10 on Tuesday!

I know you want a tune while you read...

1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an archeologist. I would check any book I could find from the library about ancient Egypt. We had this glossy King Tut picture book that I loved... I also remember learning exactly how to mummify at a very young age. You may ask: What could your father possibly be thinking as I told him all about taking brains out with hooks through the dead's noses and then packing them with bags of salt and sand? Obviously, he thought it was awesome...

2. Name 3 of your irrational fears.
-Spiders- so nasty
-Failing medical school-unlikely
-Doing too many things with my Right hand. Meaning. Oh my gosh. My right arm will be huge and my left bicep will waste away to nothingness. Gasp. I'll be lopsided!

3. If you had a $200 gift card to any store, what would you want it to be? (Nothing responsible allowed. Can’t be used for groceries or anything)
- 200 irresponsible dollars? Is Orbitz a store? Otherwise-Nordstroms-I'd buy perfume up the wazoo.

4. What is your most (blog-friendly) embarrassing moment?
- Well ok. Day one of Organic chemistry my professor told us that the grade you got in his course was the main predictor of whether or not you would be accepted into medical school. Clearly I freaked out and studied like a maniac the entire semester. Therefore, I got the top grade in the class and had to accept my Grand Prize (aka free textbook of my choice) on the last day of the semester, in front of the ENTIRE lecture hall. After the "ceremony" my professor asked me to write the tutor schedule up on the board. I was exempt from the final exam, as long as I ran a few tutoring sessions for my peers. Here is were I fall from grace... I proceed to write

Monday 5-7
Teusday 4-5
Wednesday 8-9

OMG. I just got the highest grade in O chem then spell TUESDAY wrong in front of 200 people. Wham. back to reality. dude. I was never good at spelling. ask my mom.

5. If you were only allowed to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
wow. I originally wanted to write ketchup. But I think forever would require a bit more crunch. I'll pick apples.

6. What was your favorite toy growing up?
My brother? Ok. Probably my doll Rosie.

7. Do you have a “go to” outfit? What is it?
Not really. Probably dark jeans, a long tanktop and a slightly shorter shirt. Long tanktops under shirts are slimming, even on bad days!! woot.

8. Who was the best teacher you ever had?
Hmmm. Hard one. my dad taught my middle school jazz band. He was pretty good. However, he did demote me to 4 th trumpet on blue suede shoes. Why? I have no idea. ( oh yeah, I couldn't hit the high note!)

9. If you could buy any car right now (something at least SORT OF within the realm of reality…so, you know, a Rolls Royce may not qualify), what would it be?
I would keep the Camry. My dream car however is



stop drooling...this is a chick magnet

10. How do you reckon that Chelsea comes up with 10 of these questions every week? It was hard! What’s your theory on how she’s so creative? Are you going to help her?
I'm not sure. They sure are fun though. I good looped in because my cousin's play along... I probably could help. For example...what's your favorite thanksgiving sidedish? Or. post the last song you listened to on itunes!

Play me

Oh Keaton. You make me happy.I am so wasting time. I have neurology homework to do. I better get crackin. I am counting down the days till...



Geier Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my family.



What is thanksgiving without a little drama right? Gluten free living aint so easy sometimes. I think as long as we...





We should be fine:)






Oh yes loves, and I'm planning on bringing these cookies for dessert! HAHA. Oh my goodness, petri dish sweets. The nerds have hit a new low...or high depending on the way you spin it.

101 Posts!

Oh my gosh! I completely missed my 100th post! Oh well, 100 more here we come! A bit more complications arising regarding thanksgiving. Sigh. Serenity now. NO big deal.



I bought myself this baby at target tonight! Yum. Check the back of the container-certified GLUTEN FREE! I WILL be getting my pumpkin pie fix after all :)

I'm also thinking of making this , depending on how crazy my call night goes. Yes, I AM on call Wednesday. I will try to remember to give mucho thanks and not be a grumpy monster. I hope to come home and whip up the bars, they look SO Delicious! I am certainly not deprived. Also...





Totally GF :) Countdown to thanksgiving is in full swing. Also counting down the days till I can blare Christmas tunes and decorate without shame!

