Back to life

Well, the holidays were wonderful, but now back in work mode. I got the chance to see friends visiting from all around the world and nothing is better than seeing those you love at christmas time. I also have enjoyed time at home with my parents and sister. Just a good Christmas all around!

BUT.
Getting a jump start on the resolutions after the haze of ham and candy has worn off.

I am doing a bit of a detox. Not going to cut out dairy and all meat, but going to focus more on greenery!

Week One: aka, right now, cut out all sodas. (so far, had to buy some bc powder do to withdrawal.) still having coffee, but I have heard that its not as bad as sodas because of their carbonation effect on your bones eek!

Week Two: cut out all caffeine, dreading this one...

Week Three: (post birthday of course) cut out alcohol.

Week Four: All Processed sweets and frozen dinners. This includes candy, store bought sweets, i can however bake some good vegetarian desserts, or organic desserts, or just lick some cane sugar packets.

Week Five:Cut out Dark meat: ham, beef, processed meat, duck, (damn, gonna be hard to let go of the calf brains that J. Childs wants me to cook in the new cookbook I got of hers)

Week Six: Fried food. of any kind.


We will see how this goes, let me know of any suggestions for how to go about it, I am tired of being worn out in the middle of the day and feeling sick after I eat and having the grease of my food feeling like its seeping through my skin. Maybe this will make me feel better, heres hoping!

For all the twilight fans :)

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Photo Friday

"The best ammunition against lies is the truth, there is no ammunition against gossip. It is like a fog and the clear wind blows it away and the sun burns it off."

~Ernest Hemmingway

"The yellow fog that rubs its back on windowpanes."
~T.S. Eliot

"Living without faith is like driving in a fog."

“It is not the clear-sighted who rule the world. Great achievements are accomplished in a blessed, warm fog.”
~Joseph Conrad

"Let us go in, the fog is rising"
~Emily Dickinson

Winter Fruit Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
Servings: 12

I made this with pecans instead of cashews and feta instead of swiss, its a pretty and delicious salad!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons diced onion
1 teaspoon Dijon-style prepared mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size
pieces
4 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup cashews
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 apple - peeled, cored and diced
1 pears - peeled, cored and diced

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, lemon juice, onion, mustard and salt. Process until well blended. With machine still running add oil in a slow steady stream until mixture is thick and smooth. Add poppy seeds and process just a few seconds more to mix.
2. In a large serving bowl combine the romaine lettuce, shredded Swiss cheese, cashews, dried cranberries, cubed apple and cubed pear. Toss to mix then pour dressing over salad just before serving and toss to coat.

or a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin- real life. but there was always some obstacle in the way, some unfinished business. at last it dawned on me that this was my life. there is no way to happiness, happiness is the way."
-souza



Life is happening and I am starting to realize that I must jump up and go with it. That may mean leaving all that is familiar and pleasant, but I am beginning to realize that I do not risk much and therefore gain little.

Here's to hoping.

As for nursing stories:
Yesterday, I took care of an old man who was sweet but thought he saw ants in his bed and there was no convincing him otherwise. I did the only thing I could think of and sat down in his bed and said "look they aren't biting, so please lay down and if they bite you I promise I will get you out of this bed." and guess what! He laid down and took a nice long nap! small victories people. I love the old people, I really do, who knows where that came from. But, they always have great stories and humor and if they are crazy, we seem to have a good time then too. I am reminded daily that without love and laughter you will wither away.

I also am shown daily that faith plays a larger part in health than I realized. It seems that believing that your fears and prayers are heard boost spirits so much more than any medicine. The people that truly have speedy recoveries and miraculous healings, more often than not, are very strong believers and have a strong network of praying loved ones.

I spoke to my boss about Travel nursing in the future and she said that if she had it to do again before she had a family she would have gone everywhere. She is the best boss in the world, truly. She suggested ways to make myself more marketable and even suggested some classes to take at the hospital and travel nurses I should talk to. How awesome is she!?

Well I am about to go eat lunch with my wonderful parents. Will work more on this blog later.

Love.
Leah