T-Minus 3 Days = SPRING BREAK

Hey there UC San Diego! I know finals can wear you out but hang in there, you are less than 3 days away from SPRING BREAK!

Have any plans? For those of you venturing out of San Diego, travel safe and have a wonderful vacation. If you plan on sticking around sunny SD, then boy do you have an array of options to check-out! After you head over to Club Med for breakfast or lunch (they’re open from 7:30AM to 2PM Monday-Friday next week), be sure to head on down to the beach and soak up some vitamin D.

Did you know the sun provides one of the best sources of vitamin D? The ultraviolet B rays from the sun deliver vitamin D directly to our bodies, helping with many important functions, like those involving our muscles, brain, immunity and cardiovascular health, The amount of vitamin D available to our body does differ though depending on the region you are in, the time of day, and skin pigment color. Lucky for those here in San Diego you are almost guaranteed a decent amount based on the AMAZING weather we’ve been getting!

Need a little boost after the beach? I suggest grabbing a bite to eat at one of the local spots here in San Diego. These restaurants have received much attention on Food Network shows over the past few years due to their interesting and unique flavor combinations.  A few of my favorites are:

·         Lucha Libre: http://tacosmackdown.com/

·         Blue Water Seafood Grill: http://bluewaterseafoodsandiego.com/

·         Ranchos Cocina: http://ranchoscocina.com/

·         The Broken Yolk Café: http://thebrokenyolkcafe.com/

·         Extraordinary Desserts: http://www.extraordinarydesserts.com/

You can also download the “On the Road” app on your smart phone to view more places locally as well as places to stop at on the road for those traveling afar.

Have a wonderful spring break and we look forward to seeing you in Spring Quarter. Here’s a reminder of our hours for Spring: http://hdh.ucsd.edu/DiningHours/.

Interested in learning more about a particular topic? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!

Get In The Know!

Are you in the know? Well, if you aren’t before reading this, you will be shortly. February 23^rd marked the kick off for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week that runs through March 2nd. Eating disorders are not lifestyle choices, but serious illnesses that affect both males and females every year.

Did you know that 95% of people who report having an eating disorder are between the ages of 12-26? Because many of you fall within this age group, it’s important that you know the facts.

The nature of an eating disorder is truly complex and involves a variety of different behaviors, all of which have a common theme that stems from a desire for control. Regardless of the type of eating disorder behavior (restrictive or excessive eating, exercising, or other behavioral use), each is JUST as serious as the next. Eating disorders also have a high incidence of mortality amongst all ages and genders.

If you or someone you love may have an eating disorder, address the issue. CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services-caps.ucsd.edu, 858-534-3755) and SHS (Student Health Services- studenthealth.ucsd.edu 858-534-3300) on campus have excellent teams of medical professionals available to get the services you need. I encourage you to contact them to begin the road to recovery; sometimes it only takes one person to make a difference.

The internet is also a great source to find help in how to address a loved one with an eating disorder. Here are some recommend websites I use when working with students:

•http://nedawareness.org/

 •http://www.anad.org/get-information/about-eating-disorders/

 •http://www.something-fishy.org/

Interested in learning more about a particular topic? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!

T.G.I.F.

Happy Friday! Give yourself a pat on the pack, I know how hard it is to make it through the first week after a long break.

For those of you still thinking about how you want to “evolve” in 2014, I suggest you take some advice from a peer, Ms. Evelyn.  Evelyn is committed this year to “starting her quarter with a BANG!” 

Her plan I have to say is rather ingenious! She is spot on with focusing on her overall wellness, which includes:

·         Striving to get ahead on her studies while her workload is light

·         Making new friends through simply saying “hello” to a stranger

·         Rewarding herself when academic/personal/professional goals are met

·         Staying motivated to exercise & soak in sunny San Diego’s beautiful outdoor activities

·         Eating healthfully in moderation, not deprivation!

Not sure if you can tackle all this! Don’t worry, it’s about making small changes that will have a big impact over time. Focus on one thing you know you struggled with last quarter and improve it with baby steps.

Maybe you were up studying until the wee hours of morning for exams last fall? Get ahead of the game and start your notecards now! That will save you from the stress, anxiety and late night munchies you may have engaged in before!

Whatever area you may want to change this year, remember I am here for you and am happy to help out in making your New Year’s goal a success. Feel free to fill out the contact form https://hdh.ucsd.edu/tastebuds/meettheRD/ to make an appointment directly with me!

Interested in learning more about a particular topic? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!

 

Tip #4- Mandatory R&R!

Can you believe it’s already December 12^th?! Time flies when you’re buried in books, right? J

As the week comes to a close, I would like to leave you with possibly the most important tip of all: take time to rest & recover during this holiday break. Let’s use that analogy of the car again. Just like a car can’t take you non-stop from SD to NYC with just one tank of gas, your body will not continue to function properly after days without sleep, food, and peace of mind. So… use this holiday break to pick up that hobby of yours and begin to re-balance your personal wellness.

Although proper nutrition is important, the key to a healthy life is maintaining a balance between your mind and body. Feeding your body a variety of fresh foods allows you to achieve proper nutrition without giving it a second thought! Healthy eating should not be a task to mark off on your to-do list, but something that becomes second nature with time & practice. Use this break to reconnect with your hunger & fullness to set you on the right path to YOUR personal wellness for 2014!

Take a look at these students today at Pines already putting into practice the tips from earlier this week. They are already beginning their journey to a healthier you heading into 2014!

Breakfast time!

I wish you all a very happy holiday season and look forward to 2014! For those of you who make New Year’s Resolutions, don’t forget I am a resource here on campus and am available for one on one appointments to help set you on the right path (https://hdh.ucsd.edu/tastebuds/meettheRD/)!

Also, a gentle reminder for move-out over break so you can return to a clean room in 2014!

 

Interested in learning more about a particular topic? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!

Tip #3: Plan Ahead

Tip #3- Plan Ahead

 

Happy Monday Folks! I hope you got some rest this weekend and perhaps even made it out to enjoy the INCREDIBLE brunch options at the dining units yesterday.  Check out some pictures of the beautiful chocolate fountain displays and wonderful assortment of fresh goodies for dipping.  (Hey, chocolate is an antioxidant!)

Cafe Ventanas Chocolate Fountain Display-De-Stress Brunch
 

I am sure many of you are now in CRUNCH MODE and don’t even have the slightest idea what or even when your next meal will be.  No worry if this is the case; you can easily find healthy & delicious meal choices when you visit any of the dining units or marketplaces.  However, we can’t provide them unless YOU come in!

I spoke with a few students anxiously awaiting the doors to open at Pines this morning before heading out to finals. I applauded them for their diligent planning to make sure they woke up in time to fuel their bodies.  Although my enthusiasm towards breakfast scared them a little, I believe they got my point once I told them I was their RD J

Nevertheless, these students recognized the importance of planning ahead. If you know you have a final that will extend into your regular meal times, PLAN AHEAD! Make sure to wake up or leave even just 10 minutes earlier to pop into the markets and grab a quick bite. The Market To Go pre-made sandwiches, wraps, and salads are excellent choices that are conveniently packaged to allow you to chow down on your walk to class.

Although in an ideal world I would LOVE to see you plan a longer period of mindful eating at one of our dining units, I know your time is tight. Just make sure to fuel your hunger before heading into the exam, because just like a car cannot run without gas, your body will not function without food J.

Be sure to check with your Res Life Offices to see where FREE SAMPLES (that’s right…FREE!) of healthy snacks will be distributed this week!

Interested in learning more about a particular topic? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!