Taking Public Health over JTerm made me realize how many shortcomings there are in health care around the world. But even though there's a lot to be done, there are also some very interesting and exciting ideas out there.
On the last day of class, our professor mentioned PlayPumps, where a fun merry-go-round-like thing that kids can play on brings water up from underground to a community pump. Here's the website; it's an awesome concept.
http://www.waterforpeople.org/extras/playpumps/how-playpumps-works.html
I also just read an article in the New Yorker about recent attempts at curbing spending for the highest cost patients. Some of the programs they are testing out seem to be very effective, and hopefully they will catch on across the country.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/01/24/110124fa_fact_gawande
Ideas like these make me optimistic that more people will be able to enjoy a higher quality of life in the future.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
All Hail the Grapefruit
January at Middlebury is one of the best times to eat grapefruit. With abundant free time and ripe, juicy fruit readily available, there's really no excuse not to enjoy this awesome food.
Also, it's cool to eat grapefruits; they have recently been popularized in celebrity diet regimens. Though the "grapefruit diet" might not be the best choice for everyone, taking time out of your day to slow down and enjoy what you're eating is definitely beneficial. A grapefruit does exactly that.
If you don't have a lot of experience with grapefruits, the thought of eating one might be a little intimidating. But with a little practice, it's easy to become a grapefruit pro. Some people like to peel their grapefruit and eat the segments. I personally find this a little messy and prefer to cut it in half, then eat each half segment. Make sure you cut around the edge of each segment for an optimal grapefruit experience. Here are some tips:
-Pick a grapefruit that is yellow with a slight pink tinge.
-Your grapefruit should be a little squishy, but not too much.
-Be prepared. Get a knife, a spoon, and napkins.
-Drink the juice at the end, it's yummy!
Grapefruits are a very interesting fruit, and here are some fun facts:
-The U.S. produces the most grapefruit of any country, and grapefruit is best in season in the winter and early spring.
-Grapefruit used to be called the "forbidden fruit."
-Grapefruits usually have 10 to 14 segments. Since I read that fact last year, I've counted the number of segments in every grapefruit I have eaten and have never found less than 10 or more than 14. So if you do, take a picture! It might be a rare mutant!
-I have read some articles that say grapefruits may have bad interactions with some medications, so be careful!
Now get out there and eat some grapefruit!
Also, it's cool to eat grapefruits; they have recently been popularized in celebrity diet regimens. Though the "grapefruit diet" might not be the best choice for everyone, taking time out of your day to slow down and enjoy what you're eating is definitely beneficial. A grapefruit does exactly that.
If you don't have a lot of experience with grapefruits, the thought of eating one might be a little intimidating. But with a little practice, it's easy to become a grapefruit pro. Some people like to peel their grapefruit and eat the segments. I personally find this a little messy and prefer to cut it in half, then eat each half segment. Make sure you cut around the edge of each segment for an optimal grapefruit experience. Here are some tips:
-Pick a grapefruit that is yellow with a slight pink tinge.
-Your grapefruit should be a little squishy, but not too much.
-Be prepared. Get a knife, a spoon, and napkins.
-Drink the juice at the end, it's yummy!
Grapefruits are a very interesting fruit, and here are some fun facts:
-The U.S. produces the most grapefruit of any country, and grapefruit is best in season in the winter and early spring.
-Grapefruit used to be called the "forbidden fruit."
-Grapefruits usually have 10 to 14 segments. Since I read that fact last year, I've counted the number of segments in every grapefruit I have eaten and have never found less than 10 or more than 14. So if you do, take a picture! It might be a rare mutant!
-I have read some articles that say grapefruits may have bad interactions with some medications, so be careful!
Now get out there and eat some grapefruit!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Videos to Make You Smile
There are so many wonderful youtube videos out there, but these are a few that make me laugh especially hard or just feel happy:
Marcel the Shell - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9-sEbqDvU
The Count Censored - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Wd-Q3F8KM
Little Girl and Dad singing "Home" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L64c5vT3NBw
Animal Voiceovers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7798h1siNO8
Tickling Slow Loris - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9f-6jygRJk
Marcel the Shell - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9-sEbqDvU
The Count Censored - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Wd-Q3F8KM
Little Girl and Dad singing "Home" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L64c5vT3NBw
Animal Voiceovers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7798h1siNO8
Tickling Slow Loris - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9f-6jygRJk
JTerm!
So the end of JTerm is drawing near. It's been lots of fun this year, with much snow, hockey, knitting, relaxing meals, Beethoven, and interesting reading. Public Heath Policy has been a great class, and I've enjoyed learning about a variety of issues. Mostly, though, it's been great to have time to play and enjoy life. I just finished my fingerless glove mitten things (glittens?) and I think I'm addicted to knitting. I might need to break this addiction before second semester starts, but for now it's a most wonderful pastime.
In other news: I am very sad to be leaving the wonderful double, but I'll be moving into a new single for the spring. I'm going to miss my dear Robin, but I know New Zealand will be a most excellent adventure.
Now, off to bed before the big presentation on Eastern Equine Encephalitis tomorrow! Can't wait for the temperatures to make it back into the 20's :)
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