Do you want another tune? Did you read this book? Here you go folks! An autumny diddy :)

Cruisin

"Alice came to the fork in the road.
“Which road do I take?” she asked.
“Where do you want to go?” responded the Cheshire cat.
“I don’t know,” Alice answered.
“Then,” said the cat, “it doesn’t matter."

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland.






I've been interviewing. 3 down, lots to go. I am just keeping my suitcase packed! I don't know how people travel constantly for their jobs. I just could never do that. I did buy a diet coke and the new Klosterman book at the airport though. mmmm. Great flight home :)


This is supposed to be a recipe blog, but medicine is getting in the way. However, Thanksgiving is almost here folks!!!! I cannot wait :) I'm searching for a few good dessert recipes. I've found millions, my sweet tooth is throbbing for Thursday !

The future freaks me out

It was a successful day. I had the morning off and took advantage of the sunshine and went for a run. After clinic I stopped by target and picked up the essentials -cleaning products, cat products, cute t-shirts and candles :) I'm ready to set in on some homework, but thought I'd post quickly (aka procrastinate a bit longer). I head out for interview #3 on Thursday. It's stressing me a wee bit. I coped this evening by cranking the tunes and scrubbing my floors. Mmm. My cousin Abby posted all about many uses for plain old distilled vinegar. I scrub my wood floors with vinegar and water... On my hands and knees, just the way Grandma said to. Ahh-stress relief at it's finest.

Easy entertaining

I actually have this weekend totally off. Completely totally off. No rounding, no flying away for interviews. Just home ... ahhhh. I secretly love to turn into a 50s housewife on vacations. So that's what I did. Minus the early morning productiviy part. I lounged around, went for a run, then scooted my butt to the grocer. I was standing in the check out line thinking, can I get home, clean my apt (no small task) and make dinner by 8pm? Well folks, with this easy meal I almost made it. No worries though. My dinner guest...



has never really grasped this idea. So had had some wiggle room!

Immediately after cleaning, I made myself presentable and started on this recipe by the goddess herself-Karina. They taste FANTASTIC. Sunbutter is about $4 at TJs.


I didn't chill the dough before my first batch. Result: HUGE sunbutter blob! Oh no! My housewife status has been revoked. Oh well. They were delish. The second batch was popped in at the end of my cooking time, after a good chill in the fridge. They were much more aesthetically pleasing. Both batches are the same on the inside though, and that's what counts right :)


On to the main event.

I started by prepping the ingredients for my pasta dish. Jon chose this recipe (Karina double header) from a few options i provided him. I went with it, sort of... Directions have never been my strong suit. I found super cheapo shrimp at TJ's. So I used those instead. Holy buckets, I had to devein them though. My dad makes it seem effortless. Lets just say I poked myself with sharp shrimp parts far too often, and had visions of a Regions ED visit racing through my mind as my sub par pairing knife skills were put to the test.





Prep
Chop garlic (as much as you'd like-5 or so cloves)
toast pinenuts (amt uncertain, I had about a handful left in my freezer)
Devein shrimp
Slice grape tomatoes in half
Thaw out some artichoke hearts (also SUPER cheap at TJs)

Boil salted water and cook spaghetti: fyi gluten free spaghetti takes longer to cook than you anticipate. I used brown rice spaghetti. But I think I prefer quinoa, its less chewy in my humble opinion.


Execution:

Saute garlic and herbs for a bit: I used basil, thyme, a smidge of tarragon and some rosemary
Add shrimp and cook till done
Remove shrimp and set aside
Add tomatoes halves and artichokes to the pan
Splash on some balsamic vinegar and stir occasionally
When the tomatoes seems slightly shriveled and the balsamic has thickened you are ready to go
You are supposed to add black olives. I had intended to add kalamatas, but forgot. oops!

Plating:
pasta base, tomato/artichoke sauce, shrimpies, shaved Parmesan (yes please!!!)

You really should also eat some dang vegetables right? Here's an on the fly yet fantastic Autumn salad.



Spinach and arugula (I can't help but sound way too much like scooby doo every time I say that word)
Your favorite dressing, I used a mango champagne dressing I got from my aunt Linda that was hiding in my pantry. Champagne vin, EVOO, salt, pepper, garlic and honey would be great as well.
Topped with dried blueberries, cranberries and cherries, toasted pecans (toast these after the pinenuts, before your pan is dirty-saves water!)
Crumbled goat cheese (heaven on earth)


Honestly, so quick and easy. Give it a try! Yum. Buy yourself some flowers at TJ while you're at it! A girl has to treat herself :)

Friday the 13th!

