2nd Annual VegFest held in Downtown Gainesville

Hey there! I went to the second annual Gainesville VegFest this past weekend, and it was great! 120 vendors spread across the lawn at Depot Park with more healthy and environment-friendly things than I could've ever imagined. Well, I ran into a really sweet nurse that talked to me about the importance of healthy eating, and I wanted to share that conversation with you! Here is my talk with Joti Chawla, a nurse from Jacksonville, Florida:

Q: What brought you out to VegFest today?

Nurse Joti Chawla at VegFest as I was setting up my camera
for his interview!

A: I'm a nurse, and I want to promote healthy eating because my mom died of heart disease. I became a nurse in her honor to help people eat right, be compassionate to themselves and to the animals and to the planet.

Q: So what is your main message here today?
A: Healthy eating! That means low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Studies have shown that eating whole food, plant-based food lowers your risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer. And it's not only good for ourselves, it's also good for animals because we slaughter around 3,000 animals every second, and that's a lot of cruelty to the animals. Animal farming creates more greenhouse gases, too, more than all modes of transportation combined.

Q: When your patients come in, is unhealthy eating very common? Is that a source of a lot of the health issues you see?
A: Absolutely. What we eat is what we become. 75 percent of our makeup is what we eat and then 25 percent is exercise. Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food. Eating plant-based is in line with our medical mission of preventing disease, so be kind.

Q: So for everyone walking around today, what would you say are the five most important things to eat?
A: So, purple cabbage is the biggest antioxidant for your buck. But eating a rainbow diet is good. Be the rainbow, feel the rainbow, eat the rainbow! Fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds and mushrooms. Add a variety of these in your diet, and you will see dramatic improvements in your health.

Q: So how are you enjoying VegFest so far?
A: Oh, it's great and really well organized. I'm very grateful that all of these people came out and want to learn about healthy eating and being compassionate not only to themselves, but to animals and the planet.

Mental health and why it's the most important thing in the world

I'm not really sure how to start this blog post. It's personal and it's overwhelmingly important. It's also severely under addressed in our society. Mental health.

It's something people toss around so frivolously as being this intangible concept that "needs to be good" and is "super important," but no one stops to think of what mental health actually is or about everything that truly affects it. To me, mental health is your wellbeing, your comfortability with yourself and your place in the world, happiness and satisfaction with your hobbies and daily routines, your social networking, but perhaps most importantly, your ability to be alone and be okay. Mental health and stability is so much about how you define yourself and how you feel about yourself.

I'm in college, clearly, so it's understood that life has it's ups and downs. I have felt minor stressors with school and work that come with a busy schedule and a type-A personality, and I have also experienced largely traumatic situations that have made me rethink who I am and what my purpose is. I'm just realizing something that I've never noticed before: EVERYONE has been here at some time in their lives. And even though it's difficult to overcome, there are resources out there to help.

I hate every time I turn on the news and see reports of another mass shooting, which was the case last night. The tragedies are overwhelming, and I don't understand why incidents like this are happening so frequently nowadays. But, maybe I do. Maybe it's partly related to this idea of mental health. Maybe we can help prevent things from escalating by opening our eyes earlier, looking around, and helping those who are suffering. If we start really understanding the importance of addressing mental health issues, I would hope that these tragedies would happen less often. And on a smaller scale, that peoples' feelings of anxiety and stress and poor self-image would hopefully also decrease.

On that note, here are some resources that can help you. Don't be afraid to use them. If you do, you are showing your strengths, not your weaknesses.

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
• UF Counseling and Wellness Center: 352-392-1575
• NOTE: every campus should have a wellness center like this one! 
• Alachua County Crisis Hotline: 352-264-6789
• https://www.betterhelp.com/

Don't be afraid to research your options. These are just a few immediate resources to get you started.

UF Symphony Orchestra presents spring concert

First, I just have to say how much different it is sitting in the audience of an orchestra performance than it is sitting on the stage actually performing. Of course, you might just say, "Duhh, Amanda," but there is more to this thought, I swear! Hear me out.

UF Symphony Orchestra poster.

I went to the University of Florida Symphony Orchestra's concert last Thursday night, and it was overall very enjoyable. The orchestra is composed of a mix of students, from graduate music majors
to undergraduate students who don't study music at all. Because of this, I think it's safe to say the orchestra has more hurdles to overcome as an ensemble because of the wide range of students and skill levels. I played in the orchestra for three years, so I know what it's like from the inside, too. It's difficult to put the complex repertoire together sometimes.

But on Thursday, the focus was definitely on the solo performances of the concert competition winners, Claire Tendl, soprano, and Pedro Che, piano. Claire dazzled everyone with some playful arias, and Pedro swept the audience away with an extremely virtuosic performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5. The performances were so fantastic that I was on the edge of my seat, wishing I was up on stage playing along.

There were always be flaws in musical performances, but if you find a piece that you truly love, it doesn't matter. You forget about that and just fall in love with the music. I saw that kind of passion in some of the orchestra performers on stage, soloists and ensemble players alike. I'm happy I was able sit and enjoy the concert.

Fueling "The Go"

First off, it's official! Here is my new, vamped-up blog! I mentioned that I wanted to expand my website in my last post, so here goes. Feedback is always much appreciated. :-)

On that note, I've been thinking a lot about my crazy schedule, and I wanted to breakdown how I fuel "My Go." Look at me, coining new phrases... Well, what's my trick? Do I obsessively count my macros and track my calories like a super mega fitness guru? NO. I've never found obsessing over food to be helpful for my body image or for my actual daily functioning.

