For those No-Reason Emotional Break Down Days

I'm not in the ER anymore...sadly, it was fun!

But I took a job I could see myself doing in the future. An inpatient diabetic educator!

I am orienting to med/surg because I will do a few shifts of that as well as some evidence based practice research!

Yesterday. Fairly easy day. Couldn't complain. Came home and cried and couldn't get myself motivated. 

Why? No idea. The devil I guess.

Jonathan is getting very good at trying to love me, hug me and dote on me when I feel this way, despite him letting me know he would rather hide when I am like this. 

Haha, poor guy.

We finally made it to the kitchen and we started cutting veggies for dinner.

Once I ate, I felt sooooo much better. 

Hunger can do a nasty number on my mood.

Either way sometimes it's not only hunger that makes my moods change and that is when I need a list the most!

A-LIST

This is the list all women need.

The list that reminds you exactly what you love for those times you can't think straight and just want to indulge.

My A-LIST

Long hot shower

Painting my nails

Back massages

Brussel sprouts and sweet potato fries

Chuck- the tv show

Dancing to music

Running

Sleep

Pinterest 

Hot tea

Blog

Crying

Talking to my momma

These are my go to's.

Something I wouldn't mind doing every night but usually doesn't because of time.

These are therapeutic things that have worked in the past. I didn't add any that I need to try like deep breathing because these are my sure fire ways to somehow calm myself back to a norm and think clearly.

This is very handy if you have it visible for those days you come home and need to see it before you march into the kitchen and eat an entire tub of peanut putter chocolate ice cream. 

That is a real life example of a couple years ago when I came home from a night shift and downed 1/2 a gallon of ice cream. 

Oh my goodnessssss yes I did that. Haha I struggle with stress but mainly only show it thru indulging my face and crying. That's why I research and try everyday to find what will work to control Crazy Rachel.

And I'm happy to say I haven't eaten a full tub of ice cream since.

Today. Fairly good day. Come home. No crazy Rachel. Ate the same amount at work. You just never know when the Crazy will hit so be prepared.

Vital investment

I just read the last chapter of Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker.

I had to skip a few to catch up with the study group. Oops. 

It talks of having the freedom to be a slave and the joys of being all things to all people.

Her husband has a small section in which he states, "In Ephesians 4, Paul wrote that if we prepare ourselves for works of service we will become mature, complete, perfected and not lacking in anything. Isn't that what we are looking for?"

YES

RIGHT ON

I fully believe that finding ways to exercise, eat healthy, and relax are great ways of preparing you to serve!

Health makes you stronger, more alert, and in a better mood. It is you investment in your future...to serve others.

I think we can easily go wrong looking for a quick fix. But, looking to care for yourself, so you can have a lifetime of sharing in the joys of others, is going to fulfill you more than the image you make in the mirror from being healthy.

I read tons about the newest diets and the best ways to stay in shape or lose fat.

They all end up with a yo-yo effect until you make a lifestyle of it.

I ran across this article today on losing stomach fat.

http://allwomenstalk.com/12-best-ways-to-lose-stomach-fat

It is perfect.

It suggests, good posture, lots of water, organic whole foods, breathing.

Most importantly it states when you get to where you want to be, don't stop, keep going because that is how you got there.

You need goals as motivators but a selfish goal only fulfills for so long. Have an eternal goal.

I live by this. I have bad days or down days. I was just sick and didn't exercise for 3-4 days. Nearly killed me. I knew that if I let my body use all my energy to heal itself, it would heal faster and I could go full throttle again.

Just keep getting back up.

Tonight I wanted pizza but I have found that gluten seems to really bloat me and cause gas. I couldn't find a good gluten free pizza dough recipe I liked and so I made up a gluten free tortilla recipe and I ended up with crumbles- FAIL. Sadly. I really wanted some pizza.

I went ahead and made the toppings I would have eaten on top of my pizza and that actually came out yummy with my sad bread crumb crust.

It was olive oil, baby portobellos, spinach, and cherry tomatoes with Himalayan salt. Satisfied me :)

Seek to serve others and find joy through their joy!

Health for the 12 hour shift

And I can breathe again....

