I learned that I enjoy cooking when I was a volunteer in New York and would host dinners-in for my friends in the neighborhood. The best way for us to eat was buying food at the grocery store with our food stamps, so we had to make it go far. I made up dishes as I went along and had to be creative.
Now that I live with my boyfriend Kyle, I am the primary food provider for two human beings and more to come someday! I've been collecting recipes and meandering my way through keeping food special and yummy as well as healthy for us. An additional challenge is that Kyle and I have unique health needs and are different in size. Figuring out how much to buy, how much to cook, and how to store things so I don't have to go to the grocery store all the time are some of the interesting conundrums I often tackle.
Here are some of the more interesting cooking endeavors I've attempted in the past:
1. Vegan cake - I had a lot of fun baking a vegan birthday cake from scratch, including icing. However, I probably won't do it again because it required so many ingredients and I don't have the patience for it.. especially since I don't bake too much anyway. But I'm glad I tried it! The cake tasted great. Visit their blog to try out your own stuff.
2. Granola bars - These are always a winner. I make them often and whomever I gift them to asks for more. The recipe is not difficult, and it lends you opportunity to be creative. I use Pumpkin Flax Seed granola, Agave instead of honey, equal parts chocolate chips and peanut butter chips, and "earth balance" type product instead of butter. I haven't tried it with gluten-free flour yet but that's next. They're easy breezy-delicious-drool-make-more-coffee-to-go-with-these-thanks.
Here are some I'd love to try:
1. Vegan Black Metal Chef - one has to be an experienced cook to follow VBMC because he doesn't provide instruction or measurements. It's just awesome and fun to watch if you appreciate his craft. Hail seitan. \m/
2. Vegan Soul Cooking - Soul food is rich and comforting; vegan food typically isn't. When I live in a functioning kitchen, I look forward to trying out some of the dishes to see if I can slip into food coma and not feel guilty about it.
Happy yummies.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Studying for the NBCOT
Studying for the NBCOT has been a trip. Since graduation on December 15, I have completed a review course, labored over the review book (which is littered with typos), and have looked over two years' worth of my own notes from school. I did well in school - I have a 3.9 GPA and earned A's and B's on all but one of my tests.
Preparing for a standardized board exam is a test of your personal will and self-esteem. I feel confident that my preparation has been adequate, but when I read Facebook comments from my classmates and other students who are preparing, it feels like I haven't done enough, have missed something, or am simply not as worried as I should be.
This is an annoying and cumbersome way to live, so I left one of the main Test Prep groups that was recommended by my teacher; the same teacher who professed in a public forum that her students are incapable of thinking for themselves. (Phooey.) I'll stick by my classmates and try not to let them psych me out.
My test is in two weeks.
Preparing for a standardized board exam is a test of your personal will and self-esteem. I feel confident that my preparation has been adequate, but when I read Facebook comments from my classmates and other students who are preparing, it feels like I haven't done enough, have missed something, or am simply not as worried as I should be.
This is an annoying and cumbersome way to live, so I left one of the main Test Prep groups that was recommended by my teacher; the same teacher who professed in a public forum that her students are incapable of thinking for themselves. (Phooey.) I'll stick by my classmates and try not to let them psych me out.
My test is in two weeks.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Fieldwork Experiences
I'm currently on break from my first Level 2 fieldwork program. I was an intern at a state psychiatric hospital that has 500+ patients. My unit was not part of the locked facility so I feel I had a unique experience from my peers who were in the main hospital. I really enjoyed my time there and will remember it fondly. Next, I'll be in a skilled nursing facility.
From an OTS perspective, there are a few items I think it's important for future students to know prior to starting any new internships:
1. Politeness is key, to patients, professional staff, and support staff.
2. Personal flexibility will make your life easier.
3. Review Ruiz' "4 Agreements" and you'll have a good handle on what comes your way at your facility. http://www.toltecspirit.com/
General Occupational Therapy knowledge for mental health evaluation and intervention is good, of course (you know, COPM and such). But the above items are much more important in the grand scheme of things, in my opinion. Don't let anyone nerve you into thinking you have to be the best, brightest, and most cutting edge OT student in order to succeed. You run the risk of annoying everyone when you're a know-it-all. Focus on bringing the professional, enthusiastic, and good-humored part of you to the clinic.
All people want to feel good - not belittled, not lectured, and certainly not made to feel incompetent - when they're 1. educating you (professional staff), 2. helping you (support staff), or 3. getting helped by you (patients).
You'll probably feel that way (belittled, lectured, and made to feel incompetent) from the people you're working with at some point, but that's why I said to review the "4 agreements." At the end of the day, it's NBD. A good way to decompress after a bad day is to have a good music mix ready in your car for when it's time to go home. Reach out to your friends in the professional world, or even your classmates, because they probably have an even better story for you about their awful day at work. Just remember that you're always learning something, and nobody's bad mood can take that away from you.
Oh! and one last thing- make yourself a Pinterest account if you don't already have one, and follow every OT board you can find. That will help you come up with creative and fun ideas for activities to do with your patients/clients/residents. www.pinterest.com
From an OTS perspective, there are a few items I think it's important for future students to know prior to starting any new internships:
1. Politeness is key, to patients, professional staff, and support staff.
2. Personal flexibility will make your life easier.
3. Review Ruiz' "4 Agreements" and you'll have a good handle on what comes your way at your facility. http://www.toltecspirit.com/
General Occupational Therapy knowledge for mental health evaluation and intervention is good, of course (you know, COPM and such). But the above items are much more important in the grand scheme of things, in my opinion. Don't let anyone nerve you into thinking you have to be the best, brightest, and most cutting edge OT student in order to succeed. You run the risk of annoying everyone when you're a know-it-all. Focus on bringing the professional, enthusiastic, and good-humored part of you to the clinic.
All people want to feel good - not belittled, not lectured, and certainly not made to feel incompetent - when they're 1. educating you (professional staff), 2. helping you (support staff), or 3. getting helped by you (patients).
You'll probably feel that way (belittled, lectured, and made to feel incompetent) from the people you're working with at some point, but that's why I said to review the "4 agreements." At the end of the day, it's NBD. A good way to decompress after a bad day is to have a good music mix ready in your car for when it's time to go home. Reach out to your friends in the professional world, or even your classmates, because they probably have an even better story for you about their awful day at work. Just remember that you're always learning something, and nobody's bad mood can take that away from you.
Oh! and one last thing- make yourself a Pinterest account if you don't already have one, and follow every OT board you can find. That will help you come up with creative and fun ideas for activities to do with your patients/clients/residents. www.pinterest.com
Monday, April 1, 2013
NarAnon, AlAnon, and Families Anonymous
I made this project in response to feeling angry, depressed, and helpless in response to a loved one's behavior due to substance abuse. It helped me start my own road to recovery. I'm happy to report that my loved one is healthy, happy, and substance free for 10 months. I'm glad I worked these steps because if I didn't, I'm not sure if we'd have a relationship today.
Road to Recovery
Meetings List
Lista de reuniones
Road to Recovery
Meetings List
Lista de reuniones
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