Where do we live again? Because it doesn’t feel like America anymore.
How did you sleep last night? I have to say, I didn’t have a great night. Other than staying up late because I couldn’t stop watching the train wreck, I tossed and turned with weird dreams most of the night. This certainly does not contribute positively to one’s well being.
The news out of our nation’s capital yesterday was disturbing on so many levels. As a country, we saw how people protesting for social justice have been treated for months. Tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, arrests for the smallest of offenses. Even ordering dispersal of crowds for ridiculous photo ops. And yet armed white supremacists have been allowed to march the streets and occupy government property, including in my own state of Virginia, with little to no consequence.
The culmination of this was yesterday, when domestic terrorists stormed the Capitol as Congress was completing the counting of votes of the electoral college. Their goal was to disrupt our democratic processes, fueled by spiraling conspiracy theories. Our sitting president incited this. The plan has been brewing for weeks on social media. And yet law enforcement wasn’t prepared? Or did they willfully ignore the warnings and allow it to happen? I saw videos myself of police high-fiving protestors, taking selfies with them, and clearing barricades to let them pass to allow access to the capitol building. Twitter is teeming with footage. So were the police complicit with the insurrection? This smacks of favoritism and corruption. Where is the “law and order?”
Obviously we don’t know the full story yet. But I hope we will know more soon. And I hope that more arrests will follow. This wasn’t “Antifa.” This was a mob of violent domestic terrorists seeking to overthrow the government. A mob that was stoked not only by our sitting president, but many Republican lawmakers who refused to accept the outcome of a legitimate election, proven multiple times in court and in recounts.
My daughter asked me which day was scarier: 9/11 or this. I was still more terrified about 9/11. Not only was I pregnant with the daughter who asked me this question, but the threat seemed so intangible and out of control. And although this disruption to our democracy is shocking, there were definitely systems in place that allowed it to happen. Systems that can be corrected. And we need the appropriate powers to actually do their jobs to protect our Constitution and Republic.
Today, as I drove home from work, I saw a large truck proudly displaying a giant Trump flag and another large flag I didn’t recognize. Imagine the mindset of someone so emboldened to drive around like that after what happened yesterday. It’s unfathomable. Our country needs help.
What are your feelings about the events from yesterday? If you don’t live in the US, what impression do you have of our country now? I’d love to hear your thoughts. As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Is it sorer? Yes, a bit. Worse? That’s yet to be determined.
I received my second dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine today. My employer warned us to expect a stronger reaction this time and to plan accordingly, for example, planning to schedule your vaccine at the end of your shift and to space out doses from your colleagues of the same discipline. But I’m off today, so I got it in the morning without dramatic fanfare. I didn’t even get a bandaid! I did, however, get a shiny new entry on my CDC card.
My updated card.
It is assumed that this dose is more risky because now your body reacts to recognizing what was introduced weeks ago. The immune response can be stronger for this reason. There is also a window in which you can receive it, starting at day 18 after the first one for the Pfizer vaccine. Some trial participants have warned of severe immune responses after the second dose with both Pfizer and Moderna versions, which seemed to especially affect younger participants.
So, what about that second dose? With the rapid proliferation of the new variant of the virus in the UK that has already spread to the US among those who haven’t even traveled outside of the country, some medical experts are considering delaying it. This is to ensure more people can get vaccinated, since 70% immunity from one dose is better than none. Considering that there hasn’t been a definitive plan set forth by the federal government for vaccinating, and that the development and implementation of any plan is being left to the states, this might make sense. But this plan, which was originally devised in the UK, has been met with much criticism. I think that frontline workers should absolutely receive both does in the recommended time frame since we have definite, regular exposure to the virus. But from a public health perspective, I understand why a one dose plan would be favorable for the general population, especially if doses are in short supply. (More debate on this plan here.)
It’s now late afternoon, and, so far, so good. My arm is already a bit sore, where last time it wasn’t until I rolled over in the middle of the night that I felt it. Other than that, not much is different than the first go round. Crossing my fingers that it remains this way! Even if I do have a mild reaction like a fever, it’s still got to be better than getting COVID itself. I will definitely update this if things change, though!
