We are finally getting healthcare..

Apparently I do not have enough hours in the day to fit all of my scheduled activities. Unfortunately, blogging falls toward the end of this list because when I have the most time on my hands (during the weekend), I spend the least amount of time on the computer as possible.

This is the first of two consecutive entries that I will post because there are two different topics that I have been dying to discuss: the first of which is health care. I apologize if this is a superfluous addition to the health care debate that we are all sick of hearing, but I would like to adhere to the premise that simpler is better. I am personally very passionate about public policy and realized that I can incorporate this more into my blog like I had originally planned. (I also have a post about human trafficking [my newest cause] up my sleeve!)

While the debate over the “socialist health care” of the “Obama regime” is languishing on between the nasty partisan, egocentric individuals  in Congress, I think it’s important to recognize the basic reforms that will be accomplished in the new health care regulations. I feel very relieved about a few particular aspects as they have huge implications for myself and others my age, and thought I would share them with you along with a few other resources.

I absolutely love this NY Times simple break down of the health care legislation:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/21/us/health-care-reform.html

There is also another easy to use Washington Post interactive page that will tell you exactly how the changes will affect you personally:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/what-health-bill-means-for-you/

While I am now insured by AmeriCorps basic health care, I have a feeling that the next few years of my life will be much more scantily covered then my current state.

• I will be able to have access to my parents’ health insurance coverage until the age of 26. While there has been spurts where I’ve been uninsured, having that looming fear of ending up in the hospital without insurance is a great way to end up with worsened medical problems down the road. With my plans to find any kind of job that I will enable me to save money, I will probably end up without  health care provided by an employer. This is the case with a number of recent college graduates; it’s not so much a choice, but the inevitable.
• Medicaid will also be expanded to all individuals and families at or below 133% of the poverty level.  I have a feeling that I may remain at this point until I go back to school (or convert my career goals to something more income-centric).
• There will also be a state-run “marketplace” to buy insurance. Within that marketplace, practices such as setting annual limits of coverage and refusal to insure those with previous medical conditions. Minimum plans offered will also include preventative services. In my view, having this “exchange” will increase transparency in the market and generally make insurance more accessible To get insurance coverage individually (without an employer) is very difficult and very expensive. This is a very scary reality that unemployed and/or uninsured individuals have to face. There will now be  more options for us (well in 2014 atleast..)
• Last, but not least: Restaurants chains with more than 20 locations will have to post calorie totals next to their menu items. This is obviously not the most visually appealing move, but having the numbers standing out next to the most tempting entrees will definitely make a few minds change. I think that the repercussions of this move might be the most important part of this regulation. Arguably, it could fuel the growth of eating disorders in our country, but exposing the grotesque reality of your “happy” meal may promote some kind of awareness of what exactly restaurants are feeding us. Calories are not at all the perfect health indicator, but perhaps this move of convenience will spur some kind of reaction from the consumer in their lackluster quest for health (or life in general). (Can you tell that I’ve recently read Michael Pollen’s Omnivore’s Dilemma?)

I know that this is a very controversial issue, especially concerning the increased taxes for the most wealthy and the plethora of other points debated, but the passage of health care reform was desperately needed. I feel much more comfortable with the state of our country and my future in the jobless (yet insured) world.

Sorry for the terrible delay in posting. I have another post in the works on some of the crazy (but VERY fulfilling) projects that I’ve gotten myself into (plus some new recipes!!).

March 29, 2010. Uncategorized. 1 comment.

So it’s been a while….

But I think it’s time!

While I absolutely love reading blogs of all kinds (mainly those concerning food and friends), I think I have gotten caught up in everyone else’s very entertaining lives that I forgot the importance of my own blog(….or this site that resembles a blog.)

I listed blogging at the bottom of my New Years Resolution List, however it is still on the list. Resolutions are not exactly my style though-I think I prefer to look at my list as short-term goals that I should accomplish or work toward accomplishing in the near future. I can therefore make decisions about things in my life by considering if they are in line with my list of goals. I have resolve, but I refuse to look at a year’s successes by the points that bothered me at the beginning of January (my goal creation is also a gradual..perhaps week-long process). I also made an Inspiration Board to remind myself of my priorities in a motivational, visual manner. Here are a few of my goals:

• Compete- I ran the Seattle Half-Marathon (first Half ever!) around Thanksgiving and I plan to run the Seattle Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon in June. My training for my first half went very sour when I strained my IT Band two weeks till the race and ran a measly 4 miles in those two weeks. Needless to say, my time was less than desirable (but hey, I ran the whole thing AND finished!!!) and it was very hard to walk in the week after the race. This time around, I am aiming to train more gradually (have a better baseline), have more running buddies (for added motivation), participate in other races, and cross-train A LOT more! While I was training, I used a beginning training plan, which worked out well, but I basically only did yoga in addition. Once the short winter days and very rainy weather hit, my motivation also dropped. I think I have a few advantages this time considering I now know what it takes (and can train that way), have more people to run with, and my beloved longer, sunnier days are on their way back! Yay!