Feeling lucky today? I'm an especially superstitious person, but for some reason Friday the 13th doesn't bother me one bit. Anyways, I'll honor the day with taking the chance to explain my ridiculous run in with unhinged individuals and less than reassuring St Paul Police men. I'm feeling better about things. I'm barricaded into my apartment and catching up an Grey's. I'm emotionally ready to relive the moment for your blog reading pleasure.

I went to Trader Joe's the other night, to pick up some deals. As I was carrying my groceries up, my doorbell starting ringing frantically and someone started violently shaking my front door. As an aside, my landlord is a dear man, but his decision making skills worry me slightly. For example, he is so concerned with maintaining the authenticity and "beauty" of our historic building, he allows-no insists-on allowing the original front door to rot away and frame to disintegrate. Super sturdy.

Anyways. I peek my head around the stairs to investigate...and make certain I had locked the door. There were three adults standing on my stoop. A man in his 40s, dressed in a white T shirt and shorts, brazenly presents a round sheriff badge to me. Screaming through the door, he informs me he's with the city police and must be let into the building to deliver papers. I look a bit closer...why...because at this point the encounter was more surprising and strange than terrifying. I immediately recognized that his "badge" was probably purchased at party city for $2.99.

So he flashes me the badge again and demands to be let in. I said "No". He starts shaking the door (eh hem-the dilapidated yet charmingly original door). I eye him up. His compatriots are standing behind him, dressed oh so officially in sweat pants. He repeats: I'm with the police, I demand you open this door. As he shakes the door violently again, I come a bit more to my senses. This man is unstable. I wouldn't say overtly dangerous, but that's only in retrospect. At the time he seems unreasonable and volatile. I informed him I was calling 911 and ran up to my apartment.

911 is not very impressive. It took me a good 5 min to get my phone call answered and all my identifying information provided. If this man was trying hard to get me...



he would have. Dead meat. Yikes. While on the phone I hear a series of doors opening and closing, and basically : I sh*t a brick. I'm totally thinking : good lord, these off kilter individuals are TOTALLY AFTER ME, and in my hallway! The 911 operator, after listening to my plight, replies. It's ok, don't worry, they called the police too. I'm like, what? She said, yep, they called to police to help them get in your building. They are waiting outside, don't worry, you're ok. So I hang up and call my landlord.

So anyway. The police come and talk to these guys for about 10 min. One of the three disappeared, not sure to where. But this badged man was very animated and dramatic in his story telling. Many exasperated moments, throwing his hands in the air, trying to convince the police to "break down the door". Obviously I'm totally spying through one slit of my blinds at this point... Anyways, the man seems to get really angry, storm off, come back, then leave again for good. My landlord pulls up and speaks with the police who come up to talk to me.

So I guess these people had some sort of custody papers to deliver, but they were unofficial. Hmm. Sort of like the unofficial cracker jack box police badge they were flashing about? The police were nice but essentially not super useful.



They told me I had done the right thing, and to call them again if I ever felt threatened. Sensing the oh so subtle "Suzanne is beyond totally freaked out right now" look on my face, the younger (cuter) police officer actually says: It's ok hun, you're safe, you have an attack cat.




HA! That's enough. Thanks for your help, get the bleep out of here.


NO flirting with me while my sympathetic nervous system is still quivering from one intense workout.

So there you have it. I "sweetly" demanded the front door be worked on. My landlord, in his defense, did come the next day to re-frame the door and PROMISES to re-inforce the lock. In landlord time, that will happen sometime in 2011. Unless I get pushy. And I may seem docile but I can get pushy :) I guess impersonating an officer is totally fine in St. Paul. So go ahead folks, do as you please!



I also saw this yesterday. SO good!

ups and downs

A lot has gone on bloggie friends since my last post. I will try to update you loyal and devoted readers over the next few days. Let's just say its involved tests, family feuds, interviews and 911 calls. yes. yikes. you betcha. stay tuned dude.