I’ve enjoyed and felt a bit of pride for all of my friends sharing their vaccination pictures and stories on social media! It’s still a difficult choice, and I completely understand apprehension which arises from a multitude of reasons. But for those of us who can, getting vaccinated helps your community as much as it can help you. I certainly feel more prepared to help patients who are COVID positive and a bit safer running errands. I’m still going to wear my mask and socially distance, though!
Feel free to share my graphic!
Have you been vaccinated? If so, have you received your second dose yet? I’d love to hear about your experience. As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
***UPDATE***
About 12 hours after getting the vaccine, which was just after 9:00 last night, I developed chills and body aches. I spent most of the night feeling very cold and huddled under multiple layers of polar fleece. This morning, getting ready for work was met with hot flashes! Go figure. I did work today, but was definitely not 100%. I hope tomorrow is better!
For the first time in my life, I have successfully completed a run streak of more than 30 days. Starting on Thanksgiving day, I have run at least one mile, finishing today, New Year’s Day. I averaged almost 17 miles per week. I’ve certainly had weeks with more mileage overall, but the consistency of the run streak was rewarding. Here’s what I learned:
After my first run of my streak on Thanksgiving Day! I was at the beach with my immediate family.
Daily runs won’t kill me. I really feared it would make me more prone to injury. I think keeping the overall mileage low was key for this for me, as was having a good running base to begin with.
My brain enjoyed the daily meditation time. Like most runners, I use the time on my feet to sort out all kinds of life’s issues. A daily dose of blowing off steam was hugely beneficial. My mood has been happier overall in the past month.
Although my actual running pace is not much faster, I’m able to avoid walk breaks for my 3-6 mile runs at this point, making me faster overall. This marks a significant improvement in my overall cardiopulmonary endurance, and it’s another sign of progress from being sick in August with a presumptive case of Covid. But I’m still hugely frustrated that I’m slow. I see speed work in my future…
I have mental blocks on some of my most common running routes where I almost always take a walk break. Pushing through my shorter runs to keep going has helped me overcome a few of those places where my brain begs to walk.
Running in the dark can be fun. I haven’t really run pre-dawn or post dusk in quite some time. When I worked full time, I would definitely meet friends in the pre-dawn hours to fit in my longer midweek marathon training runs, but these were in the summer. In the winter months, I never found the need to do this, and would often use the lack of sunlight as an excuse to not run. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed having a Noxgear vest to stay visible during my night runs.
My first night run with my Noxgear vest! I did figure out it was on upside down.
Knowing I’m going to run takes the planning out of my workouts. Sometimes I would go to the gym, do some piddly cardio, and then lack direction with whatever strength training I was going to do besides my basic planned olympic lift. But going into my day with the intention of running at some point kept me focused on that run streak goal.
I’m glad that I shared that I was doing this. Sending the goal into the universe held me accountable to achieve it. If you follow me on Instagram, you may be tired of my daily running posts! I mean, if you didn’t post about your run, did it really happen? Ha!
After my last run of the streak today!
Is a run streak for everyone? Maybe not. But it was a fun goal to check off the bucket list, and I’ve proven a little something to myself about discipline. 37 days, but it’s done! What’s next? I hope to get back to some olympic weight lifting now that my streak is over. I’ll stick to my winter running schedule until half marathon training begins in a few weeks! I’ve got the Sports Backers Half Marathon in March and the Blue Ridge Half Marathon in April on the calendar. Thanks to Runner’s World Magazine for the inspiration!
The last month of running as captured by my Garmin!
Happy New Year! Have you ever completed a run streak? If so, what did you learn about yourself? I’d love to hear about it! As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
It’s the time of the year that we traditionally begin to wind down, reflect, and think about what we want to accomplish in the next year. For most of us, we will bid 2020 a swift farewell. This dumpster fire of a year can’t be finished soon enough. And as nice as it is to think that 2021 will begin with a clean slate, I can’t help but look ahead a bit apprehensively. How about you?
As much as we should congratulate ourselves for surviving a miserable set of 2020 circumstances, many of us feel a bit guilty about our current fitness levels or those few quarantine pounds we somehow found. So, here we go again. Fitness goals. Weight loss goals. New Year’s resolutions. Sigh. Is the pressure on yourself really worth it?
