Month: October 2017

Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

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I get very excited when the weather drops just a little, bringing the anticipation of fall and soup weather! This soup has become an instant favorite of mine and is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. I love a flavorful and quick throw together meal that can be put together early in the day then enjoyed at my convenience. Give this a try you will not be disappointed!

Food H & P:
2 frozen chicken breasts
1 can of Rotel tomatoes
1 can of corn kernels with juice
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 package of dry Ranch dressing mix
1 Tablespoon of dry cumin
1 teaspoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1, 8 ounce package of cream cheese

Food Rx:
Place all ingredients in a crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring a couple of times to blend in the cheese. Before eating shred the chicken with 2 forks and return to soup. Serve over cooked rice or corn chips.

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This serves 4-6, for large gatherings I double the recipe. Don’t worry this soup freezes well. I also use 1/3 less fat cream cheese and believe me you still don’t lack in the flavor department!

In the Emergency Room we do get tickled and sometimes “police” what a patient eats. I honestly have triaged so many kids whose parents checked them into an ER for vomiting with Cheetos smeared all over their face. I always get tickled when a patient comes in for abdominal pain with a half eaten dill pickle in a bag sticking out of their purse. There is always a lot of educating that goes into the diabetic patient drinking a regular Coke, and a lot of explaining that nearly all fast food choices do not qualify for the heart healthy diet. Although it seems like some days my patients are the only ones eating, a crockpot does offer a great meal option for the staff.

A crockpot is a definite staple in my life. The convenience of a flexible and tasty meal on a crazy work shift is a welcomed relief and helps to regain some sanity that the shift has stolen. I also love a good crockpot meal to take to parties, church pot lucks, or even this week after we trick-or-treat. There are some work days where I have seemingly inhaled a meal cold and standing up because the day was too busy to even taste it. There is no denying that I get a little “hangry” (hungry/angry) when my blood sugar drops! At work I am not guaranteed a designated 30 minute lunch break. I don’t miss many meals but can not predict when emergencies arise, so I take a lunch break when I can get it! A huge bonus is having a hot crockpot meal ready when I am!

 

 

Deluxe Brownies Halloween Edition

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My husband makes fun of me just a little for all the traditions that I try to incorporate into our daily lives. Our growing lists of traditions have ranged from special meals around the holidays, commemorative monthly pictures to watch our daughter grow, to Christmas Eve pajamas! I have learned that everyone has traditions or even superstitions that make their day just a little brighter. I must say having these festive brownies around Halloween is a tradition that I am sure my husband will want to keep!

Food H & P:
Brownie mix (makes enough for 9 X 13 pan) made according to package directions
Sweetened Condensed Milk, 14 oz
Peanut Butter baking chips, 10 oz
Candy corn, marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate sauce

Food Rx:
Make brownies according to package directions. When the brownies are nearly finished baking melt the peanut butter baking chips and sweetened condensed milk on the stove, constantly stirring until melted, about 2-3 minutes. When the brownies are finished baking spread the peanut butter mixture on top and sprinkle the candy corn, marshmallows, and sprinkles on top. Lightly press the toppings into the peanut butter mixture then drizzle with the chocolate sauce.

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Variations:
These brownies can easily be adapted to fit other holidays or even school spirits by substituting different baking chips! Using white chocolate chips and sprinkling crushed peppermint and green sprinkles would be a great Christmas version! Dark chocolate chips topped with pink frosting drizzles and candy hearts would bring extra love to Valentine’s Day!

I have learned that each facility I have worked at brings a new set of superstitions. I have worked at places where it was taboo to remove the last discharged patient from the tracking board as that meant it was only a matter of time before your hospital became the drop off for a mass causality event. There are certain restaurants that no longer get ordered from due to the horrible work day that followed the last time a meal was received from that location. I have also seen lucky charms taped to computers! One universal superstition I have found is anyone that uses the Q word (quiet) gets a death stare, as it is a matter of minutes before every room will be full!

I will say there is something to be said about a full moon. Every ER nurse hates to work a full moon, except maybe the overzealous newbie! There is something about the gravitational pull of a full moon that makes pregnant women go into labor and amplifies psychotic behavior. On those crazy shifts my coworkers always need a mental break. For some it’s a favorite snack or phone call to a loved one. A pan on theses brownies on the next full moon work day is guaranteed to make any work day better!

Zesty Italian Pork Chops

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I love a simple recipe that packs a punch. I have found this in Zesty Italian Pork Chops! It’s so simple, just dip, coat, and bake. This makes any weeknight dinner a winner!

Food H & P:
3 cups dry Italian bread crumbs
1 small pack of dry Italian dressing mix
2 Tablespoons of Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon of powdered garlic
1 cup of bottled ranch dressing (more if needed)
6 thinly sliced pork chops

Food Rx:
Place the creamy ranch dressing on a plate. Mix the first 4 ingredients (dry ingredients) onto another plate. Dip the pork chop in the wet dressing allowing the extra to drip off then coat the chops in the dry mix. Place the pork chops on a foil lined baking sheet. Bake the pork chops at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Dispatch information and these pork chops are similar in that all you need is the basics. When I was a flight nurse and the tones would echo throughout the hanger, alerting us of a call, we would listen to the key points. Where we were flying to, the general age of the patient, chief complaint, and if it was a hospital or scene call is the only information we would receive. We had no desire to know more because as soon as we got that general report our pilot was heading to the computer assessing the flight plan in order to make a judgement call of if the flight could be safely completed. The flight crew needed to know the age and general complaint to mentally prepare and have possible equipment and medications within reach. We had no clue who we were heading to get as that information could sway our decision to attempt a flight that was not safe due to weather, in order to be there for a friend or loved one.


A hospital setting is very different. A hospital is always available for all patients to stabilize. Sometimes there is a bed shortage or a specialty that is not available that would cause a hospital to be on diversion. If so we try to make the ambulance crew and patient aware, otherwise a hospital is always available. A hospital gets a more detailed report which would include chief complaint, vitals, and any treatment a patient has received. The report is still general as all the area hospitals and emergency personal are utilizing the same radio frequency. However, like the pork chops all you need is the basics!