Why I Went Gluten Free

At age 16 I found out that I had a thyroid problem. The doctors told me that my thyroid hormone levels were technically "normal" because even though I was experiencing all the symptoms, I was ONE number away from abnormal. Due to this they were unable to do anything until my numbers got worse. For a year I dealt with all the symptoms; fatigue, headaches, migraines, chills, shakes, etc. Finally my mom heard about something called integrative medicine. 

Integrative medicine is when doctors see and treat the whole person, not just the disease. They focus on a mind, body, spirit connection. We found a practice in my town and decided to give it a try with hopes that they could help me get better. The doctor I saw was Dani William's and upon my arrival she asked all about my medical history and the symptoms I was experiencing. I was completely honest with her and told her everything I could possibly think of. I was so tired of feeling sick all the time and she could obviously see that I was too. They drew some blood so they could see my numbers for themselves and she told me that I had Hashimoto's disease. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid and can lead to hypothyroidism.  She proceeded to tell me that even though my numbers were "normal" in the textbook definition, they  were obviously abnormal for me because I am sick all the time and experiencing all these symptoms.

What's great about this type of practice is that instead of simply handing you a pill to mask the symptoms, they actually come up with a plan to heal your whole body both inside and out. She told me that having inflammation in your body is bad for the thyroid and could worsen my symptoms. She told me that if we can get the inflammation in my body to go down my symptoms will improve. Unfortunately Hashimoto's cannot be cured, it can, however, be managed. That day is when she put me on the Virgin Diet. 

The Virgin Diet detoxes your body by removing food that are common allergens, which cause inflammation in the body. I couldn't eat gluten, soy, dairy, or peanuts. For breakfast and lunch all I could eat was a shake with a plant based protein powder. For dinner I could have any meat and veggie that I wanted as long as nothing I ate contained those four allergens. I had to do this for about 2-3 weeks. After the third week I could only have the shake for breakfast and for lunch and dinner I could eat a normal meal as long as I avoided those allergens. This lasted for a week and after the last day I would go in for a follow up. 

By the time the last day of the diet my symptoms were practically gone. I had so much energy and felt so healthy! When I went to my follow up I was told that my numbers had significantly improved. She told me that If I wanted to stay healthy and continue to feel better I had to completely stay away from gluten because it will always cause inflammation in my body. The other three items I could go back to eating as long as I only ate them about 5% of the time. 

I have learned that gluten is in almost everything, but it's not impossible to avoid. You have to read your labels and do your research and as long as you do so, it is very easy to avoid. It is also very easy to have accidents as well, especially when you go out to eat. The first time I accidentally ingested gluten was terrible. Within an hour my symptoms immediately began to resurface and I felt really sick. 

It has been four years and I am still 100% gluten free and my Hashimoto's is still dormant. It was hard being 16-17 years old and giving up all of my favorite foods and would constantly have to stop and ask myself, "Is the food really worth it?" It wasn't an easy journey but I regret nothing. If I could go back in time I would tell myself to go on a gluten free diet even sooner. Having a healthy body is one of the greatest feelings in the world and as long as I continue to take care of it my Hashimoto's will stay away.

Sources:

Feature, Katherine KamWebMD. "What Is Integrative Medicine?" WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 06 Aug. 2015.

"Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 06 Aug. 2015.

Preparing for your Fall Semester!

Well, it's about that time of year again... the fall semester. If you're new to the college life then this could be one of your toughest semesters. If you're like me and have been around the block a few times then you know the drill. Here are a few tips on  how to start planning for the upcoming semester. Wether or not you are new to the college life, it is always a good idea to start preparing ahead of time, especially if you are moving in, in order to avoid unnecessary stress (trust me college is stressful enough already). 

1. A Planner - A good planner is the first thing you want to look for. There are tons and tons of different kinds out there so try to find one that accommodates you the best. It's important in college to be organized because most of the time your professors won't remind you of due dates. As soon as you get your class syllabus the first thing you should do is grab your planner and write down everything you see on the corresponding dates. It will be easier if you are able to see everything due on a certain date and you won't have to go back and forth between syllabi.

2. Make a List - About the first week of August (or sooner) you want to start making a list of everything you will need for the semester and everything you want to get done. First start of with your school supplies (click here for a list of school supplies ). Then write down any projects you want to get done. For example, if you are a DIY type of person and you have all these ideas stored up on Pinterest on decorating your dorm/apartment, write it down along with the supplies you will need. 