Indeed, many of us have enough on our plates already. I think the goal should really be to simply get moving and to fuel our bodies as nutritiously as possible on a regular basis. Being consistent is better than trying to force perfection and burning out. It’s as much a benefit to our mental health as it is our physical well-being. It’s not entirely our fault if we’ve been less active or have made less than ideal food choices lately.
Let’s think about the public health challenges we have faced this year which have contributed to our decreased activity levels. Maybe you were a gym member and found your gym closed for months during the pandemic. Maybe you had to trim expenses due to job loss or furlough, so the gym fees had to go. Maybe you are now working from home, cutting out walking into and around the office every day. Most of us also cut down on our errand running to avoid exposure. How many of you have seen your step counts decrease dramatically in the past few months?
Now, let’s talk about food. I recently ran into a friend of mine who is in the midst of a career change to become a nurse. One of the things she said struck me. In her training, she has learned how important your food choices are in managing your health. Indeed. It’s why I quote Hippocrates on my home page for this blog.
Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Hippocrates
As far as public health challenges unique to this year in choosing food, there were many! In the beginning of the pandemic, I personally felt panic when I went into the grocery store. Empty shelves will do that. It’s bad enough that there wasn’t a roll of toilet paper or paper towels to be found, but when a grocery runs out of tofu, that’s really saying something. It was easier to stock up on non-perishable, processed goods to ensure we actually had food to eat, even if it wasn’t something we typically bought. It also reduced our need to go to the store so frequently.
If you just really needed to eat out, for a while, just about the only restaurants that were open were fast food drive throughs. Most of what you can find here, even if tasty, is hardly nutritious. Plus we literally sit in the car and feed our faces. And yes, I’ve been guilty of this myself. I’ve visited Taco Bell more often in the past few months than I have in the past 15 years.
So, what actually goes into your $3 value menu meal and your shelf stable processed groceries? The two most planted crops in the USA are soybeans and corn. That’s no accident. These crops are subsidized by the government, which makes it really appealing to utilize them in every way possible. This is how we end up with additives to processed foods like high fructose corn syrup and soy protein isolate. Malodextrin? That’s from corn. Dextrose is, too. Even our gasoline has corn in it. If you know someone with a soy or corn allergy, have a chat with them about how challenging it is for them to find prepared foods they can eat. Derivatives from these crops are pervasive in processed foods.
It really isn’t a stretch to say that processed foods are essentially subsidized by the government, which means they are cheap. A quick Google search about subsidized crops in the US will lead you down a rabbit hole of information and viewpoints on what is broken about this system. It’s really challenging to convince someone on a limited budget to buy whole foods when buying one apple can cost more than a bag of chips. When they can buy the whole family dinner at McDonald’s for what one meal costs at Panera. Cheap calories equals full bellies, and perhaps also hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. What seems like a ridiculous food choice to people with means is a very realistic choice for someone without. It was a conundrum I realized as a home health practitioner. Finding the answers to these problems will take a public health overhaul.
Say that you can afford to eat a healthy, whole foods based diet, and you work out on a regular basis. Maybe you even invest in protein powders to supplement your intake of this macronutrient. Did you know that the most frequently utilized ingredient in these powders was once a waste product? Whey protein is actually a by-product of cheese making. If you’ve ever made dairy cheese yourself, it’s the cloudy liquid left over when the cheese curds separate. This liquid is then processed and dried to result in a powder added to lots of supplements: whey protein isolate. Guess which industry is also subsidized by the government? You guessed it: Dairy. So whey, as well as its partner casein, are popular protein supplements because their production is subsidized. If you want to learn more about the negatives of the dairy industry, check out the non-profit Switch4Good.
Our food choices are not entirely dictated by us. They are shaped by a manipulated system. Beyond the government subsidies controlling our food supply and choices, there are teams of lobbyists working for the food industry to influence agency policies. Most of us know, our health really begins in the kitchen, but you may not know how much our diets are swayed by the food industry itself.
