pronounce or know what a lot of them are; so they drop the subject and continue consuming it. That's where a lot of people go wrong! Don't people realize, that if you can't pronounce or are knowledgeable about what they're reading, it should send up red flags?! Or at least make you research what that item is. This should concern people to a high degree. Some people figure it's above what they should know, so they don't worry about it. That's not true, you should always know what you're consuming, or at least have an idea.

     These foreign items you can't read are more than likely Genetically Modified or commonly known as GMO's. The original, natural food has been tampered with in some way; maybe added to, taken from, or has chemicals in it. One of the most common chemicals now, that's in absolutely everything is MSG, or Monosodium Glutamate. Another is Aspartame, that's in my mother's beloved Diet Pop. Chemicals like these are extremely hazardous and toxic to your body, and should be cautioned. Personally, they should be banned. They have no benefits to them, and do nothing but harm your body in a multitude of ways (In which I will cover in their own posts).

     Companies definitely have "tricks of the Trade" however, and they can make their food seem harmless. One of these is the distribution of sugar between the ingredients. Sugar has a million different names, and tons of different compositions. A few are Sucrose (Table Sugar), Fructose (Fruit/Honey), and Dextrose (Corn Sugar/Grape Sugar). Some ingredients are High Fructose Corn Syrup, Brown Sugar, Corn Syrup, Refined Cane Sugar, Saccharine, Aspartame, to name just a few. Companies will add ingredients that have all have sugar in them; so "Sugar" isn't the first one on the ingredient label. A lot of times, they will put exotic or 'healthy' extracts, so they can put it on the face label and make their product seem beneficial to you. The truth is these are at the end of the list, meaning they have little to none of the ingredient. You're not going to benefit even a little bit from such a minuscule amount. For examples, Tocopherols, or Vitamin E, which is known to be powerful antioxidant is added to a lot of things. The front of the box will say "With Powerful antioxidants!" and people will flock to it, not knowing it's just a ploy. These 'better foods' are like a padding for the real hurt that's included in your morning breakfast. Companies will also 'hide' the bad ingredients, most of the time because people are uneducated about what they are. Nobody's going to see "Monosodium Glutamate" and think "Holy crap! I'm not going to eat this!!", they're going to say it's another chemical put in, and think nothing of it.

     A lot of chemicals put into food are preservatives, dyes, and hormones that are lethally toxic to your health. If people left the food alone, and in it's natural form, we wouldn't have to do anything to it, and we would get all the nutrients we need. On top of that, we wouldn't have all the horrible side-effects, health problems, and epidemics that exist now. Plus once more, eating right actually cures a lot of things. Why don't we do this? Because companies like Monsanto want to keep producing the addictive products that people consume daily, and making that cha-ching. People like them are taking the 'American Dream' and abusing it to the point where it shoves people in the ground. They are the makers of the dreaded "Aspartame" that's in Diet Pops and other items as a synthetic sweetener. All of these different chemicals and synthetic materials are incredibly toxic and cause such serious effects on your body. I could go on for years about how bad these chemicals and fake nutrients are! It really grinds my health nut gears.

   
     In future posts, I will explain these different chemicals, items on the labels like, Trans fats and Monounsaturated fats for example. I don't want to cram everything into one post, that's pointless, and my followers (if I have any) won't get anything from it.

     Read the labels that's on the food you consume, be educated about what you're reading,  and be aware of what is really going on in the world. Not everyone is out to do good, for everyone's benefit. Greed is a powerful force, and one that is hard to overcome. Don't be fooled by another's greed, spoil their mission, and make decisions for your own behalf. Don't be a sheep that follows the wolves, be a wolf that follows it's instincts.

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

Plants Eating... Plants?

     I'm sure that everyone is tiresome of my life events, so I'm going to post something actually useful. I am a person that loves Nutrition, Biology, & Chemistry. Naturally, you would presume that I would demonstrate that in my life in some way. I have pets, a fish tank, made a Nutrition Organization, and I also love to raise plants; of all types. I love to grow anything that provides benefit; fruits, vegetables, herbs, and medicinal plants. It's awesome to see plants germinate, grow, and the yielding of maturation. It's such a great feeling when you raise something and it provides something free, that you don't have to buy. It kind of sounds silly, but puts such a smile on my face.
     With that being said, I hate to waste food. When I cook eggs, I keep the eggshells; when I eat bananas, I keep the peels; when I eat bell peppers, I keep the stems and cores. I chop everything up, and put them all in the soil. However, recently, I had a lot of vegetables & other things in the fridge, and we also had a terrible ice storm that took out our power for three days. You all can imagine that everything in it went bad or at least was not good enough to eat. I took all this stuff tonight, and put it in my Ninja Blender (which is absolutely amazing, by the way!!) and basically made a 'Super Food' type paste for my plants. Think about it for a second.. there are still nutrients in all of these vegetables, the food just doesn't taste good enough for you to eat. Most people would just throw it away, but it can be put to such good use for your other plants! Why not provide your plants with a grand amount of nutrients?? It's basically liquid compost. not only do I want myself, and others to have great nutrition, I also want the live organisms I take care of to live perfect nutrition too.
     This was the first time I've ever made a paste before, but it worked out very well and I was very satisfied with it! With everything I put it in it, I ended up making about 64 ounces, or about 8 glasses. I poured it around the soil of all my plants and stirred it in.

