Summer

School is OUT.

I get to spend quality time with those I love. :)

Lately, I have been thinking of the gifts He has blessed us with. I have spoken with the junior highers about the body of Christ, and told them that we are designed to be different parts (hands, feet, mouth, heart) in order to effectively reach others. However, it didn't dawn on me that I should apply these concepts to my life as well. This ministry has taught me humility, when to be serious and when to let go, and that if something can go wrong it will, so do not stress out about it.

Draw near to the Lord and remember His words; it has strengthened me when I was weakest, and verses memorized months back may not seem applicable then, but may be now.

"What does the Lord your God require of you but to fear the Lord, to walk in His ways, to love Him, to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and to obey his commandments." Deut 10:12

Nutrition

As a future health care worker, I really need to get these down, for my patients sake and for my own as well. This information is summarized from Nutrition for Life.

• Lipids:
  

Made of C, H, O. Include fats. Good fats =unsaturated fats. Mono-unsaturated fats 1) raise the level of High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL), aka "good cholesterol," which carry cholesterol from the tissues back to the liver. 2) develop less free radicals when heated, during cooking. Free radicals damage cells/tissues->disease.

Poly-unsaturated fats include Omega-3 & Omega-6 essential fatty acids.

Lipids form cell membranes, are a good energy source, aid in insulation and absorption of fat soluble vitamins from foods.

• Protein:

Made of C, H, O, N. Every cell in the body, whether it be apart of the bones, skin, muscles, organs has its own unique set of proteins that help it perform its necessary functions. Proteins provide cell: structure, growth, repair, maintenance. It can be an enzyme, hormone, antibody, etc.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. 9/20 AA are essential. Essential=body cannot self-synthesize.

• Carbohydrates:

Made of C, H, O...chains of sugar molecules. Great source of energy. Glucose used by most cells, including brain cells for energy. Used to build the nonessential amino acids, process fats, build cartilage, bone, nervous system tissues.

Simple carbohydrates have 1-2 sugar molecules. Monosaccharides (ex: glucose-in blood, fructose-in fruits, galactose-in dairy). Disaccharides (ex: sucrose, lactose-in milk)

Complex carbohydrates, aka polysaccharides include starch-in potatoes, glycogen-body's stored energy source, dietary fiber.

Dietary fiber is obtained solely from plants. Soluble fiber (dissolves in water) slows the breakdown of complex carbs; blood has less dramatic sugar spikes and you feel fuller longer. It binds cholesterol to the stool thereby reducing cholesterol levels.

Insoluble fiber is not easily absorbed by the body. It cleans the GI tract and promotes regular bowel movements, by drawing water into the stools, making them larger and easier to pass.

• Vitamins:

Naturally occuring chemicals, found in all foods. Essential for normal growth/development, and for chemical reactions in the body. Processes proteins, carbs, fats; builds cells/tissues/organs.

Some vitamins are antioxidants (neutralizers of free radicals).

Ex: Vit A, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Vit E.

• Minerals:

Found in rocks, plants (b/c they uptake soil), meat (b/c they eat plants). Aid in make/break body tissues, regulating metablosim (body's chemical reactions). Stored in bones and readily released during dietary deficiencies.

Ex: Calcium, Phosphorus, Zinc.

• Phytochemicals:

Protective chemicals found in plants. Decrease risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers. Similar to antioxidants.

Ex: carotenoids, flavonoids, lycopene, phenols.

• Sources of All of the Above:
  

1. Bread/cereal/grain: contains valuable source of carbohydrates and fiber

2. Vegetables: vital source of vitamins, minerals, fiber

3. Fruits: good source of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, phytochemicals

4. Milk/dairy: important source of protein, vitamins, minerals (esp Ca2+)

5. Protein sources (like meat, poultry, fish, plant proteins-peanuts): for protein's sake!

My Happiness includes Food

Spring Break 2009:

• First Greyhound bus ride to visit C and her cooking. Worth it
• Successfully made crispy crust pizza w/ JJ. Woot! ..made me nostalgic for NYC
• Musashi. Trophy Cupcakes. Laughing it up with SY
• My favorite chewy rye bread @ Cheesecake Factory with high school buds
• Talking about God with little J while celebrating big J's bday
• Brother treating me to Cafe Ori :)
• Listening to the quiet crackley crust of a baguette @ Pike Place, with HCC.
• Hanging out w/ YH for the first time. A brief hike & making ice-cream sandwiches

First Day of Winter

Snow Day #4. Cooped up, watching movies, baking sweets, steaming buns, reading books. It's so quiet, everyone is taking it slow. We haven't bought Christmas gifts yet, but the forecast says more snow, so no presents this year. I like it like that.

Senior Year

WOOSH and 3 1/2 years of college life has passed by.
And 4 years of high school.
3 years of middle school.
5 years of elementary school.

Savor every moment: the nights spent cramming for midterms, the bus trips to HCC, Friday Bible Study + frozen yogurt, being inspired by TA's so passionate about their field they are willing to study several more years for it, talking to random people, soaking up UW's beauty, etc.

Today was my dear, gracious, kind, loving mother's birthday. My Tiramisu cake was a flop but the #1 fan of my cooking didn't think so. :)

Missing the Point

Were the Pharisee's "bad guys," "good guys" or "us guys"?

The Pharisee's held the scripture in the highest regard, neglecting the purpose of Biblical principles. God told us to not work, but to seek rest on the Sabbath, for our own good. He is a merciful provider, and understands that even us meek humans need a break once in a blue moon. However, the Pharisees misinterpreted this to mean no work could be done. They were so bound to their own laws and self-righteousness that they didn't see helping others was not work.

PM asked the congregation what group we'd put the Pharisee's in. "Us guys," I think. Sometimes I do judge people for not following the "unwritten" rules, forgetting it is God's graciousness that has provided me with a safe & loving community, and kept me from floating away. As PM puts it: a relationship with Jesus Christ, not religion is what brings salvation.

In other news, school has been coming along like choppy waters. I feel like a little sailboat that's just survived a storm, only to have to brace some more. But in the calm times, it has been quite nice. HCC took a long hike to Lake Serene, celebrated 4 consecutive birthdays, and braved the scary haunted corn maze. The corn fields were lovely during daylight! Also, I learned to make nutella (http://www.sugoodsweets.com/blog/2005/12/nutella/), to function on 4 hours of sleep, and to appreciate the greatness of super glue.