However, healthy eating habits are still important. Choose foods that are high in nutrients (fiber, natural sugars, protein, etc.), and avoid processed foods if at all possible (fast food, pre-flavored packaged products, sodas, etc.). Since I exercise daily, typically an hourlong strength or HIIT gym session, I like to add in additional sources of protein to my diet to keep my energy up and my cravings down. I personally like pre-mixed Premier Protein shakes or Whey isolate protein powder shakes.

My lunch today! Empanadas, yellow rice with red beans
 and half an avocado.

As for my daily regiment, if you will, I typically start my day off with one of these protein shakes and sometimes some eggs or cereal if I have the time to prepare an actual meal that morning. I'll pack a granola or protein bar with me when I go to class just in case I get hungry and then I'll splurge a bit for lunch since this meal probably takes my the furthest in my day (through work and possibly an evening gym trip). I like to bring a BCAA drink with me to the gym for some extra electrolytes and muscle fuel. I finish off my day with a balanced dinner (chicken breast with quinoa/brown rice and some kind of veggie, or some variation of this meal). Since I have to stay up late a lot to do my homework for my classes, I definitely fall prey to the midnight munchies... If I can't kick my hunger, I'll go for another protein shake, some fresh fruit or huge bowl of popcorn and Cheez-Its. As long as your diet is balanced and you don't overeat one particular type of food, splurging is good and healthy!

Of course, these are just my regular eating habits, and I know this diet won't work for everyone. If anything, try to match what you consume with your activity level, and don't be afraid to go for that craving every once in a while!

I'm back! P.S. I performed a Brahms horn trio

Hello everyone! I know it's been a while since I've been active on this blog, but I'm turning a new leaf and starting fresh. I will of course be keeping you up to date with Gainesville's arts and culture scene, but I want to expand this blog. You'll be seeing more posts related to health and fitness here pretty soon. I've been on a exercise kick recently; new year, new me, right? Well, 2018 is bound to be full of surprises, and I'm ready to make the most of my last semester in Gville!

David, Tane, and I performing Brahms' Horn Trio, Op. 40
in MUB 101 at the University of Florida.

On that note, I was lucky enough to start the school term off with a unique performance opportunity. Along with my friend David LaRussa (on French horn) and pianist Tane Dekrey, I was able to perform two movements of Johannes Brahms' Horn Trio, Op. 40, this past Saturday. The piece is as bubbly as it is lyrical, and it proved to be quite a difficult task to take on. But the contrasting styles of the first and last movements paired nicely together and showed a wide range of our instruments' abilities. Overall, I'd say it was very well-received performance.

Even though I'm not enrolled in violin studio this semester, I'm looking forward to having more performances like this one. Chamber music is always fun because it allows you to explore unique pairings of instruments. It teaches you how to be a soloist and how to be a good ensemble player. You learn how to collaborate with other musicians, and that is an invaluable skill to have. So cheers!

My junior recital is done!

I CAN BREATHE AGAIN!

Me and my family after my concert on Sunday evening.
Photo Credits: Terri Dennis

After three years of instruction from the oh so talented Dr. Janna Lower, I finally performed my junior recital at the University of Florida. As you all already know, I had some wicked nerves leading up to this performance. I put in countless hours of practicing and rehearsing with my pianist Alan Clark leading up to this concert, and it all came together yesterday evening on Easter Sunday.

Alongside Alan, we performed Vitali's Chaconne, Bach's Andante from his Sonata No. 2 in A minor, Kreisler's arrangement of Gluck's Melodie, and the first two movements of Franck's Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor. It was a monster of a program but I am just so happy with how it all went. I was dreading how my nerves would affect my performance, but the second I walked out on stage, all of my nerves just melted away. I swear, it was a near miracle.

I was able to perform for some of my friends from the music school, some faculty members and some of my family members who both flew and drove into town for the concert. I was so humbled by all of the love I received, and I can't thank everyone enough for all of their support. Special thanks goes out to my teacher Dr. Lower, because she pushed me to be a better musician every day leading up to this performance.

Me performing in my junior recital concert on Sunday, April
16 in room 101 of UF's music building.
Photo credits: Miguel Maya

One thing I can say for sure is that although I am so happy it is all over, I am also so glad I was able to experience something like this; something so intimate and personal. I was able to share something I love with the people that mean the most to me and that means the world to me. That's what makes music and the arts so enjoyable. For a brief second or even minute in any performance, you are able to see the true heart of the performing musician. I hope that I have an opportunity to perform another concert like this in my future.

University of Florida Symphony Orchestra and Choir perform spring concert

At last! The University of Florida Symphony Orchestra's spring season has come to an end and looking back, I can't believe how many unforgettable memories I have made in this orchestra. I have met so many wonderful people, and I am just so glad that I could be a part of this amazing ensemble for another semester.

Celebrating the end of the orchestra season at the Phillips
Center for the Performing Arts with the University of
Florida violin studio.

Tonight, we performed a concert called Hymns & Heroes from the Movies in conjunction with the UF Concert Choir and the Gainesville Master Chorale. We played music by Verdi, Mancini, Prokofiev, and of course, the king of movie music, John Williams. It was a concert so full of energy and excitement; I nearly laughed out loud when I saw how many people's faces lit up in the audience when we started to play John William's renowned Duel of the Fates from Episode 1 of Star Wars, The Phantom Menace.

All in all, it has been one crazy semester but this was definitely a great way to end the spring season! What was particularly nice about this concert was that the audience was able to experience something a little different. They didn't just hear plain classically music; they were able to hear some pieces with fire and even some with mourning and reverence. Cheers to that!