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!

Non-traditional journeys to dental school [videos]

UCLA video predentalEvery day, I am inspired by the many unique journeys that are traveled and that ultimately converge at dental school. I’ve literally never met a “traditional” dental student. My classmates and I chose to share our stories with predental students in hopes that they too may recognize the inestimable value of their own distinct discourses. In a 25-part video series produced by UCLA ASDA’s Predental Outreach Committee, you’ll hear about some of these traditionally untraditional journeys to dental school. I hope they will inspire you to catch #ASDAfever and #Belieb in your journey, because after all it is the only road map you have to your destination.

Top 5 dental music video parodies of 2014

Shake it off screenshotThis year has been an exciting one. Some students were accepted to dental school. Some students graduated dental school. Some passed boards. Some did their first procedures on real patients. And some made videos.

I am a huge advocate for video—especially the type that UCLA ASDA is making as a part of their predental video series—but when dental school gets tough, sometimes you just gotta shake it off and break it down.

As the last Media Monday post of the year, I thought it would be appropriate to look back at all of the not-so-dental related videos that have been made and highlight the fun that can be had while in dental school. And so, without further ado, I give you the top Dental School Music Videos of 2014.

How to introduce yourself to a speaker

Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 9.11.12 AMIn this month’s Mingle Monday we’re building off of Friday’s suggestion to attend ASDA’s National Leadership Conference. Whether you’re at an ASDA meeting or a CE session or a networking event, you’ll probably run into a situation where you’d like to meet the person who just spoke at an event. It can be intimidating to introduce yourself to a speaker, but the benefits make it more than worthwhile. I made this video while working as an extern in ASDA’s national office this summer. These tips have helped me gain valuable contacts and enhance my network–I hope they help you too.

A strong CV = the foundation of good networking

CG CV tipsWe’ve shown you a lot of networking tips here on Mingle Monday, but did you ever consider your CV as a networking tool? Of course it is! Here’s the scenario: You meet a dentist at a state society function and you hit it off. You tell him you’d love it if he could look over your CV because you’re looking to match in a residency program next year. Send him the CV a day or two later, receive feedback and take his suggestions to heart. You never know who this dentist is connected to and where this CV swap can take you. Maybe he’ll notice some work you did with Give Kids a Smile and hook you up with a colleague who shares your philanthropic passion and can jump start your career.

Get curious! A review of The Curious Dentist’s videos

Screen Shot 2014-04-22 at 8.14.08 AMI was recently introduced to a website called The Curious Dentist, which is a collection of blog posts and videos by Dr. Chris Salierno. Fun Fact: Dr. Salierno is a past National ASDA President and a current member of the ADA New Dentist Committee, which certainly piqued my curiosity! His blog has all sorts of helpful information related to clinical dentistry and practice management.