Tuesday, August 28, 2012

{recipe} Whole Wheat Banana Peach Muffins

Its peach season! Peaches are 99 cents a pound at the grocery store and something that I cannot pass up. I can't resist a juicy fresh peach on a sunny day. They are so refreshing right out of the fridge but somehow become even better baked in a crisp or muffins. When I saw this recipe on one of my favorite blogs I knew I had to make it. It would be the perfect quick breakfast on its own or even better crumbled into my greek yogurt. Needless to say after a week most of the muffins are already gone. Did I mention that the muffins are SUPER healthy. No sugar, eggs, or butter. These are truly nutrient dense and guilt free. What is not to love?

Whole Wheat Banana Peach Muffins
Recipe from Eat, Live, Run
Makes 14-16 Muffins

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup whole wheat old fashioned oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup light maple syrup
1/2 vegetable oil
2 bananas, mashed
3 large peaches, chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. In another bowl whisk together maple syrup, oil, and mashed bananas.
3. Add wet ingredients to dry and fold in peaches. Stir only until combined.
4. Fill a greased muffin tin with the batter and bake for 25-30 minutes. Serve warm!

Monday, August 27, 2012

{knowledge} P1 Fall Course Overview

I have officially survived my first week of pharmacy school. Let me tell you something - there is so such thing as easing into grad school. You jump right into the deep end of the pool and they say swim 500 laps. GO!! But I have to say - I am really enjoying the classes. I don't think they will be necessarily difficult content but it is going to be a lot of information...all at once. I wanted to give you all a summary of each class this semester and what I am looking forward most about it. It will be interesting to look back at this post at the end of the semester and see if my opinion on the courses has changed.

General Advice to P1s
Source

Here is a breakdown of the courses I will be taking this semester:

Biological Science Integration Part 1: General overview of all the science courses you took in undergrad. This is going to be the most difficult class this semester because of the amount of information given each week. It is basically anatomy/physiology, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and metabolism all in one class. 
Calculations: This course is designed to work hand and hand with the dispensing lab. Calculating amounts of ingredients needed to fill a prescription.
Dispensing Lab: This course is all about compounding and filling prescriptions. Its a hands on course designed to simulate compounding in a pharmacy. This semester we will be making children's flavored tylenol, medicated lolipops, and medicated chapstick. Just to name a few! 
Principals of Pharmaceutical Care: This is probably going to be one of my favorite classes. This course is focused on the new age of pharmacy - focused on patient care. 
Professional Responsibility and Leadership: This course is going to be another one of my favorites. It is designed based off a self assessment test taken at the beginning of the course. After the assessment you learn what your leadership style is and how to work with different leadership styles. It is going to be a great course to learn how to work in team settings in the health care world. 
Professional Communications: This course is your basic communications course but specific to pharmacy. How to communicate effectively in a pharmacy to both your patients and coworkers. 
Electronic Mentor Program: This is an interesting course that is based off electronic communications with pharmacists all over the country on ethical questions in pharmacy. We have a topic each week that we discuss in class and then leave our opinion on the topic in a comment on a blog
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: This course is designed for you to think critically in pharmacy situations. Teaching you techniques on how to approach a situation successfully in a pharmacy environment.

Overall my first semester in pharmacy school is designed to give us an overall pharmacy background and prepare us to be well-rounded student pharmacists when we enter a pharmacy to do interning/work. I am very excited to see how these classes will turn out and can't wait to share my experiences with you! 

Sunday, August 26, 2012

{greek life} they are half of my heart

Bid Day is one of the best times of the year. It's a time to welcome in a new pledge class and celebrate your sisterhood. Waking up on bid day morning is like christmas - you are so giddy and excited to bring home about 60 new members and give them the amazing experience of Phi Mu sisterhood.

It is crazy not to be there to celebrate this wonderful day in Tallahassee. Imagine 1300 woman running home to their houses from the top of campus. It's an amazing experience and I am so happy to have been a part of it for the past four years.

Recruitment is something that I am beyond passionate about. I believe that it is the most important part of your experience in a greek chapter because it is the way of continuing your legacy. Sharing your values, chapter, and experience with new members makes you realize how important the sisterhood is to you. I have served on the recruitment committee for two years and know how much hard work goes into a smooth recruitment. It is the most rewarding day to see happy new members in your house on bid day. It's a pat on the back from your founders, alumni, and sisters across the country saying job well done! 

