I know you guys don’t believe me, but working on Christmas Day is not that bad. I mean, obviously I’d prefer to spend the morning in my PJs cozied up by the fireplace, opening presents with my family. But don’t worry, I still made sure it was a festive day at the hospital. After all, my patients need cheer on the 25th too. It also helps that I happen to love my job. And in the back of my mind I know that eventually I will be higher on the totem pole and get the day off. Until then…
Work lunches.
I had the same butternut squash mash as the day before, sprinkled with more nooch on top. Extra cheezy.
I got extra greens in the form of blanched broccoli, which I topped in 365 marinara sauce.
I love that the vibrant color is preserved when you blanch broccoli. I cooked this batch over a week ago and it’s still crisp and green (unlike when you steam it). Another perk of the minimal amount of cooking is that it’s not as hard on my digestive tract as raw broccoli is.
This apple’s skin is similar to that of my 80 year old patient.
That’s because it was picked nearly a month ago from my parents’ back yard. Remember my apple picking session klepto apple raid from Thanksgiving? I’d like to think my family saved them for me to take back to LA (knowing how much I adore the cute little buggers), but the truth is, they prefer fuji apples to golden delicious. While golden delicious isn’t my favorite (that’s reserved for gala) I’m all about home grown (read: free).
What’s your favorite kind of apple? After gala, I like jazz, honeycrisp, cameo, braeburn, jonagold and pink lady. I love me some hard, crisp apples. 🙂
With my cute lil golden delicious bugger, I made a sweet quinoa dish.
Quinoa, raisins, cinnamon, ginger, coconut, and a chopped apple.
In between meals I snacked on some Turkish figs from NutsOnline. Dried fruit is the perfect snack and figs are a very portable option. I forgot how much I like them.
Ingredients: Turkish figs [In case you didn’t believe me?] One ingredient food items are like gold.
My patient load was about as good as it gets. I had nice people (as in they were kind and appreciative)…plus they were stable (always a perk). One lady even gave me a present! I thought it was a bit odd that she asked what my shoe size was the day before, but I have such random conversations with patients that I never really gave it a second thought. But the next day she had a cute pair of sandals for me when I went in to her room! So sweet. I started the day with three patients, but then I discharged one around noon (he really wanted to be home in time for the Lakers game…), so I only had two for the remainder of the day. Not too shabby. And I got paid time and a half…so there’s that. 🙂
When I got home, this was the scene I walked in on…
Best husband ever.
He started cooking in the afternoon to prepare a vegan Christmas feast for me…and if you beg hard enough in the comments section, he may even do a post about it.
A salad of kale, avocado, and bell peppers was waiting on the (fancy and already set) table.
And these seitan skewers were ready for the grill.
Seitan Chimichurri was (is) my favorite thing from Candle Cafe, and one of the items that I miss the most from NYC. Kyle managed to track down their recipe, so this dish was both nostalgic AND delicious.
Kyle fired up the BBQ while I showered…and within minutes, I sat down to this vegan feast.
Extra saucy sauce.
Kyle was nice enough to let me have TWO of the three skewers. He’s such a gentleman. I’m a lady (my appetite just never got the memo).
After mega servings of kale salad and a double portion of seitan, I was full and happy.
Kyle’s Christmas dinner didn’t stop there though…
Apple pie with a graham cracker crust.
OHHHHHHH YEAHHHHHHH :) I had seconds. And thirds.
It was the perfect ending to a wonderful (although semi-unconventional) Christmas Day.
Yum! Good husband! (my non-vegan husband whipped up some delish vegan side dishes for me over the weekend, for which I’m very grateful!)
oh ive been dying to make some seitan but i cant find the right flour– looks so good though!
Good luck with working and takin’ care of business and patients.
Thanks for the info in your other post about the butternut squash/slow cooker/no water/just keep it easy info. I will be doing that!
I’ve worked many years on Christmas as a waitress and you’re right – not that bad! There’s a “we are all in this together mentality that is rather communal and enjoyable.
What a great hub you have!
Honeycrisp apples are my favorite, hands down. You need to come back to NYC and visit- I’ll take you to Candle Cafe for some seitan chimichurri!!
Aw, I didnt know you were a nurse (im a newbie reader), thats lovely to spread the joy to those in hospital on xmas day! thats also super nice of ur hubbie to do that 4 u! looks like a delish dinner! x
It’s great how positive you are and how you saw the good in working on Christmas day! And I’d love to see a guest post by Kyle! So awesome that he prepared that dinner for you both.
Awww, Kyle was so sweet to make you homemade seitan…. wow!!!! I’m very, very impressed. Merry Christmas!
Your husband is the nicest! He even went all out on the presentation too.
Sound like you had a good christmas 🙂
Aw what a great Christmas feast! The seitan skewers look delish.
i can attest to the fact that kyle IS the best. seriously.
and i have to ask you for help. my sister alli (the nurse) is seriously struggling with her nursing job right now. i know i asked you for words of advice, but she is literally crying some days before work. she is even thinking of going back to school to be a teacher – what do you think? i told her she needs to give it at least a year…
hugs and love…and merry belated christmas!!!!
Job well done Kile! =)
Merry Xmas Rubia. Tengo algo para ti.
My favorite apples are Honeycrisp and Jazz!! I love the sweet/tart flavor and the crispness!
I love your comparison of the apple to old lady skin! LOL!
What a FANTASTIC feast! Those skewers looks amazing! And apple pie!? You know he loves you girl!
Oh my gosh, Kyle is fantastic…what a sweet husband! And I’m also super impressed with your attitude about working on Christmas day. I’d probably be crying if I had to do that.
And gala apples are my faves, too. 🙂
Aw what a sweet husband! The quinoa dish that you have shown on here a few times looks so good! I might be making it soon…
This post has made me realize that I clearly do not have enough seitan in my life.
Oh yes please get Kyle to blog that meal – I really want to make that seitan!
Pingback: Mega (obnoxious) Monday