Some days of work just rock. Plain and simple. I leave the hospital feeling like I’m so lucky to have found a job that I not only enjoy, but that allows me to help people. What’s that saying? ”Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” [Confucius]
Yesterday was a great day. There wasn’t anything extraordinary about it. In terms of my patient load, it was pretty average. And yet, I left the hospital feeling so completely content with the 12 hours I had just finished.
The fact that my day went so well was especially remarkable since I was functioning on 2 1/2 hours of sleep. Let me back up a bit…
This is how I started the day. My alarm went off at 4:25 am and I groggily dragged my butt out of bed. It felt like I had JUST gone to sleep (because I had). Sadly, I’m prone to insomnia from time to time, and on Monday night, it reared it’s ugly head, completely ruining any chances of getting a restful night of sleep. I tossed and turned into the wee morning hours (the last time I remember looking at the clock was at 2 am). So it’s understandable why I didn’t jump out of bed with a hop in my step.
I decided to wake up with yoga (as opposed to Jillian’s Shred), which proved to be an amazing choice. 20 minutes into it I was feeling totally energized and awake, so I kept going for another 20 minutes. Fabulous way to greet the day.
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” [Confucius]
After I showered I munched on the latest Bob’s Red Mill product, Natural "No Fat Added" Granola. It’s new. And it’s good. There’s nothing overly imaginative about coffee and granola, but what can I say?
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” [Confucius]
Here are the nutritional stats for those who care. I like that it’s sweetened with mixed fruit concentrate (pineapples, pears and peaches oh my!). I also like the ratio of crunchy granola to crispy rice pieces. It was good, but still not as good as this one, this one, or this one. Those are my top three.
Since we haven’t been grocery shopping in several weeks, here’s what I brought to work for my second breakfast.
Dr. McDougall’s Organic Maple 4 Grain with real maple blends organic oats, wheat, rye, triticale, and barley. Holy whole grains! These milled flakes offer mega dietary fiber with a fluffy but grainy texture. Plus, it’s sweetened with real maple sugar (channeling that hearty Vermont flavor). Vegan. Organic grains. No dairy. High-fiber. Bomb.
For pantry items, Dr. McDougall’s products are so pure and wholesome I really don’t think of them as processed foods! Impressive. Really impressive.
Dr. McDougall doesn’t just talk the talk. He is fully devoted to the vegetarian lifestyle (and built an entire program that emphasizes maintaining one’s health through a proper diet). If you want to know more about the McDougall philosophy, you can read so here. As I’ve mentioned time and time again, I love when MDs focus on the role of nutrition in health and wellness. For this reason, I am a huge fan of Dr. McDougall’s products. He has been studying, writing and speaking out about the effects of nutrition on disease for over 30 years – talk about ahead of the curve! I’m glad to help spread the word. :) So far I’ve tried the soups and hot cereals and liked them both. There are lots more of Dr. McDougall’s products in my pantry too, so I’m looking forward to tackling them bite by bite. 🙂
I have no photos of lunch because it was not worth documenting. I had more fruit than anything else, including 2 apples, 3 oranges, and a pear. And those were just my snacks! It was a colorful day of food to say the least.
“Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.” [Confucius]
Kyle and I carpooled home and decided to go out for dinner.
The Veggie Grill!!!! We had a coupon for a free meal from Kyle’s birthday (join the Veggie Grill Birthday Club to get in on this sweet deal).
“He who will not economize will have to agonize.” [Confucius]
His and hers.
Kyle got the Santa Fe Crispy Chickin’ with crispy fried chillin’ chickin’, lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, southwestern spiced vegan mayo and a side of Vegan Mac-n-Cheese with quinoa pasta, VG-cheese, and toasted garlic bread crumbs.
I got the Baja Fiesta salad with chopped romaine, papaya, avocado, roasted corn salsa, quinoa, cucumber, cilantro, tortilla strips and a ginger-papaya vinaigrette. Also, I added chillin’ chickin’ to it.
They make really mouth watering faux blackened meats, but it was the combo of the avo and papaya that really wowed my taste buds. So so so good. I’m probably going to order this every single time we return because this was so yummy.
After dinner we stopped at Whole Foods for much needed groceries. There was very little in our cart that wasn’t organic or vegan. Kyle is going balls to the wall with decreasing the animal products in his diet and I’m trying to be as supportive and helpful as possible. Lead by example right?
“Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.” [Confucius]
True Dat, Cunfucius. I am psyched for Kyle, he already seems like a pretty darn healthy person, I bet you he feels even better now! What a wonderful example you have set, dude! Expect your nut butter soon, though I am not exactly sure how long mail takes from Canada to California… I know Colorado takes about a week. That meal looks delicious btw!
Loved all the quotes and they fit perfectly! Are you hoping to get a straight A or P line?! You may have mentioned before but I am assuming you work both since you are new?! Love that the hubs is making such big changes!
Katie : )
Haha, I felt like Confucius was on my shoulder every time I read one of the quotes. The pic of the Dr.McDougall product reminded me of the Dr.Praeger burgers since they both have photos of people on the package, which I find completely hilarious.
i would LOVE to be all am shifts. i dont mind pm only because the staff is super cool on night shifts, but prefer the am because my body is a mess when i switch all around. hopefully once im not at the bottom of the totem pole ill get a better sched!
it takes things FOREVER to cross the border. when i sent a canadian a giveaway prize it seemed like a month til she got it. silly border patrol…
“Since we haven’t been grocery shopping in several weeks” —how is this possible?! The groc store is my 2nd home. I do live 2 blks from ralph’s and tj’s (and 6 from WFs but i cant afford that place) so it’s easy to make multiple trips during the week but dang girl, that’s crazy! 🙂
Confucius truly does have inspiring words of wisdom. I am glad your day went so well at the hospital! Michelle is still have trouble with getting good nights sleep but for some reason I do not have that problem 😉 I usually sleep like a baby!
Aww I love this post. Glad you had a good day at work. You work as an RN? I’m currently trying to get into P.A school 😀
Clever girl. I loved the way you tied those quotes in! I will have to keep my eye out for the BRM granola.
Love this quote: “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Great post!
Confucius was a wise one indeed! Love this post 🙂
And get some SLEEP!
yup, im an RN. where are you looking to go to PA school?
ok ok so i exaggerated a bit. 🙂
true. must be an MD thing – haha
the phrase “clever girl” always reminds me of jurassic park. im such a loser, i know.
Here in Miami. I applied to Barry which I’m currently wait listed so I’m crossing my fingers 🙂
So wonderful having a great work day, I wish I could say the same about my job this week. 😛 The hot cereal looks good, I need to try that since I haven’t had much time for shopping this week. The Veggie Grill looks wonderful and I love shopping at Whole Foods with my hubby, we always have fun checking out products. And that’s awesome about Kyle!
ill keep mine crossed for you too!
Really liked the Confucius tie in. I am always inspired and a little jealous of people who are truely passionate about their career’s. Not saying I don’t like what I’m doing (medical lab science), but for me it’s been the “safe” & comfortable choice as far as careers go. Hooray for great jobs & people who love ’em.
I’ve gotta try me some McDougall’s grains. Mmm maple.
Oooh I needed all of these inspirational Confuciusisms today…my kiddos are driving me up the wall. I’m going to try to channel you (and your stellar 12 hour shift on 2 hours of sleep!!) and just keep trucking.
I think it’s awesome that Kyle is so into transforming his diet! It is so hard to find men these days that feel comfortable not eating the typical “man diet” of tons of red meat and processed foods!
I love the Confucius tie ins! So clever!
I just joined. Woop woop! Let’s use after Europe.