How to compile easy food scraps:

• Keep banana peels
• Keep Peppers cores and stems
• Keep eggshells
• Keep older food
• Keep basic table scraps (Nothing mixed in)

How to store:

• Keep them in a plastic bag
• Put them all in one place
• Make sure it's covered because fruit flies will gather
• Outside if you'd like

.

     All organisms should get the best nutrition, no matter where they lie on the totem pole in life; and nothing that can be consumed or used should be wasted. I will always do everything I can to accomplish these two things, and empower & educate others to do the same.

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

The Christmas Day Adventure

     Today is CHRISTMAS. Woop Woop! Who doesn't love Christmas?! It's one of the greatest holidays of the year! People exchange gifts, make lots of food, and hang out with their family. People get new things, and are excited about extra money maybe. You exchange stories with your family, and have lots of laughs. It's definitely a great day all the way around!
     Every year, we usually have it at my house, however, this year it was at my grandparents house. Mind you, my grandparents house is two hours away in Harrison. THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. NO wifi, middle of nowhere, NO tv; it's a horrid place. My cousin, Brent suggested that we drive together, and I was like, okay that's acceptable. We started by driving through a snow storm. Mind you, I hate driving in the winter at any time, because I had two close calls last year. Honestly, I'm very surprised I'm still alive to this day. I boldly accepted the challenge, and started driving. Of course, a blizzard started as soon as we started out. We were talking along the way, so it made it a little bit better. We eventually got there, after sitting for two hours and being nervous. The rest of my family got there, and we started conversating; the obnoxious laughing started; the inappropriate stories and comments; you know, the usual family time. We then proceeded to give out gifts. We hand out gifts for particular people, then we play the game where we pick a number, pick a gift from the pile. We used to play where you can steal another person's gift, but that got too cut-throat in mi familia, so now we voluntarily trade if we want to.
     I ended up getting a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. Most of the gifts were gift cards or money, because we don't want anyone to be unsatisfied. Side note, my cousin also brought his puppy, and it's the coolest dog ever. Anyways, next was dinner. There was all the usuals, ham, potatoes, etc. It's great, and a home-cooked meal. Gotta love it. This kind of sounds like a repeat from my last post, but come on... it's Christmas day! We sat down, and exchanged stories and comments once more, and finally, I set the tone, and started to get up to leave. You see, how our family works, is when one person sets the tone to leave, the rest follow. We say our goodbyes, and now we're on the road againnn. The way back was a lot easier. At first we hit another storm, but after we got passed it, the roads were clear. We talked a lot more on the way back, and it was great actually. I finally dropped him off, and said my goodbyes to my uncles and cousins, and drive home. I am so incredibly tired from the whole day and from driving a 4 hour roundtrip. It was nice to see family though, and to spend time with them.

     I know this one isn't long, or maybe it's even bland, but I had to write about Christmas day, on Christmas day. I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas day, and spent time with family, and that their Christmas was everything they wanted it to be.

