OP Uh Ohs…

Working at the OP is going to be a big challenge for me. After all, that place played a large part in me going from 108 lbs to 140 four years ago. So did all the beer drinking, but if you saw the food at this place you would understand.  I think they put crack in it.

I wanted EVERYTHING that came out of the kitchen last night. From onion rings to chicken alfredo pizza to a greasy, breaded tenderloin. It doesn't help that I am working in one of my favorite restaurants that really only has carb and fat loaded foods. Even the salads are loaded with fatty sauces.  My favorite is the Sante Fe Chicken Salad and I terrified to figure out any of that nutritional information. Luckily, the owner made 3 rib-eyes for 8 girls to share. About 5 oz of  rib-eye is better than bread stix and beer cheese right? The rib-eyes also came with some of his amazing potatoes that were covered in a sour cream sauce. I had a few bites but did my best not to overdo it! Since I didn't eat much throughout the day, I had a FEW calories to spare.

I was also craving a shirley temple last night. This might have been because that’s what I ALWAYS drank when I worked there 4 years ago – if I wasn’t drinking “vanilla cokes,” as we called them. I don't know why I wanted it so bad - I hardly ever drink soda anymore, particularly shirley temples! After trying to fight the craving for about 3 hours, I poured myself about 8 ounces and added A LITTLE bit of grenadine. That satisfied me and I was happy with drinking water the rest of the evening!

The last couple days I have been tracking my food intake on Spark People.  After a few days, I am realizing that I really haven’t been being honest with myself.  I am not eating as well as I thought for damn sure.  My fat intake is out of this world.  My carb intake is within range and my protein intake is pretty low. I’m pretty upside down on the food pyramid lol.

It is going to be a lot more difficult to meet protein requirements than I thought. I originally thought that I didn't have a problem getting enough protein because I always crave meat, not sweets. I love me a good, rare steak (don’t care what cut it is!) or grilled chicken…or any meat grilled actually. After all I'm a meat and potatoes kind of girl from growing up in Iowa! This is gonna be something I have to work hard at! Today I'm going to go buy some eggs and some more chicken so hopefully that will help me out a bit. I also have a little bit of designer whey left so I will have a small shake after my leg workout today. 

7/7/11

 

I am still in Washington!  I love it here during the day.  At night…not so much.  It gets sooooo cold.  But the days are absolutely gorgeous!  And I thought it rained here?  So far it has rained like once.  Awesome for me, I guess.

Yesterday, Princess and I took a little drive over to deception pass.  We didn’t do any major hiking or anything because It was already 3pm when we got there and we wanted to hit up the farmers market that started at 4. 

We found a trail that look like it didn’t get walked all that much and decided to follow it around the little island between the bridges.  It was so gorgeous – def recommend to anyone coming to this area.

There is also a state park that you can go through but we chose not to since we were time limited and they charge $10 per person.

We ended up making it to the farmers market and it was so worth it.  I wanted something from every vendor!  We actually ended up buying some dill cheese  (which I cannot wait to snack on this evening), toasted almonds, a bread braid for the Princess, and some AWESOME sweet and hot mustard from a retired Navy guy.  Apparently this mustard won the gold medal at some mustard contest. He recommended trying it with some sweet potato fries…I can’t wait! Check out Aldrich Farms – they also have syrups, jellies, etc.  Soooo delicious and at a reasonable price.

After that, we went out for some Korean food with friends.  Princess and I LOVE Korean food, particularly Bimibap.  Though it wasn’t the best, it was delicious and worth the drive.  The couple with us got the Arirang special.  It was a beef dish that was cooked on a grill at the table.  I looked for a pic of it because I didn’t take any but can’t seem to find one that looked remotely like what they had.  It was a type of grill that you added water to in order to cook the meat.  Eventually, they found that if they left the meat to cook long enough in the water, it would caramelize into a bbq-like sauce.  I tried one piece and it was soooooo delicious. Princess and I are going to go back sometime, just for that!

Anyways, I’m off to do a long run today since I will be traveling Sunday.  Laterrrrrr

Have a Safe Holiday Weekend!

Today starts the beginning of my favorite holiday of the year.  Growing up in Clear Lake during the summers made this an easy one for me.  There’s something I love about being on the water and the heat.  I love going to Farmer’s Beach – just listen to Craig Morgan’s “Redneck Yacht Club” and that will pretty much sum it up.

