by Alexandra on September 1, 2010
Everything that I’ve learned in the past month (or two, since I skipped July) has occurred in the past three days. It is also knowledge that I learned in kindergarten, at least most of it is.
- New things are scary, but only for a short time. I would love to report that life in DC is great and I am completely adjusted, but that would be a big fat lie. DC is great, but it doesn’t feel like my home. What is scary the most right now are classes. The type of classes, the material, the group projects. After spending 13 terms (don’t ask) memorizing and regurgitating facts about cells and standing in a lab for 4+ hours a week, this concept of “There are no wrong answers” is foreign. I knew that this program would be a huge jump from any hard science curriculum, but I guess I wasn’t completely prepared for the liberal nature.
- On your first day of school, be friendly and kind to the other children. And share your crayons (or pen). I am happy to report that I’ve met some really incredible people in the past few days. I had my first DC adventure with one of the girls in my program. You start to see some familiar faces as the days go on.
- Do not doubt yourself. You can accomplish anything you put your mind to. This, I might know but am not good at. Sitting in my Health Policy lecture today I started to have some intense feelings that “I’m not smart enough for this program” or “I don’t belong here” or “What is he saying? How is this paper graded? I’m supposed to create a Stakeholder Map? And read the Wall Street Journal? HELP ME!” I know I wasn’t the only person feeling this way, but I really started to doubt myself. After all, my brain is my biggest enemy. I questioned if I was doing the right thing, maybe I should have just gone into Medicine and done something comfortable. But that is what Public Health is all about, making people UNcomfortable.
- Haters gonna hate. Okay, I haven’t had any real blog haters but I have been getting feedback from people who are close to me. Now, I’m not one to take criticism well but when something I write is taken completely out of context, I’m left feeling a bit irked. Maybe I am “naive” and don’t think about ALL of the different ways a person can twist words. But guess what, this is MY space. So if YOU don’t like it, stop reading and move on.
- Eat your fruit and vegetable at lunch. I have a confession… I know this is a good lesson to live by, but I haven’t been doing a very good job. I’m really not sure what I’ve been eating. Have I been? Is it a problem that I can pull my pants up without unbuttoning them? Let’s start with yesterday’s lunch.
A cinnamon bun from Ikea with a nectarine. Because that’s healthy… Dinner was at least a step in the right direction.
“Taco” salad with Food Should Taste Good multigrain chips, kidney beans, sauteed red bell pepper, zucchini and english peas, spring mix, Cabot jalapeno cheddar, avocado and salsa.
A very real goal for this weekend is going to be forcing myself to eat. That seems to be the first thing that goes for me whenever things get crazy and stressful. But to make up for my lack of food, I have been diligently lifting free weights at my gym every day. I can’t win ‘em all.
What have you learned this month? Any tips for surviving grad school?
As a side note, if you’re in the DC area Liz over at Liz Runs DC is planning a blogger meet up for September 11th. Obviously I’m going as a part of my make new friends in this new city initiative. 
Okay, one more thing… if anyone knows where to get Kombucha (meaning Synergy and not the crappy Carpe Diem stuff at Whole Foods) PLEASE PLEASE help a sister out. It would be clutch for helping me survive the next few weeks. That and my student loan check so I can buy said $3 drink.
by Alexandra on August 30, 2010
I survived my first day! I love that school can be instantly gratifying and all of the things I can reward myself about. Like meeting up with someone I met at orientation, talking to two new people, answering at statistics question correctly. I’ll brush the dirt off my shoulders now. For those of you who asked, I’m at GW for my Masters of Public Health. Which is why I so frequently talk about policy related to obesity issues. I went into this program hoping to learn skills to help address food insecurity and obesity issues.
I came across an advertisement a few days ago that really caught my eye. Snickers has paired with Feeding America to create the campaign “Bar Hunger.” The premise is that Snickers bars are specially labeled with a code that can be entered online and in turn, Snickers will donate the equivalent of one meal to Feeding America (up to 3.5 million meals).
I am a huge supporter of Feeding America. I’ve worked with one of their food banks and have applied for one of their internships. This is an organization that I would truly enjoy beginning my public health career with. But pairing with a product that contains highly subsidized ingredients and that is not exactly healthy? I was in a mild state of shock.
