Okay it's time... I've had this topic stirring in the back of my mind for a while. And I think I'm ready to share it to the world.
I've done a couple posts about dating (Food And Dates, A Real Date-Killer, Oh, You're a Salad Eater?) Mostly about keeping the status quo, trying to make a good impression, what to so about food on dates... All important.
But today I'm going to let the world in on a little secret. (Especially to those dating a PKU'er.)
One of the biggest things a PKU'er wants is someone who'll make an effort to understand PKU.
It's complicated.
We get that. We probably don't understand all of it ourselves and we've had to deal with it since birth. But making that effort to understand... that makes the world for us.
I know it sounds contradictory to what I said in "A Real Date-Killer". But hear me out.
When I was younger (remember I was MUCH younger and quite the romantic!) I used to imagine meeting someone. While talking to me I would accidentally let it slip about my diet. He'd find out what it was called, and then instead of asking me about it endlessly he'd look it up on the internet. Then he'd bring me the stack of blog posts and articles he was trying to make heads or tails of, and I'd answer his well-researched questions.
I know what your thinking but I was like 10 or 11 at the time!
Here's the difference between what I described in "A Real Date-Killer" and in my young daydreams.
When your on a date, you're supposed to be getting to know about each other. What's your favorite color? Do you have a pet? Would you rather put your hand in a box with an unidentified snake or a mechanical whirring sound? PKU (especially on a first date) tends to hog the conversation. So you don't really get to know each other!
When you go look it up yourself, it shows that your interested in them. You are willing to live with PKU in your life. You're willing to understand them. At least to me, that kind of act would melt my heart. (Then again if you're reading this... you're probably already looking up PKU. So... good for you!)
Anyways, go on with your lives. Thanks for reading this silly post of mine. :)
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Restaurant Review 5: A Classy Place
Last week I ate at a fancy place called: "The Blue Lemon".
It had a huge line and was full to the brim. But that only testified to how good it really was.
And the food was good.
There were soups, sandwiches, and pastas. As well as several different sides: sweet potato fries, rice, dips, fruit, veggies, and salads. Sounds ideal right?
Well, all the main dishes had meat and cheese and all that. (No surprise.) But there were several side dishes that are PKU proof. And like I said before...
The food is delicious.
WARNING: The side dish portions are small. I blame the classiness of the place. So order accordingly.
Yes. This place is classy. Very classy. I would say it was a 5-star place, but it really isn't. It's like a mixture between a really fancy restaurant and Zupas.
As you can tell, I liked this restaurant. :)
But how friendly is it on the PKU Scale???
Probably a 9 (out of 10).
It would be a 10 IF the serving sizes on the side dished were bigger. That way you could just order a side dish and be good. They have plenty of options of side dishes. Really unique ones that other restaurants don't have. Which I love!
I don't know about you but I get tired of the salad or fries option. Hmmmm... maybe that could be a different blog post.
Anways... conclusion: The Blue Lemon is a great place. Fancy but not too fancy. Great food. I'm definitely going to go back there.
It had a huge line and was full to the brim. But that only testified to how good it really was.
And the food was good.
There were soups, sandwiches, and pastas. As well as several different sides: sweet potato fries, rice, dips, fruit, veggies, and salads. Sounds ideal right?
Well, all the main dishes had meat and cheese and all that. (No surprise.) But there were several side dishes that are PKU proof. And like I said before...
The food is delicious.
WARNING: The side dish portions are small. I blame the classiness of the place. So order accordingly.
Yes. This place is classy. Very classy. I would say it was a 5-star place, but it really isn't. It's like a mixture between a really fancy restaurant and Zupas.
As you can tell, I liked this restaurant. :)
But how friendly is it on the PKU Scale???
Probably a 9 (out of 10).
It would be a 10 IF the serving sizes on the side dished were bigger. That way you could just order a side dish and be good. They have plenty of options of side dishes. Really unique ones that other restaurants don't have. Which I love!
I don't know about you but I get tired of the salad or fries option. Hmmmm... maybe that could be a different blog post.
Anways... conclusion: The Blue Lemon is a great place. Fancy but not too fancy. Great food. I'm definitely going to go back there.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
So You're Thinking About Applying For The PKU Scholarship...
The last couple posts I have mentioned that I was working on a big project. Well it's time to reveal what it was...
The Gunthrie-Koch PKU Scholarship!!!
The deadline was today (October 15th).
So I decided to write a short guide based on my experience to applying for this awesome scholarship.
1. First off, start early. I would suggest around August maybe even mid-July. It will take at least a month, and October is around mid-terms.
2. Print everything out. ESPECIALLY the checklist! The checklist will help you make sure that you have everything when it's time to mail off. Believe me, you will thank me for this tip.
3. Start by ordering your ACT. It will cost money, but think of it as an investment. If you get the scholarship, you'll get your money back. Also, getting your ACT processed and mailed will take around 2 weeks normally. If you order it priority it will cost a lot more.
