I don't have time to hate the people who hate me; I am too busy loving the people that love me...

What a week it has been bloggers! There is just so much going on I don't even know where to start! I started a new class this week...Pediatrics. This is probably one of the classes I dislike the most. The kids aspect I don't mind...it's the parents that I can't stand. Once a child develops a personality and becomes their own individual person, a parent becomes very controlling about their care and about their child in general. In reality, we need to think about our patient and what care is best for them, not the parent (right fellow nursing students/RN's??). Learning about development, child abuse, and family assessment can be overwhelming especially since a child's development stages changes every few months or few years. Ugh. So stressful...

On Saturday I participated in the American Red Cross' Out for Blood 5k. It was at Centennial Park in Ellicott City which is a great run. There were about 600 participants of all ages- from kids to 70+. I had a very steady pace going until about mile 2 when I saw a woman hyperventilating on the side of the path. I ran backwards about a half mile to get her water and once she calmed down, we finished the race together! I was proud that she finished! For those of you who don't give blood, YOU SHOULD! You could help save a life, maybe even your own. When you give blood through the American Red Cross, they test your hemoglobin, hematocrit, and iron (make sure you are healthy enough and are able to lose that blood). American Red Cross will even send you a donor card that states what blood type you are! When I started donating at the age of 16, I found out that I have a blood type of O negative- the universal donor...I can give to anyone and everyone! They are always in need of my blood type so I usually donate "double". To find out more on giving blood or to schedule an appointment near you, GO HERE!

For those of you who don't know, next week I will be attending a conference for the National Student Nurses Association in Salt Lake City with a girlfriend of mine. I will be gone for 5 jam-packed days. I am very excited, however, to meet nursing students like me from all over the country and network with over 500 vendors (hospitals, colleges, agencies, etc.) I will also be attending an American Red Cross Disaster Certification which I am the most excited about. Hopefully, I will be able to travel to different countries who are the victims of natural disasters and lend a hand. It will be a nice "break" from things I do daily around here!

With my birthday coming up on Saturday (Yay! The big 2-4!) I have an even busier week. Classes Tuesday and Thursday, surgery date comes on Wednesday (hopefully), conducting SNA meetings on Wednesday, gym time (of course), and preparing myself for birthday things and another 5k Saturday morning in DC.

Even in my busy week, I found some more recipes for you all to try (summertime treats at that!)- let me know what you think!

Peachy-Cream Fruity Fondue (45 cal, 118mg sodium!)

1 1/2 cup frozen peach slices
1/2 cup sugar free pancake syrup
1/4 cup fat free cream cheese, room temp.
2 tsp. light whipped butter
1 Tbl. brown sugar
1 Tbl. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Dash salt

In a microwave safe bowl, combine peaches and pancake syrup. Microwave for 1 minute. Place peach mixture in a blender with cream cheese, then blend until completely smooth. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch with 1 Tbl. cold water. Stir until dissolved. Add brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir and mix thoroughly. Bring a medium pot to low heat and add butter. Add peach and cornstarch mixes. Stir well. Raise heat. Stir for 3-4 minutes until thick and bubbly. Reduce heat and return to room temperature. If you have a fondue pot, transfer mix and set temperature to low. If not, transfer to a bowl and dip!


Strawberry Shortycakes (68 calories, 107mg sodium!)

3/4 cup angel food cake mix
3/4 cup Cool Whip Free
3/4 cup sugar free strawberry preserves
3/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with baking cups. Place cake mix in a medium mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup water. Using an electric mixer, beat at low speed for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium and mix for 1 minute. Let sit for 2 minutes. Evenly distribute cake mixture into baking cups. Bake for 12-15 minutes until tops are golden brown. Allow cupcakes to cool completely, then carefully peel cupcakes from cups and plate them. Spread 1 Tbl. preserves over top of each cupcake. Top each with 1 Tbl. Cool Whip. Evenly distribute sliced strawberries among cupcake tops.


Pina Colada Cupcakes (115 calories, 171mg sodium!)

For cupcakes:
2 cups moist style yellow cake mix
1 1/2 8oz. cans crushed pineapple in juice (not drained)
1/2 tsp. coconut extract

For frosting:
4 oz. canned crushed pineapple in juice (drained)
1 Jell-O Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding Snack
1 1/2 Tbl. fat free cream cheese, room temp.
1/8 tsp. coconut extract
1 no calorie sweetener packet <---Splenda!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all frosting ingredients and mix until blended. Refrigerate until cupcakes are ready to be frosted. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix with undrained pineapple. Add coconut extract and mix until thoroughly blended. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with baking cups. Evenly distribute cake mixture between all cups. Bake for about 20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely then evenly distribute frosting over the tops. Refrigerate until ready to serve!

I will have more recipes to come! Any needs? Let me know and I will look for a healthy, easy one!


I love springtime...it means summer is right around the corner- though you would never tell with this crazy weather! Unfortunately, lately I have been seeing people and having people confide in me with a lot of drama floating around. Why? It's springtime people! Happy seasons! Cheer up and grow up! Drama only consumes those people who search for it...live your life and be happy! Don't stoop to any one's level- no one can tell you how to do you except you!

A wise person once said ..."There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."

So get back up and live your life...on your own two feet...


Until the next step bloggers...