• Get Outside! While this wasn’t exactly the issue before, I still thought that it was important to remember even when the weather sucks. I’ve made sure to go hiking on many weekends, but I would love to get on my bike again. Long bike rides are so invigorating and give me such a different high than running. Sunny days in Seattle are not to be missed!

• Cook more wholesome foods. I have really gotten into a cooking groove the past few months. I’ve embraced my love for vegetables and non-meat proteins, creating awesome vegetarian and cost-friendly meals that I unfortunately did not blog about. I do want to eat a more balanced diet (esp. during training) because I definitely lacked protein during the months leading up to my half-marathon. I think I am finding more innovative ways to get in some extra protein lately without excessive amounts of tofu and shrimp (I’ve made so many crazy lentil dishes lately!). This also includes cutting more processed foods out of my diet, namely things like crackers and sweets, not all, but I rely on processed foods for snacks (hummus and crackers) too often. This problem may also stem from the fact that I lose self-control when eating things out of a box! While staying within my financial restrictions, I need to embrace the farmers’ markets that abound around Seattle. I have found tons of great discount grocery stores, but having a balance between the two would both lighten up my weekend mornings and be better for the environment.

• Become stronger- through yoga, strength training, and other means. Because there is only a Bikram yoga studio near my apartment, I accepted the idea that bikram is the only yoga I will be able to practice. I recently discovered however, that this does not have to be the case. My roommate and I got a 2 week-long subscription (for $14!!!!)  to a yoga studio in Upper Queen Anne, which is about a 20 minute drive from here. During those two weeks, I went about every other day and felt amazing! The studio had both (hot) power vinyasa and (very hot) bikram yoga. I definitely prefer the power vinyasa classes, especially when it incorporates energizing music! That studio is a bit of a drive and too expensive to go to regularly, but it definitely invigorated my love of yoga! : ) I’m currently looking into getting some kind of discount at a studio closer to where I live.

• I’m aiming to build stronger relationships with others, disregarding prejudgment that  I naturally tend to develop, and building more friendships out of encounters. Keeping this in mind will also enable me to build friendships with people who I wouldn’t normally become close with. I have no problem making “friends” with strangers, but the key here is maintaining those relationships. Moving so far away from the majority of my friends live has made it difficult to keep up with everyone from both lives, and I do not want to lose the amazing friendships that I have made throughout the years. I do know that it is possible as long as I make it a priority!

• 

  Refugee and Immigrant Legislation Day at the Washington State Capital!

• Finally, I need to blog more. I love writing and I want to document my adventures here. I still take pictures of most of my interesting meals, but would love to contribute more to the food blog world that has helped me so much in my transition to healthy living. I’ve lately been trying to come out of “lurking” status to comment on the blogs that I read daily to show my appreciation for all of the great recipes and motivation that has helped me thus far. Since January, I’ve been documenting what I eat and how I exercise throughout the day. I was also counting my calorie intake, which was fun at first, but I’ve realized that I don’t have a problem with what I eat- it’s how much I eat. I do eat mostly low-calorie foods, but definitely indulge on certain things without even thinking about it. Giving sweets up for Lent has been the greatest challenge that I’ve set for myself thus far, and while I’ve fallen off the boat a few times (for some office birthdays), I’ve felt much better resisting the urge to have a sweet after every single meal. During this time, I’ve eaten more filling and satisfying meals and had either fresh/dried fruit to cleanse my palate. We’ll see how the next three weeks go!

I’ve realized that if I do work to maintain my blog, it will help me to simply keep my goals in perspective. I’m at such a crossroads in my life and what better way to manage this daunting adventure than the blogosphere? :  )

I’ll leave you with a few other photos from Refugee and Immigrant Legislation Day. Taking our refugee clients (along with thousands of other refugees and immigrants) to speak to Senators and listen to inspirational speakers definitely made for a very motivating day!

Thanks so much for reading!

March 7, 2010. Uncategorized. 3 comments.