Started my job
4- 12 hour shifts in the ER, one day off of rejuvenation and intense detox of work and back on for 2-12 hour shifts.....

and now I breathe- one week off

I also got to coach my little girls team to another win! One of my track girls qualified and ran a PR in the 5K! I love getting to celebrate over achievements that are hard earned.



So all my tips, thus far, work well especially if you get to stay home all the time.

Now for figuring out how to stay fit and eating well while trying to stay calm while life throws stress and deadlines at you.

Truthfully I don't have a one-size-fits-all answer.
I don't even have an answer for me. I struggle with this.

I bring the perfect foods to eat, then people bring cupcakes, candy, offer french fries. Then my coworkers start talking about something delicious in the cafeteria and bring back smells that tempt. It's very hard to say no when you work hard and you get a few de-stress minutes to gobble down. I want everything in sight because I don't know if I will get another chance to eat. Then, no matter how much I ate at work, I always want unending food when I get home.

Not to mention the night shifters that practically have to eat to stay awake half the time. Night shift is no easy endeavor, I've been there.


I find it hard to get out of bed before my husband unless I have to go to work before him.

I love going to workout classes and pick-up basketball in the early mornings but sometimes cuddling wins over.

So working a 9am-9pm shift, I have little light to workout currently.

I always get up with Jonathan for breakfast and coffee before work so I decided to do at least 50 jumping jacks every 15 minutes when he left at 7am the other day.

Just so you know, if you have a busy day or are just getting started into exercising this can be a great option.

I wear a fuel band and have a goal of 3000 points a day which I usually don't get just from normal activity during the day. 

If I'm really active I've gotten anywhere from 6-7500 points.

If I don't barely move I get 1500 points. 

At work I get about 2500 points from a 12 hour patient-care shift. 

These points are all based on movement of your wrist and not on muscle tone. It's something best used with cardio exercises where your arms move or just to track how much you move during the day.

It does have a pedometer and a calorie counter.

So this gave me about 1000 extra points just doing 50 jumping jacks every 15 mins for 2 hours. Adds up quick, 8 sets, 400 jumping jacks, while you are still getting ready!

I just uped my calorie burn effortlessly.

Another way to do this, especially good for at home lazy days or study days, is exercise 10-15 minutes every hour. 

In 6 hours you have effortlessly exercised for an HOUR that day.

 Any movement that gets the heart rate up is beneficial to building that muscle, your heart, making it fight heart disease and heart failure a little easier.

This way of working out is actually quite helpful because it clears your mind each hour to set you up for the next.

There is even research that exercising throughout the day is more beneficial. So make it a cinch and spread it out when you just can't get that motivation!

Best exercises for this are jumping jacks, running in place, jump rope, dancing. Music helps!

The tabata style would work fine for this too! 20 seconds hard 10 seconds off then repeat for the rest of the minute, switching between burpees and squat jumps.

This is for your effortless days. It will be very beneficial for some other types of workouts on days you have more time but this will do for those lazy, study days.

So to say the least, all I can do is bring good healthy hearty foods, avoid temptations, and have exercise plans ready for before work and right after to de-stress.

Then detox on days off. Hope this helps!

Loviday

My mother taught us to love holidays. All holidays. None were better than the other. Each was unique. She was always prepared to make us feel special. The difference between her and I is, she liked gifts and candy I like candles, food, music, and ambiance. She is the inspiration of my holiday love though.

Since nurses have fun schedules and I will GET to work Valentine's Day until 2100, I made a romantic dinner tonight.

It took brainstorming through the week, planning for timing, planning for groceries, to making food half of the day.

I made Butternut Squash Tortelloni with Cranberry Walnut Sauce

This recipe is from Giada de Laurentiis' book, "Everday Pasta" with my special twists.

Husband comment: " this is Ludivine quality" 

Click on Ludivine to understand.

The menu

The appetizer:

Liquid salad

1 cup spinach

1 cup almond milk, soy milk, or water

1-2 Tsp local raw honey

Blend it 

Add a touch of mint extract to cleanse the palate.

The drink pairings were perfect with romantic cups.

