Just MOVE! It

Just signed up for Move! Weight Management Program's 2009 Champions' Challenge. Only half way through my day and I already feel accomplished. Although it's not required for my clinical rotation, I figured, why not? I'm pretty confident that it will help (not harm) my goal to reach a healthy body weight range...and I'm always, always, up for a challenge!

What is it?

Move! is a national weight management program designed by the VA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP), a part of the Office of Patient Care Services, to help veterans lose weight, keep it off and improve their health.

NCP and Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) are partnering to sponsor this challenge. This year's challenge is designed to help promote the new US Department of Health and Human Services 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans .


When is it?
March 29, 2009-June 20, 2009

Goal?

To complete 150 minutes or more of moderate intensity physical activity for 8 out of 12 weeks during the challenge. Online registration is open from March 29, 2009 - April 30, 2009 at www.move.va.gov/challenge.asp


What's in it for me?
On top of all the benefits of daily physical activity, I will be earning milestone prizes along the way! All participants who complete the challenge will be eligible for entry into a national prize drawing sponsored by Veterans Canteen Service!

So what are you waiting for?
BE ACTIVE YOUR WAY VA!...and MOVE!

Photo by:

VA MidSouth Healthcare Network

step-outdoors.com

Sushi! Sake! Sushi! Sake!

Went out to this local Japanese steakhouse last night with the other interns for my roommate's birthday. Always an amazing feeling when you satisfy a sushi craving! I ordered the Saginaw Roll...because I'm currently living in Saginaw and had to have the roll (sort of like how I felt this need to only drink Michigan wine while I'm out here). We got to talking about sushi etiquette, and how we were all probably doing it all wrong. Out of curiousity, I did a little of research. According to Chicago Tribune reporter Monica Eng, and the chef from a sushi restaurant in Chicago called Itto Sushi, here is the proper way:



Things I picked up from this video:

1. You could eat sushi with your hands.
2. When adding wasabi into your soy sauce, use the opposite end of your chopsticks.
3. When dipping nigiri into your soy sauce, only dip the side with the meat (when you did the rice, it will fall off).
4. You don't always have to drink sake like a shot!

Ahh, things you learn on youtube. ;)

Tangent: While in Chicago, my friend also told me I absolutely HAD to try the sushi at NoMI which is a restaurant located in the Park Hyatt Hotel off Michigan Ave. Although it will be a lot of damage, she guarantees I won't regret it.

This Man Called "Jack"

A few weeks ago, I met a man. I shall call him...Jack. Jack changed my life, you see. He made me realize that this thing I've been identifying as fear when it comes to chasing my dreams, was excitement. He inspired me to be the best possible version of myself, and be excited to be her. He taught me that it really is possible to make your dreams come true...and that all you really have to do...is to just go out there and do it.

Jack's real name is Gusmano Cesaretti, an Italian photographer who has spent his life doing the very thing that keeps him alive, and loving every minute of it. Now, any other time I would've just convinced myself that it was a mere coincidence that we ended up in the same room at the same time, eating the same exact meal and sitting right next to each other. But this...for whatever reason, ended up being that person who will change my life...forever. He's inspired me in so many ways I can't even begin to explain myself. It just is. Can't hardly breathe/wait kind. I hope it sticks. I'm going to have to make it.

I've been researching like crazy for volunteer/internship programs all over the world that would suit me perfectly. It's kind of disappointing, however, to find that the time I'm willing to volunteer to help others is going to cost me a lot more than I bargained for. The solution? Try harder. Research more. And just like that, I ran into this: http://www.volunteersouthamerica.net//. There's gotta be more out there. But alas, a website that actually helps you look for opportunities that won't charge you ridiculous costs for helping you find a program that's right for you.

After all, only we know what's right for us, no?

Photo by:
Gusmano Cesaretti

Green Eggs & Boxty

Do you know what I'd like to do this weekend more than anything? Watch the Chicago River turn green. (RIGHT?!) Picture this. Forty pounds of vegetable food coloring, into the Chicago River...how can you not want to?!

Maybe it's me. Maybe because I spent the entire day baking and icing 576 cookies shaped like Shamrocks. Maybe because I have this inexplicable craving for all things Irish, including a Shamrock Shake from McDonald's, which technically isn't Irish. Or maybe, maybe I'm just all for seeing, tasting, feeling and eating things I've never seen, tasted, felt nor ate. This is what I live for!

Am I scaring you? Stay with me. There's more. I swear.

Top 5 Irish-American Foods I'd Like to Eat This Weekend:
Recipes and photos brought to you by freep.com.

1. a large potato pancake wrapped around meat
2. bangers and mash - Irish sausages served on top of mashed potatoes
3. a fresh boxty or Irish bacon

4. corned beef and cabbage

5. Shepherd's pie

Irish Greeting of the Day:
Mora na maidine dhuit.
Top of the morning to you.
More-uh nah mod-gin-uh g-wit.

Images from:
www.greenchicagoriver.com
www.freep.com

Spring Break 2009: WOOHOO!

It's that time of the year again for Mid-westerners like myself. TIME TO GET OUT OF THIS COLD WEATHER! I woke up this morning and it was 8 F degrees. Woulda coulda shoulda warmed up my car. I don't know why I keep telling myself "it's getting warmer out" when it's clearly not! Oh, Michigan. Why must you tease me so?

I spent the entire weekend trying to figure out where I want to go. I don't think you understand how badly I need to go somewhere. This internship is really kicking me in the butt, shins, ankles, you name it! Mainly because my schedule is pretty hectic and random. From having to come to work at 7am, to 11:30am, to 5:30am, etc. Hence my lack of blogging. No stability, here. Lack of sleep, however, is undoubtedly all over here! But that's okay, because it's what I want, and I will do whatever it takes to get what I want. BRING IT.

And, considering the fact that I am no longer in college and no longer celebrate "Spring Break", I refuse to think differently. I, Monica, am a grad student who is considering "Memorial Day Weekend" my very own "SPRING BREAK 2009 WOOHOO?!" In denial, much? I think not! After all, it is the ONE day off I have during this entire 8-month internship and refuse to let anyone tell me different.

And so, ladies and gents, here are my options:

• 3-day cruise to Baja Mexico
  
• volunteer for Habitat for Humanity New Orleans
• weekend getaway to San Diego, CA
  

It's funny, because, I have no money. But I need this. More than you will ever know.