So as we enter 2021, realize that many of the things that kept us from being as healthy as we could be in 2020 were beyond our control. We should focus on what we actually can control, like eating more at home, eating fewer processed foods, and moving more. Changes don’t have to be over the top to be beneficial. The better and more consistently we care for our bodies, the less vulnerable we are to health issues. We should get outside as much as possible, because our souls could use a change from the four walls that surround us. And we should give ourselves some credit for surviving a pandemic.
Taking your dog for daily walks is a great, simple activity goal.
Be kind to yourself. If you set fitness goals for the New Year, it’s ok to make them simple and realistic, like taking your dog for a walk every day. Consistency is key. This pandemic is still raging, so continue to wear your masks and avoid large social gatherings. The pandemic will end eventually. As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
I hope this year’s celebration was enjoyable, even if it had to be modified for the pandemic and all of the many circumstances that marked the year 2020.
Since my in-laws live next door, they are a part of our quarantine cluster, so the morning was spent per usual for Christmas: breakfast and present opening with them.
Speaking of gifts, I’m writing this on my new gadget: a Chromebook! I’m still trying to figure this out, but I’m getting there.
My dog Ellie enjoying a toy from her stocking!
New this year: my family and I had a Zoom call, complete with my brother and his family, my parents, and their new kitty, Lacey. They all live about an hour or so away, and my dad is especially vulnerable to the virus, so no big gathering this year. Even though I did visit in person a couple of weeks ago to deliver Lacey, another real visit will likely not happen again until I’m fully vaccinated.
Another tradition for me since 2013 is going for a run on Christmas day! This year’s run was a 5k, keeping my running streak going that began on Thanksgiving day.
Love to run on Christmas!
The holiday season holds lots of mixed emotions for so many. Grief may occupy space for those of you experiencing your first without a loved one. For others, you may be celebrating the first with a new family member. I’m sure many have altered plans due to the pandemic and feel a bit lonely. Still others may feel conflicted by their spirituality. But whatever mixed bag of feelings you may own, I hope there is some joy there this year.
To all who celebrate, have a merry Christmas!
Peace and love to all. As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question.
Me on Friday, right after receiving the vaccine. I had to sit for 15 minutes to make sure I didn’t have an adverse reaction. Thankfully, I was fine!
Personally, I was on the fence about getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Indeed, there are so many unknowns. But in the end, I decided to go for it. Here’s why:
First, as a healthcare provider, even as a physical therapist, I’ve been exposed enough that it makes sense to protect myself. This way, I hopefully won’t bring it home to my family. This includes my in-laws and my own parents, all of whom are dealing with or caring for a spouse with medical issues. It makes it safer for me to help them if they need it.
Therapists have to get close to our patients to help them transfer, bathe, dress, guard them while walking, etc. It’s impossible to maintain “social distancing” in our practice. And at this point, I’ve treated both COVID + patients in acute care as well as those recovering and in inpatient rehab on a routine basis. I consider myself very lucky to have been included with the frontline workers.
Even if I’m not providing critical care like ICU nurses and doctors, I see my job as a PT in a certain sense as a support role for the RNs caring for these patients on our COVID units. I can provide valuable feedback about how these patients tolerate mobilizing, especially capturing important objective information like oxygen saturation levels and heart rate with activity and trends from day to day. I can also do things like assist patients to the bathroom which, for these patients, is typically more often to the bedside commode because they can’t even tolerate walking 25 feet to the bathroom. I can also help guide decisions about discharge planning. There are so many pieces to the puzzle.
As a side note, if you are wondering if healthcare providers really wear those tents over their heads with the backpacks like on Grey’s Anatomy, the answer is yes. Yes, they do. My husband asked me this very question. I still don’t think he actually believes me. RN’s and patient care techs who are in and out of COVID rooms wear them routinely. I wear standard PPE for these patients of an N95 mask, face shield, plastic gown, and gloves. If that sounds like you’d get hot, you’re right.