3. Start looking at Textbooks - You don't necessarily need to start buying your textbooks yet, but you should go ahead and start looking up prices and familiarize yourself with them. It is up to you on if you want to purchases them a head of time or not. I like to because, in my experience, my professors assign readings in the textbooks on the first day. However, I  have friends in other classes that have had their professors tell them that they don't need certain books. If you want to get them now but are afraid you might not need them or you might have the wrong one, don't worry. It is easier to return them/ switch them out. You can also always email your professors. Most of the time they are glad to tell you. 

4. Contact your roommates - If you are going to have a roommate(s), now would be the best time to start getting in touch with them (especially if you've never met them). Collaborate with each other and see who is bring what so you guys don't end up having two microwaves or coffee makers (unless you want your own). It will also make things a lot cheaper for everyone if you guys split up the shopping list. If you have never met your roommate(s) before it will also be beneficial to start getting to know them now so you aren't meeting a total stranger on move-in day. 

I hope this is helpful! I would love to here how you all prepare for the school year!!

Everything You Need for College

Here I have compiled a supply list of everything I feel you will need for school...

For class:

Binders - either one small one for each class or two big ones (M/W/F classes and T/THUR classes)

dividers

Planner

A notebook for each class

LOTS of paper (I prefer college ruled)

LOTS of pencils 

Flashcards (for endless studying)

Blank white paper

Pens

Highlighters 

White out

Glue

Tape

Colored pencils

Scissors 

Whole puncher

Stapler 

Paperclips 

Tacks 

Wall calendar 

Post-its

For dorm/Appartement:

Shower shoes (dorm)

Shower mat (appt.)

Shower caddy 

shampoo

conditioner 

soap

body wash

razors 

shaving cream

toothbrush

toothpaste

floss

wash cloth/loofa 

face wash
Two body towels

Several wash clothes 

Robe

Mattress cover

Pillow cover

Pillow case

Fitted sheet

Sheets

Blanket 

Hangers

Carpet

Decorations 

Microwave

 Refrigerator  

Coffee Maker

Dish washer soap

Sponge

Paper plates

Plastic forks, knives, etc. (or metal ones)

Pots and Pans

Cooking Utensils 

Paper towels

Trashcan 

Surge protector 

What to Keep in your School Bag

   A good school bag equals a successful student. In order to be prepared, it's important to know what to keep in your bag. It is also important to pick a bag that suits both your needs and your personality. I like to have lots of pockets and compartments, while others may prefer the simple big pocket/ little pocket bag. I'm the type of person who likes to have a place for everything, I even have a pocket that designated for my planner.

This is my bag!

The picture you see here is my "main" pocket. It's where you would put your notebooks, textbooks, etc. Now it's usually much fuller than this, but I'm just showing the the basics that should always be in your bag.

Always, Always, Always keep a notebook (or something else with lined paper) in your bag. It's really convenient for what you need a quick piece of paper or if you forget your class notebook/binder. 

 I have my agenda which normally goes in the side pocket of my bag, but I've decided to include it in this picture because not every bag comes with that feature. You should always carry around your planner with you. I'm really bad at remember dates so I have to write it down as soon as my teacher announces a due date.

The third thing that you should keep in your bag is a pencil case. Mine is full of pens, pencils, highlighters, paperclips, etc. You will never be caught without a pencil and will be prepared for anything. I have a variety of colored pens that I take my notes with.




Now for the "little" pocket. My little pocket is a lot fuller than this picture depicts it to be. First and for most, if you are in a math class, ALWAY KEEP YOUR CALCULATOR IN YOUR BAG. The only time that thing should ever leave your bag is if you are using it. There is nothing more tragic than being in math class and realizing you forgot your calculator. If it's test day you may even consider dying. The best way to avoid this of ever happening is just to simply keep it in your bag at all times. If you do not have a math class than you don't understand the struggle and this doesn't apply to you.

Ibuprofen. If you are like me, than you understand this need. In Tennessee, the weather is ridiculous. Especially during the spring when its rain season. The constant change in weather can give you a pretty bad headache. Also, it's hard to concentrate in class when your head is pounding and all you can think about is going home and sleeping it off.

Hand sanitizer is my best friend. I'm a major germaphobe so I usually have three of these in every bag I own. When I'm eating on one of the campus cafeterias it's usually a hassle to try and find a sink to wash your hands. There usually isn't any hand sanitizer either so it's best just to carry around your own.

This brings me to the lotion. All the sanitizing I do dries out my hand pretty bad so I always but on lotion right after.

Sani wipes... again I'm a germaphobe.
Tissues because a runny nose is never fun.
Headphones are also a must for either when you need to block out noise or you don't want people bothering you.



So this is everything that are in my bag 24/7. It's very rare that I'm unprepared in class or when i'm just out. Let me know what necessities you all keep in your bag!! 

