What's on your Thursday Menu, RNYers?

Good morning! I woke up to ZERO calls out from teachers today (because I have 21/60 going on field trips, hahaha), so I got to reclaim the time I am usually figuring out my coverage emails! I miss you guys and I miss the accountability this post gives me--wish I could get back here every day, but it is just not a reality.

QOTD: Same as you--I have always been able to fall asleep well, but staying asleep is a problem. However, this job gives me so much stress and anxiety every day, that insomnia is becoming very real. I realized I absolutely cannot face every day on fewer than 4 hours of sleep so I started experimenting with Tylenol PM and Unisom. I like the Unisom. It is really working!

Accountability: Yesterday was a small pouch day and I basically forgot to eat. But the days before that were the exact opposite--I was an eating machine!

B: Sous Vide Egg Bites & Fit Frappe Mocha

S: Greek Yogurt

L: Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Egg, Cheese & Avocado (basically the toppings from a Chef Salad, minus the salad, lol)

S: 2 babybel cheeses & almonds

D: TBD--I am going to surprise my family tonight and join a big reunion that no one thinks I could go to (yay!). The place looks like it specializes in BBQ, but I haven't spent any time looking at the menu, yet.

Morning Julia! So good to see your post! I'm sorry that the job is so stressful but I hope that you are also finding some fulfillment with the new challenges.

Jen, I am sorry that you couldn't sleep. That is really tough! I hope that you can nap on the flight and that enjoying your family will provide some needed relaxation. I agree with you that doing some exercise may help.

QOTD: fortunately, I don't have alot of sleepless nights, but my Fitbit often says that I have long periods of restlessness. I know that at least part of that is that we have 3 (Holmes was 4) cats who fight for territory on top of me or they are spread out and I can't change positions. On the other hand, if I am having trouble relaxing to go to sleep petting a cat really helps. If I have too much trouble, I just get up and walk around the house for a while before trying again.

Tuesday was a very long and very stressful day at the vascular ophthalmologist with DW. We spent almost 6 hours of testing, lots of waiting and consultation to find out that she has some congenital and new problems with her eyes but that at the moment she doesn't have any tears in her retina. Great news that she doesn't have to have eye surgery soon. That said the flashing lights and floaters in her left eye are still there, signalling that she is having problems that could cause a retinal detachment. We go back to have it checked again in about 6 weeks and in the meantime, if it gets worse, we are supposed to go straight to the ER again.

Yesterday I did a 3.2 mile run at lunch and also did 45 minute of weights & abs with my trainer in the evening. The day yesterday was very sunny and about 48 so I decided to run outside in the neighborhood. I had forgotten that I had packed a tank top and tights but no jacket or long sleeved shirt. When I got outside, I realized that it certainly was a beautiful day but there were 20 mph very cold winds! Made me run even faster to try to stay warm! Brrrrr!

Accountability: considering all the stress, I've done pretty well with keeping my carbs low and my protein high.

Menu:

B1: 5 almonds and lots of HOT coffee. Too cold for iced coffee today.

B2: 2 HB eggs

S: protein shake, chomps

L: TJ's Chinese chicken salad

S: Buddig's beef packet, apple

D: hopefully a crab cake since today is DW's b-day and I'd like to take her out

Exercise: walk at lunch

after the few days you guys have had, a nice birthday celebration would be a lovely treat!

Happy Birthday to DW! I hope the two of you have a great day together!

Happy Birthday to DW! I hope you have an awesome dinner out. I am encouraged to see that you are taking care of yourself during this stressful time.

I'll have to look for that Chinese chicken salad next time I'm at TJ's. I never look at their salads, but I should!

Unfortunately, many of TJ's "healthy" options have LOTS of carbs and fat and very little protein. They are often geared for veggies and vegans, not for protein-forward eaters. The Chinese-inspired chicken salad includes Chinese noodles but I just toss those and eat the other yummy goodies. 20g of protein!

Happy birthday to DW! Enjoy your dinner tonight!

The part of your post about how you sleep with your cats reminded me that my insomnia wasn't as bad when my cat was alive. When I went to bed, she would curl up near my stomach because I sleep on my side. I would pet her and feel her purrs against my stomach. She would stay with me, I guess, until I fell asleep because when I would wake up she would be gone. I would find her somewhere in the house going about her business! She was a nocturnal cat and she kept me company many sleepness nights! Nice memories!

---Joyce

How fun to surprise the family!! I might throw some unisom in my suitcase and give it a whirl.

miss you!