Second, even though it seems like this vaccine has been created at lightning speed, the foundation for this new science was actually built in working on vaccines for the first SARS and MERS viruses, which are in the same family of coronaviruses as COVID-19. These vaccines never came to fruition because the viruses never reached pandemic stages. They simply didn’t need to be finished because infections from these viruses subsided. These COVID-19 vaccines were created due to an astounding cooperation among the scientific community, starting with the Chinese government sharing the genetic code of the virus when it was first isolated. The other piece was in receiving adequate funding. Voila. Smart scientists with money can get things done.
Third, this is a case where the benefits outweigh the risks for most. Now, I hate getting the flu vaccine, which is only 40% effective in preventing the flu, by the way. My body hates the preservatives used to keep it stable. However, the newer, hypo-allergenic versions I can tolerate well. A bonus of the Pfizer COVID vaccine I received is that there are no preservatives. It’s one reason it needs to be kept at -70 degrees. I think the biggest risk of getting this is the possibility of an allergic reaction. So far at my hospital, there have been no abnormal reactions to the vaccine. There have been a few reactions reported in the US and the UK, but very few. My only reaction thus far? A sore arm, which is to be expected, and which resolved by the next day. And to have a vaccine available that is 95% effective and knowing I will be exposed repeatedly? It just makes sense to protect myself since I have the opportunity. That being said, I have friends who have had a history of severe allergic reactions to new medications who have opted out, and I fully understand.
Fourth, for those who are just absolutely terrified of needles, this was the tiniest needle ever. Seriously. I didn’t even feel it. Rest assured that anyone who would give you this vaccine will have given hundreds of these by the time you are able to get it.
Fifth, there is no live virus in this vaccine. It works by sending a very specific set of instructions for your body to recognize the spiky protein that gives the coronavirus its name. This is done via messenger RNA. Again, there is no full genetic code of COVID-19 in the vaccine. It’s simply a set of instructions to defeat the most physical characteristic of the bug. That’s it. Its purpose is to call to action your body’s natural immune response so that it can recognize COVID-19 if you are exposed and defeat it.
Sixth, despite what our government promised, hospitals in our area may not get enough to vaccinate everyone who works for them. We were told to get the vaccine while we had the opportunity, because we may not get another chance until much, much later.
The new glitch in this process is the discovery of a new strain of the virus. It’s what is causing the rapid increase in cases in the UK. A similar variant has also been discovered in South Africa. This goes to show how quickly RNA viruses can replicate and mutate. And yes, these mutations are concerning. Fortunately, this is kind of what scientists do with the flu every year. They keep up with the subtle changes in the virus and tweak the vaccine accordingly. Right now, it’s a “wait and see what happens” scenario. Mother Nature sure is clever, but hopefully, science will prevail.
So on Friday, I rolled up my sleeve and got the vaccine. Like I said, I never felt the needle, and I was watching! After, they had me sit and be monitored for 15 minutes just in case I had a reaction. But I was fine! I received my card from the CDC and will be texted when my window for the second dose arrives. Easy. I’m already feeling a bit of peace of mind that I’m working toward immunity. And I’m hoping this opens doors for traveling, running races in person, and visiting with out of town family.
My CDC card.
For now, I feel like healthcare providers have been tossed a life jacket to clutch onto as we tread in choppy, stormy waters while the ship is sinking. It’s the first glimmer of hope we’ve had in a while. Again, now is not the time to let your guard down. Continue to wear your masks. Continue to socially distance. Just because the life jackets are being distributed doesn’t mean that everyone will get one. Distribution may not even be equitable, kind of like the Titanic. The storm of the pandemic is far from over. Cases are still surging in my state of Virginia, and it’s predicted that the worst is yet to come.
As far as having the opportunity to get vaccinated goes, perhaps Dan Rather said it best:
Most importantly, protecting yourself from viruses by vaccination is one way you can take control of your wellbeing. Reducing your risk of infection may also help alleviate anxiety about contracting the virus. By getting mine, I hope that my loved ones, like my dad who will likely be included in round two, will be less apprehensive about getting the vaccine. Science works.