Congratulations Alpha Epsilon! YOU DID IT! Welcome Home PC'12! I hope you have a wonderful experience! I can't wait to meet all of you soon! 

Here are some photos of Bid Day the past four years:
Bid Day 2008
My bid day buddy (and big sister!!) Beth
Amanda, Me, and Kaitlin in front of our bid day sign 
Our first quat as phis. New members in pink and sisters in green. 

Beth and I waiting to welcome my bid day buddy (and little sister!!) Lura home on Bid Day 2009

Lura's first Quat on Bid Day 2009
PC'08 on Bid Day 2009
PC'08 on Bid Day 2010
Amanda and I welcoming a new member, Krista, on Bid Day 2010
The entire Alpha Epsilon Chapter on Bid Day 2010. Sisters in lavender and new members in lime green!


The best day of my life. Bid Day 2011. Seniors (in green) at the Wescott Fountain welcoming the new members (in blue).
Welcome home PC'11! We are so excited to have you!!
PC'08 Seniors at the Westcott Fountain. 
Just writing this post makes me tear up. Phi Mu has been one of the best experiences of my life. I am so happy to have met such wonderful women and I cannot wait to meet all the new members this fall. Joining Phi Mu has made me into such a strong and independent woman. It has taught me so many important life skills and gave me the time of my life at Florida State. These women will be the bridesmaids in my wedding and godmothers to my children. They have influenced and shaped me into the person I am today. I love you all so much!

Phi Mu is forever. Love Honor Truth. 

Saturday, August 25, 2012

{recipe} Turkey Meatloaf Muffins


I love cooking but not when I have to cook for one. For some reason if I have to cook for myself I end up making a PB&J and call it a night. It is very difficult to portion size and create a good meal for one person. So my roommate and I decided we are going to do family meals three times a week. Which means I can come up with healthy and easy meals for two! I think cooking for two is a great skill but sometimes difficult when most recipes are made for 4-6 people.

When cooking on a budget you buy in bulk when things are on sale, freeze, and meal plan. I ended up getting a pound ground turkey breast for $1.98. It was a steal! So naturally I bought 2 packages and froze them in 1/2 pound portions. They are perfect for quick defrosting and throwing into weeknight meal. 

When I made a meal plan for the next two weeks, meatloaf was on my mind. Meatloaf is something that reminds me of my mom. She makes the best meatloaf muffins and it one of my favorite meals. I decided to lighten up my mom's meatloaf by using turkey instead of ground beef. I also added some mexican flair by adding cumin to the mix. If you don't know this about me by now - I love mexican food. I cook a lot of it at home and love a good mexican meal out! So I am constantly adding mexican flavors or cooking with mexican ingredients at home. Healthy mexican? Yes please!

This meatloaf is was so moist and guilt free. It hit the spot after a long day of studying. Healthy comfort food is the best. Make this soon!

Turkey Meatloaf Muffins
Recipe adapted from Fanny Farmer Cookbook
Makes 4 Meatloaf Muffins

Ingredients:
1/2 lb ground turkey breast
1/4 yellow onion, diced
1/4 green pepper, diced
1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
4 TBS soy milk
1 egg
1 TBS dijon mustard
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp rosemary
1/4 tsp thyme 
1/2 tsp light brown sugar.

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
2. Saute onion and green pepper in olive oil over medium heat until translucent. Cool before adding to ground turkey. 
3. Combine bread crumbs and milk. Stir until combined. Add to ground turkey.
4. Add remaining ingredients to the turkey and mix until combined.
5. Spray a muffin with nonstick spray and separate the mixture into 4 equal muffins. 
6. Bake for 35 minutes and enjoy!

Friday, August 24, 2012

{mind} Homesick

Whenever you begin something new, there is always the feeling of fear and nervousness that accompanies the transition. It can hit you at any time. Some people experience it before the move, during the move, a week into the new journey, or a while after. During undergrad, I wasn't homesick until the second semester of my freshman year. I was so busy with rushing Phi Mu, starting classes, moving in, and meeting new people that I didn't feel lonely or sad until things slowed down. This year has been a little different.

