You guys are so sweet for sending me happy-sleepy-time thoughts…I wish I could say it worked :(
After my seriously deficient shut-eye on Monday night, I was SO optimistic about getting to sleep extra early…I was all tucked in by 10 pm, ready to snooze the night away. With my alarm set for 5 am, I thought 7 hours would be decent enough to get me through my first day back at work. Talk about wishful thinking!!
I fell right asleep, only to wake up at 11:00 confused as all hell. Only an HOUR passed!?! Grrrr… After going to the bathroom, I snuggled back in for attempt #2 at my long winter nap.
Negative.
This time I woke up at 12:30 and nearly started to get ready for work I thought it was morning. Nope, not so much.
Try as I might, I could NOT get back to sleep. I was miserable, tossing and turning, mind wandering, trying to relax my body and zone out my mind, with no luck whatsoever. I literally watched the clock creep it’s way closer and closer to my wake up time. It’s a little difficult to try to stay calm to coax myself to sleep, when, in actuality, I felt completely enraged because I couldn’t do it! Not the most soothing mindset.
This may sound crazy (thus proving how desperate I was), but I ended up getting up at 4 am to grab a bag of frozen veggies from the freezer to ice my back and wrists in the hopes of cooling myself down. I have no clue if it worked or not, but I nodded off sometime between 4 and 5.
Sure enough, buzz buzz buzz, alarm going off.
Crap.
I’ll cut to the punch line…I worked my 12 hour shift on barely over an hour of sleep.
The odd part? After a venti sized starbucks run on the way to work, I was A-okay! I mean it, I was happy as a clam – without any signs of blood shot eyes, or foot dragging.
I even had (dare I say it) a hope in my step (!?!) despite the fact that I had a crazy patient load.
Here’s the lunch I packed:
Have you ever finished a meal you made yourself in advance and thought, I am PERFECTLY satisfied.
Well that’s what this lunch was like. I was left neither hungry nor full, and I was totally 100% content. Since I make my lunches the day before, it’s often hard to gauge how hungry I’ll be, or what I’ll be craving in advance. Heck, I hardly know what I want an hour before my non-workday meals (that’s a lie, I always want hummus…). Ok, but seriously. I think I found a magic formula for satisfying my sweet, salty, savory, crunchy, and hummus-y taste buds.
Sweet = superfood green odwalla bar, dried fruit
Salty = hummus
Savory = hummus
Crunchy = salad (spinach, smart deli “turkey,” raw corn, diced carrots, dried cranz, and 1/2 an AVOCADO), apple
Hummus-y = hummus with english muffin
A-MAZE. This may seem like a “no duh” statement, but, this is gonna be a repeater.
Normally I spend my lunch breaks in the ‘bucks, eating, crosswording, reading, and people watching…basically anything to relax OFF my feet. Today, however, I had to run to B&N because I needed a new book stat. Subway-riding sans literature is a no dice sitch in my eyes.
Ummm. Fastest book store visit of my life.
I was already in a self-giving mood, so I headed back to work with a starbucks treat. Look at the sunshine!!
Iced green tea, shaken not stirred, with a splash of soy milk. Mmmmmm.
I got off work and stepped outside and got quite a shock. RAIN!?! Whaa!! How did this happen? Wasn’t it summer just 4 hours ago? If you happened to see a girl riding the subway in flip-flops and rolled up green scrubs, that was moi. No worries, I still made it work. Tim Gunn would have been proud.
Anyways, I got home only slightly wet, and made myself a nice healthy (multi-course) din.
First up, Alvarado Street bread with roasted red pepper SABRA hummus. It tastes like pizza to me, I’m so in love.
Course deux, spinach/raw corn/carrot salad with sliced up seitan (home–made of course) and a mini-mogul of roasted red pepp hummus on top. Loves it!
SO good I repeated course 2 and made it course 3 as well.
FOOD PORN.
Now THAT is bowl-scraping delicious.
