Pour some splenda on meeee...SUGAR 101

Many of you who know me tend to cling to the belief that my worst fear is consuming sugar.
While it is not my worst fear, it is pretty high up on the lists of things to avoid.

Here's why:
- It's addicting (literally): When your body consumes sugar, or glucose, It responds by producing insulin. Foods with more sugar have a higher glycemic index, and will require more insulin to bring the levels of glucose back down.
A high glycemic index indicates a fast digestion and absorption of that particular food in your system. Conversely, a low glycemic index is one in which your body will digest slowly. A lower number in the glycemic index is preferred because your body will maintain steady levels of its hormones, decreasing cravings.

Insulin, a pancreatic hormone, is produced at a level needed to contrast glucose. (Sugar).
When it does this, your glycemic level SPIKES (sugar rush) then dips dramatically low after your insulin strikes back with a vengeance. When your blood sugar is too low, it is known as hypoglycemia. (Think: Shakes, dizzy, sweating... ew)
Unfortunately, when your glycemic index dips low, your body thinks: Hey, I should have sugar since my glycemic index is soooo low. (This is when you start to think- more ice cream!!)
And the cycle never ends.

Insulin also promotes the storage of fat (triglycerides). SNEAKY!

Isn't it interesting that the production of insulin also plays a role in suppressing your immune system?? Many scientests today think that disease and insulin production go hand in hand. To what extent, they are not sure. (But they are definitely on the same team!)

All this fuss about simple carbs (regular potatoes, white bread, white rice, etc.) has to do with the same index.
Simple carbohydrates digest faster.... because they are SIMPLE.
This means that your body is going to produce insulin fast- as if you were eating a candy bar. Your body can not tell the difference.

Complex carbs like Whole grain wheat bread/rice take longer for your body to digest, and actually burn more calories because your body has to work harder for them to break down. They also digest at a rate that will keep your insulin/glucose levels at a steady level.
That is why we should consume more of these.
Not to mention- they keep you full longer, and have more nutrients and vitamins!


- It's bad for your teeth. (Hello cavities!)
- It's commonly paired with higher fat and calorie content.
- It hides.
One of the things that makes me squirm is the copious amount of items tagged as healthy that are really nothing more than sugar with a dash of extra flavor or color.
Where does it hide the most?
Yogurt, Cereals, Smoothies, Granola, Soft drinks, and of course sweets.

- It is linked to higher incidences of CVD. (Cardiovascular disease)


So why don't you do an experiment?
Check all of your groceries tonight and see how your food compares.
Try cutting it down for ONE week and record your energy levels.

Sugah, You may just be surprised!

Georgetown, Nursing, Halloween

Gooood morning!
So I decided that at 5:38 am I could sleep no longer! I went to bed at around 11, and I just could not sleep. So I woke up, got ready and left at 6:30. It was still really dark when I left the apartment, but the Metro station was bustling with business men/women and students alike.

I have a few things I want to get done, and if I come early, I leave early.
My professor/internship supervisor is coming to do a site visit and I want to work as hard as I can to make sure I get everything done. I am so excited, because she is one of my favorite professors, and an inspiring woman. She's an RN, CHES certified, FASHA, and has her Ph.D.!!! Besides that, she's fun to just hang out with.

I got to go Kayaking this weekend, and I loved it! It was on the Patomac river in Georgetown, at the Washington Canoe Club.
There's something about Georgetown that makes me want to hug it. The Potomac river is gorgeous, the shops are quaint and not affected by reconstruction, and the lush landscaping is well kept and comforting. There are several restaurants on the waterfront, and at night they light up with area locals and tiny white lights nestled in the trees. Ahhhhh.









Tay Tay comes in two weeks from Thursday! I'm so excited, I've planned our whole trip already!!! Of course, it's flexible planning, but I'm saving up all of my excess energy for a weekend of amazing fun!

I've been really relieved lately, not carrying around the weight of other people's burdens.
I used to get upset when people weren't happy, somehow thinking that I could have made that situation better. I somehow felt responsible.
Now, I just move away from that person, and let them be. There's no reason to ruin my day because someone elses is ruined.

I am a little stressed about having no money left. My metro card is running low, and I still have a month and a week to go.

I've also been working diligently on getting into FAU's really competitive nursing program. I CLEP'd out of the Human growth & development course, applied and have been accepted into FAU, (having transcripts sent from SLU can be a major beast!) and have had some great letters of recommendations sent. All I have left is a placement exam, the HESI.
Dear God,
Please have your will in my life, and whether or not I get into Nursing school, please help me to be at peace with the outcome.

Amen.


By the way... It's probably pretty sacreligious to follow a prayer with subject matter that involves doom, but...Halloween weekend is THIS weekend, and I have nothing planned. Last year I had my costume a month in advance. Whaaaat am I going to be!!????

LSU vs. Florida

Don't you love it??