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

The Christmas Spirit

     Tonight is Christmas Eve; and this is the time of year that everyone experiences the time of joy, the hustle & bustle of last-minute Christmas shopping, and the Christmas Spirit. This is the time of year that family time is front page news, and to the forefront of everyone's priorities. Gathering around the table, your whole family, and a warm, home-cooked meal. The landscape is shimmering with beauty from the snow falling upon the trees, and the bitter cold eats away our bodily warmth - A gift, but a curse Winter is. Christmas cheer is in the air from all the attitudes of giving to others, giving people the feeling of satisfaction of their souls. Christmas music is on in every department store, and Christmas movies are on every channel. Who doesn't love "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", or my personal favorite song, "Carol of the Bells"? A lot of people love Christmas because of the spirit it brings, the attitude that falls upon the crowd, and for everything it represents. Many people love to give, like myself, to other people because they love to see the smile on their face or the happiness it brings them.
     Tonight, my mother, sister & her boyfriend went to my mother's boyfriend's house to spend Christmas Eve. Her boyfriend's two kids (daughter and son) were also there. It was a first meet for most of us, but it ended being quite a fun time. We sat around talking to each other at first, breaking the ice a little bit; which for me is not hard. I don't mind talking to anyone, even if I had just met them; I actually enjoy it. We joked around, talked about random things, a little about life - it was grand really. My mom and her boyfriend had been working with the dinner for a while now. Then finally, dinner had been served. It was excellent, and it came with my favorite thing - mashed potatoes. I absolutely love them! We also had Hawaiin rolls, the Honey Spiral Ham, cream corn, and greenbean casserole. For dessert, we had my favorite, and one of my mom's specialty, Oreo Cheesecake Pie. It was all delicious. On top of everything, I was drinking Pink Moscato. I love that Moscato. However, the brand of this wine was Barefoot, which isn't the highest quality, but cheap. It tasted like sparkling juice. It wasn't bad tasting, it just didn't feel like wine. I had quite a few glasses.
     After dinner, we played a game relative to Apples to Apples, but this game is called Cards Against Humanity. It's basically the rated R version of Apples to Apples. It can be a very offensive, dirty, and hilarious game. It's not for the easily offended,but it's my kind of game. It's up to my level, and can keep up to my face. We all had a very hysterical time; laughing so hard, we'll get abs the next morning; poking jokes at each other; and going with the adventure of the night. Everything was such a fun time, with fun people, and with family. After we finally called it for the game, we opened presents. Everyone got at least, if not two. My mother is a very generous soul, as she bought most of the presents handed out. I received a new scarf and dress shirt. I actually have my scarf on, while writing this.
     Now, about 6 years ago now, I made a tradition for our family, an Irish tradition. Your family gathers around the table and you fill up a shot glass, usually with Captain Morgan for us. Then I say 3 words in Gaelic, the Irish language - Love, Friendship, & Loyalty. They are the meanings of the Irish Claddagh ring. The three Gaelic words are Gra, Dilseacht, Cairdeas. Not everyone did the shot, but it still was achieved. After that, our night was ending fairly quickly, wrapping up on a good note. We said our goodbyes, and everyone ended up having a fantastic time. 
     As you become an adult, Christmas gets less & less magical it seems. Adult life takes over; commitments, meetings, jobs, and obligations. It just comes with the territory I suppose, no matter how sad it may seem. However, this night made some of the magic come back, with the family time & the time of giving. Some of the cheer has returned, and my Christmas spirit is flourishing back as well. I'm glad that I got to see my family so happy tonight, and full of laughter. It was a great night, and I'm sure many more are to come.

     Spend all the time you can with your family, because you don't know what might happen next. Give to everyone you can, because you don't know who might need it. Most of all, love the people close to you, because you will see all the happiness that embraces them.

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

Desperation Leading To Revelation

     One of the worst ice storms has devoured Michigan, over the past couple days. In fact, it's said to be one of the worst in 10 years, according to the news. It's been right around freezing temperatures lately, so you end up with a medley of conditions; first it rained, then at night it froze - a deadly combination for drivers and people everywhere. Tens of thousands have lost power all across Michigan, including my family last night. Mind you, we have never lost power during any storm, at least not for this long. It's like we've had a force-field around our house, until now.

     When you lose power, at first you're like, "Yeah! This is cool!", because you have to walk around in the dark, find candles, you know figure things out; which is kind of fun. Then, after about an hour, it becomes annoying, a hassle, and most of all, boring. No t.v., no internet, devices only have so long until they die. It's kind of funny really, even though you are well aware the power's out, you unknowingly still try a switch, or the microwave, because it's second nature - you don't even think twice about it. Then you realize, "Oh, that doesn't work, I forgot.".

     When people realize that their microwave, griddle, or stove is no longer functioning; freak-out mode is now a-go. Desperity is now upon them. This is no longer fun, this is about survival. I'll admit, I too, was going into survival mode for a second. Then my Nutrition instincts took over, and I realized that this is how people should eat. Confused?

     Think about it... How did people eat before griddles, ovens, or microwaves? They ate fresh food; raw fruits, vegatables, & grains. In short - people actually ate real food. It's hard to imagine, I know. Microwaves literally destroy the nutrients in your food; Heat reduces the nutrients in the food. All of this man-made technology makes everything easier, yes, but it also, and ironically, is making everything worse. It's contributing to all of the health problems that our country is facing today! When you don't do anything to your food, and you eat it how it was made to be eaten, (in it's most natural form), then you will get the nutrients you need, and not the lack of. You know which foods are good and bad for you, and only you can decide what to consume. It's your health, why wouldn't you take the best care of it possible? Whilst, avoiding hefty medical bills, undesirable health problems, and terrible moods. I can't tell you enough how much better, actual food is! Taste-wise and health-wise! You will feel so much better in a whole spectrum of ways if you eat right, and get the nutrients your body needs. Physically, mentally, emotionally - all of them are covered by proper Nutrition. Many things are cured and taken care of by proper nutrition, and without the array of chemicals processed food puts into your body. It is so easy to eat right once you take a step back and look at things. People always look at everything all at once, and it can be overwhelming. If you take the process piece by piece it's extremely simple! Just step back and breathe.

