Caffeinated musings....

I love coffee. Coffee with just a touch of half and half, no sugar please. I love the warmth, the creaminess, the bitterness, the comfort provided by a good cup (and a great mug). In my opinion, the best place for a good cup of coffee in Denver is Aviano's (I've been waiting awhile for a cup since they're under construction) . If I'm not going out, I love our sipping freshly ground, freshly brewed jo with my hubs on our porch.



Up until a few weeks ago, each night on the way out the door to go to work, I'd grab my thermal mug filled with a beautiful and fully loaded caffeine to get me through the night. I might also refill that thermal in the night time slump between 3-5am when the kids are sleeping (hopefully) and I'm looking for ways to stay awake.  Oh night shifts, how I love and hate you.

Things changed when I decided to try an experiment. I decided to give up coffee for 1.5 weeks to see how my body responds and specifically if it would fix my face (acne that is.... not the freckles).  In that week, I traded the jo for green tea and lots and lots of water (sometimes with a lemon or strawberries in it). Now, it didn't fix my face, but I could tell my body didn't quite miss the coffee, though my taste buds kinda did....

please hold all sarcastic comments on how to better fix my face. thanks. 


The first java beverage after my short coffee detox was a rich, dark and beautiful Americano from a fun new coffee stand on 23rd and Kearney, Camino Coffee (check it out). While it was delightful sipping and enjoying the brew, my body revolted about an hour later. Wow... Nausea, headache, jittery, anxious and just blah.  I tried a different cup the next day, making sure I was fully hydrated and fully fed and same thing happened. BLAH.  I learned that after coffee or a Starbucks drink, my body just doesn't feel right. Not a big fan of the uber caffeinated jitters I get. Perhaps it's the acid, the crazy high caffeine content, and I'm sure I'll learn all about the amino acid chain reaction and neurotransmitter effects later in my nutrition program. I could also look it up right now, but I don't wanna.... too much biochem this week.

Now, even though it makes me feel slightly nauseous and icky with each cup, I'm not giving it up. I still love that creamy, comforting taste and the literature supports that drinking coffee does have great long term health benefits. But what does that mean for my night shifts?!

Well, I don't tap into the green tea caffeine until about 1-2am when I start to fade, I try to limit myself to one thermal mug o' tea, I drink water like a dehydrated fish, and I try to feed my energy stores with actual nutritious foods, (rather than leftover pizza) and I do laps around the floor to wake up muscles and my brain. Sometimes, there are lunges and wall sits and even push ups on a really slow night. (which has been a lot recently!)

feeling after a 12 hr night shift ends. 

I have discovered three new favorite go-to salads which give me a great energy boost from the God-given nutrients in the variety of foods. Check 'em out (I changed a bit of each recipe, but you get the gist)

Caprese Salad - tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, mozzarella, basil, lentils and a balsamic dressing
Peanut Thai Salad - quinoa, cabbage, avocado, carrots, red peppers and more mixed with a tasty tasty peanut dressing
Spinach salad - spinach, avocado, quinoa, peach, cucumber, almonds, balsamic and dijon dressing

Anyway. That's my nutrition plug for the day. Moral of the story:

More salads + water + tea - coffee = more energy than I imagined

PS. one cup o' jo was consumed in the making of this blog post. 

Celebrating one year....

Today marks the one year wedding anniversary for Nathaniel and I! A year since "I do"; a year of laughs, cries, puzzled looks, pillow talk, planning and dreaming of more years together!  We've had our share of disagreements, both big and small, and we still have not figured out how to best do dinnertime together (No, I won't cook bacon or red meat 7 nights a week). We've been through night shift/day shift transition, a few home owner projects, and experienced growing pains in a new church.  There are multiple Nathaniel nuances which I just have to smile and shake my head - one of my favorites is that he daily puts the couch throw pillows on the floor or another chair because they interfere with napping, and daily I follow, putting them back where they look the best.  One year and I love him more. I'm so excited for more years together!

a helical dirt devil in NM! 

To celebrate, we took off to Santa Fe for the weekend. It was my first time in New Mexico, and on the 7 hr drive down south, I found myself playing "I spy" with tumbleweeds (There's just something so cool about them!), cactus, antelope, dirt devils, and trying so hard to to spy armadillos (I'm convinced they exist in NM, but I was told otherwise) and road runners - like in Wiley Coyote!






Santa Fe was a blast, filled with sunny pool time, a glorious king size bed, art galleries and more art galleries, allergies to all the dust and fires, great food, locals wishing us a happy summer solstice (really?), and a radio free detour on the way home through Taos (as in, no music, no podcasts, nothing for 8 hrs. I guess it made space for conversation...whatev).  I highly recommend Santa Fe for anyone who hasn't been- it was great!

Sante Fe Railyard

An antique "museum" with a story

So cheers to a wonderful husband who always makes me laugh and a grace filled marriage. And Praise the LORD from whom all blessings flow!

beautiful sun in Colorado

This week in pics. (not too exciting...)

