Transitions

Quick post today – I need to get to the grocery store! It has been 3 weeks since I started my new job and moved backed to Midland. So far so good, but as with any transition it’s been a little hectic.

Work – While my new job is still in long-term care/rehabilitation, it is much different in two ways: 1. No foodservice management. 2. It is all clinical work and much more clinically-challanging before - this means more feeding-tube calculations, more patient with wounds, more dialysis patients, and patients generally at higher nutrition risk medically. I am enjoying the increased difficulty though. I want to have a good base of  medical nutrition therapy under my belt early in my career.

Home – Very much still in transition. I still have some boxes and furniture back in Kalamazoo. Hopefully we will get everything to Midland very soon so I can stop thinking about it :) I still haven’t set up the internet either. I’m writting this with the free Wi-Fi at Barnes and Noble.  P.S. They have pretty good lentil soup!

Running – This is so important for stress relief! I’m happy that my pace actually improved over the winter with all that treadmill running – can’t believe it! On the down side – I’m having this intermittent sharp pain on the top of one of my toes that I’m a little worried about. It especially hurts when I apply pressure, like if I’m kneeling and my toes are pressing into the floor. I’m really hoping it’s not a stress fracture – probably should see a doctor :(

Food – I’m still working on spending less money on groceries – but more on that later.

Right now I’m off to shop for fruit and veggies :) Happy Saturday! Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful spring weather!

Bittersweet


Yesterday was my official last day at my job in Kalamazoo. It was so bittersweet. Everyone I worked with gave me a heart-felt goodbye. It’s funny though how it’s the little things that touch you. One of my evening servers, who I spent limited time with, surprised me with an incredibly thoughtful gift – Post-it note colorful sticky labels – because I have an irrational love of office supplies and bright colors. Plus these flowers from my boss and co-worker…

flowers

I will definitely miss this job. After 6 months I was finally feeling comfortable. Plus, I had the office organized how I liked it and was starting to make friends with co-workers.

You know those kids whose parent’s have jobs that keep them moving from city to city – they have a hard time making friends and feeling like they have a home? That’s exactly how I feel. Since graduating college two years ago, I have lived in 4 different towns and held 5 different jobs plus an internship that sent me all over. I have lived alone, with a roommate, with my parents, and with Jake. It’s getting old.

So although leaving this job is hard, I am also so excited for what is next! Today I am packing up my car with as much as will fit without smushing the two fur kiddies in the back seat. Wish me luck :)

Fresh Start

Everyone deserves a fresh start. This blog started after I graduated from college. I didn’t match to an internship and needed a hobby – something to keep me focused on food, nutrition, and my goal of becoming a registered dietitian.

Then we left Michigan and moved to Virginia which was an AMAZING experience. I gained some resume-worthy experience and after a second failed attempt finally matched to an internship. Third times the charm! We packed up and moved me to Midland where I had living arrangements with a fellow intern. Jake stayed in the Kalamazoo area to be near his family.

My intention was to blog throughout the internship. I hoped to share my experience and promote the dietetics profession. Unfortunately though, I underestimated my resources like free time and energy, and so very little blogging actually occurred.

Internship Orientation

Clinical Orientation

National Nutrition Month

Theme Meal: Spring Fling

My internship ended in September 2012 and I had a job lined up in Kalamazoo – which would have been fantastic except that it wasn’t. Jake and I have lived together since 2005 with a few exceptions, one being the internship.  Near the end of my program we started looking for jobs in both the Kalamazoo area (where he was), and in the Midland area (where I was). I was offered a position in Kalamazoo after a multi-step interview process -  Great! The morning after I accepted the job, Jake received a phone call with an offer in Midland. Ugh! At this point, turning down work was not an option.

And so the great “flip-flop” proceeded – I moved in with my parents to save money, and he moved to Midland. My job was great and I was spending all my free time studying for my exam and visiting Jake in Midland. I officially became a Registered Dietitian in December 2012. Yay!!

At this point we have been doing the long-distance thing for over a year. Yuck! So, although I have come to love my job in Kalamazoo, I am excited to start fresh with a new position in Midland on the 15th!

I can’t promise that I will keep up this blog, but in the spirit of starting new, I’d sure like to try. Here goes nothing…

Spring Fling: A Collection of Recipes

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This morning’s Midland Farmer’s Market trip was a success – despite the rainy weather.

I brought home Michigan asparagus, spinach, radishes, and rhubarb. I’ve spent the afternoon trying to decide what to do with my spring goodies. Sometimes I think I spend so much time looking at recipes that I don’t have time to cook them! Do you ever do this? I’m putting together a list of some spring recipes. Here are some of my favorites, what are yours?

Strawberry-Rhubarb Fool

Rhubarb Oat Muffins

Rhubarb Cinnamon Apple Bread

Spring Salad with New Potatoes

Asparagus Pesto with Pasta

Click over to my Pinterest board for more.

I finish my food service rotation at MidMichigan Hospital this coming week. My biggest project was putting together a theme meal for the cafe. My theme: Spring Fling! I’m serving two main dishes: Tilapia with Mango Salsa and Asparagus and Mushroom Risotto; Plus two sides: Roasted purple potatoes, and roasted asparagus. For dessert: Angel food cake with strawberry-rhubarb compote. Thanks to Husted’s Market, for helping me serve local produce.

Happy Spring!