Kid History - Episode 2 - for those who wanted to see more!

Kid History - Episode 3

Bahahahaha! Possibly the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Enjoy.

you can do a blood transfusion with a coconut

... and some tubing and a needle!

It may sound crazy, I thought it did too - but then I looked it up and lo and behold, the coconut water (not to be confused with the milk) can be used to replace blood plasma. Cool, eh? I got this off of http://healthmad.com/nutrition/seven-benefits-of-coconut-water/ if you want to learn more. But, here are some cool coconuty facts! Long live almond joys!

Coconut water is the purest liquid second only to water itself. It has many health benefits and uses that you probably did not know about.

Many persons have gone to the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, Florida, Hawaii, South America or Southern Asia and have tasted some very refreshing coconut water. The palm trees you have become accustomed to while on vacation are very potent sources of coconut water that has many health benefits and uses that you probably did not know about. Coconut water is the purest liquid second only to water itself. It is chock full of electrolytes, calcium, potassium, magnesium; everything that is good for you.

Coconut water is the liquid that is taken from unripe coconuts. If coconuts get ripe the liquid that is inside will harden and become a part of the white flesh of the coconut, which is used to make coconut milk. So, picking the coconut while it is unripe will ensure that the body gets all the benefits of coconut water.

Coconut Water Hydrates the Body

Coconut water is an isotonic solution which replaces the fluids and minerals that the body loses during physical activities. For this reason, many athletes and persons who work out regularly are encouraged to drink coconut water to replace all the minerals and fluid that they lose while working out. Even the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) attest to the benefits of drinking coconut water when it fought for a patent in 2000 to market coconut water as the next big sports drinks.

Coconut Water Relieves Urinary Problems

If you consume coconut water on a regular basis it can reduce urinary problems. People who suffer from strangury, polyutraand other urinary ailments drink coconut water to relieve their symptoms.

Coconut Water Kills Intestinal Worms

Drinking coconut water with one teaspoon of olive oil for three days will kill intestinal worms and clear the stomach of worms, which makes for better digestion.

Coconut Water Breaks up Kidney Stones

People who have kidney problems and are plagued by kidney stones should drink coconut water in addition to taking their medication. Drinking coconut water regularly helps to break up kidney stones making them easier to push out.

Coconut Water is Used in Blood Transfusion

Coconut water is almost identical to blood plasma and this makes it easy to use for blood transfusion. In cases of emergency coconut water has been used as an intravenous hydration fluid instead of the standard IV fluid. During World War II many wounded soldiers were saved in the Pacific because of emergency transfusion using coconut water as plasma.

Coconut Water is an Antibacterial

Coconut water contains monolaurin, an antiviral, antibacterial and antiprozoal monoglyceride that is used to kill lipid-coated viruses such as HIV, Herpes, cytomegalovirus, flu and various pathogenic bacteria.

Coconut Water Controls Vomiting

Coconut water is great at reducing vomiting. People who have typhoid, malaria, fevers or other ailments that are known to induce vomiting drink coconut water to settle the stomach. As such, coconut water is also a good thing to drink during a hangover.

Green or unripe coconuts can be found in Asian and West Indian markets. All coconuts that they sell are closed up to keep coconut water from losing its nutrients. So, if you plan on buying a coconut, you can ask someone to chop the coconut open or you can open it yourself at home and drink it.

Nursing School Fun

So, I am starting to definitely feel the weight of the new semester - while I am really enjoying ICU (intensive care unit), it is definitely a challenge! I endured my first 12 hour clinical day (14.5 hrs if you count driving time) on Friday and was happy to just relax and watch "Despicable Me" with Brian afterward. Hilarious movie, by the way - if you haven't seen it, you should! 

Life is great, I have to read a chapter about shock before I go to bed - but I got this off of a friend's blog (thanks Jess!) - so true. I'm feeling it!

You might be a Nursing Student if...

1. You are not allowed to talk about your day at school at the dinner table.
2. You have what you think is a nightmare, and realize "oh I'm just at clinical."
3. You have replaced sleep with diet coke.
4. You have no problem discussing sputum and bowel movements at lunch.
5. You find yourself wiping other people’s butts more than your own.
6. Words that used to make you blush are now part of your every day vocabulary.
7. Your parents reported you missing last June.
8. Your books require wheels.
9. You get excited when someone says there is dressing change or a catheter to be done.
10. This year's birthday list consists of: NCLEX books, Drug flash cards and nursing care plan books.
11. The thought, "what the Heck are you talking about" runs through your head at least once a day.
12. Your friends start wondering if you died.
13. You know who Don Gloves and Ted Hose are.
14. The words "care plan" make you sick to your stomach.
15. You find yourself subconsciously giving your family and friends nursing diagnoses.

I just wanted to say...

I LOVE HOT CHOCOLATE! There is nothing like it when it is 1 degree outside. Yes, ONE DEGREE outside... I knew I was taking a risk of developing hypothermia when I moved to Utah, but come on, that is a little extreme. Luckily, my good friend hot chocolate makes it all bearable!

I also want to say that I love Andrea Gardner. When I first met her she was Andrea Whitaker... but since then we have grown up a little - she graduate from nursing, I went on a mission, she got married, I got back from California and returned to nursing, she had a beautiful baby girl, etc etc. I got to see her for a few hours yesterday (and surprise, we got hot chocolate ;) ) and we talked about old times, talked about the exciting new adventures we're experiencing, and just laughed! We came up with a great plan...

We are going to connive a way so that she can be my capstone preceptor. Yep, that would be just a magical happy ending to my nursing school adventure! Andrea I love you!

a year ago today...

...I was released from being a full-time missionary. How does it feel? I'd say bitter-sweet for sure.

onesie poweeeeer!

Onesie love - don't you wish you had one too?

best. present. ever.

mine is coolest color ever... & Jen's glows in the dark!

oh and I found a SWEEEET waffle maker at Smiths of all places - it makes CIRCUS SHAPES!