Carbs Carbs Carbs!

You probably think I'm weird but this picture just brings so much joy to my heart! Why? Because I'm a HUGE bread lover. I have dreams of rolling in dough (and I'm not talking about money). But sadly, most bread doesn't love me (or any of us for that matter). I've been on this healthy kick where I focus on fueling my body instead of simply feeding it. And the simple, processed carbs that I quite often feast on definitely does little as far as fueling my body goes. So I'm giving it up for the most part. And by "for the most part", I mean, I won't be purchasing it during my monthly grocery shopping trips. I may occasionally indulge in the free bread that is given at restaurants or if I'm starving at school and there are some free bagels near. But those should only be rare occasions and even then, I'll only indulge moderately.

Now I'm not giving up carbohydrates totally. I don't come from the school of thought that believes carbs are bad. I don't do "low-carb diets" (although I know from experience low-carb diets leave my tummy looking AMAZING). While I am a proponent of abstaining from processed carbs such as foods rich in sugar (white and brown), white flour, and white rice, I am a strong advocate of eating complex carbs. In case you don't know, complex carbs are the starches found in grains, vegetables and legums. They take longer to digest which means they leave you full much longer. They are also rich in b-vitamins, fiber, and iron. I also believe that the sugar that is found in fruits is nothing to be scared of either. Often times, I see people refrain from eating raisins, bananas, apricots, and so on, simply because they are high in sugar. But the thing is, the sugar that is found in fruits is much different from the processed sugar and high fructose corn syrup that is found any many of the "food" on grocery store shelves.

So from now on, my money will only be used to purchase whole grain breads, brown rice, beans, fruits, and veggies. Those will be my main sources of carbs as I venture through my journey towards better health. Now I just need to get creative because the same healthy meals over and over can get quite boring. I'll post my meals and progress as time goes by.

Kudos Meharry!

So they finally came through for me. Just this week, they overloaded my inbox with info concerning the summer program, financial aid, course descriptions health insurance, all that good stuff. So I'm pretty pleased for now. It's 50% reassuring but 50% scary. Like, school is REALLY about to start! I'll be taking the following classes

*Biology of cells (booooring)
*Introduction to Clinical Anatomy (sounds fun)
*Educational Development & Support and Foundations in Clinical Medicine (....)

Not too bad. Not bad at all. Three classes? I can handle that.  I haven't had to seriously study for a class since last year but I'm about to dive in head first. I'm definitely going to give it my all and develop the study skills that will be useful when my load gets heavier in the fall. Wish me luck! School starts in 2 weeks!!!

As Impatient As I Wanna Be

So you'll be surprised to know that although school starts in less than 4 weeks, I've barely heard a PEEP from my future school. I say barely because they were kind enough to send me a PICTURE of my financial aid award. Yes a PICTURE! I can't see the full award letter or accept my wonderful loans because someone in the IT office decided to wait until the last minute to set up our online accounts. Welcome to an HBCU huh? Michigan, you definitely spoiled me. Thanks ALOT!

OK I lied! They sent us an email like 5 days ago asking for our current mailing addresses so they could send us "the packet". Ok, where is this packet? I mean....it normally takes about 3 days for mail to travel from Nashville to Detroit (not that I've ever received mail from Nashville other than my acceptance letter lol). I expected "the packet" to be mailed immediately following my reply to their email. Maybe it will be here Tuesday.....

I'm trying to keep my level of anxiety down but it's verrrrrryyy hard. I'd like to see a schedule or an order of events for our orientation week or a post card...SOMETHING! It's very frustrating! But, to keep my sanity, I've been living on studentdoctor.net and youtube and reading/viewing about the experiences of current medical students. Yeah I know, you probably think that's insane but I can't help it. I'm also trying my hardest not to crack open my newly acquired biochem book or my anatomy book from last year. Everyone says not to pre-study. But what else can I do in an apartment with no money, no cable and having access to internet is a rare occasion? Everything is driving me INSANE! But it's ok. I know I'm not the only insane one lol From our facebook group, I get the feeling that at least half the class is as insane (if not more) as I am. They're definitely just as impatient. Hmmm.....well off to youtube!

Later!

350 Workouts This Year!

<This post was written on my other blog (the one I am neglecting) on May 26th, 2011>

 

Speaking of my shortfall with committing to things....well here's another thing to add to the list: exercise regimens. So, earlier this year, I made a challenge on the Long Hair Care Forum called "I Commit to ____ Workouts in 2011". I got all riled up and excited (as most of us do around New Years) and committed to 350 workouts. I know, I know! There are only 356 days in the year. But I figured that there are virtually NO reasons that I should not be able to fit a 10 minute workout in every single day. So how's that been working for me?

Well, today is going to make workout #83. Yes, I'm behind on my workouts. Let's see: today is May 26th--the 26th day of the 5th month so I should be somewhere around workout #116 (rough estimate). Sadly, I'm 33 workouts short. Things have come up, I've traveled alot, I've been sick, I've made excuses but lately, I've been staying on track and I'm trying my hardest to keep up and catch up.

I've been working out twice a day for the past couple of weeks and the energy I have during and after my workouts is AMAZING. That benefit alone should encourage me to get my butt up and workout every morning. But still, waking up just to workout is still pretty difficult for me. I just HATE waking up in the morning. But who said life is supposed to be easy? NO ONE, that's who! So I'm getting my butt off this computer so I can break a sweat with Leslie Sansone. Walking away the pounds has been GREAT!

Ttyl lovelies!

Can't Commit?

What is wrong with me? Seriously! It's like....I can't commit to anything. I rarely commit any challenge I join, I can't commit to study schedules, and I can't commit to this freaking blog! I LOVE to write. I write in my journal everyday. But for some reason, I just can't find the right PUSH that I need. I don't want to say that I'm not motivated. Because I truly want to do it. I want to share my thoughts, passions, tips, techniques, and progress with the world. I want to encourage others to embark on their own hair, fitness, and health journey. It's just something about commitments that I'm not good with. I can't even commit to making youtube videos smh. It's something I'm working on, I promise you. Maybe I should pray about it. Prayer always works!

Exploring Who I Am...

Who am I? Answering that question with superficial aspects of me is easy. I am a Christian. I am a Black American, 21 year old women, who was raised on the east side of Detroit. At the end of this month, I will be a University of Michigan alumnus. This summer, I will begin my journey as a medical student. I am a daughter, a niece, a girlfriend, a sister, a friend. But all of these are merely labels right? What I just described is what I am, not who I am right? Wrong! What I am is a large part of who I am. The labels that define me are what have shaped my experiences. Life experiences have cultivated and will continue to cultivate who I am. But sometimes in life, with the influences of friends, family, and the media, who I am and who I want to be can get lost in who others want and/or expect me to be. So I am working to explore who I am; who I really am inside. Not the person I pretend to be in order to please others. But the real me. The me I can’t exactly describe right now. But I’ll get there. Sooner or later.

Dr Danni?

Whats up readers?! Yes, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself with the "Dr" title. But that's ok! The title will officially belong to me in 2015 so I may as well get used to it now right? *Hee Hee*