Thursday, January 26, 2012

Momma's Mac&Cheese...Cooking Section

Macaroni & Cheese... enough said...

Click on the Cooking section for the recipe. Disclaimer... no measurements involved so I had to guesstimate :) I learned how to make if from my Mom.

"He died as he lived..."

...the first phrase from a statement released by the Paterno family in regards to the death of Joe Paterno, legendary Penn State football coach, who died on January 22, 2012. As recently reported, Joe Paterno died from metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung, an aggressive and rapidly growing malignancy of the lung that affects 20-25% of the US population. Prognostically, 65-70% of those with small cell carcinoma have disseminated, extensive disease at the time of clinical presentation... which unfortunately is incurable.

Lion shrine in the Hershey Medical Center rotunda
in memory of Joseph Vincent Paterno
Dec. 21, 1926-Jan. 22, 2012
Since the dawn of the "Penn State scandal", many have questioned if the events surrounding the scandal and the abrupt firing of Paterno worsened his health status leading to his death. No one will never know. Can you die of a broken heart? Can emotional stress kill you? No one knows for sure. However, emotional stress and chronic pain can indeed decrease your body's immunity, making it harder to restore physiological balance once compromised. So, from my perspective the recent events prior to his death surely did more harm.

As a Penn State graduate, soon to be x2 when I graduate from Penn State College of Medicine in May of 2013, my heart sincerely goes out to the Paterno family and the Penn State community. Joe Paterno was and will always be a prominent memory of my college years. Everyone knew of "JoePa" and were proud to be a Penn Stater whenever anyone spoke of his name. We are... Penn State


Sunday, January 15, 2012

Clipping Coupons~ once you start, you'll never stop!

Being in financial debt is enough to make a person physically ill. Seriously. Depending on the amount of money owed, the feeling of helplessness can greatly affect a person's well being. To some being in debt is like a vicious cycle. You pay one bill to only get another that you can't afford, not to mention unexpected expenses that arise which are out of your control. It can be a mess!
my coupons~SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!

I'm one of the millions of Americans who are in extreme debt, due to my loans for medical school. With 6-figures worth of debt looming over my head, and not many options available to decrease school expenses and personal bills, I was determined to figure out a way to cut cost. Seeing the show "Extreme Couponing," on TLC was my aha moment! http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/extreme-couponing

I've always known about coupons in the Sunday paper and online, but never really took advantage of the savings. Yet, when I saw people saving more than $500 on one grocery bill on Extreme Couponing, I was sold! So, every Sunday I buy the local paper for $2.00 and clip coupons. Not only do I clip coupons, but also review the circulars for the local grocery stores and convenient stores (such as Rite Aid, CVS) to see what items are on sale. By doing this, I can save double by (1) getting the item on sale AND (2) using my coupon. I've only be doing this for about a month, but saw the benefit instantly.
Perfect sunday~ coupons, hot green tea, tasty breakfast panini
You're never to good to clip coupons... try it once and you'll be hooked!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Bacon, Egg, Spinach & Cheese Panini~ check out Cooking tab!

After waking up in a rather grumpy mood, I needed something to brighten up my day. I headed to the gym to release some frustration and came home for some therapeutic cooking. Check out the Cooking tab for a easy recipe for a Turkey bacon, Egg, Spinach, and Cheese Breakfast Panini. It was just what I needed....

ingredients for panini
finished product...YUM! 

"Waking up angry..." ~ New post in "Thoughts" section

Check out my new post in the "Thoughts" section...

Thursday, January 12, 2012

The power of the white coat...or not?

The white coat, worn by medical professionals, has been a topic of discussion in my recent conversations with various physicians during my clinical rotations. Controversial comments have been made, as there seems to be contrasting views about its utility and purpose in the medical field. Once a symbol of accomplishment and professional accolade, it is now seen by some as a symbol of unjust superiority. Hmmm...Check out the "Medicine" tab to read more...
my white coat

Monday, January 9, 2012

Choc Chip and Walnut Banana Bread~ see "Cooking" section

Sunday I made banana bread with some over-ripened bananas I had on the counter. Its a great snack to include in your lunch or pre/post workout. See the "Cooking" section for the recipe.... Best Banana Bread Ever!
P.S. I didn't realize how much I cook until I started posting on my blog again. More blog articles in "Medicine" and "Thoughts" section in the works... Enjoy. 
Chocolate chip and walnut banana bread

Yummy Tex-Mex recipe...see Cooking section!

While growing up, I lived all over the US. I've traveled coast to coast. But my time in Texas (both Dallas and Houston) will always hold a special place in my heart. Texas is definitely known for its Tex-Mex and BBQ so when living there I grew to love both.  This recipe pays homage to my love for mexican food. Check out the Cooking section for my Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas with a homemade tomatillo sauce that is delicioso! 
Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas
see Cooking tab for recipe! 

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

New post in "Cooking" and "Wellness"

Now that I'm back in Hershey for school, I have to get back to my daily routine. That means going to the hospital or clinic during the day for clinical rotations, cooking dinner, working out, studying, keeping in touch with family and friends, and don't forget finding "me" time :)

Check out the "Cooking" section for a quick, easy, and healthy soup recipe. There's nothing like a good, warm soup when its cold outside.

Check out the "Wellness" section where I talk about exercise and ways to keep it fun. With the new year upon us, many make new years resolutions pertaining to fitness. Frequent gym goers know that right around the new year, the gym is packed with new comers motivated to make a change. However, give it a month and the gym attendance dwindles and things go back to how they were. Yet, if you determine what works for you, it will be easier to stay motivated and stay in the gym consistently. Not to mention the health benefits!


Thanks for visiting...

Monday, January 2, 2012

New post in "Cooking" section...

Check out my most recent food finds during my visit in Chicago. I was definitely on a mission to see what Chicago was all about when it came to delicious, affordable food. They definitely passed the test. Click on the Cooking tab to read all about it. Sneak peek...
Cupcakes from Sprinkles, original cupcake bakery
cutest morsels of goodness!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

It's a new start!

Chicago skyline~ December 31, 2011
It's officially 2012... Happy New Year! I'm both thankful and excited for the new year and optimistically looking forward to the challenges and experiences 2012 will bring. Starting my 2nd blog is my first new venture for 2012. My first blog, MD Bound started in November 2010, was primarily about medicine and my journey through medical school. Although I had interesting experiences to share, I felt the blog was lacking. I was confined to one topic, yet had so many things to share regarding other interests of mine. I ended MD Bound in April 2011 and decided to revisit blogging at a later time, hoping to find inspiration for a new direction. Well, it came... 8 months later. 

With this blog Morning after, Day ahead, I hope to not only share my experiences in medical school but also focus on a broader topic of health & wellness. I am an advocate for holistic health. As I mature, I find myself consciously seeking spiritual, physical, and mental balance. Some say it's when that balance is obtained, that one is living life to its fullest potential. Yet, it's also life's challenges that can easily offset the very balance you worked so hard to achieve. So, in my opinion as long as you're striving for a life filled with wholeness; a balance that fits you no matter how uneven it might seem to another, you're living life to the fullest. 

I want to share my journey in seeking my life balance, and in doing so provide helpful tips, information, and personal stories. General posts will be on the home page, as well as updates for new posts under the different tabs. 

The photo above is the Chicago skyline. I spent Christmas and New Year in Chicago. I officially declare it my favorite city. Below is a short video I made on December 31, 2011. I took a walk along Lake Michigan to reflect on the year. Very peaceful.