The Dangers of the Pediatric ER

Monday I began my first month in the ER. It's a pretty good rotation as you work 14 or 15 12-hour shifts. Some of these go quickly and some (specifically 7p-7a and likely 2p-2a) go very slowly. My day was pretty quick. It wasn't too busy and I didn't see anything unusual. We had a string of lacerations and broken extremities. I didn't see any of those...now, unfortunately...I saw the scabies, well restrained child s/p MVC, walking pneumonia, and, my bane, TWO gastroenteritis! I even specifically and carefully washed my hands after seeing those patients! Guess it didn't work (unless that asparagus was bad)! Felt fine yesterday until around 4 then just didn't feel normal...definitely wasn't normal all night! Today, I'm feeling better, just resting up before I return for two days of 2p-2a shifts. What's your favorite thing to eat when your tummy is upset? I like chicken noodle soup and popsicles! I'm about to go make some soup (from the can...just something about that sodium laden liquid) but here's some soup my family and I made right after Christmas. I got a Le Creuset pot for Christmas and wanted to use it, so I found a yummy looking lentil soup. It was REALLY good, though I wished that the lentils were more part of the soup rather than being mushed within the soup. I changed the cooking process just a little bit and have made those changes in the directions.

Winter Lentil Veggie Soup from AllRecipes.com

• 1/2 cup red or green lentils
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon curry powder

Directions

1. Place the lentils into a stockpot or a Dutch oven and add 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Drain and rinse lentils.
2. Meanwhile, place onion, celery, cabbage, tomatoes, chicken broth, carrots and garlic to a large pot. Cook on medium heat until lentil are done. Add lentils and season with salt, pepper, sugar, basil, thyme and curry. Cook, simmering for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until desired tenderness is achieved.