To make the Tortelloni 

1- butternut squash, 2 lbs, peeled and cut into cubes (yields about 3 cups)

Olive oil (recipe says 4 Tbsp- I use what I want)

1.5 tsp Italian seasoning (recipe called for herbes de Provence)

0.5 tsp salt

0.25 tsp fresh ground black pepper

2 large shallots, chopped (yields about 0.5 cup)

2 garlic cloves chopped

1- cup cashew cheese (recipe called for whole-milk Ricotta cheese)

4 biscoff cookies, crushed (recipe called for amaretti cookies but couldn't find those and I <3 biscoff)

0.25 tsp ground nutmeg (recipe calls for freshly ground)
36 small square wonton wrappers

Step 1- The Filling

Preheat oven 375'. Toss butternut squash, enough olive oil to coat, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper together and spread on foil-lined baking sheet. 

Bake 25-30 minutes or until soft and golden brown. 

While this is baking, heat olive oil in a small sauté pan over medium heat and add the shallots and garlic for 3 minutes or until lightly golden.

In a food processor, combine roasted squash, the shallot mixture, and the cashew cheese and pulse a few times. 

Add the crushed biscoff and the nutmeg and pulse until smooth.


Step 2- The Wrap

Lay out 6 wonton squares. Keep the others in the package to keep moist.

Place about half a tablespoon of the squash mixture in the middle of each wonton wrap. The recipe said to use a pasta brush...my kitchen isn't quite that sophisticated so I used a wet paper towel to wet all the edges of the square.

Fold the wrapper into a triangle, making sure the edges are securely closed and there are no air pockets inside.

Dampen the corners of the longest side of the triangle and gently bring them together, pressing lightly to secure.  Place on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap.

These cute little guys kind of looked like hearts.

As you repeat these steps until all squash mixture is gone, make sure the work space is dry to prevent sticking.

Once ready and ready to serve, bring a large pot of salt water to a boil. 

Make the sauce while the water is heating. 

Once boiling, add the tortelloni. They will float when ready, about 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to plates.



Step 3- The Sauce

Cranberry Walnut Sauce

0.75 cup earthbalance vegan butter (recipe calls for unsalted butter)

2 Tbsp fresh sage, coarsly chopped

0.5 cup dried cranberries

0.5 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

0.25 tsp salt

0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper

(Recipe calls for 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese- I deleted)

Melt the butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. 

Add the sage and cook until the butter starts to brown, about 3 minutes.

Turn of the heat and add the cranberries, walnuts, salt and pepper and stir.

Spoon over the ready tortelloni.

And dinner is served. 

Guten Appetit!

Dessert was supposed to be a pear tartlet, but despite following directions to a T, the pears became part of the pan (overcooked). 



Luckily I had a backup vegan chocolate torte in the fridge :)


Everything was lovely. 

It was worth every bit of the work. Delish. One meal a year.





Confession: everything was vegan except the wonton wrappers.



A little egg, a little B-12!

Veganicious

We love the Mule.

If you visit OKC, go to the Mule. You won't be disappointed.

Comfort.

This is my comfort food.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Vegan Grilled Cheese

Their culinary expertise and diversity make The Mule a great option for a crowd with a mix of diets!

So, we live an hour and a half from this wonderful mouth heaven...therefore my mission is to bring all our favorite OKC foods to our kitchen....provided they are healthy- ish :)

Hence dinner tonight!

Guacamole-

 just an avocado squished and beaten with a fork and minced garlic, salt, pepper

Roasted beets-

 covered, whole, with aluminum foil on a baking sheet for 65 minutes at 400', rubbed with a little olive oil and salt, peeled afterwards and sliced

It was a little messy peeling afterwards

Kind of looked like a bloody war scene

Chipotle aioli.... 

So this I will work on but it had coconut milk, sriracha, chipotle powder, salt, pepper, nutrtitional yeast powder, maple syrup...and it was very runny so I added veganaise to thicken. I will probably use a different recipe next time. But this recipe was delicious with all the other flavors.

Cashew cheese-

Food blender, 1 cup raw cashews that have been soaked 2 hours, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons), salt, one clove garlic.

Transferred to a nut milk bag in a container and left in the fridge at least 6-8 hours.