I hope sharing my experience and understanding helps alleviate some of your fears about getting the vaccine. My best friend from middle school just lost her grandmother to COVID. One of my high school friends had it and was briefly hospitalized with complications. And one of my friends is currently in the hospital battling this nasty virus. I have friends working where she is, and I’m able to sneak in some essentials for her. But she, as well as all of my patients who have had this, say the same thing: no one wants this virus. In the end, getting the vaccine is a personal choice, a difficult one even for healthcare providers, and you must make the best one for you. Seek the advice of your doctor if you have any concerns. As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
The other day I had a craving for this most delicious side dish at Mexican restaurants. Unfortunately, most restaurants make this with chicken broth, and I really wanted to create a vegan version. I also wanted to add some substance to this dish, so adding more texture with diced onions and tomatoes was purposeful.
The first batch was swiftly approved by both of my daughters, and my older daughter wanted me to make a new batch right away. Well, it’s been almost a week, but I did make more, making sure that my proportions were what I estimated, because as with most cooking, I just add a dash of this and that. But the second batch was equally delicious, so I’m ready to share the vegan goodness! And although not quite like the side dish at your favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant, I love the depth of flavor.
Keep in mind that I prefer a sticky rice. If you like your rice drier, I would reduce the water by about ¼ cup. Additionally, if you don’t have the Better than Bouillon paste, you can sub vegetable broth or stock for the paste and water.
Ingredients for Vegan Spanish Rice, minus the garlic!
Vegan Spanish Rice
Ingredients:
1 T olive oil
One small onion, diced
One glove garlic, minced, or equivalent (Dorot cube or 1 tsp. jarred minced garlic)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp Better than Bouillon vegetable paste
½ can petite diced tomatoes (about ¾ cup)
½ can tomato paste (about 2 generous tablespoons)
1 cup rice (I like basmati or jasmine)
2 cups water
Directions:
In a large saucepan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Next, sauté the onions and garlic together until they are translucent. Add all the spices, including the vegetable bouillon paste, and tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring to combine. Add the water and rice, stirring to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, and then simmer on low heat, covered, for 15-17 minutes, until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Serve as a base for burrito bowls or as a side dish.
Cooking the onions and garlic. I used refrigerated minced garlic this time.
After adding the dry spices.
After combining the tomatoes and tomato paste.
Finished rice! I love the depth of flavor using the bouillon paste, rich tomato paste, warm cumin, and smoky paprika.
If you try making this dish, I’d love to hear about it! Post and tag me on Instagram @annecreates. As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
In the Richmond market, Publix is a relatively new player. As a national chain, they have steadily migrated north. As a kid, I remember shopping there with my mom every time we visited my grandparents in Florida. They have always been nice, clean, bright, and friendly stores.
When Martin’s decided to leave the stores they took over from RVA’s beloved Ukrop’s, Publix stepped in to fill the void. They completely remodeled the stores, and they are beautiful. Plus, their store associates are so nice! They will go out of their way to help you find something specific.
Let’s start with what they DO have for Vegans. In addition to the accidentally vegan staples/junk food in the middle aisles and whole foods like beans and grains, Publix has:
Produce. Typically very well stocked and good quality. Often you will pay a premium for their produce, but you know it will be worth it.
The produce department at Publix is beautiful and well stocked.
Sushi. Their in house sushi makers usually keep some type of veggie rolls in the case.
Hummus. They have a half case devoted to several different brands of this vegan staple, including the new Sabra dessert varieties.
Publix has a wide variety of hummus brands and flavors, including Richmond made Sabra.
Vegan cheese and tofu. They have a section devoted to this in their produce department. At the beginning of the pandemic, they actually sold out of tofu! They carry Vivo Life, Daiya, Chao, and Follow your Heart brands cheese. They have their own Greenwise organic brand of tofu, plus the Hodo brand of prepped tofu I found at The Fresh Market.
A well stocked vegan cheese, fermented food, and tofu section located with the produce.
Kombucha. They sell several brands and many different flavors that you can’t find in other stores.
Vegan meat substitutes. Publix carries Beyond Meat, Lightlife, Impossible, and Pure brands. You can find these in the freezer section open cases.
A decent selection of Vegan meat substitutes which are kept frozen at Publix.
Frozen vegan desserts. They do carry a variety of non-dairy ice cream, including Ben and Jerry’s, So Delicious, and Publix store brand. The Publix peanut buttery cocoa chip is especially yummy! They also carry the Daiya plain cheesecakes.
