Much More Pleasant

Starting July 1st, all medical residents have new work hour rules.  A big side of me is concerned that this could lead to more mistakes because of unfamiliarity with the patients and a decrease is experience.  Interns (first years) can no longer take overnight call and are limited to 16 hours of work at a time.  While I do think that this will make exhaustion less likely, I also think that it takes away many learning opportunities. 

dartmed.dartmouth.edu                           

Overnight call is where you learn the most, where you are forced to make decisions and become confident in what you are doing.  In the NICU, overnight is actually when more deliveries occur. Will we end up with interns who haven't had the change to do delivery intubations and put umbilical lines in? Maybe, I don't know!  However, I after coming off a call month and starting a ward-like month (a busy one at that - heme/onc!) but without overnight call, I have come to a conclusion.  I am a MUCH more pleasant person when I do not have call.  So, although, there are downsides to the new duty hours there are positives!  I think you will see more pleasant and happy residents...at least I hope.

What makes you more pleasant?  Sleep?  Family?  Exercise?  Friends?  Movies?  Cool weather?  Hot weather?  Maybe these cookies?!  They are full of chocolate!  I think many people would say that chocolate makes them more pleasant!  I would not normally be a fan of chocolate; however, I've come to a conclusion.  I do like chocolate cookies/brownies.  However, I prefer cakes and ice creams without chocolate.  Go figure.  This cookie is the first of two chocolate based cookies that I made.  It was very good...but the other is devine!  Be sure and check back soon for it.  Can you HANDLE two chocolate cookies in a row?  Maybe having those two recipes will make YOU much more pleasant!  ;-)

Brownie Cookies from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
1/2 cup butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate (I used the equivalent of cocoa powder - it's on the can)
3 cups semisweet chocolate morsels, divided
1 1/2 cups AP flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups chopped pecans, toasted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Melt butter, unsweetened chocolate (or cocoa) and 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips in a double boiler (or just in a pot!) then cool.

  Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a mixer.  Add dry ingredients, mixing well.  Add the chocolate mixture that has now cooled and beat well.  Stir in the remaining chocolate chips and pecans.  Drop by 1-2 tablespoonfuls onto baking stone or sheet.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Cool on stones for 2-3 minutes and remove to cooling rack to cool.  Enjoy!