4. References. You need 3 references as well as a reference from your clinic. Talk to your dietician or doctor and ask them to do it for you. And choose your other 3 references carefully. You need someone who won't constantly forget to do it. Make sure you drop off the papers and pick them up personally. Have a definite deadline. People are busy, so YOU need to be on top of it.
5. Transcripts. YOU NEED BOTH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS! I almost didn't catch this. So I just want to make it clear for others. You need both. They shouldn't take long. Just make sure to get it done!
6. Just sit down and fill out the packet. It's the easiest part of the scholarship. The trick is actually sitting down and DOING it. Pick an afternoon. Sit down. Do it. WARNING: There are financial questions, so you may have to ask your parent's about income at some point.
7. Essay Questions. Honestly you should read the essay questions back up near the beginning. Then spend the whole process thinking about your answers. That way you already know what your going to say when you start typing. It's easier. Remember: they're looking for excellent students with PKU. So it's okay to put yourself in the best light. How else are they supposed to know how great and deserving you really are?
Just keep chugging away at it. It'll be over... eventually. :)
Here is the official webpage:
http://www.pkunews.org/guthrie/guthschol.htm
Good luck!
(And tip: If you're coming up at the deadline and aren't quite finished it's okay to ask for an extension. If it's still before the deadline, you'll still look like a professional. People have to ask for extensions on projects all the time. Just make sure you ask BEFOREHAND. Otherwise it's just late. )
Wish me luck with my application! :)
The Gunthrie-Koch PKU Scholarship!!!
The deadline was today (October 15th).
So I decided to write a short guide based on my experience to applying for this awesome scholarship.
1. First off, start early. I would suggest around August maybe even mid-July. It will take at least a month, and October is around mid-terms.
2. Print everything out. ESPECIALLY the checklist! The checklist will help you make sure that you have everything when it's time to mail off. Believe me, you will thank me for this tip.
3. Start by ordering your ACT. It will cost money, but think of it as an investment. If you get the scholarship, you'll get your money back. Also, getting your ACT processed and mailed will take around 2 weeks normally. If you order it priority it will cost a lot more.
4. References. You need 3 references as well as a reference from your clinic. Talk to your dietician or doctor and ask them to do it for you. And choose your other 3 references carefully. You need someone who won't constantly forget to do it. Make sure you drop off the papers and pick them up personally. Have a definite deadline. People are busy, so YOU need to be on top of it.
5. Transcripts. YOU NEED BOTH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS! I almost didn't catch this. So I just want to make it clear for others. You need both. They shouldn't take long. Just make sure to get it done!
6. Just sit down and fill out the packet. It's the easiest part of the scholarship. The trick is actually sitting down and DOING it. Pick an afternoon. Sit down. Do it. WARNING: There are financial questions, so you may have to ask your parent's about income at some point.
7. Essay Questions. Honestly you should read the essay questions back up near the beginning. Then spend the whole process thinking about your answers. That way you already know what your going to say when you start typing. It's easier. Remember: they're looking for excellent students with PKU. So it's okay to put yourself in the best light. How else are they supposed to know how great and deserving you really are?
Just keep chugging away at it. It'll be over... eventually. :)
Here is the official webpage:
http://www.pkunews.org/guthrie/guthschol.htm
Good luck!
(And tip: If you're coming up at the deadline and aren't quite finished it's okay to ask for an extension. If it's still before the deadline, you'll still look like a professional. People have to ask for extensions on projects all the time. Just make sure you ask BEFOREHAND. Otherwise it's just late. )
Wish me luck with my application! :)
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
PRISM301
YAY! I post on Tuesday again! (I'm almost done with that project.)
Now before I get into my main topic today, first things first. PLEASE ANSWER THE POLL THAT'S TO THE LEFT OF THE SCREEN (where the quotes of the week usually are)! I want to write posts that interest you. But in order to do so, I need to know what you guys are interested in.
In fact, go do that right now. I'll wait.
................................................................................................................ Done?
Good. Moving on.
Do you remember a certain post about a medication that goes by the name of PEG PAL? If not that's okay. (here's the link if you want to take a look at it: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7281517512816906548#editor/target=post;postID=350263321752237644;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=31;src=postname)
It basically talks about PEG PAL and what it is.
Well, here's an update. PEG PAL is in experimental human testing. The study is actually being called the PRISM301 STUDY. I actually got a flyer about it early August. Apparently you qualify if you are:
During the study you're supposed to stay on your PKU diet. You meet with the study clinic several times. (I'm basing this information off of their website.) During the appointments you will participate in blood and urine tests. They'll teach you how to give yourself the injections, and you'll do so once a day, and you'll keep a diet record for three days before certain tests. Then there's a weekly phone call update.
Sounds like a lot. But it IS a study. And imagine if it worked?