They Daiya cheezecake.
Plant based milks. Publix carries a wide variety of brands and types. You can pretty much find your favorite here.
One of the best selections of plant based milks of the major grocery stores in Richmond.
Just Egg. It’s $5.49 here.
Dave’s Killer Bread. It’s my favorite. They have the whole line of products here.
Plant based yogurt. The Kite Hill, Forager, and Silk brands are right by the dairy yogurts.
Vegan cream cheese. You will find Kite Hill and Miyoko’s Creamery brands beside the dairy cream cheese.
Vegan cream cheese. Kite Hill and Miyoko’s are right next to the dairy versions.
Vegan chocolate. They carry both the Justin’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups, which are vegan, and a few varieties of the Endangered Species chocolate bars.
Vegan chocolate bars!
What won’t you find at Publix? Vegan goods from the bakery. They do carry one brand of vegan healthy cookies that are similar to oatmeal cookies, but that’s it. They do not bake vegan friendly cakes, cookies, etc. in store.
I find their stores, although very pleasant, to be on the expensive side. For example, avocados are typically less than $1 at Walmart or Kroger, but can cost up to $2.50 for the same size at Publix. Another example: My husband’s favorite brand of kombucha, GT’s, is $3.69 here, when I can buy it for less than $3 at Kroger or Walmart. Nationally branded vegan items tend to run retail prices. However, when they do run sales, they are very good, and you don’t need a loyalty card to benefit . I’ve even seen buy one get one free Beyond Burgers here. I also highly recommend buying their Greenwise organic store brand. Everything I’ve tried from this brand has been good, including their tofu, canned beans and vegetables, and frozen vegetables.
If I need to go to the store to pick up a few items, I will stop here. It’s the closest grocery store to my home. This gives me a chance to pick up some vegan items I can’t find at my typical stores where I do my primary shops, like Kite Hill products and their store brand non-dairy ice cream. Overall, it’s a nice place to shop, and not any more expensive than Whole Foods, although a bit less vegan friendly.
The Vegan Garlic and Herb Tofu Sandwich from Publix’s sandwich bar.
UPDATE 5/2021: I recently visited my local Publix to try their new-ish Vegan Garlic Herb Tofu sandwich, available on a bun or in a wrap. I chose their multigrain bun, piled high with all the veggies! It was pretty good! So if you need a quick bite, visit their sandwich bar for this beauty!
Do you have a Publix in your area? Have you ever shopped here? I’d love to hear about it! As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
If you read my post about how I became a dog person, you will learn that I’m actually a cat person. We had 2 cats growing up. Both of them lived long, happy lives, into their 20’s. I do miss having a cat, though. My last cat passed away at 18. My dog isn’t much of a snuggler, but she rarely sleeps at night without being right beside me. As much as I love this, there’s still nothing like having a cat cozy up to you in your lap.
So when my niece suggested to my parents that they consider adopting a cat, the idea was exciting for them. They are unable to travel due to my dad’s medical issues, and they’ve felt a bit isolated in quarantine. The time was right to find a new family member.
Outside of the Richmond Animal League near the Chesterfield Town Center.
Fortunately, I have a friend who works for the Richmond Animal League. This happens to be the rescue organization where we adopted our dog Ellie. Having someone on the inside was great, because I could tell him exactly what my parents were looking for, and he could help me find the perfect companion. Due to Covid precautions, you now need to make a selection before you get there, which complicates the process a bit, but shouldn’t stop you from meeting a potential new companion!
One morning, my friend sent me pictures of a beautiful girl named Ace, and he was, in his words, smitten! She had been adopted from them in the fall, and was surrendered a bit over a week ago. Apparently, she does not do well with toddlers. Poor girl! So my parents are probably more her type.
Meeting Lacey! She’s as gorgeous in person as she was in pictures online!
After going through the application process and phone interview, we had an appointment to meet Ace. Since my parents live in Tidewater, not Richmond, my daughter and I went to meet her. I even Facetimed my mom so she could see the kitty!
Shortly after that, we were on our way to take Ace to her new home. She was the best car rider! I’ve never had a cat so content in a carrier.
