It can be overwhelming for a dog to meet a large number of people while it is adjusting to a whole new life. Instead, only have direct family members at home when the dog arrives and make sure that they give the dog some physical space while it adjusts. Tell potential visitors that they will need to wait at least a few days before meeting your new dog. Give it physical space and don’t get it excited by being loud or active. It’s best just to promote calmness and make activities as routine as possible.  Don’t take the dog to a dog park or crowded street for a few weeks after getting it. You need to know how the dog is likely to react to these kind of environments before taking it to them. Don't overdo it with physical affection or playing right off the bat. If you tackle your dog in a way that it sees as beyond just playful rough housing, it might get defensive or aggressive.

Summary: Minimize the number of people your dog meets. Remain quiet and calm with the new dog.


Avocados oxidize quickly. Cutting them at the absolute last moment ensures that they stay fresh and green. Start by cutting an onion in half. Halve again until you have one quarter. Dice the onion with a sharp knife. Set aside in a small bowl. If you want onion with a less acidic bite, wash your diced onion under cold water in a colander and drain. Water will help remove some of the sulfuric acid in onions (the same sulfuric acid that makes you cry when you cut an onion).

Summary: Start by dicing your onion.


Informing yourself about the basics of proper nutrition can help you understand what your body needs to be healthy and avoid gaining the dreaded “Freshman Fifteen.” It can also help you identify the best healthy foods for an eating plan to keep you on track.  Depending on how active you are, men need 2,500 calories per day while women need approximately 2,000.  You will get proper nutrition if you incorporate foods from the five food groups every day. The five food groups are: fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy. Fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of any healthy diet. They contain many important nutrients for you that can help you stay healthy and maintain your weight.  You need 1-1.5 cups of fruit per day. You can get this from eating whole fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries, or from drinking 100% fruit juice. Make sure to vary the fruits you choose so that you get a range of nutrients and try to not process them. For example, eating a cup of pure berries is much healthier than eating berries on top of a cake. You need 2.5-3 cups of vegetables per day. You can get this from eating whole vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, or peppers, or from drinking 100% vegetable juice. Make sure to vary the vegetables you choose so that you get a range of nutrients. Fruits and vegetables are easily incorporated into a variety of dishes including soups and stews, stir fry, or even something as simple as a cup of Greek yogurt with fresh fruit for a dessert. One of the primary sources of energy for you should be breads and grains. Getting enough breads and grains every day will help you keep up your energy and can also provide additional nutrients such as iron.  You need between 5-8 ounces of grains per day, of which ½ should be whole grains. You can get grains and whole grains from foods such as brown rice, whole wheat pasta or bread, oatmeal, or cereal. Choose grains that are as minimally processed as possible. For example, brown rice and whole wheat bread are far healthier than white rice.  Choose breads and grains that are fortified with iron, Vitamin B, fiber and protein. Protein is an important nutrient for any person, especially when you’re experiencing the pressures of studying. Traditional sources of protein such as meat or alternative sources such as fish or nuts can help you get enough protein.  You need 5-6.5 ounces of protein per day.  You can get protein from lean meats including beef, pork, or poultry; cooked beans; eggs; peanut butter; or nuts and seeds.  You can get protein from a wide variety of non-meat foods including: nuts and nut butters such as almonds or peanut butter, soy products, tofu, quinoa, or legumes like lima beans.  Be careful when consuming seafood or fish. Limit your cooked fish intake to 8-12 oz. per week and your canned intake to 6 oz. per week. Avoid tuna steaks, swordfish, mackerel, shark or any other fish with high mercury levels. Calcium is essential for maintaining your healthy and maybe even your weight. Eating foods such as cheese, yogurt, and even ice cream can help ensure you get the recommend servings of dairy.  You need 2-3 cups, or 12 oz., of dairy per day.  You can get calcium from a wide range of foods including dairy products like cheese, milk, or yogurt; leafy green vegetables such as spinach; dried beans or peas; and tofu.
Summary: Be aware of proper nutrition. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Consume breads and grains for energy. Eat protein to help maintain strength and provide energy. Ingest dairy for extra protein, strong bones and muscles.