The press release states:
Campaigns like ‘Bar Hunger’ are critical for our organization because they not only provide meals to help us support Americans in need, but they also raise the volume on the issue, helping to inspire Americans to help.
Hmm. Okay. Yes, some of the profits will go to providing meals and yes this is a publicity stunt. But did Feeding America have to choose Snickers? Couldn’t they have tried to partner with… oh, I dont know… a pretzel bag?
What about when food companies sponsor events held by professional organizations? The 2010 ADA Food & Nutrition Conference and Expo received sponsorship from Campbell’s, Chobani, ConAgra Foods and Nature Made. Is it okay that the ADA receives support from ConAgra… they company that makes Beefaroni?
What about when a healthy living conference receives funding and product samples from food companies? What about when a scheduled event is to visit a Frito Lay factory? How does healthy living and chips work? Everything in moderation, I suppose.
I certainly cannot say what is right or ethically sound for a professional organization that I am not a member of. I also am unwilling to stand on a pedestal and say that it is 100% wrong to partner with a company that makes candy or chips or junk food in general. If advertising with a food company brings greater awareness for a cause and involves greater media involvement, that’s not so bad. But, and it is a BIG but, what I find unfortunate about the partnership between Snickers and Feeding America, is that low income individuals are statistically proven to have a greater risk of being obese. Part of the issues arises from the cost to calorie ratio. Candy bars cost little and have a high calorie content. The irony is that the individuals who could most benefit from some of Feeding America’s programs, like this free meal, are also more likely to purchase Snickers.
What are your feelings on corporate sponsorships? Is it ethically sound to say that one type is “good” while another is “bad?”
by Alexandra on August 29, 2010
Tomorrow is my first day of grad school. It’s strange to think that I’m going to be a student… again. I’m definitely feeling apprehensive/nervous excitement, and am still in a state of disbelief that this is my life. In DC, at GW. Me. It’s strange to sit in this new apartment, look out the window and not know my surroundings. I’ll be honest in saying that the feeling of loneliness is hitting me. I’m homesick for Philadelphia and my friends. I’m confident that I’ll make new friends and that this will soon feel like “home.” Big changes are never easy but I know that tomorrow really is marking the beginning of my future.
I’m hoping that I’ll be able to manage everything on my plate gracefully. Full time classes, part time job (fingers crossed), training for the Philly half marathon, blogging, and trying to start some version of a social life. NBD, right?
I would like to just thank all of you, who stumble upon my little space. I am so grateful for all of your thoughts on public health and food issues. I am equally as grateful for all of your support and all of the encouragement. I am so excited to be able to share what I learn through school, my practicum and any professional lectures.
In the meantime, while I am over-organizing myself and printing out an entire trees worth of papers, here are some great reads from the past week.
And a very happy Birthday to my Padre!
Angel food cakes with fresh strawberries. Dad’s favorite. Love you, Daddy!
by Alexandra on August 26, 2010
I think that maybe I should just forget this whole going-back-to-school-to-change-the-world deal and just become a farmer. My family is full of them, and this year my Grandfather took the award for the largest zucchini. See:
(I bet my boy George liked zucchini.)
If I became a farmer I would grow massive produce and have salmonella-free eggs. So what’s a girl to do with a zucchini that size? Bake, naturally. First, obtain a box grater because you are going to do it by hand. Don’t complain, consider it your resistance training for the day. Once you’ve grated approximately half of your monster zucchini, pick your recipe… or you can be like me and make both.
Spiced Zucchini Bread (adapted from Martha)
- 2 cups grated zucchini
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, vanilla, and eggs.
3.Into a new bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. Add egg mixture to the flour mixture, and stir together. Fold in grated zucchini.
4. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 45 minutes (an inserted tooth-pick should come clean). Allow to cool!
Chocolate Zucchini Muffins (adapted from KitchenDaily)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups grated zucchini
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare muffin pans with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Whisk together all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
3. Whisk eggs, applesauce, oil, and vanilla in another large bowl until blended. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in zucchini and the chocolate chips. Spoon the batter into the prepared pans (I was able to make 14 muffins).
4. Bake for 30 minutes and allow to cool.
I’m planning to freeze 8 of my muffins so I can enjoy them all year. Tasty, tasty.
Now, debate about what to do with the remaining monster zucchini.
What would you do with another 5 cups of zucchini?