Here’s dessert, and my new read BTW. Don’t judge, I was in the mood for mind-less chic lit after finishing Water for Elephants (sooo good for anyone who hasn’t read it).
Does anyone have tips on how to cut nectarines?
My apple, cantaloupe, and nectarine loaded plate was nom, but I lost about a pint of juice attempting to slice the pit out of the nectarine. Help!
My lack of sleep caught up with me around 9 pm, and I tried to hang on for as long as I could, but I hit a M.F.er of a wall by 9:30 (while in the shower), and barely made it to the bed in time before star-fishing.
Finally! A full night of zzzz. I woke up for my second day of work (Wed) and felt groggy. But a manageable amount…
I had such success with Tuesday’s lunch, I figured if it aint broke…
Ditto-ville salad.
Plus more dried fruta, an apple, a blueberry crisp Clif bar, and a mini sammie (see below).
Roasted red pepper hummus and Alvarado street bread. I’m starting to wonder if chickpea toxicity is something I should be concerned about?
What do you think K?
Work was work. I had a mega narc-loving patient load (same patients as I had yesterday)…but whatever, there’s only so much I can do. Both yesterday and today I took the patients that nobody else wanted (they can be a little on the crazy side…as in make-you-wanna-ring-theiryour-neck cuckoo for cocoa puffs). But c’est la vie, right? I can handle the crazies. Actually, ever since my Hawaiian getaway, I’ve been Little Miss Go-with-the-flow at work. I mean, I’m not saying that I am ever really thrilled with the prospect of getting crappy patient loads, but whatever. I guess that’s what 2 weeks of fun in the sun will do…No worries (be happy).
I treated myself to a WF dinner. Salad concoction included spin, edamame rice, raw bean/sprouts, chickpeas, and dried cranz.
Please note the VAT ‘O HUMMUS on the right – the first half of that went directly into the salad.
Zooming makes me 🙂
It was perfectly tasty, and the hummus was almost RIGHT on par with my #1…Sabra watch out!!!
The second half of my lovely new tub of hummus went on assorted goods I found in the fridge: mushrooms, carrots, with a spoon, and an english muffin.
Uhhhh…
Let me get this straight. I consumed ONE POUND of hummus in one sitting!
ONE POUND.
Hmmm. Shouldn’t I feel more, I dunno, full? And yet, I still had room for dessert.
Iced tea and an apple…didn’t do the trick. I needed CHOCOLATE.
Perrrrrrfect. Shake shake shake. Heaven in a green wrapper.
Amazing Grass rocks my world. It seems to always fill me up (while simultaneously satisfying my sweet tooth) like nothing else can.
Nighty night bloggies!
Haha, hummus does indeed deserve its own portion of the taste spectrum. I LOVE those meals when I am perfectly satisfied. I had that feeling after all three of my meals today, actually. Score!
I cut my nectarines, peaches, and all stone fruit the same way I cut an avocado. Make an incision all the way around the pit, then twist. Voila.
“Hummus-y” is definitely a necessary category. I only eat guacamole because its hummusy.
I cut those bastard nectarines that don’t let go of their pits (not unlike Mary Catherine Gallagher), just like they are a mango, lengthwise around the pit. Does that make sense? Surely, not.
One pound of straight up goodness! That is why you are my friend. This is random and I should hit the return button to make this it’s own little subcatagory in this comment but, will you be in NYC at T-giving?? I MIGHT be going then for MAMA CYNTHIA’S 50TH BDAY! HOLLA!!
Last night I only got 3 hours of sleep and felt fine today! Hmmmm I love/wonder how that happens! Thanks body for working with my partying mode. Props.
I heart you!
I am thinking of starting a “Hummus Anonymous” club- if toxicity is an issue, I’ll be right there with you growing chickpeas out my ears.
Cut nectarine? Pffft. That’s what teeth are for 😛
Hope you ge some sleep- I had a total of 2 hours last night and thinking a trip to Starbucks (or 3) is MUCH needed today! Oy vey.