After 6 months of no pictorial fun, I finally found my camera battery charger in the basement and started snapping some shots of random life in this Johnson household.  Nothing too fun, but you get the picture.... (pun intended)

new running loot.

sweet new shoes

post run.  Don't know what my thing is with this highlighter yellow color.   But hey, at least the cars can see me. 

Nathaniel doing some dishes. Thanks hubs! 

patio chair before....

Patio chair during...

Patio chairs after.... in a snowstorm.  Pretty good for a 10 dollar garage sale find! 

parsley!

Thought the cork garden markers were cute, but the squirrels ate 'em up! Thanks Pinterest.

Nathaniel: "Oh good, we're growing trash now".

and our kitty. Charlie. I swear she's usually happier than that. 

Before heading off to work for the night. 

And here's some FUN pictures from a hike a few months ago in Georgetown, CO!! 

Pretty cool huh?   Anyone know how to remove the white photo background? 

For that 8 year old boy.

Last night, thoughts of a busy Monday and a busy week crowded my head as I tried to fall asleep.  I lay awake thinking of the rescue drugs I'm supposed to know, but don't, for my PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification course starting in the morning. I hoped and prayed that our computer works and my textbook arrives in the mail soon for my new online Biochemsitry class also starting this week. I wondered if I'll be put on call for one of my two night shifts this week. I wondered if it was supposed to snow this week and if I should bring in my plants. Oh yah, and this is the week I decided to start training for a half marathon and my first run is tomorrow. Sigh, it's going to be a long Monday, and even longer since I couldn't fall asleep!

Halfway through my day today, after learning about types of shock and resecitation procedures, a coworker learns about the Boston bombings and shared it with the class. I put in in the back of my head, not knowing the full story behind what she had said. A few hours later, after my brain was already hurting from memorizing doses of Epi, Atropine, and Adenosine, I walked outside to discover a stinkin' April snow storm and thought, "heck no, I'm not running today!" and my mind drifted to what I learned earlier about the marathon.

I sat down to read some news articles on my phone and it started to hit home a little more than I thought it would.  If you're a runner, aspire to be a runner or maybe are married to one, you'll know that the running community is pretty unique. Running miles and miles has a beautiful way of connecting people despite having worlds of differences between them.  Two years ago, I ran a marathon in San Diego. The scene then was loud, energetic, inspirational, awe-inspiring and so much fun. I imagine that was the scene today moments before those bombs went off (and probably a bit more competetive in Boston!). Many of these runners today had dreamt for YEARS of running this prestigous race and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was finally theirs. They've beaten their bodies, sacrificed time (and probably some relationships), they've supported each other, many have chosen to run for a good cause. Now, many are also fighting for their lives and face gruesome recovery in the coming months. They may never run again.

So, today, despite whiteout snowy conditions, I ran. I started my training a few hours ago with a mere 3 miles around the park. It was exhausting and painful, seeing as I haven't run in months, but I embraced the cold, donned my highlighter yellow and pink gear, and I ran. I prayed. I probably would have a cried a bit, but my eyeballs were frozen (literally ice crystals on my lashes). I ran because I was able. Each step was for those victims.

June 22nd I plan to participate in the Slacker Half Marathon in Georgetown, CO and I will run each step for them.  May God and God alone bring healing and recovery in a way that no amount of miles ever will.

Third time's a Charm???

It's been a couple months since my last update and things have been pretty status quo around here.  I'm still working nights at the hospital; we've ended that whole one car thing by buying a pickup truck off craigslist (I feel pretty badass driving it, no lie); We've done quite a bit of demo on our basement in order to prep for an overhaul (and we're both picking up some overtime to cover it!); we hosted my parents for a fun few days (hoping they come back soon!); and I've been dreaming and planning my garden (I've got seedlings to prove it!); and we're lucky enough to be hosting a truly enriching community group from our local church each Thursday night in our living room. This has been our life the past few weeks - nothin' fancy and we're both lovin it.

However, a couple weeks ago I decided to mix it up and say, "hey. I think I'm gunna go to grad school". So, well, I start in 11 days!

 I decided to apply for a spot in University of Bridgeport's Human Nutrition program and apparently the summer term starts April 15 (since when is that summer?). It's all online and it focuses on the physiology of nutrition and its impact on chronic diseases and the human body! So here I am, excited to dig into Biochemsitry and dreaming of all the places a degree like this could take me. No, I don't have a great idea of where I'll be when I graduate and I can't think of a "perfect job" that will utilize my RN skills and a masters in Nutrition, but hey - it should be an iteresting ride!  I imagine it'll provide answers as to why carrots and cinnamon are really that good for you (in a deep physiological, anatomical way), and I'm curiously excited!  Luckily a thesis is not required, however anyone who wants to do my APA format for me, I'd love the help!

