Joining the Dark Side!

Before....

During...

 

After...

And now... I'm a brunette!

The Assessment

If you remember, I posted this description about the semester I was about to embark on, a few months ago. And it looked pretty intimidating. Fast forward to today and POW! Domination!

Advanced Nutrition - A
World Food and Culture - A
Institutional Food Mngt. - A
Biochemistry II - B

Also, I included this diagram that very accurately sums up my collegiate career.

Update and photos!

I wanted to make a post including pictures of my apartment, since some people who I love, live to far to visist...

My herbs chillin outside. They usually live on my windowsill in the livingroom.

I was inspired to start a little herb garden after kendra started one of her own!!!

Livingroom redecorated after my roommate moved out. Special thanks to craigslist and ross :)

The tablecloth I got today. It was missing its package, so the lady sold it to me for $7. Boyah!

And my cat! Because I love her too much not to include her

Anddd again...

I am completely in love with my apartment! On another note, tests, classes and real-life all resume on Monday! And I hope I'm ready. :-)

Classes are Over!!!

How I felt as I was leaving my last Final of the semester..

Oh yea...

Fish: Chum or Scum

Tip of the Week #6

We have all heard that fish is one of the healthiest meats you can eat. We have also heard that a lot of them have very high levels of mercury and other toxins. So what is the final verdict? -As long as you are eating the right types of fish, the benefits FAR outweigh the risks! Most fish have the same amount of protein as meat, and offers iron and B12 which help with energy. On top of that a salmon, for example, has ¼ the amount of saturated fat compared ounce for ounce with beef. And how could we talk about fish without mentioning that it’s an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids! I know you have heard all of the benefits there… Reducing inflammation, better brain functioning, cardiovascular health, and protection from heart attack and stroke, just to name a few! Fish is a healthy way to pile up on protein and avoid unhealthy fats! So substitute fish for meat at least twice a week and you’ll be doing yourself a favor healthwise!

Some fish with the highest conc. of omega-3 include salmon, anchovies, halibut, albacore tuna, mussels and oysters! Fish and mammals to keep off your plate due to sky high mercury include golden bass or tilefish, shark, swordfish, king mackerel and dolphin.

Movie suggestion this week: The Cove

Hello Allergy Season!

Tip of the Week # 5

The trees are blooming, cats are shedding, and the air is blowing this wonderful spring mix right in your direction! Well, before you buy that family-size box of allergy pills, try a few foods first.  So basically when your body goes into attack mode, it is because your immune cells release histamines. The inflammation swells your nasal passages and signals a release of fluids, sneezing, and itchy eyes and throat . The foods that may help you are ones that either reduce the inflammation or calm down your immune response. So what’s on the menu for you allergy sufferers? Salmon: The omega 3 helps minimize inflammation. Garlic: (What can’t garlic do…really?) Some studies have found a connection between some antioxidants and a lower incidence of hay fever. Onions: It contains quercetin, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and helps to prevent the release of histamine. Well, this sounds like a meal to me!

Things to avoid: Red meat contains a great deal of arachidonic acid which induces inflammation. Red wine is a no-go too. Although it has great benefits, the skin of the grapes contains histamines. Try a white. It goes better with your salmon anyway!

Now go soak up some sun!

California once again!!

So I got an oppertunity to go back to California for a week along with my old and great friend Colby!
We stayed at my mom's amazing new house in Tulare. It is surrounded by orchards of orange trees and vinyards of grapes!
The week consisted of swimming pools, hot tubs, new and old family, new and old friends, a little bit of Bakersfield jazz, some wine tasting in Paso Robles, and some very large trees in some very beautiful mountains.
Here are just a few snapshots from the week!

Who: The Von Brauwns ...Destination: The Beach.

The most beautiful landscape.

Biggest. Trees. EVER

You can't read it, but the reason this was so funny is because that little sign

there, says regrowing zone: do not disturb land ...Oops!

St Patricks day at the Padre in Bakersfield

Cute newly weds!

The brother-in-law. Gotta love him :)

Okay..what you don't see in the picture is one or both of them singing the black/yellow song.

in what is only assumed to be an attempt at the voice of big bird.

SO! That was basically the trip! Although, I wish I had taken pictures of Mom's lovely backyard!

And I am back in Oklahoma to seeeee...

FLOWERS!!!

And a very happy boyfriend!

THE END!