2 Years Later...

Residency was a bit rough on the free time. I'm baaaack!

Re-reading what I wrote about 8 years ago- namely running and my love of medicine, still ring true on a daily basis.

I am honored to say I'm now a practicing, Board Certified Pediatrician. I am living the dream. I take urgent calls in the middle of the night to take care of newborn infants in trouble, I hi-five kids who made it through their annual check up, I sit with teens and listen to their struggle with depression, and countless other scenarios. And I love it.

To practice medicine is to be curious all the time, constantly learning and relearning. I love having a new case and diving into the evidence base and primary literature to make sure I'm doing everything I should be for a kid. I love the mysterious unraveling of an accurate diagnosis: what are the symptoms, the physical exam findings, the time line, the age, the labs and imaging showing us? It's so satisfying to yield a diagnosis.

I also really appreciate having more senior, smart, caring colleagues with whom to discuss cases and learn from their decades of experience. Even after 5 years of medical school, 3 years of residency, I am still learning new things every day. It's shocking actually how rapidly medicine evolves and what you still don't know after 8 years of training!

Lastly, I love working with kids and their families. Kids always surprise me with how hilarious, sweet, scared, bored and openly hostile they can be within the same 15 minute appointment. The ultimate compliment is when the parent asks if they can schedule the next visit to see you. It's a heartwarming #Isaidyes moment in medicine.

Every day is surprising, I get a little smarter and wiser, and I bring all that I can to my patients and their families. What a remarkable career I have commenced! My heart is full to the brim with the joy I have being a Pediatrician. #worthit

-Doctor Peds

Running in the Winter is Bliss

There is just something about a cold evening, even better if it's a cold snowy evening that makes me crave a run through Lincoln Park and along Lake Michigan. Weird? Crazy? Lost my mind? Probably all of the above.

Maybe it's the feeling of adventure? Feeling really tough and hardcore? Knowing how happy my husky will be running out in the cold? The joy of the complete silence running through the park, only hearing the snow falling. Or the awesomeness that is having the lakeshore path all to yourself.  When I'm out there I feel so alive, alert, focused, my senses heightened. I'm living life! -2 with windchill won't bring me down!

Probably all of the above. Maybe the secret is coming home, drying off and showering and then snuggling up with a good book in front of the fireplace with Christmas music playing and sipping on hot apple cider tea. The epitome of koselig.

Pretty perfect if you ask me!

When it's less than 20 degrees outside I'm wearing a lot of clothing, in fact i'm toasty!

What to wear:

• 2 pairs of gloves
• 4 top layers (tank, long sleeve, puffer vest, shell)
• 2 bottom layers
• Wool socks
• Waterproof trail shoes (I have yaktrax but never use them. You don't need them for the snow and if it's that icy I don't think it's safe to run)
• Neck gaiter
• Headband
• Musher's wax for your dog's paws 

Just channel the famous Norwegian saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing".

Baked Margherita Spaghetti Squash

I made this delicious recipe for lunch today using my spaghetti squash and tomatoes from the Farmer's Market. Best spaghetti squash I've ever made! Usually it's a bit too bland for me. I think using the olive oil, salt and pepper prior to roasting the squash made a big difference. The broiler was fun to use and made the cheese look so yummy. Very hot out of the broiler though-beware!

Tastes as good as it looks!

Hooded Merganser

Quite a unique and amazing duck! I saw one yesterday and two today at North Pond, hanging out with the mallards. Easily identifiable to say the least.

Eye catching. Thanks Pinterest.