Test Day

I love smoothies.  I've mentioned that in a couple posts before.  But I do.  I love smoothies. 

And I ALWAYS make a smoothie for breakfast the morning of a huge test (like the ACT, or an AP Test). 

ALWAYS.

It's a tradition.  I put my medicine and some fruit and some rice milk (or coconut or dairy free, depending on what I have) in a blender and I make it. 

Well, Tuesday I had a HUGE test.  I was taking the PRAXIS.  Which for all those who don't know what that is, it's a test you have to take to be a teacher.  At my college we have to take it in order to get into the teaching program.  Anyways, I was taking the test because I'm going to apply for the teacher's program (which by the way is VERY competitive). 

I was so nervous.  The night before I went to bed at a decent time and just laid there.  I couldn't sleep, and when I finally dozed off I woke up again thinking I was going to be late for the test.  I must've woken up at least 4 times that night.  And the worst part of it was the test was scheduled for 1 pm.  There was no way I was going to sleep in THAT much!!! 

(What does this have to do with smoothies???  I'm getting there.)

The next morning I was SO tired and SO nervous, and I had a piercing migraine.  I don't think I've ever been so nervous for a test before.  I simply didn't have time to make a smoothie for breakfast.  I went to my first two classes smoothie-less and could barely pay attention.

But I learned something very interesting in my 2nd class.  We were talking about endorphins, and what makes it.  And the lecturer (who was a guest speaker that day) said something to the effect of:
"When you do stressed, or nervous, or depressed and you do something you like, or eat something you like, or exercise you're body creates endorphins.  That's what happens when your studying and you suddenly have a comfort food craving."

(Yeah that's the example she used)

Well, I had gone out of my way to collect smoothie items the previous day and I really wanted my smoothie.  So I booked it to my apartment (I had 2 hours until I needed to be at the testing center) and made my smoothie.

It was delicious. :)

But it was kind of funny.  After drinking that smoothie I already felt calmer.  And I still had an hour to get to the test.  So I decided to walk.  It was beautiful weather, and I'm so glad I did.  By the time I reached the test, I was nervous but nowhere near the point I had been that morning.

And the good news is... I survived.  (I won't find out the results for another 11 days.  :-P )

Moral of the story: When your stressed/ depressed/ or extremely nervous, make a smoothie.  Haha.  Okay, make whatever you want.  And exercise.  And do something you like to do.  It helps.  :)

Later Gators!

Wisdom Teeth

My eyes wandered down the list the dentist had given me.

Recommended Foods List:

• Ice Cream
• Smoothies
• Jell-o
• Yogurt
• Mac'n cheese
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• ....

What? 

If you haven't guessed yet, the list was for Post-Wisdom Teeth Surgery. 

Yes, this week I got my Wisdom Teeth removed.

It wasn't too bad.  3 of my 4 Wisdom had grown in already and all they needed to do was pull them out.

But, because of this I was given an extra challenge.  How to stay on the dentist's diet AND the PKU diet?

This week I explored that question.

The top 2 hardest challenges:

1. Remembering to take all the pills AND drink my formula!  I felt like I was constantly taking them all the time.  Or near the end I'd almost forget one or the other.
2. Not being fresh fruits and veggies.  I naturally go and eat a piece of fruit when I'm hungry, so not being able to do that?  It was pretty challenging.  A couple of days ago I made the mistake of eating an orange too soon.  It BURNED!!!

 Here is my revised "Wisdom Teeth Foods"  For the PKU Child:

• Rice Dream Ice Cream
• Sorbet
• Melted Butter/Margarine on PKU bread (to soften it up)
• Smoothies
• Rice (be careful with this one... maybe near the end of recovery)
• Popsicles
• Mashed Potatoes
• And anything else you think might be okay.  Like I said my recovery wasn't that too bad.  It all depends to what you feel up to.  

That was my Spring Break.  Wasn't as bad as it sounds.  I got a lot of time to read and watch movies.  =)  Well enjoy your week!  Be happy!

Happy 2nd Bday!!!

Guess What???

It's my Blog's 2nd Birthday!  

(Well technically it was the 28th of Feb.  But I wasn't able to get on yesterday) 

Hurrah!!!!!!!! 

I never imagined that my blog would amount to much.  At first, it was really for my own sake.  To "help" others yes, but to help me take control of my PKU.  To help me gain interest and responsibility for it. 

Now let's look at some stats for this past year.

Top 5 Posts:

1. Happy PKU Awareness Month (from 2011)- 408 views
2. A PKU Story- 185 views
3. New Favorite Recipe!- 143 views
4. Happy PKU Awareness Day 2012- 74 views
5. Hello to you too!- 66 views 

Top 5 Searches:

1. pku	36
2. pku awareness month	23
3. phenylketonuria	22
4. people with phenylketonuria	15
5. people with pku	10

Top 5 Countries:
 

1. United States	2488
2. Norway	251
3. Russia	194
4. Germany	84
5. Canada	80

I never imagined my blog would be so popular.  Thank you.  All of you.  :)  Especially those who have become "followers"  whenever I see someone on the list that doesn't share the same last name as me, it makes me feel good.  

Special thanks needs to be given to pkuworld.com for putting my blog on your list.  I know that I wouldn't have achieved this much without your referrals.  (Wow... suddenly I feel like I'm giving an Oscars speech or something.)  But anyways thanks everybody!  I never imagined that my blog would live to see 2 years, or that it would keep going after 2 years.  

I have plenty more ideas of blog posts, and I'll see you next time.  Who knows maybe my blog will live to see 3 years?  :)