Isn’t it AMAZE how much better 40 degree weather is than 20!?! (200% better to be exact)
I have been so happy with this weeks “heat” wave, yesterday I almost felt like running through the streets naked…well, maybe that’s a bit extreme, but I was pleased to say the least. What’s even crazier was the fact that the heaters in my patients’ rooms were cranked up so high that they all had their windows open…and it actually felt nice to have a chilly breeze.
What is this? I’m too young for hot flashes, and it’s too early for spring…
Trust me, I’m not complaining.
On my lunch break, I waltzed across the street in JUST my scrubs. No scarf, no hat, no gloves, just my (above) packed eats.
Newman’s Own organic dried apricots are really the only dried apricots I will eat. I love dried fruit, but apricots can be hit or miss. These are chewy without being too tough, and sweet without making you feel like you going to enter a diabetic coma after a handful…because who can eat just a handful.
This salad had spinach, coleslaw mix, corn, cherry toms, steamed asparagus, with Bragg’s liquid aminos on top.
This smaller tupperware had butternut squash, peas, and raisins. YUM. There is no better combo than BN squash with raisins/dried cranz.
Naturally, I brought Odwalla and Clif bars for snack action.
What’s missing? Uh. APPLES!!!! I was mortified when I was packing my lunch the night before and found we were out of my precious red lovers. Bad planning on my part…I guess I was just so dang eager to get home to see Kyle (he had been in London for the week). You KNOW you are in love when you forget to replete your apple supply due to the excitement of a boy man’s arrival.
And since you all seem to enjoy my fun nursing stories, here’s a good one from the other day:
When getting my patient washed up, I found half a piece of buttered bread IN my patient’s diaper. Ok. Some background info. Normally I’m not a fan of putting diapers on my patients because I think it makes them lazy and less likely to tell me before they have to go…and I am kinda a hard ass in terms of making my patients move (you only get more debilitated staying in bed all day). But this particular patient needs a diaper – no question. In addition to a diaper, she had a gown, a bed sheet AND blanket over her. Moreover, she’s a fairly capable person, with some pretty decent dexterity. So imagine my surprise when she told me she had something in her diaper, and I opened it up to change it, expecting to find poop and instead finding the rest of her uneaten breakfast. Hmmmm…how exactly did she manage to butter a piece of toast, and then sneak it under all those layers? I can understand saving leftovers for later, but storing it in your hot pocket doesn’t seem like the best route. Just sayin’…
After work, Kyle met me at the hospital and we walked over to Oliver’s Bar & Grill. I’m really trying to have a life and actually DO things, and going out after a work day was a big thing for me.
We went to this place because they have a decent amount of space, good food, and lots of TVs (to watch football). It’s in the West Village and was an easy walk from work. I ordered the Homemade Vegetarian Burger which was made with portabello mushrooms, peppers, spinach, onions and carrots. I got a salad on the side which had it’s own dressing (as well as a stray squirt of ketchup).
(Sorry about the blackberry photo)
The bun was fluffy and toasty warm, and the burger was pretty impressive for bar food. Normally I have minimal expectations from veggie burgers that you get at sports bars, but since it said “homemade” I was curious and went for it. Unsure if I was about to get a frozen burger that was reheated and passed off as their own, I was excited that it was indeed homemade.
If you look at the upper right corner of that last pic, you’ll see Kyle’s salad. Yes, he ordered a salad, at a bar, while watching football. So dainty. 🙂
I was all about my burger, though. Texture-wise, it was kinda mushy, which sounds weird, but is probably what a shroom based burger’s consistency should be. Flavor-wise, it was exceptional. I could taste the carrots especially, which was awesome. Love my beta-carotene 🙂
After the Colts got a decent lead, we headed home to watch the final quarter at home with dessert.
2 Gala apples + 1 Red Delicious mediocre apple + cinnamon sprinkles = a heaping plate of apple slices (aka the perfect dessert)
I had to make up for my lunch time oversight after all…
Ok I’m off to dream sweet dreams about winning a Vitamix.
As I was leaving my place of employment this past weekend I was SO surprised how warm it was. I thought it had to be in the mid 40s…nope it was 35. Love a good heatwave!
I totes understand saving food for later but that’s a little excessive – surprise!!
That burg, mushy and shroomie, is music to my ears.
Haha it’s 70 and sunny today in Houston – I’m so spoiled! But it’s amazing how much happier I am in this weather than I was over Christmas in the cold.
40 is pretty dang nice.
Poor lady with biscuits on her biscuits. At least it was a variation from the normal contents.
Get ready for some AO tennis this week!
Mmm a good veggie burger is second to none. And how awesome that you found it in a sports bar? Alas, my Steelers are dunzo so we watched from the comfort of our living room with no stress.
Okay, that’s dedication… I thought i liked my sprouted bread, but i don’t think i would go as far as to hoard some in my boxers if i was in the hospital 😉 And buttered at that… C’mon was butter really necessary? Oh well, glad to see you made up for your apple shortage at lunch, i was getting worried. I’m at 2 and it’s only noon. Step it up. 🙂 Veggie burger looks quite fantastic!
Buttered bread in the pants!!! I find food in Lulu’s diaper sometimes, just an errant Cheddar Bunny here and there, but somehow I don’t think that’s quite the same thing.
I love the nursing stories!!!
OMG, that story about your patient is hilarious.
This warm weather is great, isn’t it? That burger looks delicious, too…it’s always nice to find an actually decent veggie burger!
HALF A PIECE OF BUTTERED BREAD?!?!
lol!! i couldnt help but crack up
girl, you are special, you have a major gift that i DONT have!
