Shake up your morning with a smoothie (video)

Screen Shot 2016-01-31 at 3.45.23 PM Ever hit that second snooze and wonder how many seconds you could save in the shower, cut down getting ready or maybe just skip breakfast? While the few minutes more of sleep may seem worthwhile in the moment, the empty stomach and unclear focus to your morning routine will catch up to you by noon. I started incorporating “super” smoothies (read: protein) into my morning and found an improvement in my energy levels and performance. With the help of my mom, a personal trainer of 18 years, I hope to inspire you to develop a healthy morning routine that will deliver the same success in the clinic or classroom.

Can you make homemade meals for a week straight?

Raw fresh meat steak on kitchen cutting board on a dark wood   backgroundNowadays we’d rather order food from Grubhub than make something ourselves. Our rationalization? Saves time. But does it? It takes 30-60 minutes for takeout to arrive and while you told yourself you would do the dishes or a load of laundry during that hour, we all know you sat on the couch and watched “Master of None” on Netflix.  Let’s not kid ourselves. Ordering food is easy, making it on the other hand is hard.

ASDA’s February Wellness Challenge encourages you to face this predicament head-on. Eat only home cooked for seven days. I completed the challenge for this blog post and it was extremely difficult, but rewarding.

Why “Y” matters: 4.000 – X = Y

friends around fire on beachIf 4.000 – X = Y, and X = your GPA, then solve for Y.

I know. I’m throwing two tantalizing topics your way: your GPA and performing math. However, please stow away your cringing and crying for a moment, because there’s a method to my madness.

I want you to subtract your current GPA from 4.000 and determine the number that stands between you and what academic institutions quantify as “perfection.” If you’re like me, that difference is certainly not a zero. In fact, when I solve for “Y,” it’s larger than I would like.

But, I’d like to reel in your future-specialist-type-A anxiety and offer you a different perspective to consider for 2016. I pose to you the following questions: what does your “Y” truly represent, and why does “Y” matter?

Tips for managing holiday stress

holiday stressIt’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but dental students may disagree. Along with final exams and patients stressing you out, holiday traveling and numerous holiday activities might be more stress than you’re ready for. So how do you manage to actually enjoy the holiday break instead of worrying about it?

Stress management requires constant practice and is a lifelong skill. Some students like to take Friday or Saturday nights off of studying, some like to stay in and hang out with friends, and still others just like to have some quiet time to themselves and recharge before the it’s time to hit the books again. Learning which strategy is right for you can be half the battle. Read on for tips on handling holiday stress…

3 tips for simple, healthy, homemade meals

healthy-foodThey say you are what you eat, right? Eating healthy can be a challenge for students because of lack of time and money to spend on quality food. After a long day of studying or treating patients, it would be nice if we had a personal chef straight from Whole Foods to cook us dinner. Sadly, that’s not the case and we have to do our best to make healthy eating a priority in our busy dental school lives. After eating too many frozen dinners in college and not feeling so good afterwards, I decided to try to find easier ways to make healthy food while on a time crunch. Here are some of my tips and favorite recipes!

Will you go dark for 24 hours?

Almost everythingwill work if youunplug (1)Thinking about my average weekday, my phone is never far from reach. My phone wakes me up in the morning, tells me when my bus will arrive and even pays for my morning coffee. I read the news on my phone on the way to work and I usually use it to check Facebook or Instagram during my lunch break. On the bus ride home, I listen to my NPR app to minimize screen time. I feel overstimulated.

I want to break the cycle. I want to see the ride to work instead of the Instagram feed on my phone. I want to talk to my husband instead of email him. And I want to feel like my experiences are still valid even if I don’t share them on social media.

Do you want these things too? Read on for details on ASDA’s very first Wellness Challenge!

Wellness DIY: Homebrew your own kombucha

Screen Shot 2015-10-13 at 11.23.54 AMBy the name you might think it’s some sort of exotic fruit or an impossible yoga move. In fact, kombucha not only has a fruity taste, but can also be as beneficial as yoga. This specialty drink found at most health food stores has been said to help digestive health, mental clarity and mood stability. Made from a base of black tea and sugar, this drink can cost you up to $5 a bottle. On a dental student budget, finding alternatives to store-bought kombucha are a must for this latest drink craze.

Luckily, homebrewed kombucha not only saves you a few bucks, but is a fun hobby that combines the creativity of cooking with the upkeep of gardening. A starter kit to brew your homemade kombucha can cost around $30, but can yield up to a gallon of the drink per batch. Adding the the sweet tangy taste of kombucha is your choice of any fruity flavoring you desire. Thai basil and lime or ginger berry are just a few flavors that compliment this fizzy drink. Check out the instructions below to brew your own batch and let us know how it comes out!