Hey, hey lovebugs!
Happy What I Ate Wednesday!
Join me in shouting out a huge THANK YOU over to Jenn from Peas & Crayons for hosting our weekly foodie shindig!
Now onto this title…
I’ve been doing the night shift thing for a while now. While I can’t really say that I’ve “mastered” the art of zombie-conversion, I CAN say that I finally have a sense of what my body wants and needs to survive night-walking.
For months I tried to fit myself into a certain schedule…sleep from THIS time to THIS time…eat at THAT time…only to stress out when I wasn’t still asleep at THIS time and I hungry hours before THAT time.
So I just stopped trying.
I started going with the flow of things and before I knew it, I had developed a few habits…habits that ended up helping me get to a point where I now sleep better, have more energy, and actually feel like I’m in control of my body…you know, instead of walking around brain-dead half the time!
Must I remind you of the cinnamon-garlic toast incident of 2011?
To show you what I mean, allow me to share a typical day in the life of a working zombie girl!
I usually wake up around 2-3pm and I immediately get up, throw on workout clothes and make my way to the gym (because if I don’t go as soon as I get up, it’s just not hap-nin’), but NOT before throwing back a morning cocktail…hey, it’s almost 5 o’clock! 😉
Emergen-C and a shot of Jack ACV*
I swear by this stuff! Emergen-C boosts my immune system, puts pep in my step, and has just the right amount of sweetness/fizz to counteract the yuck-factor of apple cider vinegar (which I’m STILL claiming as my acne cure-all from God!)
After a good sweat sesh, it’s back home for some grub…which most of the time is of the no-cook/throw-stuff-in-a-bowl-and-call-it-a-meal variety since I’m about to chew my own arm off…
Note: lifting heavy makes you HUNGRY!
1 cup Greek yogurt + 1/2 cup pumpkin puree + 1 teaspoon maple extract + pumpkin pie spice and stevia to taste topped with granola and FIGS!
After that, I jump in the shower and then start getting me, myself, and my lunchbox ready for work.
And then I grab some tea for the ride!
Not a huge fan of the pumpkin spice flavor on its own, but throw in a bit of almond milk and it’s a LATTE better! 😉
Dinner is usually anywhere between 10 and 11pm, and while I love having leftovers from a weekend of meal-prepping, most days, I’m more than happy to dive into a
“clean out the fridge” type salad!
Monday’s winner: Spinach, peas, red onion, roasted beets, roasted pumpkin, cranberry-cinnamon goat cheese, and toasted pecans…
All drizzled with the last of my beloved roasted garlic & fig spread mixed with a little balsamic vinegar.
Around 1am, which is half-way through my shift, I typically have a big mug of tea to thaw me out from the sub-arctic hospital temps AND help keep my energy levels up.
Which isn’t hard to do when you’ve got SUPER CAFFEINATED tea!*
*Without the side affects that come with coffee…Numi #ftw!
The rest of the morning, I play by ear…sometimes I have one big snack around 3am or I’ll have a few little snacks like I did the other day…
Fuji apple and 1/2 a Clif Builder’s Bar (for the record, the cookies ‘n cream flavor is neither cookie nor cream)
Mrs. May’s Almond Rice Stix (#funfind from TJ Maxx)
Roasted edamame and baby carrots
At 6:30am, my relief comes in and I pass out PEACE out, head home, and then whip up something delicious for breakfast dinner!
Like Breakfast “Sushi”!
And then it’s off to dreamland in 5…4…3…2…
FACEPLANT! 😉
Do you have any “habits” when it comes to meals/snacks?
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten this week?
I don’t think I could ever master the zombie conversion. Sounds rough! On the other hand, the fig parfait sounds fantastic!
It was at first, and it’s not for everybody, but luckily I was able to get the hang of it. I’ve actually been much happier with my job since the conversion too…a lot less drama than the day shift for sure! 😉
Those figs look amazing! Also the breakfast sushi is damn pretty! Well done missy, that is quite the invention!