     As my power's been out, it's forced me to eat healthy food, because I can't ruin them by putting them in something like a microwave. Whole-grain PB&J's, with natural mixed berry jelly, and all natural peanut-butter - the best thing in the world, lemme tell ya! Delicious! To be honest, besides my wifi and connection to all my people being out, this hasn't been so bad. With it, I've came to an important realization, that I can share with everyone else. 

     Living Healthy & helping others live healthy is what I love, and my quest. I'm glad that even my troubles move me forward towards success.

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

Appreciate & Present

     One of the things I love to do is cook, and to present food. Notice I said present and not just "make". When I make food, rather if it's for myself, or for someone else, I always make it well, and present it well. Presentation is nearly everything to me. Think about it, when you meet someone for the first time, they only have that first impression to show you what their about, and give off the right vibe. When you meet my food for the first time, I aim for you to be impressed, I put a lot, maybe even unneeded effort into presenting it well. I also take the time, to put the right food into a meal.

     When you take the time to prepare these meals yourself ; you cut the apples; peel the bananas; dice the tomatoes; chop the almonds; you establish a bond with your food, because you're working so directly with it - you're connected. This bridge is what fuels nutritionists and dietitians, you become passionate for what you do & what you love. But there's another thing that I thought about too. people can't truly appreciate food, until they've tried it raw, at it's most natural form. One can't really realize how great something is nor how important until one experiences it. This case, being food, nutrients, & benefits that come from it. My point is, nobody can actually experience a full meal, unless you appreciate all the separate components that go into it (besides the hard work, endless time, and careful calculation).

     When I first approached, my now, Nutrition Organization Advisor - Marilyn, she had a lot of interesting things to say! She also gave me a book, about "Living a Healthy and Balanced Life". I got done reading the first few pages, before the first pages of the book. Basically the author's words and what to expect from the book. I'm already excited to read this book, and I haven't even actually read the first pages yet! It's going to help my knowledge grow, and fuel my passion for nutrition. You can expect more updates as I move along in this book.

Appreciate the food you eat, how it's made, and what it's made with - and you will understand a deeper connection for your own nutrition in itself.

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

Carving At The Slopes

     One of my favorite things in this whole wide world, is to go Snowboarding. I absolutely love to carve into the mountainside; it's such a rush. Honestly, you just feel so cool on a snowboard. Granted, I've only went a couple times in my life now; one of those times was 5 years ago (WOW, time went fast!), and yesterday now. Needless to say I don't have the latest and greatest gear, but I do love to go. I just don't want to be fully committed if I can't go as if I am fully committed, if that makes sense. I want to put use on the gear that I buy. When I first bought my stuff, I just got stuff to go, not any name brand stuff.

     So, my friend Stephanie Bruma hits me up to go hit the slopes; and keep in mind that I just got done with my last final that same day, and I haven't went since that first time my Sophomore year of high school - ,', It has been more than overdue & I was craving to carve. I begin the process of layering up, because I absolutely hate the cold (ironic I know), which consisted of Underarmor, a warm sweater, a Michigan Columbia, and my winter coat up top. Then mesh shorts, jeans, and Michigan Sweatpants on bottom. Unfortunately, you've probably deducted that I don't own Snowboarding pants or coat - if anyone wants to start a charity fund for the cause, please do. Now, given, I've only been a couple times, so I was anxious to go again, but I knew it was going to be a major learning curve. 

     First my bindings wouldn't bind in for the life of me. Like, literally, I had to sit down and push with all of my might for the bindings to snap in; all the while, I'm wearing multiple layers of different material, so I'm getting exponentially warm and frustrated. Finally, alas, I succeeded in my mission, and we proceeded. We warm-up by going down the mini-mini-bunny hill, then we slowly graduated to the actual bunny-hill. It felt awesome to board again, and to go down the mountain. My experience level is still beginner; as I fell multiple times (frontwards and backwards); going up the rope that pulls you, only to have my calf run into a metal pole sticking out - only me and my luck.; and having to relearn the balance and turning. I might have had difficulties and even a learning curve, but I never regret going. it was really a lot of fun, and Stephanie is a good time too. 