How to Organize Your Desk

An organized desk is the key to success. When you are doing your work  there should be a clear space with easy access to your tools. I'm going to show you how I organize my work space and how it helps me stay focused.

Let's start with the drawers. My desk came with three drawers, which worked out perfect for me.  In my first drawer I keep things that I use most often; index cards- because it's a never ending process, hole puncher- as soon as I get back from classes I'll unload my backpack and hole bunch anything that goes in my binder, stapler- this one doesn't really need explaining, calculator- I keep my main calculator in my backpack so I like to have a simple small one in reach incase I need it for some quick math, my stress guy- I keep him near by for squeezing when my work stresses me out too much, headphones- I have a roommate so I keep headphones in my drawer for when I need to watch videos, clips- I use them to clip small stacks of note cards together or several pieces of paper i don't want to staple.

In my second drawer I keep all my extra supplies. Most of the time, if you're like me, you run out of supplies quickly. To prevent this tragedy I get extras and keep them in this drawer for close reach.

Lastly I have my third drawer which is significantly wider and deeper than the rest of my drawers. This is where I keep all my textbooks, lab manuals, and notebooks. I also have an organizer where I keep copies of essays, graded papers, returned papers, study guides and my receipts.














Next is the heart of the desk. Where you actually work. As you can see in the first picture on the left I keep the hours of my important places; Starbucks, the gym, and the library. When I'm trying to plan out my day I don't want to be looking around searching for times in my planners or looking things up online. This can be very distracting and quickly throw you off task. If you keep your times in plain view all you will have to do is glance up.
      In the photo on the top right you can see that I have papers with highlighter marked on them. What I have done here is combined the dates on all of my syllabi and made a spread sheet. (click here to find out how)
  I keep it tacked to my desk and highlight the dates as they pass. This process insures that I never miss a due date or have anything sneak up on me. The other papers on here are the open lab schedule, extra credit list, and my grades. It's important to keep up with your grades in collage because some teachers don't post them until progress report/ report card time.
    The photo on the bottom left is my caddy where I keep the important stuff; pens, pencils, highlighters, tape, glue, whiteout, rubber bands, tacks, a and paperclips.
  The bottom right are fancy paperclips that I found at Walmart. They aren't a necessity, however, they are very cute compared to regular paperclips. You can also put them in your books and lab manuals to mark pages because they stick out like tabs. You can even write on them!!











On the shelf of my desk I keep my vitamins, prescriptions, and Dottera Oils. I keep them on my desk because this is a spot I am literally at everyday and I keep them in plain view that way I can see them and remember to take them. I usually have an alarm that reminds me to take them in the morning when I wake up but sometimes I still forget.











  On the other half of the shelf I keep my binders and the notebooks I take to class. This helps me make sure I see them when I'm packing my bag so I can remember to take them with me.

Lastly is the top of my desk. In this picture I have my clipboard, blog midori, and my flash card box.

 I also have a paper organizer where I file papers to deal with later on, extra lined paper, and blank, white paper.

Syllabi Spread Sheet

 In this post I am going to show you how to take all your syllabi together and create ONE set of papers with all your due dates, teacher's office hours, and teacher emails.

Once you have all your syllabi you need to set aside about 30 mins to get this done (may be longer or quicker depending on how fast of a typer you are).

The first thing you want to do is start writing down all the dates that you see.

Second, pick a color for each class because we are going to color coordinate the classes. Once you picked out the colors take the syllabus for your first class and start filling in the dates with the corresponding color. Do this for the rest of your classes using your chosen colors. Also, make sure you have left space between the dates that way it is easier to see and the dates won't run together.

Now the spread sheet I have created is semesterly. If you wanted you could separate the dates by month or even weekly. This was my first time using a spreadsheet so I did mine semesterly. Next semester I am going to divide mine up weekly because I feel like it will be more suitable for me. 

Once you have all the dates filled in, look it over one more time to make sure you didn't miss anything. Once you have done this go to the very last page and make an office hours/email section. Continue using the class's corresponding colors as you type out each of the dates/hours and room numbers. Make sure you also include your professor's names.

I feel that this is a very convenient system because I'm not looking through binders to find my syllabus and then flipping through pages to find emails and due dates. This systems allows me to keep all my class information in one place for quick and easy access and I cross of the dates as they go by. Trust me when I say you want to do anything you can to make things easy in collage. 

I keep my spreadsheet tacked on my desk and my roommate (I made on for her) keeps hers in the front of her binder in a clear insert. 

If you guys have any methods or ideas you use for organizing your classes please comment below! I love trying you new ideas!