Thanks Shel!! xoxo
Everything looks tasty, Heather. Love, Love Figs! “a Latte better…” tee hee… The almond rice stix look good…I need a ride to TJ Maxx to scout them out! Have a great day!
You caught that, huh? Couldn’t help but let out a little giggle at myself with that one too! 😉 The rice stix are great! They have a lot of different flavors…the seaweed/nori ones that come in a green package are my favorite!
You had me at “a Latte better!” That was funny…lol. Just popped in from Jen’s WIAW…you’re blog title is hilarious. 🙂
Haha, glad you liked that! And thanks for stopping by Bre! 🙂
Ugh, I’ve worked the night shift at a couple different jobs. Definitely takes time to adjust! I’m impressed that you’ve got it figured out!
Thanks girlie! It definitely took some time…I wasn’t really sure if I was cut out for it at first, but I’m glad I stuck it out!
pumpkin spice chai sounds amazing! I love adding almond milk to chai tea..i agree it makes it a lot better!
Mmm… I love figs so much. Everything here looks so good, you eat well, my dear 🙂 I’m also jealous of the flavour of Clif Builder! I have never seen it in Canada!!
Oh honey, don’t be…totally not worth it! But if you can ever find the peanut butter one…now THAT one’s good! And can you believe that this is the first year that I’ve ever really given figs a shot? I tried them for the first time last year, but ended up with a ho-hum batch…these last ones are so deliciously sweet! SO much better than the other ones I’ve had!
What kind of ACV do you use? I bought some of the flavored kind from Whole Foods, and I dont think its nasty at all! Maybe thats because Im a freak though, that could possibly be it 😉 And I drink that pink magic stuff as well. I drink it almost everyday, just as an extra boost.
I’ve just got plain ol’ Braggs ACV…the taste isn’t really that bad, but it does kind of take my breath away sometimes! Haha! I’ve never seen the flavored kind! I may have to check that out!
Your schedule fascinates me. But I’d still follow you around and eat. It all looks fantastic!!!
Best thing I’ve eaten this week… probably the chocolate protein mug cake I made last night. I forgot how good they are!
Ohhhh, I saw it on Instagram and it brought back memories! They ARE good! I need to make another one soon!
ACV Acne-cure-all? Ah crap, more reason for me to get on the bandwagon… 😉
I will swear to it! I was out for about a week and started breaking out…started back and cleared up within a couple of days! 😀
Well, I posted all about breakfast habits today, so yup, I have my schedule too 🙂 I love Clif Builder bars–but I stick to the chocolate+PB bars. Because they do chocolate+PB well. Too well, perhaps… Had the crunchy PB flavor yesterday for second breakfast, yummm.
Oh my gosh, I used to be totally addicted to the chocolate pb ones! I swear I had one a day every day for almost a year!
Gosh, all of your meals look awesome! Thanks for the meal ideas!
Aww, thanks Emily! And…your welcome! 😀
Yum! Everything looks delicious! I love your snack bag! So cute and so much better than wasting plastic bags all the time. Do you wash it in the dishwasher? Where did you find it?
Thank you Giselle! They’re called Wastenot Saks and I got them on Etsy a few years ago. They’re hand wash only, but are really simple to clean since they have a lining on the inside. I just looked them up and I guess the site is under construction or something, but you can check out their blog to see all the prints http://wastenotsaks.blogspot.com/…I’m sure they’ll get them back up soon!
Thanks Heather! We go through so many plastic bags with my little guy and his snacks so these will be perfect! Have a great day!
You’re welcome! And I know they have some SUPER cute prints you’re little guy will love! 🙂
You have to do what works and feels right for you.
I’m loving the look of your breakfast. I love granola.
Oh gosh, the breakfast sushi looks delish! I wasn’t a big fan of figs, but I think the spread sounds bomb! p.s. you’re the cutest zombie around 🙂
Aww, thanks love! You’re making me blush!
Mmmm, breakfast sushi! I love pairing eggs and tortillas/wraps 🙂
Working nights does not sound fun, I never thought of how much it would make you change your routine. The Breakfast sushi looks good!