     Aftermath - Before we left, the muscles in my legs were exhausted & shaking, my shoulders were sore from getting back up so many times, my knees hurt from army crawling to the rope, and my butt was wet from sitting on the snow. Today (the day after), The left calf is still sore, I can still feel it in my thighs a little, but not too much - all in all, not bad though. I feel like the first time readied me for this time, even though it was so long ago; I knew what to expect.

     After everything, I was glad I went boarding again, and we even met one of my fraternity brothers there (Brandon), and some random people that were good to talk to. We'll be going again soon, I can't wait!

Needless to say, I got my exercise in and it might have even tested my mental endurance, but you best believe - I shall be back!!

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

P.S. - The pictures are from my first time going my Sophomore year of high school; not much has changed besides my layering outfit! =D

Taste The Freedom

    I'm sorry I haven't posted in a few days; you can blame finals week for that. I have concluded that I still hate math and that comprehensive tests should be banned to torture instead. I've actually missed writing on here, but I put aside my wants for the sake of academic favor; lets hope it pays off.

     Now, my mother and I have different schedules; especially this year. This year, we've literally hardly seen each other, maybe once or twice a week. Between her work schedule and her new boyfriend, plus she's in Greek Life a little bit as well. I have work, school full time, Greek Life full time, and of course socialite time. However, when we do hang out, usually on the weekend, we'll go to the mall or go out somewhere. We usually eat in between places too. One of our "staple" places, if you will, is Subway. I've always been a fan of Subway. You can see how they're making it, you can see what you can eat, they're simple and common ingredients, and most of all you have Freedom of Choice. Freedom of Choice is what Subway hails and advertises, besides the usual "Eat Fresh" slogan, of course.
     Who doesn't like to have all the power in what they eat?? You literally make your own menu and your own sandwich - it's essentially the Starbucks of sandwiches. People don't realize how important factors like these are in your nutrition. Think about it, everything else you eat, almost 100%, you have a say of slim to none in what you eat or what's put in it. Do stores even have real food anymore? Everything is "added" or "processed" or with "enriched ingredients". Take one one of the most common and used products of food - bread. You have multiple kinds: white, wheat, whole grain, split-top, Italian, French, etc. These aren't different "species" of bread, they're all bread, but processed in different ways! White bread is mainly starch product; wheat bread is mainly wheat product. If people din't manipulate the original product in the first place, there wouldn't be a need for enriched ingredients or to add/take away things from it. You're next question may be, "Why are products manipulated, Donald?". Simple... Money and Supply & Demand; in other terms - the Market Place. If it's cheaper to make one thing than the other, nutrition is no longer thought about from that point on, if companies can make more money, then so be it. Thank goodness for some regulations put on food, or we might just be eating dust at this point. That's why when you read an ingredient label, if you don't know what it is, then you shouldn't eat it. Never take a front label for face value, there's fine print to everything that has money involved. If it doesn't just say "Corn, Beans, Green Peppers" then red flags should go up/ Speaking of corn, do you know how many ways corn has been processed now?! A whole lot more than should be for one ingredient; from Starch, to meal, to Ethanol, to cleaning products. Corn is the cheapest and most abundant food that we have nowadays, and it's been mass produced, not to mention modified to satisfy the market and all the different uses.
     I've mentioned how I had to "Blackboard" posts for some of my classes before. One of them was my Health Care Ethics class. During the section of Obesity, one of the topics was to think about who was to blame - the fast food industry or people themselves. The obvious answer here, is that everyone is to blame. The fast food industry has the choice of what they sell to people, what's in their food, how their food is made, and how much to serve at one time. They, in the end, control what people are consuming and how much. However, it's expensive to ensure high quality, healthy food; they wouldn't make fast money that way. Then, laws started coming out on having to provide healthier food to consumers. places like McDonald's and Wendy's had to substitute or add meals that were healthy for people. Why? because they didn't have those options already, and that's another thing that should send red flags up - if they had to add them in the first place, doesn't that say their not healthy in the first place?
     It's not entirely the fast food industry's fault though. Everybody has a choice of what they eat and where they eat. America is based off personal freedom, people seem to forget that sometimes. When something tastes good or is cheap, they succumb to the whim of the industry; it grabs a hold of them and encloses them in a strangling grasp. You don't have  to buy from McDonald's but you want to. People need to take advantage of the personal freedom of choice they have, and eat the things they should be. You and only you have the power to decide how healthy you're going to make yourself, and whose whim you succumb to.

     In the end, everyone has a choice. Everyone had the power to choose what to eat, where to eat, and how much to eat. Everyone has the power to make their own food, and to make great food taste great too. A little effort truly goes a long way in the world of Nutrition. Give effort to your nutrition, and reap a world of benefits.

