Refrigerator Assignment

First is the list of legal substances in my refrigerator:
1. Milk
2. Juice
3. Plastic water bottle from Rider University
4. Homemade Ice Tea
5. Cat food
6. Left over pizza from last night
7. Pepsi cans
8. Barbeque Sauce
9. Relish
10. Coffee
11. Mayonnaise
12. Vegetables (not shown [in crisper])
13. Butter
14. Chocolate Syrup
15. Apples
16. Cheese slices
17. Grapes
18. Sliced bread
19. Grape Jelly

Now comes the analysis of my refrigerator. While looking at the items it contains, I realized my family was actually healthy. We don’t have much junk food, except for the Pepsi cans and chocolate syrup. We have a lot of dairy (milk, butter, cheese), and a lot of drinks (water, milk, juice, Pepsi, ice tea). This makes me see that my family is actually healthy, because we have a basic serving of everything on the food pyramid, vegetables, fruits, and dairy. In our freezer, we do have ice cream and a lot of meat, but other than that we have a steady non-processed diet. While looking at my fridge, I also realized we don’t have any cultural food. Hidden in the bottom shelf, we have mozzarella cheese slices that are Kosher for Passover, but other than that we have the basic American food such as pizza and cheese. This shows that even though we do like to enjoy cultural food when we go out to eat or order in, we don’t really make cultural food. The last thing I noticed is that we do not have a lot of food in our refrigerator. Except for the extra toppings that go on our meals, (such as barbeque sauce or grape jelly) all of the foods we own are either in the freezer or you don’t have to refrigerate it. The refrigerator is more for snacks that don’t require a lot of time to make. This assignment was actually really interesting, because I never really looked at my fridge and noticed what was in it before. Usually I try to stay away from keeping it open for too long because it uses up a lot of energy when the door is open, and most of my snacks are in the cabinets (such as cookies). It’s an usual assignment, but it’s also eye-opening to the way my family lives. The last thing I would like to say is that there is a plastic bottle from Rider University because we just went to visit the school yesterday and got a bottle from it.

Moral Health

In class for the past couple of weeks, we have been learning about health. We learned about physical, emotional, social, mental, and moral health. We performed activities that boosted our physical and emotional health level, mainly by being active. We rolled around on the floor of the classroom, tried mock-therapy sessions, and mediated, to name a few. But out of all the stuff we learned about, moral health seemed to strike a nerve with me. With physical and emotional health, there aren’t many contradictions, but when it comes to someone’s morals, the rules seem to bend at times. Ever since we were little, we were taught to have good morals, (i.e, be respectful to elders, always tell the truth, help out others), but as we get older we see that there are major contradictions to these rules. For example, we are always told to tell the truth, but what if it hurts someone in that process? If a friend asks if she looks fat in a pair of jeans, should you tell her the truth and say yes or lie to protect her feelings? We often find that by protecting someone from the truth, we are being a good person. Honestly, who wants to hurt their friends or someone close to them? And when it comes to helping others, we are always told to donate to charities to help the less fortunate people. And let’s say we donate, and donate, and donate, but when exactly can we stop donating? When can we finally feel that our job is done, and we helped save someone’s life? Or let’s say we didn’t donate, does that mean we are a bad person? What if you don’t have the money to donate? If you donate, you have good morals, but if you don’t, you’re not a good person. Does that seem fair? Moral health has rules, but those rules are easily broken. As we get older, we find that the rules that we were taught as a child don’t apply anymore. We find that sometimes bending the rules can actually save someone in a certain situation, so we tell a tiny white lie. After all, it’s not hurting anyone, correct? The definition of the word moral is “relating to, or capable of making the distinction between right and wrong” (http://home.sprynet.com/~eagreen/moral.htm) Moral health is when people are able to tell the difference between what is right and what is wrong, and know how it affects their mental health. Basically, moral health is all in one’s head. It deals with the psychological part of the brain, because if someone did something wrong that defied their morals, it would be on their conscience for a long time. But if someone did something good, it would also be on their conscience, but they would feel pride from it. Moral health doesn’t affect our physical body as much as it affects our mind.