I am slightly concerned, however, that this degree should come with a warning label "WILL NEVER EAT AN OREO AGAIN" due to fear of highly processed chemical shenanigans.  Ugh, but I like oreos. And my husband likes hot dogs. I don't really wanna be THAT girl that can't enjoy her food because of fear of cancer or dying young, but I also want to enjoy food in a way that God intended it to be enjoyed way back in the day of the garden.  I definitely appreciate that food is as much cultural and social and FUN, as it is nourishing and restorative. Anyway, so don't judge me if I become a full fledge nutritionist in two years and you see me scarfing down at the Cheesecake Factory. We'll see.... we'll see =)

Oh and PS. Ashamed to say, this really is my third attempt at grad school (pathetic, yes). First time was in STL at Washington University and I got one semester into a public health (ish) program and then decided to pack my bags and head to Denver for fun, so that was the end of that one. And last year, I thought I'd try my hand at the whole delivering babies things via a midwife degree, but I was denied from the University! Well darn. ah well..... stuff happens and here I am again! So... hopefully third time really is a charm!

8 days of Christmas

New years morning seems like an appropriate time to reflect on this past year and share the recent memories of Christmas. Well, I'm not too sentimental, nor did I take many pictures but here's my best colllege try:

2012 was a pretty darn FULL year! Getting married, buying a house, new job - it's been a beautiful whirlwind and I can't express how grateful I am for such sweet blessings!

 Over the past two weeks, I was reminded of how sweetly rich I am in family and friends. My family has more than doubled since I said "I do" and it continues to grow. How neat to watch different families celebrate traditions, raise their kiddos and interact with each other in a way that honors the Lord.  It's been wonderful!

We started our Christmas road trip in Minnesota for a couple days visiting Nathaniel's brother and his family, grandparents, and some extended more family. I experienced snowmobiling and lefse for the first time, as well as spent time with my newest nephew and his big sister =)  Unfortunately, I have no pics to document the start to our trip!

Next, we hit up Wisconsin to visit Nathaniel's mom, more grandparents and more extended family! It was FREEZING (apparently I forgot how cold the midwest was), but Nathaniel and I had a blast celebrating Christmas eve and Christmas morning "small town" style - complete with traditional Methodist church, oyster stew, introduction after introduction at a white elephant gift exchange, and touring beautiful Wisconsin farm land.



Nathaniel opening up the first white elephant gift

It's a genuine homemade "redneck doorbell"! =) Unfortunately, It was stolen from us during the gift exchange

Mom-in-law and Grandpa-in-law!

awesome John Deere Collector ornaments - only in the midwest =)

a full house!

After Wisconsin, we trekked down to Iowa City to spend a couple days with my parents, and immediate family. It was a fun, relaxing time with games, good food, laughs, and joys watching my three sweet nieces play together and open presents. Biggest present award goes to my brother Darren who got the girls a jump castle which we inflated in our basement! Way cool. He won the coolest uncle award this year.  I love my family and wish we were all closer!

apparently a fun fact filled book.

watching the fun...

catapulting beanbags

favorite pic...



He fit in quite well

 

2012 had some rockin' adventures and here's hoping to 2013 has just as many! YAHOO!

Nights....

Many of you know, I started a new job about 3 weeks ago on the pediatric floor at the hospital that I've been working with previously. It been quite an adjustment being on my feet for about 12 hours, taking the bus home from work (my loving husband usually can take me to work), remembering IV fluid calculations and waking up my dormant nursing assessment skills. The biggest change has been relearning how to work nights shifts and still managing to lead a somewhat "normal" social/functional schedule on my days off. Even though it's a BEAUTIFUL thing to work 3 12s in a row and then have 5 or 6 days off, I feel very much like a sloth during half of those days off and my body doesn't know if it's time for morning coffee or an evening glass of red wine.

 I find myself thinking, should I nap now? Or save my slumber for tonight with my husband? Do I dare caffinate myself in the morning when I have to work that night? Can I go for a run, or will that wake me up too much?  What day is it? Is that a sunrise or a sunset?  I don't know.  I'm sure i'll get more used to working night shifts, but I don't know if it'll ever get "easier".  And I've decided that that's ok. For now. =)

Mad props to my hubby for putting up with delerious, tearful, cranky me when it's 7pm and I want to go to bed.

Here's a glimpse of my patient load thus far: 18yo suicidal ingestion, 10 day old w fevers, 7mo seizures, 16yo head lesion, 2yo appendectomy, 5 yo flu. - 'tis the season for flu! And I've had patients from Mexico, Russia, Nepal, Honduras - not quite my international delight like at my previous clinic, but it'll somewhat satisfies my craving for diversity.

At times, while all the kiddos are tucked in and medicated for the night - I've got an opportunity to get to know some coworkers, and chit chat over our caffeine of choice. Then we get an admission and chit chat's over...

It's a good time, and I'm so grateful I'm physically able to work and that God has blessed me with an employer who gives me a paycheck!  As newlyweds, we're trying to whittle down debt and be wise stewards with what we've been given - it's hard, but worth it!


And ps.  I've definitely fallen asleep on the bus heading home. yup.