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

A Never-Ending Problem

     Everybody has a problem in their life, right? Some problems are minuscule to others, of course, and these could range from breaking a nail to someone hating winter, and a blizzard happening overnight. Regardless, people still consider all of these a "problem". Some people tend to forget some of the real problems that people are going through, and these tend to be named something more fitting - hardships. These are problems that nobody should have to deal with, but some how there always people who do have to embrace them i.e. those less unfortunate, poor societies, third-world countries, etc. These hardships can range from hunger, safety, homelessness, etc.

    

 By this time, I'm sure you're wondering where this post is going.. is he going to rant about people that take life for granted or is he going to talk about something that's happening across the world maybe?

     Well, maybe a mix in between, actually. I'm a big ranter, therefore I like to speak my mind about things that grind my gears. Arrogance is one of them. Arrogance is shown in true form when people take life for granted, because "what's giveth, can also be taketh away" as what my mother always says. Just because you have a great life today, doesn't mean that it couldn't drastically change tomorrow. People need to remember what the real problems are in the world. Given, I've joked around about this too, but I still remember what the actual problems are around me; I'm conscious of it. people just need a reminder sometimes.

     One thing that has always got to me are World Problems. Problems that are an epidemic around the world, and some that people cope with on a daily basis. It bothers me so much, because I just can't believe what people go through every day sometimes, especially hunger. All of us have been hungry, maybe even "starving" at one point and time; but a lot of times you can just go in the fridge and get something or drive somewhere and pick something up. There are people that aren't that lucky to be able to have these options, to "just go and get something". Imagine that starving feeling for days, not knowing when you will eat again. That would be the most horrible feeling to have to experience! It brings about changes in a person mentally and especially physically, when they cope with this kind of struggle. Depression, Anorexia, skinniness, brittle bones, undernourishment, constant fatigue, and eventually death. These are just the basic effects and symptoms of starvation, there are a wide variety that encompass starvation and hunger.

     This is one of the reasons why I created the Organization that I did on my campus; to help the students, the community, and the world around me. I help people that come to me about their diets, or exercise routine, and advice, as well. One of my biggest goals, however, is to create a philanthropy that aids people on a large scale. I've been thinking about 'starvation' being my main goal, I haven't completely decided yet. i know whatever I choose will be beneficial to anyone that I give to. When people think of world problems, they don't think they can make a difference because of the mass scale of the problem. What people don't realize is, if you give to just one person, you're helping the cause and making a difference! Whatever help that is given, is always making a difference! Even if that difference is one person at a time, every person counts. You may not help everybody at once, but you're still helping the world & you're making a better place.

     If you want to help out, even in the smallest amount, go ton one of these sites below!! \/ \/ \/

• http://www.worldvision.org/charity-for-a-child?campaign=11935133&gclid=CMvt2aOCsbsCFag7OgodB1QAXg
• https://secure.feedingamerica.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=GiveAMeal&s_src=Y13XPDAAA&s_subsrc=helpfeedhungry&s_keyword=helpfeedhungry&gclid=CKSio6SCsbsCFRBnOgodNCYAHg
• https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=Donate_General&gclid=CJPKxaWCsbsCFW9nOgodGGgAtg

Some people need a 'slap of reality', and I'm always happy to provide that. Here are 2013 statistics on 'World Hunger' below. 

• The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that nearly 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or one in eight, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012. 
• Almost all the hungry people, 852 million, live in developing countries, representing 15 percent of the population of developing counties.
• There are 16 million people undernourished in developed countries
• The number of hungry grew in Africa over the period, from 175 million to 239 million, with nearly 20 million added  in the last few years.
• In sub-Saharan Africa, the modest progress achieved in recent years up to 2007 was reversed, with hunger rising 2 percent per year since then.
• Developed regions also saw the number of hungry rise, from 13 million in 2004-2006 to 16 million in 2010-2012. 
• Children are the most visible victims of undernutrition.
•  Children who are poorly nourished suffer up to 160 days of illness each year.
• Poor nutrition plays a role in at least half of the 10.9 million child deaths each year--five million deaths.
• Undernutrition magnifies the effect of every disease, including measles and malaria.
• Geographically, more than 70 percent of malnourished children live in Asia, 26 percent in Africa and 4 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• The world produces enough food to feed everyone. World agriculture produces 17 percent more calories per person today than it did 30 years ago, despite a 70 percent population increase.
• Poverty is the principal cause of hunger.
• Harmful Economic Systems are the principal cause of poverty and hunger.
•  Approximately 870  million people in the world do not eat enough to be healthy. That means that one in every eight  people on Earth goes to bed hungry each night. 
• Hunger is number one on the list of the world’s top 10 health risks. It kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.
• A third of all deaths in children under the age of five in developing countries are linked to undernutrition. 
•  It costs just US $0.25 per day to provide a child with all of the vitamins and nutrients he or she needs to grow up healthy.
• If women in rural areas had the same access to land, technology, financial services, education and markets as men, the number of hungry people could be reduced by 100-150 million. 