I have loved that song since the day it came out.  It doesn’t fail to bring a smile to my face – mostly because of all the memories it triggers.  My other favorite part about the 4th of July weekend is the BBQs, beer, friends, and family of course!  Many people from the area come to Clear Lake for the annual carnival and what I believe to be the best fireworks in the Midwest. 

Unfortunately, I will be missing the biggest Farmer’s Beach party of the year, as well as my friend’s annual “Gurge Party” because I am going to be here:

Source

I have to get up bright and early tomorrow and drive to Princess’s parents’ house in Omaha and they are going to take me to the airport.  It’s a three hour drive but the ticket was cheapest out of there and I won’t have to pay for airport parking.  I guess it’s a win – no matter what my mother says.

I’m excited to see the Princess.  He flies into Seattle from San Diego about 20 minutes before me.  He just finished a military training this week so he will probably be super skinny, not that he isn’t already.  Anyways, I hope everyone has a FABULOUS holiday.  Be safe – don’t drink and drive and PLEASE don’t swim in unauthorized areas.  This happened here yesterday – so please be reminded.

Divers Find Body of Drowning Victim

How am I already burned out?

So I can barely keep my eyes open right now. Its only 6:30 pm. I have been a busy bee the last couple days! After a relaxing weekend, anxiety kept me up fairly late Sunday night. I went to the hospital/clinic and observed an OT during the morning hours which was pretty sweet once again.

I then drove two hours to Des Moines for a job interview and arrived an hour and a half early! When my anxiety is up there, I tend to arrive obnoxiously early for things. Its really annoying, but I guess its better than being late. I ended up having a pretty good interview and it was probably the longest one I've ever had. I should hear the final news on Friday.

After the interview and a meeting at the American Cancer Society, I went out for sushi with the cousin and another friend as well as his girlfriend. It was a a great time - I love going out with them! They always make me laugh my butt off. It didn't help that the cousin ordered a sushi roll call "Big Unit." I really should have taken a picture, but I don't have a camera and my phone is broken. I preferred so spare myself the embarrassment of everyone seeing my broken screen. Anyways, it comes out looking like a huge, hairy...penis. You can bet there were plenty of jokes made about it.

It ended up being a really late night and I didn't get to bed until after 1am. I got up at 6am this morning and went back to the hospital to observe again. I also had an "interview" at another place that I worked at previously. It was really just, "you know how to wait tables. You've worked here before. Get your stuff done. When are you available?" I love interviews like that lol - the joys of being in a small town! I start "training" tomorrow after a full day of OT observation. Even though I think I might go in a little later than I have been! I'm going to bed now. Peace.

Productive Day :)

Yesterday was fairly productive. I spent the majority of the day at Cheslea Creek, which provides rehabilitation services such as speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. I observed two different occupational therapists and they were so kind! I can't discuss much because of HIPAA laws (why is HIPAA involved in everything I want to do?!). However, I did discover that I really might enjoy working with children! See, I have never been one of those that enjoyed children. I'm an only child and I didn't babysit when I was younger. The one time I did was a disaster and I never wanted to again. I've never really wanted children of my own either. I've always been one of those that is content with someone else's for about an hour and then I'm over it. I think I'd be most happy with a dog the rest of my life.



Gosh I love my lil baby, I don't think I need children! But maybe that will change. I'm open to it. But like I was saying, I observed a number of sessions with some children who had various difficulties to overcome. It was soooo awesome to see how sweet they were and they had much more positive attitudes, as well as that willingness to learn! I LOVED IT!!! I go back on Monday, but I will be working with adults in an acute care/skilled nursing unit. Friday really made me realize that this is something I definitely want to do and I'm glad I am on track now!

Last night, we spent some time out at my parents new property. Mom has planted a garden which I am ecstatic about. She wants to do everything as organic as possible so there are no fertilizers, weed killers, or pesticides. I spent a couple hours pulling weeds and then planted some kale (yummyyyyy) and radishes. The scallions she planted earlier this spring are already ready - she pulled one up and it was def ready to be eaten. And we did eat some of them for dinner - soooo good.

Today I've been lazy for the most part anyways. I did get up and do Jillian Michaels' "30 Day Shred" video and then went for a 3 mile run. It felt soooo good! I came home to find this:



Mom was outside so of course they had to watch her like a hawk. The other two pups are my moms, Cassie and Rocky and they are both yorkshire terriers. Love them all but Apollo is still my favorite :) Anyways, the auntie just called and asked me to walk over and help her make some ceviche - one of my favorite things to make :)