2012 - you have been really tough. Challenging me to think ahead, push my limits, move me across the country...three times, say goodbye to friends, grow up, and much more.

I have really enjoyed the transition to North Carolina. I love it here. Everyone is super friendly and welcoming. I love the weather, environment, city, people, and school. But, homesick hit hard this week. I started to think about all my friends going in their own directions, not being at recruitment, starting over completely, making new friends, and missing my family.

Homesickness is there to remind us that we aren't alone. When I was feeling down this morning I called my friend Rima - who instantly made me forget about being sad after telling me funny stories and reminding me that she is always a phone call, text, or skype away. She instantly made me feel full after only a five minute conversation. Distance means nothing when you have amazing friends and family. After a few hours, the lonely feelings started coming back. During break I checked my facebook to see that Jen wrote me a message. I start chatting with her and told her how I was feeling a bit beat up today and this is what she sends me:

That feeling you get when you tell yourself things will be better tomorrow and you actually believe it.
That feeling you get when you tell yourself things will be better tomorrow and you actually believe it.
{source}

She literally knows me too well. I died laughing. This website is filled with funny pick me ups. Moral of the story : whenever you are feeling beat up, lonely, or sad - call/text/message one of your friends, they are guaranteed to make you feel better and not so far away. 

I know that I will start making friends and making my own here in NC but I will always have my amazing group of friends with me wherever I go. And that is something I am so thankful for! 


{blog world} Fill in the Blank Friday

I have never linked up for blog trends before but I think it is a great way to let the blogger world know a little more about myself and it's really fun to participate in daily trends! Sometimes the questions make you really think about who you are and sometimes they just get you excited about upcoming events - like the weekend! So today I am linking up with Lauren at The Little Things We Do

Look out upcoming posts for an easy dinner recipe and a weekly wrap up of classes! Have a great weekend y'all!


1.  My favorite thing to do on Friday is go out with friends for dinner or drinks. Its my favorite day to celebrate a long week and unwind with friends.

2.   This Friday I am taking a nap when I get home from classes, catching up on some homework, going to Red Bull sushi (half off sushi rolls after 8pm!!) with my roommate and some of her friends!

3.  The best thing about a weekend is  not having to get out of your pajamas all day. You can wake up, lounge, drink tea on the couch, make delicious breakfasts, and get organized for the next week. 

4. Now that summer is almost over, I'm feeling  like a big girl. I completed my first week of pharmacy school and realizing that its going to be a lot of hard work for the next four years. Bye bye childhood hello real world. 

5. The best thing I did this summer was  live in Texas with my family. It's scary to think that I may not ever live at home again but this summer was a perfect way to spend quality time with my family, bond with my sisters (who are growing up WAY to fast!!), meet new people, and relax. 

6. The thing I'm looking forward to about fall is living in a state that actually has a fall! I can't wait to see all the leaves and weather change! Soups, stews, and chilis here I come!

7.  If I had to be stuck in one season for the rest of my life, I would choose  Fall of course. It is the best of the seasons. Best clothes, weather, entertainment (FOOTBALL), colors, and food. How can you not love Fall?

Sunday, August 19, 2012

{knowledge} New Beginnings

You know those times where you just take a step back and look at everything you have done in your life? Think about where you are now and where you thought you'd be? Think about the path you set out for yourself, did it go the way you planned or did you change routes midway though?

I can't believe that I am living in a new state, attending an amazing pharmacy school, and running towards my dreams. How did I get here so quickly? It feels like just yesterday I was in elementary school. Life goes so quickly, sometimes we need to learn to take a step back and reflect on how we got to where we are today. I am so proud of the things I have accomplished in 22 years. I could not have made it here without the support and love from my family and friends. And above all hard work.

Speaking of hard work - tomorrow starts my first week of pharmacy school at Wingate School of Pharmacy. I completed orientation week which was filled with tons of school information, helpful study tips, and future talks. It really sparked my interest in thinking about the kind of pharmacist I want to be. I am very excited to start on this new journey and can't wait to share it with you along the way.

Here are some photos of the white coat ceremony on Friday. I officially feel as if I am a doctoral candidate now and I can't wait to show off this snazzy white coat :)