First, I will address something dear to my heart and my duodenum. I am not a doctor, remember that folks. But I'm probably better apt than your average bear to understand why I need to maintain a gluten free diet. I am compelled to post this because my mom recently wrote a truly heartfelt testimonial on what it's like to be a gluten free mom. I'm pretty self sufficient (shhhh. snickers in the peanut gallery), but I do still rely on being able to travel home to a comfortable, loving and GF environment. Her dedication to making my childhood home safe for me is beyond tangible value.

So whats the scoop? We've got the beginnings of a family feud going on. You know. families. They crumble over the important things. Sex, land, green bean casserole. I write this not be be overtly flippant about the scenario. My mom is the only human being I know that feels every emotion I feel. She doesn't let me wallow in the emotions, let me tell you, but I know she feels them. And I think we got our feelings hurt. Being gluten free makes you feel very alone at times. This is augmented by the fact that in America all holidays revolve around stuffing your face to the point of compete absurdity. Nothing like he holiday season to bring out the loving hearts of those that surround us. GAAAAA. I need my food. SO FREAKING OVERLY IMPORTANT. relax chilluns. goodness.



I waited a bit to make this post. I was mad at first. Hurt and angry. I've simmered. I think I've reached a new understanding of the dynamics of this particular situation. And you know what. Blogging about it helps me finalize my thoughts. So there. I'm more forward than meine mutter. But whatevs. I'd say it out loud.

I've decided my family just simply doesn't understand what Celiac disease is. I won't get over it. It's not a choice. And no, I can't have just smidgen of gluten. And no, that's not unreasonable. Do you know what an immune system is? I'm not being facetious. I'm honestly asking. Celiac disease is NOT an allergy. It is NOT a sensitivity. It is most like an autoimmune disease. My intestines are leaky, and gluten gets through. I was born that way brotha. jeeze. When my immune system sees gluten, it FREAKS out. It starts attacking my body. When I see gluten, my body decides to mow down my intestines. Yes. Even a microscopic amount of gluten is found by my every hunting immune system. As misguided as it may be, it launches into gear with a vengeance. When that pathway is activated my intestine goes from plush cushy yarny carpet to seriously disgusting burbur in a 70s lunchroom of your local middle school. I have no ability to absorb nutrients. My intestines do not function. I lose weight. I am malnourished. I break my hip. I may even get lymphoma. Listen people. Cancer and broken hips are not worth eating something risky. It's just not.

Yes. I can be picky. If you don't like it, that's fine. I believe you love me, you just really don't understand. It only takes a microscopic amount. Lets re-frame. If I offered to spray you in the face with only "a little bit" of smallpox, would you let me? Would you let me sprinkle a wee bit of H1N1 on your eggs for breakfast tomorrow? Do you want just a tiny bit of polio? Nope, probably not. why? you immune system knows. It finds it, and you will die. right? smallpox is no joke folks. Anyways. Sigh I'm done. My mom has gone to no end to make the kitchen safe for me. I love her more than I can express. And I'm safe to eat there. God is good :)


As much as people don't really get it, I must say I've been blessed to have some insanely awesome and understanding people in my life. For example. I made a new friend ( I know, I know). My teammate on peds invited me over for pumpkin carving before Halloween. He found out I was gluten free, among many other fun facts. We spent countless hours waiting for children to come through he ED at 2 am here.




Hotel Henne!





Glamorous. Anyways.




Pumpkin carving was a blast. When I arrived I was astonished to find my ped's partner and his wife had purchased skittles and strongbow cider for my refreshment pleasure! His wife even sent me home with family recipes for caramels and almond flour cookies-naturally gluten free. How gracious!



Next, in the land of amazing humans... My good friend Dan, grower of gardens and tamer of bees finagled this fantastic deal. Apparently at a gathering of his a woman brought in gluten free bread. Ever the curious creature of course he samples. Turns out her recipe was spot on. He proceeded to tell her all about me and asked for the recipe. Wouldn't you know at the next meeting she shows up with the recipe AND a gluten free bread machine and flour mixes for MOI! Are you kidding!?!?! I guess she is moving and also has a heart the size of Texas. Gotta love the kindness of strangers.



Jon made his apt gluten free for me as well. He bought a set of pans/utensils/plates and cutlery for me and stores them in a separate drawer. He's got the H1N1 in this pic. Do you want just a smidge sprayed in your face? no? ok loves. I'll let you be :)