Mushrooms and onions-

Sautéed in olive oil, soy sauce, and belizean hot sauce (actually from Belize- not necessary and any other hot sauce could be substituted)

Whole wheat sourdough-

Buttered each side with earth balance vegan butter, grilled both sides and stacked with above deliciousness.

The mule actually has sun dried tomatoes and grilled jalapeños on theirs but I forgot to get those ingredients and sometimes there is no leaving home anymore today times (that was tonight).

First try. I only hoped for an okay from my husband. He stated best dinner yet. What?!

It was amazing and nutritious.

Make this romantic grilled cheese for your valentine❤️

Or something else thoughtful :)

Enjoy

Next blogs will be on chia seeds and cardio versus strength training.

A little Advanced Directive

You have made all these decisions to keep yourself healthy.

You are making investments in your future health why not for that of others since you can.

Advance Directive

DNR

Power of Attorney

Do you have yours?

No? Do you think you are invincible? 

Yes? Can I know your secret?

The rest of us want to know. :)

Life situation:

Head on collision, Sunday morning, on the way home from church. Drunk driver, random time, she is dead at scene. You can hear people talking, you can't move your fingers. Why aren't your eyes opening? There's a tube in your throat and the sound of breathing in your ear. Crying. Prayers. Who is that? 

On the other side of you, in a coma, is your family trying to make decisions on what you would want. 

Would you want CPR multiple times? Ribs broken? But everything they can do to keep you alive? Do you want to be fed through your IV and kept alive on a breathing machine? Do you only want to be comfortable with pain medication and pass peacefully without the connection to machines?

These are choices you can make now for yourself. These choices are yours right now if you fill a piece of paper out. Yours, to decide exactly what you want so everyone is clear on your desires.

These important documents 

-Provide the healthcare team with each person's personal choices for their care once they are at end of life care and can't verbalize their wish.

-Needed despite how young you are (provided you are 18)- a motor vehicle accident, a stroke, a school shooting, a foreign attack...can happen at any time. Have you thought about what you would like done?

-Differ state-to-state, so if you have moved since you filled out your last one, it is wise to pick one up from your current state.

The advance directive does not go into affect until the doctor has proved you are at the end. You will have excellent care until they have deemed that there is no hope.

They won't quit until there is nothing left to do but keep you alive with machines and nutrition. Then your advanced choices come in to play.

If you have a DNR, it is effective as soon as you sign it. Making sure the DNR is on hospital records and in the hands of loved ones is important.

You can also choose who you want to make decisions for you, called your power of attorney.

If you are healthy and you have insurance you should have these documents filled out. 

Why have insurance, when you're healthy, if you don't think there is a chance you don't control every event in your life and something, something just might happen to you, healthy you.

These documents can only be filled out by YOU.

You can revoke or make new ones at any time as long as you are of sound mind (so make sure you know where your copies are)

The witness has to be someone you don't know... Someone that can't benefit from your death in any way.

These are Oklahoma rules. Your doctor or any hospital should be able to supply you with these documents and be able to answer your questions.

You have the power. 

It can be taken away in a blink. 

Have you prepared and invested in this part of your future health?

Be informed and prepared. Tragedy is never easy but there are things that can make if better. We have plans for disasters...this is just another one.

Now onto the next health topic....

Avocado, roasted beets, chipotle aioli, whole wheat sourdough, vegan grilled cheese is following. 

Don't Run

I want to tell you to run.

To run until you can't take another step,

Until you know you will be sore the next day because of the runner's high you didn't want to lose.

But that would be tragic.

Form matters too much.

Form matters when you run, when you walk, when you sit, when you lift, even when you sleep!

Without the proper form, you lose balance, you pull muscles, you break ligaments, you lose races, you get a hump back.

I have really enjoyed the books "Born to Run" and "Brain Training for Runners".

I have attached links so you can purchase them immediately ;)

   

Buy Born to Run                               Buy Brain Training

This blog IS called Run of the Raw for a reason.

 Running in it's rawest form is the most beautiful art there is. 

But then there came an obsession with sitting, with comfort, with weight lifting, with quick fix weight loss, and the RUN art is one we have to work  harder at uncovering in ourselves.

And it's hard.