How to Study for Your Exam

          Collage is a whole other domain for the incoming freshman. Here, teachers no longer scold you for not doing homework or remind you of due dates. When it comes to exams you are presented A LOT of information in a short amount of time and are expected to know it for your exam. If you are lucky you may get the rare teacher that gives you study guides and have a review lecture in class, but 90% if the time that's not the case.

1. Time Management. 

    I know, I know we have all heard this plenty of times, either from our teachers in high school or our parents, and kind of brushed it over our shoulder. In collage, shit gets real. If you don't make a schedule and manage your time wisely you are screwed. In high school teachers were a little more considerate of the fact that you have other classes and you probably had no more than two tests in one day.... in collage teachers don't have anyway of knowing your other class schedules because there are literally hundreds of classes. Once they schedule a test the date doesn't move and you may find yourself in my situation and have a test in every class all in one day. 

    My advice to you is to take out your planner (which every student should have) or a piece of paper and write down times. Write down what day and the time frame your goals are for that particular study session. You don't have to study for several hours at once either. You can say from 3-4 you're going to study and then again from 9-10 before you go to bed. Writing down times becomes even more important when you have more than one test and will really help you stay on track. 

2. Prioritize.

  You need to prioritize the level of importance each class is. If you have a test tomorrow in Anatomy and then have a test in Psychology three days later, don't spend most of your time that day studying for the psychology test because that won't do you any good in anatomy. If you have two tests in the same day, the night before the tests study for the later test during the day and save the night for the test you have first. This way when you go to take your first test the information you studied is the most fresh. 

3. Sleep.

   Sleep is the most important step in studying. You can stay up until 3 a.m. studying for your 8 a.m. test, but if you aren't well rested your brain won't be able to focus or retain information. You will be better off going to bed at 9 and then waking up at 5 or 6 to study. At least this way you will be well rested and more likely to retain what you are studying. 

4. Don't Cram.

   We've all been there. Its an hour before your test and you are freaking out trying to retain as much information as you can. Don't. You will get very overwhelmed and may get your information all mixed up. This goes back to time management and making sure you have planned an adequate enough time to study and fully understand the information. 

5.  Find a Strategy. 

    Unless you have a photographic memory, simply reading your notes isn't enough to study. Try to find a method that you like and works for you. It doesn't have to be just one either. In fact, the more methods you use the better off you will be. I love flash cards and they work the best for me but they can be very time consuming. In order to avoid spending more time making the flash cards than actually studying them, I make them from lecture to lecture. At night, or whenever I have some free time, I'll look over my notes and make flash cards for that day. This way, when it gets to the week of the test you already have most of the information you need on the cards and can be studying. Also, your stack of flash cards can get pretty big..scary big. In order to avoid the overwhelming feeling of the stack try to study your flashcards you make at the end of every week so you aren't stuck trying to learn a stack of flash cards in a short amount of time. 

6.  Read your Textbook.

    In classes like Anatomy and Physiology , your textbook can be a wonderful thing. Most of the information your teachers give you come from your textbook and, as crazy as it sounds, the textbook usually makes things a little more easy to understand. Make sure you take notes as you read also. You don't have to write down everything you read word for word but just make sure you get the main ideas down and anything else you feel is important. I take my reading notes in a journal that way I can carry it around with me in my bag or purse and look it over whenever I have some down time. Draw pictures too!!

7. Study in a Variety of settings.

    Last semester my Biology teacher told me that it has been proven that if you study in more than one place you are more likely to remember what you are studying. If it's a pretty day, try and go study at the park or in a field. If noise doesn't bother you try going to Starbucks. My teacher also told me that your brain recognizes sent and sounds that can help trigger memory. This being said it would probably be a smart idea, if it's possible, would be to study in the building or room of your test.

8. Take Breaks

   Try to take an hour break between study sessions. Your brain, just like your body, gets tired and needs a break. You can't study for 4 hours straight and expect your brain to retain the last 2 hours. Study for two hours and then for the next hour do something relaxing, like drawing or watching  tv, and then go back to studying.

9. Use the Buddy System.

   Lets face it. We all have subjects we find absolutely boring and find ourselves getting distracted when studying. This is one of those times when friends are actually useful. If you use each other to make studying more fun it will be easier to learn the information. You can turn it into a game or a contest and if there are enough people in your study group you can make it into a mini jeopardy. 

10. Be Confident.

  When it comes to the actual test all you can really do is just be confident. Remind yourself that you studied your ass off for this test and that you have been ready for it all week. If you get stumped on a question try not to let it discourage you because its just one question out of the 50 or more.

There are plenty of other ways to successfully study for your exams , but these are the 10 that my peers and I have found successful. For most freshman collage is a huge wake up call and unfortunately my first semester caught me off guard. However after using these steps I have eased in and now find myself at a 4.0 GPA and owning collage!