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

Sources:

http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm

http://www.endinghunger.org/en/mappinghunger/supermap.html

http://www.wfp.org/stories/10-things-you-need-know-about-hunger-2013

Cold, All Around Is Bad

     As finals are just around the corner for most of us; students are braving the long nights, and embracing all-nighters, as they stay up to study the never-ending material in their courses. They consume all types of sugar and caffeine, in record amounts with some people. It's almost obnoxious how much students drink in energy drinks and foods that will keep them awake. However, this post is not about an energy rant (but I'm sure that will be quite soon), it's about how exponentially fast we all get sick in these conditions.

     When students stay up, with almost negative sleep, and for days on end, with nothing but caffeine and junk food in their system; the immune system is wide open for an easy strike. Your body is coping with staying up for so long, and without any extra defense. A cold can sneak up on you overnight. This is probably the worst thing imaginable that could happen to me. I'm being over dramatic a little, but go absolutely hate colds with a passion of a thousand suns, as the kids say nowadays. The running nose, the redness from wiping so much, not being able to taste or smell, sounding funny, energy-drained, and not wanting to do absolutely anything; sounds like a dream doesn't it? Well, here are some things I found that are useful to either avoid or help cope with the dreaded colds:

* Potassium and Calcium actually help a lot; yogurt, milk, bananas, etc.

* Recover and Triple XXX Vitamin waters have actually helped me recover, no pun intended

* Building up defenses early in the day, every day: Drinking orange juice in the morning with a good breakfast as per uosh

* SLEEP!!! This is one of the most important things! - your body recovers during the night and can keep your system healthy for the next day. When you don't, your body's immune system is weaker than usual, and more receptive to a virus

* Lemon cough drops and Nitequil - Both of these are miracle workers, especially Nitequil. I can't tell you how many times I've stayed up because my nose was running during the night!

* Kleenex with LOTION!! This will keep your nose from rashing up, getting red, and hurting miserably from too much wiping

* Eating right! - Yes, yes.. We all here this a lot. But eating right keeps your body with the nutrients it needs to keep your immune system above reproach and to keep the bad stuff out. If you don't put bad stuff in, bad stuff will stay out!

* Drinking tea - Tea has a lot natural nutrients and antioxidants, plus it's warm, keeping your throat from being sore

* Honey - Honey keeps your throat from being sore, and you can mix it with salt water or even vinegar to cure some symptoms

* Antioxidants - Probably my favorite nutrients in the entire world! They keep free-radicals at bay, and keep your body clean. It takes care of a lot of rubbish that could really cause some damage now & later

     These are just some of the things that you can do. I'm sure there are many more home remedies and medicines that will help you in your valiant cause. I cannot stand any cold, so I want to help everyone else put up the best fight against them. I hope all this helped, I definitely need to go to bed now! I have two tests tomorrow... And one of them is math! Yikes, pray for me, please!

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

A Nice Surprise

Hello everyone!

As I've mentioned before, I love to stay fit and active. By deduction, this means that I go to the gym at least 3 times a week, doing an workouts the other days, and playing sports recreationally all in between. I've been going to the gym at U of M for over 3 years now, and in that amount of time you tend to meet all kinds of people, acquaintances, and eventually friends. You get this feeling as if the gym is your home, like you own a piece of it, because you've gone there so many days; put in countless amounts of work; and hours upon hours of dedication. Really, you acquire this huge sense of pride, that feels great; and makes you feel like a veteran.

     Now, today was no different, I was going about my usual routine and about to go to the gym, but I ended up in our student loft for a quick visit. I got distracted by a friend of mine named Stephanie Myers, and she was starving, so we were going to see if anyone else wanted to go on a food adventure. However, one person from our usual group was sick, and the other (Stephanie Bruma) was at the gym with one of her sorority sisters. So, this adventure fell through, and Myers eventually satisfied her cravings and found food else where. I proceeded to the gym as per schedule. It was such a grand surprise to learn that Stephanie Bruma was at the gym and putting in work. I love seeing new people at the gym, as a health addict, it gives me such happiness! She's dedicated to making this a routine and to keep coming too. Some of her other sisters eventually came too, and it was really fun working out with them. They're hysterical and they have so much energy; really it's just a good time.