I'm not doing it. I know how that sounds. But here my reasoning: I'm a poor college student with no car. The travel reimbursements wouldn't cover my travel costs. And I'd have to miss a lot of school. So... maybe later. Probably not. It will probably be done with testing before I'm done with school. But maybe...
Anyways, if you want learn more about the PRISM301 Study the website is: www.pkutrial.com.
See you all next week!
Now before I get into my main topic today, first things first. PLEASE ANSWER THE POLL THAT'S TO THE LEFT OF THE SCREEN (where the quotes of the week usually are)! I want to write posts that interest you. But in order to do so, I need to know what you guys are interested in.
In fact, go do that right now. I'll wait.
................................................................................................................ Done?
Good. Moving on.
Do you remember a certain post about a medication that goes by the name of PEG PAL? If not that's okay. (here's the link if you want to take a look at it: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7281517512816906548#editor/target=post;postID=350263321752237644;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=31;src=postname)
It basically talks about PEG PAL and what it is.
Well, here's an update. PEG PAL is in experimental human testing. The study is actually being called the PRISM301 STUDY. I actually got a flyer about it early August. Apparently you qualify if you are:
- 18-70 years old
- Have a diagnosis of PKU with a high Phe level
- Have not yet received PEG PAL
During the study you're supposed to stay on your PKU diet. You meet with the study clinic several times. (I'm basing this information off of their website.) During the appointments you will participate in blood and urine tests. They'll teach you how to give yourself the injections, and you'll do so once a day, and you'll keep a diet record for three days before certain tests. Then there's a weekly phone call update.
Sounds like a lot. But it IS a study. And imagine if it worked?
I'm not doing it. I know how that sounds. But here my reasoning: I'm a poor college student with no car. The travel reimbursements wouldn't cover my travel costs. And I'd have to miss a lot of school. So... maybe later. Probably not. It will probably be done with testing before I'm done with school. But maybe...
Anyways, if you want learn more about the PRISM301 Study the website is: www.pkutrial.com.
See you all next week!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Nothing But Stress
Remember that project I mentioned last week? Still working on it. So once again, I'm sorry for the late post.
Between this project, midterms, the ever-present social drama, and bad weather I'm finding myself in a lot of stress.
Did you know that stress is made up of external or internal factors and that your body simply responds to it? Well it does.
When your feeling stressed you trigger the locus coeruleus (a small part of your brain next to the brain stem). That triggers the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).
The SNS releases epinephrine and norepinephrine. Which are stimulants.
Everyone reacts a little differently to the stimulants. But some symptoms that is very common is an increased blood pressure. Basically your body is getting into "Fight or Flight Mode". Short amounts of exposure to stress isn't bad. In fact, it can be quite healthy. However, long exposures to stress is bed for your body; especially for the heart.
So...
Some good things you can do for stress include:
Life is stressful. There are always things that need to be done; things that demand our immediate attention. But it's not healthy to life in a constant state of stress. No matter who you are. So, net time you're feeling really stressed try one of these out.
Thanks for reading. :)
Between this project, midterms, the ever-present social drama, and bad weather I'm finding myself in a lot of stress.
Did you know that stress is made up of external or internal factors and that your body simply responds to it? Well it does.
When your feeling stressed you trigger the locus coeruleus (a small part of your brain next to the brain stem). That triggers the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).
The SNS releases epinephrine and norepinephrine. Which are stimulants.
Everyone reacts a little differently to the stimulants. But some symptoms that is very common is an increased blood pressure. Basically your body is getting into "Fight or Flight Mode". Short amounts of exposure to stress isn't bad. In fact, it can be quite healthy. However, long exposures to stress is bed for your body; especially for the heart.
So...
Some good things you can do for stress include:
- A 20-30 minute meditation session
- According to www.medicinenet.com (note: link doesn't work) "A one or two 20-30 minute meditation sessions a day can have lasting beneficial effects on health." Some adaptions I think would work include: taking a nap, having some quiet time, or writing in a journal.
- Yoga
- Yoga uses breathing exercises, meditation, and light exercise. Because of this it's considered one of the best stress relievers. Plus if you continue to do yoga your body can handle stress better.
- Happy Music
- Music affects the way you feel. So when your stressed and you listen to happy music with a positive beat, you're going to feel happier. If it helps go ahead and dance to your music.
- Breathing Exercises
- If your in a time crunch and don't have time to meditate or bend in half... just breath. Breath slowly. Become aware of your breathing. It's actually a really cool activity. When you just focus on your breathing, everything else just kind of fades away.
- Laugh
- Go talk with friends. Play games. Laugh. De-stress.
- Exercise
- Actually according to recent studies (that I read about on www.medicinenet.com ) exercise is one of the best... if not THE BEST thing you can do for stress. Since your body is already in fight or flight mode, it's ready to go. It's ready for action.
Life is stressful. There are always things that need to be done; things that demand our immediate attention. But it's not healthy to life in a constant state of stress. No matter who you are. So, net time you're feeling really stressed try one of these out.
Thanks for reading. :)
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