It's hard to get out the door on a snowy, icy day. If starting your workout was the only thing you never had to worry about you would have very little to fret over.

It's hard to devote an hour or more to exercise when there are husbands, kids, families, jobs, meals, cleaning, errands...

But what is even harder is the practice of form.

Remember, we talked about small steps

Here are your small steps

to more efficient

injury preventative

running

Little thoughts of these will lead to much less structural pain later on.

#1

What I want you to think about from now on is this

Stand and sit tall

Shoulders back 

Stomach pulled towards spine

Toes pointed forward.

You may have a condition that doesn't allow this and I would suggest working with a physical therapist or personal trainer to help you get the best possible form for you.

#2

Breathing pattern is essential to preventing injuries

When you breathe, breathe in through your nose while your stomach extends outwards, so that the diaphragm around your lungs may expand and let more air in.

When you breathe out, let all the carbon dioxide out through your mouth while your stomach relaxes inwards and causes the diaphragm to help push the air out.

When you run it is important to have this breathing flow.

The breath IN should be one length longer than the breath out. Your core is stronger when you breathe in causing you to have more strength and control during this part of the cycle. 

So a 3 breaths in to 2 breaths out ratio.

There is more info on this at Men's Health.

image from http://stevenbubel.com/2009/08/neck-pain-while-running/

If you already run, listen to your breathing pattern, do you step forward with the same leg every time you breathe in? Most likely you do causing one side to be weaker than the other. 

#3

If you already run think about running on glass when you run, being as light on your feet as possible. 

Our ancestors had to be quiet and light as a feather to catch food. They were able to float.

If you don't run but would like to start, start these mentioned form exercises. When you start to run, start very slow, something very comfortable where you can still focus on your form.

I know from experience. I myself have gotten hurt in my more negligent competitive years as well as my sweet innocent husband just trying to win me over with a run. I'm still waiting for him to heal so we can train together again.

There are proper technique classes offered at gyms before using weight machines to prevent injury. 

We run so little that learning form is vital to prevent injury while running.

Don't Run unless you plan to practice form and breathing. Otherwise, it is cardio suicide.

Enjoy your Run :)

Devotion Drug

Ambitions. Goals. Intentions.

They kill us

Eventually they kill us

You know why

We get too competitive

Drug: anything used to enhance physical or mental well-being

Actors aren't so different from athletes aren't so different from us

Bodies judged constantly

Actions judged constantly

Just one pill to help

Just 5 more workouts today

Just one more drink

Just one more inhale

Just one more bite

The goal forgotten

Whatever goes into our bodies that makes us feel good

We, the overindulgent

We, the puppet

We, our ancestors

We kill ourselves

Sad

A shorter life is not the goal- too easy

Don't become too competitive

YOU WILL GET HURT

You will overtrain

You will burnout

You will fracture yourself

You will hurt others

You will give up

You will die

There are days of rest set out for us

This was a gift from God that our ancestors saw as good

Don't resist it.

Don't overtrain

Don't overeat

Don't overdose

Don't overwork

Listen to the advice of those that lived long

To those that lived hard

To those that took rest

To those who never became too competitive

Set you goal

Keep your eyes on it

Monitor it

Listen

Breathe 

Love

Then remember your goal

Monitor it

Listen

Breathe 

Love

If you monitor you know when to back off

If you listen you know who is truth versus the jealous hate

If you breathe you rest

If you love you remember the goal

If the goal was a shorter life

Why not day one?

Thank you

-because I become too competitive

Rachel 

In Famous Health

I have so much I want to say

Two blog drafts that just weren't perfect for today. Another day.

Today 

2/2/2014

A famous man died.

A famous team won for the first time.

A famous animal came out of it's hibernation for the umpteenth time.





What is famous, what is popular, is not always right.


My sweet husband has felt sick all day. 

I decided to pump him up with the best nutrients and antioxidants possible without leaving the warm cozy house.

I made him tea with honey and lemon.

Lunch was leftover of skillet potatoes and fajita veggies and mushrooms.

Dinner was one of my favorites, not Famous though.

Italian Season Baked Seitan 

atop an extra large 

Dill Seasoned Sweet Potato Wedge

topped off with 

Guacamole 

rich with

Fresh Garlic and Lemon,

Tomato 

on top

I tried to have him eat a cutie but he opted for Orange, Peach, Mango Juice.