After we finished this unit, I found that I realized a lot of things about myself that I never knew before. During the unit we found that we aren’t physically or emotionally healthy in school because we are constantly being forced to sit in desks and take notes. But when we are allowed to step out and just have fun, for how long or short it will be, it relaxes us more. Before learning this, I hated school, and hated me contained in classrooms for six hours. But after this unit, I realized I was fine with being contained, as long as I was able to step out and relax also. During lunch I would notice how my emotional level raised because I was out being active. Also before this unit, I wasn’t focused a lot on my health. I always tried to be healthy and fit, but I never really cared too much. But after this unit, I realized health can affect us in a lot more ways than one. By being physical, we are helping our bodies stay healthy, while also boosting our emotional and mental levels by being active. I also began to change my diet. I use to eat junk food a lot, but now I switched my diet to eating more salad and eating less chocolate and chips. I haven’t eaten any junk food in a long time, and even if I do it’s just ice cream or sweets. I haven’t touched a bag of chips or chocolate, eating salad or apples instead. I realized that being healthy isn’t hard at all; you need to know the consequences to your actions. By being healthy, I have more energy and I feel good about myself. Along with eating the right food, I try to work out more often, and walk everywhere instead of taking the train. Just today, me and my friends walked all over Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and just being active made me feel so happy. I didn’t use any mode of transportation besides my legs. Along with improving my own health, I have been telling my friends and family about how they can improve their health also. In my household, we try to limit our junk food intake, instead having apples at least every other night after dinner to cleanse our bodies. And when I go out to lunch with my friends, I reach for the healthier stuff, such as salad. Just changing my diet in little ways can also go a long way in my future. Our health is so important, and more people need to realize that. In our current nation, over half of the teenagers in America are obese or overweight. They need to realize that they can’t be unhealthy, especially because it affects their adult bodies in the future.

Spring Break =) final draft

Over this past break, I noticed that I am in a more relaxed and cheerful mood then I was during school. I think it’s because during school I'm constantly stressing out about my grades and college, and attempting to do all my class work and homework to the best of my ability, but when I'm on break I can just relax and spend time with my friends and family. I can sleep late without rushing off to school. The Tuesday before break I was extremely stressed because I got my SAT scores back, and even though I was somewhat satisfied with them, I thought I did better. We also had a math and science test that day, both of which were hard to study for because I couldn’t focus, and then we got out progress reports, which killed whatever happy mood I had left in me. All my grades went down, and I couldn’t understand why because I participate in all my classes and do all my homework. I was in such a grouchy mood, and then I had my college class after that, which needless to say, stressed me out even more. I have three papers do for that class by the end of break, two final papers and one draft.

But ever since break started, my mood has lifted. On the first Thursday of break (which was a gorgeous spring day), I went to my internship (because I wanted to finish up some spreadsheets that I didn’t finish the previous week), and they were surprised to see me since I didn’t have to come in. They had me do some pretty interesting stuff (I was looking up and listing hotels for clients), and they kept complimenting my work. One of the workers there, Lisa, couldn’t stop talking about how I was such a good extern, and another worker Heather, asked me if I could hurry up and finish high school so I can work with them already. As you can probably tell, that put me in a great mood. I love getting complimented on my work, especially if I put a lot of effort into it. After my internship, I went to play volleyball with my friends, and just being outside with the sun beating down put me in an amazing mood. I was being healthy by being active, while also spending time with my friends. Friday was pretty much the same, I spent time with my old best friend from middle school, and we went shopping and just had a really good day. On Saturday, I wasn’t in too good a mood because it was raining, and that ruined my plans, so instead I stayed home and watched old movies. The weather has a way of affecting my mood, and the rain was just an incredible downer. I wasn’t being healthy that day because I was just lying around inside my house, not doing anything. On Sunday, I went to the gym with my mom, and we were physically active, which set my endorphins off, which therefore put me in a good mood. I was listening to my iPod and reading a magazine while working out, which helped my multi-tasking skills. Going to the gym with my mom put me in a good mood because I never worked out at her gym before, and it was fun. I got to test out all the machines they don’t have in my gym (the Baruch gym), and I got to read a new issue of People while doing that. After the gym, my family made cakes for Passover (except they came out horribly because my Dad can’t cook, and burned them instead). Sunday was another good day

That brings us to Monday, which is the day I woke up late because my mom wasn’t there wake me up (which is fine with me) because she was working. I then proceeded to pack my bag because I was going to sleep over at my friend’s house. I didn’t do much on Monday during the afternoon except work on some homework and watch TV, but after that I left for a sleepover at my friend Lieb’s house, which got me physically and emotionally active. Just being around my friends put me in a really good mood, and even though I wasn’t being physically active at Lieb’s house, my emotional level skyrocketed because I was having fun. On Tuesday, I woke up extremely tired and all I wanted to do was rest. Sadly, no one would let me sleep. Instead we ate breakfast at two in the afternoon (when everyone finally got up) and just relaxed. My emotional and physical level was both low, because I was exhausted and just sitting on the couch not really doing anything. We were also not being healthy because instead of eating healthy food, we ate sandwiches, popcorn, and ice cream. Needless to say, my plans for the rest of the week including hitting the gym every day.