Haha, I was just going to ask you what book you got from the store, but then you posted a pic. Thanks! I love reading about what others are reading. Let us know if its a good one!
I had the SAME exact thought yesterday after my lunch–it was exactly what I wanted at that moment and I was so impressed with myself, considering I had to pack it the night before. (Never mind it was a giant salad with all the usual suspects that I ALWAYS enjoy, it was JUST perfect and I was happy.)
Sometimes I have way more energy the day after a night with only a couple hours of sleep, but then the next day I’m dragging a*#.
And a pound of hummus…you are my hero.
I just stumbled on this blog and I have to say that I have never seen anyone so self-centered in my life.
Get over yourself all ready! I have news for you; you’re not that great!
LoL — “chickpea toxicity”?! 😉
Your first night’s sleep (or lack thereof)… sounds like many of mine… it is SO irritating to constantly wake up!! I’m usually fine the day after a microscopic amount of sleep; it’s the day after THAT when it all catches up. I’m glad that didn’t happen to you!!
<3 <3
Isn’t it crazy how on next to nothing in terms of sleep you can be wide awake?! I got three hours over the weekend and was good to go the next day!
I need to get those portion controlled hummus packs. Genius. Chickpea toxicity? Hmm…NOPE! I wouldn’t worry and if there was a reason to worry I bet our acidic coffee would counteract it. 😉
Damn Stan, way to polish off that hummus!! You make me so proud!
I’m so sorry about that awful night of lack of sleep! I hate tossing and turning, like absolutely hate it! Hopefully you can get more rest this weekend.
One of the reasons I love making my own meals is because I know exactly what ingredients and how much of them will keep me full and satisfied. And I know it will taste amazing!
You’re making crave hummus like crazyyy.
1. we are reading soul mates. I went to the library yesterday to look for One Fifth Ave…couldn’t take it out. My next choice was Water For Elephants. Fail on that account too. I settled for “Thanks for the Memories” … oh chick beach reads how I love them..
don’t worry about the 1 pound of hummus its foood for the soul haha. I eat a pound of seaweed salad + more when I go out east from the local fish store. no shame no gain. And I average a pound of salsa a sitting. s’aaaaallll good
Have I told you I’m obsessed with you? Because I am. In the least creepy way. Okay, that’s a lie. It’s still creepy. But I just recently started to read your blog and every day I’m like, “where’s my hungry hippie? What did she eat? How is she?” It’s freaky. I’m sorry.
I LOVE that you killed 1 lb. of hummus. That’s the way to do tha damn thang. It’s so delicious and that much is necessary.
Ya know, when I get 5 hours of sleep, I feel much better than when I get 7-8 hours. It must be (as Brooke mentioned above) party mode+ school mode (never sleep during school) that helps.
Have a fabby Thursday!
Oh girl, I hate that feeling of needing to sleep but not being able to because you’re so pissed off you’re still awake. I’m a serious insomniac so I feel yo pain! I’m glad you were still hoppy at work though!
I envy your hummus eating (and buying skills). That is the work of a true champion, no doubt.
Would you mind sharing your seitan recipe? I’d love to make some at home, but never have. I just started reading your blog, and am loving it! Thanks! 🙂
Ha ha – I love you and your hummus loving ways. 1 lb in one sitting? Awesome.
I read NOT ONE self-centered remark in this entire post. Not a one!
Glad you’re finally getting some better sleep. I always have such a harder time with it after the trip.
Amazing Grass – Ugh, I don’t like it. Tastes like dirt to me.
Kill the hater who randomly left a negative comment!! Love you, Elise!! 🙂
hello! i’d be glad to share it! i’ve mentioned a few different ways ive done it in the past, and i tend to switch it up a bit each time. here’s one of my former seitan batches: http://hungryhungryhippie.com/2009/05/14/tummy-says-rawrrrr/
ill email you with what i do
Yum–it must have been that nutrient packed lunch that made work on no sleep go so well 🙂
I am glad to hear you finally got some sleep last night! But, just in case you have trouble again, something that works for me is valerian root–it is an all natural herb that helps you relax/sleep. You will be able to find it at Whole Foods or any health-foody/co-op store.