Dried apricots are delicious!! Yummy looking veggie burger too 🙂
HA! Nursing stories never fail to amuse me. I love my patients, but sometimes you just gotta laugh at (with?) them. I WISH it was warmer here in Boston. It’s freezing and hailing at the moment. UGH! oh and about dried apricots – have you tried WF’s brand (organic)? The kind that come in the clear plastic container. If I remember correctly (haven’t had them in a while) they are quite good too.
UMMMM buttered bread??? I really dont know what to say? I probably woulda passed out (thus me not being a nurse).
That veggie burger looks great.. sorry it was a tad mushy. The bun though, hopefully made up for it.. wow that looks yum!!
Uh… are you SURE you don’t work on the psych ward?? That is just very strange.
I’m not following your 200% rationale, but math was never my strongest subject. My mom claims there are always a few days in January that are warm before it turns frigid again… I’m hoping she is wrong!!
<3 <3
LMAO and kinda wanting to barf at the same time. Just remember – the rest of us COULD NOT do your job. For one minute.
Loving the not freezing temps today! It is amazing 🙂
Oh my gosh, I would not have known what to say about that buttered bread! haha
Agreed. Sometimes those apples are red not-so-delicious.
“…because who can eat just a handful” OMG–*exactly*!! I could (and would) easily down that whole bag in one sitting. No question. Did I just admit that?!?
Okay, toast in a diaper? That takes the cake (or toast?)–did this person tell you HOW the toast got in their diaper?! They seemed fully aware that it was there…I would have been curious to hear that story…
I am sorry, but I gotta say it–red delicious are a complete waste of apple in my opinion. They are always mushy and gross and lacking in flavor…red disgusting if you ask me, lol. My mom calls me an “apple snob” but whateves…I prefer apple connoisseur 🙂
Courtney
I love your blog and the nursing stories crack me up. I just wanted to drop you a line to say I’m glad you are going to continue blogging, I love your site. I admire the way you eat so much, hopefully I can mimic some of your amazing eating habits in my own life eventually. Workin on it!
Love your blog – always such a fun read!
Lol @ “love my beta-carotene”. I am with you on that one, sista!
Veggie burger looks fab!!
girl. I am glad i dont have your job!!!!! 🙂
oh love makes you do crazy things. someday i hope i find someone who will make me forget about apples.
for the record i was slash am eating dinner while i read your diaper story.
Yeah no kidding, the difference in temp right now is amaaaazing.
You had every right to be suspicious of that “homemade” veggie burger. I’m really snotty when it comes to veggie burgers at restos. I do not accept restaurants warming up a garden burger for me and charging an arm and a leg. But homemade veggie burgers for REALS? Now you’re talkin.
I’ve been creepin your blog for months, but have never commented. Diaper-toast brought me out of the woodwork! I laughed my arse off.
P.S. Welcome back!
wow- that woudl be interestin to find breakfast in a diaper? hahah. great eats 🙂
xoxo
shelley
http://findinghappinessandhealth.wordpress.com
glad you’re back!
amy from los angeles
Ah I always hate when I run out of apples! SADD.
Hope you’re doing well darling <3
HAHAHA weeeiiirrrdest story ever!! So random…
I actually got a veggie burger at Ruby’s when i was home, i think it was just a Gardenburger brand but it was seriously soooo good, perhaps better than the bacon/cheddar/guacamole third pounder that the rest of my fam enjoyed!? 😀
I laughed silently at this post. I didn’t want the bosses next to me to hear me cackling, which I internally did…hehe…I still don’t get how homegirl got that piece of bread in her diaper? You make the nursing world sound oh so exciting! Shall I rush through my pre-reqs now so I can find other odds and ends in the gerries diapers? haha…p.s. heart the daintiness of kile.
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i know!! sooooo excited 🙂
haha. i feel like im in an apple off on the daily. no worries i had 6 today, and i still may have a couple more yet…
well, i was a bit baffled at the time, but its not even the worst ive seen sooooo…yeah. i consider 90% of my patient interactions as practice for raising kids.
fortunately i didnt crack up on the spot, its only funny after the fact. at the time, i was the opposite of amused. perplexed really…
so, i looked yesterday, but maybe my WF doesnt carry dried apricots? are they in bulk bins, bags, or plastic containers? either way, i love newmans. sorry about the brrrr going on there. i hope its not coming our way next. im enjoying this random warmth!
yeah. it was, uh, an interesting find.
believe me, thats the tip of the iceberg. it took me 2 days of nursing to realize that people are not normal. nobody is free of psych “issues” – nobody.
thats pretty much how i felt at the time. well, actually minus the laughing part. these things are really only humorous after the fact…makes for great blogging material i suppose…
i totally agree…i actually hate red delish most of the time, but there is the odd moment when i want one. also, my pathetic excuse for a hospital cafe ONLY carries that kind. its not really a cafe, though, so its amazing they even have fruit at all.
thanks christina!
shout out for the free faux-glow
thanks jamie 🙂
bad call homie. sorry about the poor choice in multi tasking 😛
thanks emily 🙂
if by “interesting” you mean nast-ay, then yes, it was interesting…
buttered bread is just about the most wonderful thing i could find in a diaper…odd, yes, but everything else is far worse.
I hate it how red disgusting (my pet name for them) are the ONLY apples ever offered at cafes/convenience stores/coffee shops/etc. Get a clue people! I don’t know anyone who actually enjoys eating them…
Courtney
OK…ew…ew…ew…Sounds familiar though. I hate when I find food in people’s fat rolls…makes me sick just thinking about it…Even worse…when you point it out, and they actually look, REACH DOWN, PICK IT UP, and…PROCEED TO EAT IT..before you know what’s happening…Ahhh, nursing…Sometimes, when I encounter these patients, I think…”they’re out there…walking around…next to me, on the street…”