Wednesday was a more proactive day for me, and it was one of my favorite days of the week so far. I went to visit the camp I work at during the summer, Bay Ridge Sports and Theatre Camp, and I got to see all my favorite counselors and campers. I haven’t hung out with all of them since last September, and it was just really nice to see everyone and reminisce about all our fun times last summer. I helped two of the counselors with the Junior group (ages 6 to 8), and it felt so good to be in charge once again. After that, we all just stayed at after-camp and all of us girl counselors watched the guys play basketball. It was just so much fun, and I can’t wait until the summer to work full-time. We all decided that on Friday we would go back to camp, and then go to dinner and a movie after after-camp is over. I was physically and emotionally active on Wednesday. Thursday was a mellower day for me. I stayed home during the morning, and then went to the gym. After the gym, I just hung around Union Square with my friend. It was a relaxing day, and I was physically active because I went to the gym and emotionally active because it was so nice out and I was spending time with one of my best friends. On Friday I went to visit camp again. Everyone was there again, and it was just so much fun because everyone was in a good mood. After everyone went home to change we met up again to go to Uno’s for dinner. Last summer, we use to go to Uno’s practically every weekend and then go to the movies or someone’s house, and this year we are not about to break the tradition. Whenever we get together and go to Uno’s, we always have a blast. Although, we usually show up late to the movie and make so much noise trying to sit down, but who cares? We’re teenagers. It’s safe to say I was definitely physically active and emotionally happy.
So that was my spring break, and I can definitely say I was emotionally and physically active and happy except for two days out of the week. I'm sad to say spring break is coming to an end, but I will be waiting for summer to come so I can have just as much fun as I did this past break. I hope everyone had a good spring break, and see you all on Monday (: .

Spring Break =) first draft

Over this past break, I noticed that I am in a more relaxed and cheerful mood then I was during school. I think it’s because during school I'm constantly stressing out about my grades and college, and attempting to do all my class work and homework to the best of my ability, but when I'm on break I can just relax and spend time with my friends and family. I can sleep late without rushing off to school. The Tuesday before break I was extremely stressed because I got my SAT scores back, and even though I was somewhat satisfied with them, I thought I did better. We also had a math and science test that day, both of which were hard to study for because I couldn’t focus, and then we got out progress reports, which killed whatever happy mood I had left in me. All my grades went down, and I couldn’t understand why because I participate in all my classes and do all my homework. I was in such a grouchy mood, and then I had my college class after that, which needless to say, stressed me out even more. I have three papers do for that class by the end of break, two final papers and one draft.

But ever since break started, my mood has lifted. On the first Thursday of break (which was a gorgeous spring day), I went to my internship (because I wanted to finish up some spreadsheets that I didn’t finish the previous week), and they were surprised to see me since I didn’t have to come in. They had me do some pretty interesting stuff (I was looking up and listing hotels for clients), and they kept complimenting my work. One of the workers there, Lisa, couldn’t stop talking about how I was such a good extern, and another worker Heather, asked me if I could hurry up and finish high school so I can work with them already. As you can probably tell, that put me in a great mood. I love getting complimented on my work, especially if I put a lot of effort into it. After my internship, I went to play volleyball with my friends, and just being outside with the sun beating down put me in an amazing mood. I was being healthy by being active, while also spending time with my friends. Friday was pretty much the same, I spent time with my old best friend from middle school, and we went shopping and just had a really good day. On Saturday, I wasn’t in too good a mood because it was raining, and that ruined my plans, so instead I stayed home and watched old movies. The weather has a way of affecting my mood, and the rain was just an incredible downer. I wasn’t being healthy that day because I was just lying around inside my house, not doing anything. On Sunday, I went to the gym with my mom, and we were physically active, which set my endorphins off, which therefore put me in a good mood. I was listening to my iPod and reading a magazine while working out, which helped my multi-tasking skills. Going to the gym with my mom put me in a good mood because I never worked out at her gym before, and it was fun. I got to test out all the machines they don’t have in my gym (the Baruch gym), and I got to read a new issue of People while doing that. After the gym, my family made cakes for Passover (except they came out horribly because my Dad can’t cook, and burned them instead). Sunday was another good day

That brings us to Monday, which is the day I woke up late because my mom wasn’t there wake me up (which is fine with me) because she was working. I then proceeded to pack my bag because I was going to sleep over at my friend’s house. I didn’t do much on Monday during the afternoon except work on some homework and watch TV, but after that I left for a sleepover at my friend Lieb’s house, which got me physically and emotionally active. Just being around my friends put me in a really good mood, and even though I wasn’t being physically active at Lieb’s house, my emotional level skyrocketed because I was having fun. On Tuesday, I woke up extremely tired and all I wanted to do was rest. Sadly, no one would let me sleep. Instead we ate breakfast at two in the afternoon (when everyone finally got up) and just relaxed. My emotional and physical level was both low, because I was exhausted and just sitting on the couch not really doing anything. We were also not being healthy because instead of eating healthy food, we ate sandwiches, popcorn, and ice cream. Needless to say, my plans for the rest of the week including hitting the gym every day.