     To see new people going to the gym, and showing the effort to change for the better and to be healthier, restores my faith in humanity a little bit. Nowadays, people are lazy or just don't care about their health, and they wonder why they have health problems related to diet. It's astounding how dense some people can be or how hypocritical they can be. It's frustrating beyond sin, and you just want to give them a good slap of reality. If people just went put in the effort in the beginning, it wouldn't feel like a chore, and it would be second nature and a habit; just something they didn't have to think about, ya know? It's refreshing to see people actually do that; it just brings a smile to a Nutritionist's face.

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

Blackboard Topics And Prescription Drugs

     Today was set aside solely for doing schoolwork and homework. Procrastination at it's best, I know. Regardless, my homework is slowly, but surely getting done; whilst in the midst of checking Facebook here and there, and hints of iTunes.
     One of my classes is an online Health Care Ethics class, and every week, we have articles to read, 3 blackboard posts to do, and a quiz to complete (Thank goodness for that CTRL + F function...). This week's topic was "Elective Procedures", and the question was if you agreed on an author's position that there is no such thing as a lifestyle drug, there is only a lifestyle and use of drugs. This was an extremely easy question for me, because it kind of hit me personally at the same time. Throughout my whole life, I've never taken (or had to) a prescription or some kind of drug, rather it be "for fun" or for actual medical reasons. Granted, I don't put it against someone that actually has a reason to, it's all the same to me. However, I do not believe that there is a lifestyle drug, but really a lifestyle that uses drugs.
    Many people feel that they have a need for drug use, most of the time, this is with hard drugs that everyone knows about and is common,  i.e. - Weed, Cocaine, Acid, etc. When I was going through middle school and high school, this is when I noticed them. I had childhood best friends that I separated from because they used these types of substances, and I would never, in the least bit, condone the use of them. I have a strong stand against them, and I'm very critical of people that use them. Between the severe negative affects they have on the body, the personality, and the lifestyle, there is nothing that comes out of them that is worth making life changing decisions for. I've always been kind of the "straight-edge" kind of person (against drugs, drinking, and the like), I changed my views on drinking a little after I came back from Italy; especially the wine. I don't know, maybe it's my passion for Nutrition & well-being that cements my stubborn stand, but I don't see why people do this for that "high" they get; wasting money; time and energy; and overall, their life and reputation. I mean think about the amount of money some people pay for the littlest amount of a drug, $100, $200, maybe more? I'm no drug connoisseur, but I know they can get expensive exponentially. Besides my stand on it, my frugailty would never allow myself to waste money so hastily. (I'm aware frugailty is not a word, but it is now damn it). I barely want to buy things off the Dollar Menu, never mind blowing an entire check.. literally.
     Don't get me wrong, the media and medical world, doesn't exactly help with this lifestyle drug debate. The media wants views and popularity, and professions in the medical world want that moo-lah, that keeps their affluent lifestyle thriving. Given, not all doctors are bad, but  lets face it, we should all be aware that there are many that want that big paycheck for a patient they might see for 10 minutes, after thus person has stood in line for an hour or more. However, that rant is for another day.
     people have to realize why people take prescriptions, what they're actually used for, and the future complications & consequences that can resolve from the use of them. I cannot stress how important personal knowledge is, especially when it comes to the medical world and nutrition world. There are so many vitamins on the market, and weight loss supplements, and things that are sporting the "healthy" label. A lot of things have bad ingredients or are items you shouldn't just take at face value. We have to read the fine print too! That's where all the real information is, and what you should be reading, instead of the pretty label they want you to see. Please, please read all the facts, and be educated in what you're eating and what you're consuming. This is your body we're talking about, don't you want the best for YOU?

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian

At The Vet

     So, today, my mom woke me up this morning (not MY morning, mind you) and she wanted to take our cat to the vet because of a little flee problem we've been having lately. Anyways, as I was sitting to leave, I noticed they had a scale to weigh your lovable, furry friend on. On the platform, it said "Weigh less, live longer!". I don't know why, but when I read that, it made me think a lot; and it made me think of nutrition, and eating right.

     When people eat right, their body will appreciate it. You'll be rewarded by living longer and living problem-free, for the most part. At least without problems related to diet. When I was looking for an advisor for my organization, the one I found; her name is Marilyn Harvey. She gave me a copy of an article about the telomeres on the end of your chromosome. It explained that when you exercise, they extend more and more, which helps you live longer.

     The thing about this subliminal message on the scale, is that people don't think twice about it, or deep enough. If they did, of course society would be a better place. Unfortunately, things aren't that easy in the world we live in. People are too stubborn, or don't want to exert the energy to eat right. If they did though, they would see how rewarding it actually is, and how much better life would be for them.

     So, to conclude, I guess the message should be: "Weigh less, live longer, *& be happier".

Sincerely,

A Dreaming Dietitian