I used to love going out for breakfast after getting off a string of nights. Pack in a pile of pancakes and then crash. Yum. But when I was in the middle of them I just wanted bed. Unless it was an . . . . interesting . . . shift, then I’d be processing it and not get to sleep like I wanted and be all wigged out the next night. Ah, the memories. Can I say I’m glad I don’t do that any more? I LOVED nightshift for years and years. But now . . .
I’m intrigued by the breakfast sushi–thanks!
Haha, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought of swinging into Waffle House on the way home from a shift…just so I can fill up and then faceplant! Lol Luckily, breakfast sushi only takes 5 minutes! 😀
For a ‘clean out the fridge’ salad, that is one amazing looking bowlful! And I love your breakfast sushi!
Thank you Meridien! 🙂
expensive habit I’ve started: beet juice + a shot of ACV in a wine glass. nobody can tell the difference. 😉
GENIUS!!! I’m totally going to the store for beets this weekend! 😀
wow your day sounds hectic! love the look of your breakfast sushi though.
Roasted edamame is awesome! So crunchy it’s kind of reminiscent of peanuts, but way more protein!
Great WIAW post. This is how I feel sometimes with my college classes and weird time schedules. Zombies…. Have you seen the trailers for the new “undead” comedy coming out?
Oh yeah, LOVE the salty crunchiness! I haven’t seen the trailer yet…off to check out You Tube now!
Kudos to you for working the night shift girl – I don’t think I could ever do that! My body seems to only like to sleep between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am, no matter how late I stay up. 😛
Your roasted pumpkin salad looks awesome! And I love how you made the dressing by combining that spread with balsamic vinegar. Figs + balsamic vinegar is a match made in heaven!
Oh wow, 5am no matter what? I remember when I was on days and used to get up at 5am every day…I could only manage to sleep in till 6-6:30 on the weekends! :-/ And love love LOVE balsamic and figs…it went PERFECTLY with the creamy goat cheese!
I still can’t get over breakfast sushi…it’s so pretty. Your salad too. Just beautiful.
And a “latte better”…man that’s bad, but I laughed anyway!
My brother works the night shift so I can partially relate to your crazy schedule. Only partially because I’ve never done it. It’s a whole ‘nother world at night.
Best thing I ate this week…huevos, but probably because I just ate it for dinner tonight, and it’s still fresh in my mind…and my stomache.
Ahh, glad I can always count on you to appreciate my puns! 😉 And girl, you’ve GOT to try the sushi…soooo good!
what do you do for work that you do night shifts? 🙂
I’m a CAT scan tech! Been doing it for five years, but just switched to the night shift in June. 🙂
Breakfast sushi looks amazing. Can’t wait to try it on some flatbread I just bought.
That breakfast sushi looks great! I remember how working late shifts (not even night shifts) always made me feel terrible, because I certainly did not focus on planning my meals better or adjusted well to it. Well, I can’t say that being a mom (hello night shift!) gets me more sleep, but focusing on healthy eats has become much more of a priority now for me. Good for you for creating healthy food routines during night shifts. I think I’d be so confused, what to eat when. 😉
Well, it DID take a while to fall into the routine, but planning (or should I say having lots of plan B’s…since I never really know when/what I’ll be hungry for) is definitely the key! 🙂
Loving all your “sushi rolls”!!
My habits are that I pretty much eat the same thing over and over and over again. I just get on a kick of something delicious and cannot stop. The only thing I’m really good at ‘changing up’ are the toppings on my proats in the morning and the fact that I might make a different type of soup for my lunch during the week. I’m cool with it, though. 🙂
Girl, you know I can relate to this! Hey, if it’s not broke… 😉
Working nights is nuts, but you are doing it right! Kudos for still exercising and eating healthy despite the crazy nights. I worked night shift for awhile and found myself eating a lot of junk in order to to stay awake.
I did that when I first started…I just had to realize that I wasn’t actually eating because I was hungry. Once I started planning a little better, it was easier to fall into a healthy routine.
My eating habits always depend on my schedule, but lately I have just been trying to go with the flow!
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