Pyschoanalysis

Pyschoanalysis is seperated into three different sections, a method of investigation of the mind; a systematized set of theories about human behaviour; and a method of treatment of psychological or emotional illness. The therapist would ask their patient to describe their thoughts and dreams, while the therapist then analyzes it. Therapists use psychoanalytic treatment to show and/or clarify how patients unconsciously are their own worst enemies. It's used to make the patient believe that the problem is in their heads only.

this information was taking from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoanalysis

Healthy/Unhealthy Story

Unhealthy
Ugh time to work out again. It’s such as hassle, all this movement. It means I have to actually get off of this comfortable couch of mine just to walk on a treadmill not going anywhere. Or the machine that stimulates a bike…how does that help me at all? I’m not going anywhere, I'm just pedaling. Such a waste of my time. I’d rather be right where I am right now, sitting on my big comfy couch and relaxing while watching some good old trash TV shows. My favorite show right now is currently Real World, I love watching their drama. It’s so much better then actually having my own drama, and it doesn’t involve me moving my muscles at all. I have my best friend right next to me, my big old bag of greasy potato chips. Yum. I'm perfectly happy here, even if my pants are getting to tight and my stomach is bulging out of my shirt. I’ll just buy bigger clothes, it doesn’t matter if I'm a 2xL right now. Screw the gym, I think. I reach for the remote to flip the channel, there goes my exercise. That took a lot of my effort.

Healthy
It’s Sunday again! Time for my gym trip. I love going to the gym, I get that adrenaline boost while I work out on the treadmill, the bike, and various other cardio machines. I go on the treadmill and set the incline to 10.0 and speed to 10.0. Whew, that was a good run. I feel so energized and powerful. After cardio, I move on to strength building. Nothing satisfies me more than working my arms and legs. Last week I lifted 70 pounds, this time I'm going to try for 80. Each week I lift 10 more than the last, as a way to push myself. I love looking in the mirror to see my muscles, and my non-existent fat. I'm nothing like my brother, the fat slob who sits at the TV all day eating unhealthy food. I have a healthy diet, and I try to work out at home as much as I can, doing sit-ups and push-ups. After the gym, I have so energy, I set off for a ten mile run along Central Park. Aaaaahhhh, I love being healthy.

Questions About Health

1. How many people in America are considered overweight?
One hundred and nineteen million, or 64.5 percent, of American adults are overweight or obese. For Hispanics and African Americans, the rate is even higher. In 2008, a projected 73 percent of American adults will be overweight or obese.
http://xpress.sfsu.edu/archives/news/004551.html

2. What determines health?
The LaLonde report suggested that there are four general determinants of health which he called:

Human biology
Environment
Lifestyle
Healthcare organization
http://www.win-back-your-good-health.com/definition-of-physical-health.html


3. How do models in America compare to average Americans?
"The average model weighs 23% less than the average woman. Maintaining a weight that is 15% below your expected body weight fits the criteria for anorexia, so most models, according to medical standards, fit into the category of being anorexic. "
http://www.mirror-mirror.org/society.htm

4. What is the official definition of heath?
health   [health] Show IPA
–noun
1. the general condition of the body or mind with reference to soundness and vigor: good health; poor health.
2. soundness of body or mind; freedom from disease or ailment: to have one's health; to lose one's health.
3. a polite or complimentary wish for a person's health, happiness, etc., esp. as a toast: We drank a health to our guest of honor.
4. vigor; vitality: economic health.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/health

5. How do you improve your health?
Examples of steps to improve one's health:

Physical fitness
Weight loss
A healthy diet
Stress management training
Stopping smoking and other substance abuse

http://www.win-back-your-good-health.com/definition-of-physical-health.html

6. Does obesity contribute to diseases and disorders in humans?
Obesity contributes to about 66 percent of heart disease, 20 percent of cancer in women and 15 percent of cancer in men, according to the CDC.
http://xpress.sfsu.edu/archives/news/004551.html

7. What are the stats of American obesity?

-- Between 1962 and the year 2000, the number of obese Americans grew from 13% to an alarming 31% of the population.
-- 63% of Americans are overweight with a Body Mass Index (BMI) in excess of 25.0.
-- 31% are obese with a BMI in excess of 30.0.
-- Childhood obesity in the United States has more than tripled in the past two decades.
-- According to the U.S. Surgeon General report obesity is responsible for 300,000 deaths every year.
http://www.americansportsdata.com/obesitystats.asp

8. How much did obesity rise over the past years?
In the past year, the adult obesity rate rose in 48 of America's states, and nationally from 23.7% to 24.5%
Currently, about 119 million, or 64.5%, of US adults are either overweight or obese.

http://www.boingboing.net/2005/08/25/american-obesity-sky.html