Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!
Quite frankly, I delayed writing this post because I felt like everyone else’s thanksgiving eats were way more blog-worthy (and there were a LOT of them). Plus, I didn’t get home from work until after 8 pm and all I wanted to do at that point was put on my PJs, watch football (slash Home Alone), and stuff my face (not in that order).
On a holiday such as this, it would feel weird to eat before giving thanks, and so I feel as though I should acknowledge what I’m grateful for before I share my food. [There’s logic in there, somewhere]
So here are a few of the things that I’m glad to have in my life…
- my wonderful fiancé
- my loving family
- my beautiful sisters
- my supportive parents
- my friends (old and new)
- my stressful, but rewarding job
- my health
- my happiness
- my
appetitemetabolism - my readers!
And now, without further ado…just another day on the cardiac step-down unit.
I brought TWO Tazo Chai tea bags because Starbucks’ holiday hours were 7 am to 5 pm. Not so helpful for an addict who has to be rocking a considerable caffeine buzz by 6:30 am. Although not too different than my usual pre-packed work eats, there was something about this specific combination that made my tummy especially happy.
Apple, salad, dried fruit, bars, and leftover cornbread. Perfection. This salad was pretty freakin’ huge, and contained spinach, leftover curried parsnips/carrots, cherry tomatoes, and raisins.
Recognize the new one among the bunch?
Yep, the first flavor I tried was the Tribal Cinnamon Oatmeal.
No superman vision? No worries, see below.
Organic Rolled Oats, Organic Raisins, Organic Agave Nectar, Organic Peanuts, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Apples, Organic Almonds, Organic Whole Grain Crisp Rice, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Sunflower Oil (Organic Sunflower Oil, Natural Tocopherol, Organic Rosemary Extract).
This bar tasted JUST like a bowl of oatmeal. Delightful! The flavor of the cinnamon and nuts tasted precisely like a bowl of oats with all the toppings. The agave nectar made the consistency gooey without leaving anything sticky on my fingers. It separated easily AND I was able to break off bites without it crumbling apart. This is my ideal texture in a work setting because I can eat it easily on the go – no muss, no fuss (read: no crumb-covered scrubs).
Work was nice and mellow. They overstaff on holidays because they want to make it as stress-less of a shift as possible. Another perk of working holidays? The chief of cardiac surgery buys a HUGE banquet style spread for everyone who works on Thanksgiving (and the time-and-a-half pay isn’t too shabby either…). As gorgeous and thoughtful as the feast was, the vegan friendly options were extremely limited (as I suspected they would be). Oh well, more for everyone else.
I got home and was delighted to have already prepped a bunch of eats to replicate my own gourmet Thanksgiving meal.
Roasted veggies (butternut squash and brussel sprouts)
Cornbread and broccoli
Sweet potato tower
Spinach artichoke dip with every carb vehicle in the apartment (represented by the above photo – which was a pathetically inaccurate display of the actual portions consumed)
That’s more like it. Goodbye cornbread, you were great while you lasted.
I was WAY too full for dessert. Oof. Food baby twins. Like Kate Gosselin and the Octomom combined.
Instead I busted out an old friend. Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea! I rolled myself to bed after my feast for a serious snooze fest. Off to the West coast for the weekend!
I am loving the Kate Gosselin/Octomom metaphor. A very appropriate one for the day after Thanksgiving!
“Carb Vehicle”= loud laughter in my home. I love it!
You made a great thankful list 🙂 Gotta love a good appetite!
Have a great day!
I’m glad you had a good day at work and that it wasn’t too stressful! I have to work in the ER christmas day and was slightly worried it would be crazy, but it’s good to know it won’t be too bad! All of your Thanksgiving eats look delish, particularly that beautiful hunk of corn bread;)
Great celebration! 🙂
i’m glad you have so many things to be thankful for 🙂 & your eats look very good!
xoxo
shelley
http://findinghappinessandhealth.wordpress.com
ah love your thankful list!
looks like the normal lunch! yumm which I always think looks awesome!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING ELISEEEEEE! safe travels to the west coast and enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!!
Those bars look insanely delicious!
Mmmmmm that is some delicious food. Especially that spinach artichoke dip. I haven’t had any in ages but now it’s on my mind like crazy. Must make asap!!!
I thought of you yesterday–I am glad it was an easy shift 🙂
Have a safe and fabulous trip!
Courtney
ahhhh enjoy sunshine 🙂 and i hate you for taking it with you to cali. it’s a gloomy mess here.
happy turkayyyyyyy dayyyyy
Oooh I want to find those Bora Bora bars!!
Have a great weekend — bring back some warmth and sunshine with you!
<3 <3
who are you kidding? your eats are totes blogworthy.. I’ve seen enough turkey and stuffing to last me a life time — but that corn bread and sweet ‘tatoes are amaze! 🙂
The Home Alone marathon graced my TV quite a bit yesterday (until I saw Love Actually was on Lifetime – I die). I’m glad you showed that cornbread no mercy – it was taunting me every time you posted it!
Have a safe trip home!! Get plenty of QT with your loved ones!
ahh i really want to try sugar cookie tea!
jenna
ooo bora bora bars sound tastttttttty!
cornbread! HOLLER
I will have to try that tea. It looks tasty!