Healthy Days Healthy Ways

I am that person with a drink in their hands nearly 100% of the time. Up until noon everyday it's a coffee, but later on I've always got water with me. Unfortunately a lot of the time it's in a plastic bottle, but I'm good about recycling them. 

My day on Friday was largely shaped by something that happened Thursday night. On Thursday night a close friend of mine was picked up, thrown against a wall, manhandled, and pinned by an ex of hers before another friend was able to pull him off. While this situation could have been a lot worse, dating violence is serious and unacceptable under all circumstances. Being in college complicates the reporting process since victims have to go through the University's channels. As we were walking around the city Friday, we coincidentally walked past a Women Against Violence campaign poster encouraging people to speak up. This is a public health issue that people never take seriously enough until it happens to them or someone they know. There are policies in place at the University, State, and Federal level to protect women; however I sometimes feel that the policies are not respected enough. Congress struggled to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act this past year which, although they got it done eventually, was disappointing to see.

Awareness is key

Everyday I wake up and take a prescription medication and then take it again before I go to bed, and everyday I think about how lucky I am to be able to afford it. If it weren't for the generous health insurance my mom is able to get through her work, instead of paying $100 for a 90 day supply, we would pay the sticker price which $4000. Having health insurance and prescription drug coverage saves families from bankruptcy and it's certainly  something I can attest to firsthand.

I got out of class at noon on Friday and my two closest friends didn't have class at all, so we decided to spend the day in Center City. Philly is great and exploring it was one of reasons I came to Drexel. The best thing about it was that we were able to walk. This weather wasn't perfect, but spring has sprung so it was nice enough. Walking (and shopping) around the city for eight hours was more than enough exercise for the day, yet it was so easy to do. I'm looking forward to more walks and fresh air now that spring is here.

The most visible campaign in public health today is eating right. Eating well is a preventative measure (which public health adores). Having a balanced diet gives my body all the nutrients it needs to keep me healthy. Obesity remains a BIG (pun intended) issue in this country, but we're starting to see some progress; having a balanced diet contributes tremendously to that.

a smart lady...

When I woke up this morning, I brushed my teeth. I made sure to brush all parts of my mouth for a full two minutes although I don't use a kids toothbrush anymore. :D

Play around with the USDA's tools for healthy eating!

Hippocrates