And I love the straw in your iced tea, by the way… 🙂
Courtney
oh gosh girlie- I hope you get some sleepies tonight! Just a little over an hour? I would have pssed out at work! Thank goodness for the bucks! Roasted Red Pepper hummus is my FAVORITE!
First of all, who the hell is this “wow” s**thead?
Second of all, gorgeous salads!!
this may sound weird, but i think my fave part about it is the grassy taste (basically the part you dont like)! haha
i think its hilarious that the girl who eats oatgurty blobs for breakfast doesnt like amazing grass…not for everyone, i guess. you can stick to your green monsters, blended oats and chia concoctions…and leave the grassy grubbin to me 🙂
the dirt part made me think of happy gilmore:
“i eat shit like you for breakfast…”
“you eat shit for breakfast?”
thanks LOVE!
🙂 thanks man. i cant believe how easy it has been to up the raw in my diet, and how wonderful ive been feeling. WF can truly spoil a girl. thanks for the support, too. that “wow” comment seemed a bit out of the blue, and im trying to not let it bother me (riiight).
i figured you would 😉
beans beans the magical fruit…haha, i had a hummus baby when i was done thats for sure!
so far one fifth is exactly what youd expect…which is perfect for the mood im in. you MUST get h2o for elephants.
no shame no gain = words to live by
dont you think salsa and hummus would make a nice food baby? maybe my next salad shall have a mexi/mediterranean theme
i didnt even notice that it said one pound until the end…which is probably a good thing. but yeah, it was kinda like that scene in anchorman.
“You pooped in the refrigerator? And you ate the whole wheel of cheese?….I’m not even mad, that’s Amazing!”
but i didnt poop in the fridge…i swear.
im making MYSELF crave hummus like crazy, blogging promotes and endless cycle in my life! there are worse things to OD on though, right?
i wish i could find the mini tubs of sabra to take to work, tribes good and all, but sabra is in its own category.
today was the first day i had coffee sans fake sugar, are you proud of me 🙂 it was very acidic, so i took care of that hummus overload.
thats what i was worried about too! fortunately, all went well the next day too.
haha, i know! the lunch i made wasnt really that different from what i usually pack, but for some reason it just was perfect in the moment. i still think you deserve a pat on the back for it – good job abby!!
love it!! ill join.
haha!! teeth ARE for that purpose, you are so wise.
2 hours!! good luck my dear…
thats what i tried, and instead of the “voila” moment (that i get with avo – and all stone fruits), the skin and juices all squished every which way…grrrr
yeah, it was very virginal for being so ripe…damn nectarine…give it up already!
oh man oh man oh man…i have no clue (we only get our schedules the month before), but fingers crossed your trip will overlap with atleast some time that im in town. hospitals dont have holidays, which sucks for me, but happens to keep me in town over the holidays.
i will! are you on http://www.goodreads.com ??
check it out. its a great way to see what others read and liked or didn’t like.
Kailey and Elise-
just so you know, you are both on my google reader, and your blogs are the two i save for last – you know, best for last. always look forward to you two the most!
no wonder you enjoy each other!
awww…that is literally the SWEETEST thing. thanks so much 🙂
I neeeed to go to bed now, since i’m working tomorrow at 8….but, I just had to say that those a-street slices slathered in red pepper hummus, the seitan bowls and packed lunch look delicious!
And hmm, I must try the starbucks iced green tea with added soy milk…GENUIS.
UGH, sorry about your insomnia. I’m right there with you… I have dozens of remedies I can hook you up with 🙂
My nectarines always look like that, x 10… I usually end up eating most of it during the cutting process, though!
SO! When I’m back from Michigan, we have to go to a new(ish) hummus place I heard about (from a man who asked me on a date to “eat hummus”) that I think we should go to. Or anywhere. Gotta do it!
yes yes yes. definitely 🙂