Thursday, February 25, 2010

There's a reason my relationship status isn't posted on facebook

I've toyed with the idea of blogging on this topic for awhile but a myriad of things have kept me from it. However, the time has come and I'm doing it for you..."you" being whoever might be reading this right now. Each person needs to hear this from me for their own reasons, but my reason for telling you is the same. In my most soothing and comforting voice I'm telling you one thing: to calm...down...

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that my relationship status would be so concerning to so many people. What I find even more exasperating is that whatever that relationship status is, you're still not any more satisfied. No, I don't cry myself to sleep every night that I am single. And no, I don't start making marriage plans when I date someone. When relationships end you wink and say "sure...for now" as if I'm denying my own feelings. And when relationships start you're hesitant as if I don't know what I'm getting into. I just want you to know that whatever happens in my life, you're going to survive. You. YOU are going to survive.
(Still in calming, soothing voice-mode here)

Somehow you've managed to manifest your own discomfort with my relationship status as MY discomfort with my relationship status, and I want you to realize this.

So to help I've created a Pro/Pro debate below. A list of things that I think are pro's about being single, and a list of things that I think are pro's about being in a relationship. I want you to refer to this when you're feeling a little uneasy.

First, pro-single (because I think you struggle with this more).
  1. I can go wherever I want, whenever I want. Example: "Kristy, what service are you going to?" Response: "Whichever one I wake up in time for."
  2. I can eat a spicy and elaborate Thai dish for dinner one night and vanilla yogurt the next.
  3. "Girls night" is every night, not just once every 6-7 months.
  4. I only have one set of families to travel to over the holidays.
  5. I can go wherever I want, whenever I want. Example: "So are you planning on staying in Columbia?" Response: "I don't know, I'll move to Colorado eventually, but I'm thinking about living in Chicago for awhile."
Second, pro-relationship (because this is a good thing, too)
  1. Built in buddy system.
  2. Warm and fuzzies.
  3. First getting to know someone.
  4. Really getting to know someone.
  5. Wanting to worry and care about someone because they worry and care about you.
Like I tell my patients...I'm a glass is half full sort of girl.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Spread the love.

And by that statement, I'm clearly referring to Hummus.
And I will eat it in the rain.
And in the dark. And on a train.
And in a car. And in a tree.
It is so good, so good, you see!

Too much? Maybe. But I'm excited because this weekend was my first endeavor into hummus making territory. Hummus making was the sole purpose for the food processor I asked for this Christmas, and although I broke it in well over a month ago, this was my first opportunity to introduce those silver blades to their intended purpose in my life: puree the living daylights out of a bunch of beans.

I did it from "as scratch" as possible. Everything from soaking and boiling the garbanzo beans myself to lemon juice straight from the lemon. Was the extra 10 hours of work worth it? Hells yes it was! Have YOU ever had still-warm from the pot hummus? It will change your life. I was licking the food processor bowl like a 7 year old with a cookie battered beater.

It was a very basic batch of the spread, and I had to run it over to a SB party ASAP, but I spent my drive thinking of all the different things I could add to it in the future. Here are the flavor profile ideas I have so far:
  • Chili-rustica Hummus
  • Pomegranate Hummus (for the LP)
  • Pesto Hummus
  • Lemon-zing Hummus
  • Midnight walnut Hummus
  • Peanut butter surprise Hummus
This could become my weekend ritual.

And that's the way it is. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm good!



Sunday, February 7, 2010

Speak up. It makes a difference.

2010 marks the 10th anniversary of what is probably the biggest annual event the hospital I work at hosts. When you step back and take a look at it, this heart fair is a great community service. Anyone, young or old, can stop by the health fair and receive a cholesterol screening, blood pressure check, a multitude of other resources and consult with a real live health educator (RN, RD, CEP, etc) absolutely free. Shoot, we'll even have chair massages there!

Of course, this event also has food and drink, and in the past the hospital has taken to ordering about 500 bottles of water for the participants and worker bees alike to stay hydrated. Being a part of the team that organizes the event I had a random thought: Why not ask the Culligan guys to come to the heart fair and eliminate the need to throw 500 plastic bottles in the trash?

Long story short, not only did Culligan agree to come but they're donating all their water. We saved money for the hospital and saved the poor Earth from being smothered with that much more plastic! And instead of 100s of tiny paper cups we're doing reusable plastic cups as part of our giveaway item instead of chip clips. Now, I know that plastic cups aren't the greatest, but at least they aren't taking a nonstop flight to the landfills. And the dietitian in me is happy that we're promoting good hydration with cups vs. keeping your processed foods crisp and "fresh" with chip clips. Double plus.

All because I saw a different option and opened my sometimes overly opinionated mouth. That's it. What will you speak up about?