I loved feeling like I knew exactly what would boost his immune system.

I practice western medicine in the hospital. I practice holistic, age-old medicine at home.

One day I will be a "witch doctor" with dreads.

"witch doctor"= holistic doctor

Click on the food links for more information and sites I used as resources.

Garlic has long been used to help cure multiple health problems and as an anti-inflammatory.

Lemon has vitamin C, flavonoids, antioxidants, helps digest fat, decreases bloating, decrease mucous and can help fight throat infections.

 An Avocado has good fats which lower cholesterol but also is rich in potassium, vitamins, and antioxidants.

 A Sweet potato is full of potassium, lots of vitamins, antioxidants, and betacarotene.

A Tomato has an antioxidant Lycopene and promotes heart, colon, and prostate health. It also has vitamins.

Dill can be anti-inflammatory and protects multiple organs.
 Raw Local Honey has vitamins, antioxidants and boosts your immune system especially towards seasonal allergies.

The thought behind all of this is promoting health in your immune system as well as every organ of your body. The less parts of the body that are malnourished the more the immune system can concentrate on the part that is being attacked.

Protein helps energy and muscle growth and repair. Not having to worry about the muscles lets the immune system focus on it's impending goal.

Seitan

My favorite vegan protein currently.

20g protein per serving.

120 calories per serving.

It is deadly to celiacs. 

To those who don't have a gluten intolerance, this is a great try.

The two recipes I have tried are included below. The baked seitan is a quicker recipe but needs to be eaten soon after coming out of the oven because otherwise it gets rubbery.

Our conversation about the baked Seitan as it cooled tonight.

Jonathan: "These are rubbery like a car tire."

Me: "Okay, I will eat yours."

Jonathan: takes seitan away from me "No, I like it though."

Jonathan likes quality food.

Seitan was Rubbery.

Jonathan liked seitan.

Bottom Line

Rubbery food can be Quality :)

Juicy Seitan

from Veganomicon

★★★★★

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 1 hr | Servings: 4 | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

1 cup vital wheat gluten3 Tbsp. Nutritional yeast1/2 cup cold vegetable broth1/4 cup soy sauce1 Tbsp olive oil2 cloves garlic, grated

Broth

8 cups cold water 3 tsp Better than Bouillon vegetable stock1/4 cup soy sauce

Directions:

Mix together the gluten flour and yeast in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, mix together the veggie broth, soy sauce, olive oil, and garlic. Pour the wet into the dry and stir with wooden spoon until most of the moisture has been absorbed and the wet ingredients are partially clumped up with the dry ingredients. Use your hands to knead the mixture for about 3 minutes, until the dough is elastic. Divide with a knife into three equal pieces and then knead those pieces in your hand just to stretch them out a bit.

Prepare the brothFill a stockpot with the water, bouillon, and soy sauce, and add the wheat gluten pieces. Cover and bring to a boil but watch carefully; you don't want it to boil for long or the outside of the seitan will be spongy. Try to catch it as soon as it boils and then lower the heat as low as it will go so that it's at a low simmer. Partially cover the pot so that steam can escape and let simmer for an hour, turning the seitan occasionally. Turn off the heat and take the lid off; let sit for 15 minutes.Remove from the broth and place in a strainer until it is cool enough to handle. It is now ready to be sliced up and used. If you have extra seitan, store in the cooking liquid in a tightly covered container.

Baked Seitan

from inthelivingwell.com

Prep time: 5 minutes      Cook time: 15 minutes

1 cup vital wheat gluten

3 tablespoons nutritional yeast

1 teaspoon italian seasoning

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 375'. Prepare the seitan like the above recipe. Roll into ball and blot dry with a paper towel. Roll into a log and slice into 12 pieces or about 1/2" slices. Place on lightly greased baking sheet and press dough with fingers to spread them. Cook 10 minutes on bottom rack, flip, and cook for 5 minutes.

You can find the vital wheat gluten flour at Whole Foods or order online from Bob's Red Mill.

Find something that makes your life rich that isn't famous or mainstream. 

That's my thought for the day.