After she had been in the house for a bit, Lacey started to relax!
Once we got to my parents’ house, we let her out of her crate to assess her new domain. We only stayed about 30 minutes and were masked the whole time, but in that time, Ace, who will now go by Lacey, explored every inch she could, and she even used her litter box twice. Her first time on my mom’s lap, she made biscuits. And by the time we left, she seemed quite content and was purring up a storm.
My mom reports that Lacey is settling in just fine. She sleeps in the bed with them and has been very generous with her attention. I think we found a good fit!
Lacey loves to sit with my dad. I look forward to my mom’s posts on social media to see how they are getting along! Photo courtesy of my mom.
I can’t say enough great things about the Richmond Animal League. They are a no-kill shelter, and have been since their founding in 1979. If you’re in the Richmond area and are looking for a new friend, be sure to check out their available animals. They also take donations of goods and money to support their efforts. As you know, all non-profits need help right now. But most of all, if you are looking for a fur baby, adopt. Don’t shop. Check out a shelter in your area. You may find a new companion to rescue you!
The question has officially been asked of healthcare providers: do you want to be included in the first round of vaccinations? At one time, I thought this day would never come. I’m actually surprised that the therapy staff were included in the first go-round, but pleased. That being said, I will get the vaccine eventually, but am holding off in the first round. Since I’m pretty sure I had it in August, I’m hoping that I have some immunity for a bit longer. The doses should go to the true front line heroes who are most vulnerable.
My experience in August was terrible, and I only had mild symptoms, and was only sick for 2 weeks. But the raging headache, the incessant watering, burning eyes, the severe fatigue, the altered sense of taste, the fever, the chest discomfort… it was awful. I also felt stigmatized and ashamed, like I had an STD or something. If I contracted the virus, I must have done something wrong, right? I tested negative twice, but my doctor told me I needed to quarantine as if I tested positive since I had all the symptoms.
In addition to my own experience, I have had the honor of helping several patients recover from this horrible virus in rehab. Post-Covid patients that come to rehab have most likely been intubated at some point in their battle with the illness, and typically suffer from ICU induced myopathy. They are weak, fatigue easily, and might have a bit of anxiety from all of their time in isolation. Some even have trouble swallowing from their prolonged time being intubated. Every single one I’ve worked with has said the same thing: “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”
With all of the times I’ve been exposed to active COVID cases in the hospital, the PPE has worked. However, I’m more likely to work with a patient who has potentially been exposed, which requires the same gear. This is a plastic gown, and N95 mask, goggles, and face shield. It makes hour and a half treatment sessions in a room absolutely sweltering for my peri-menopausal body. I’ve learned to ask the patient if they need anything before I gown up. I take the opportunity to make sure the time I spend with them is as fun and pleasant as possible, because my time with them may be the most significant human interaction they will have all day. They likely need a friend as much as they need the exercise and mobility training I give them. I look at it as a part of my job to be their sunshine.
One of my patients in isolation was having a particularly rough day last week. It had been storming much of the day, and I kept watch on the changing sky during our session. I saw the lighting was just right for a rainbow, and I found it! I had to make him walk to the window to see it, but he was elated! I convinced him it was an omen that his luck was about to change. He was taken off of isolation soon after our session.
I am pleased that in my region, folks are finally mostly compliant with the mask mandate. When Governor Northam first announced the mandate, I was already wearing a mask in public. But I would see maybe 50% of people actually wearing them when I was running errands, especially in conservative Hanover County. But now, for the most part, people are wearing them.
My family has been lucky thus far. I know co-workers who have gotten sick. I have friends who have contracted the virus and have experienced complications. In the nursing home where I used to work, they lost many long-time residents at the beginning of the pandemic, which was heartbreaking. But my family has been safe.
Can you believe that we’ve been in this fight for 9 months? So much could have been, and still should be handled better. Our country failed Epidemiolgy 101. We surpassed 200,000 daily positive cases one day last week! So, while it’s great that the vaccines will soon start to be distributed, we may not have the capacity to vaccinate everyone for another year. It’s far from over.
I believe one positive effect from the pandemic is the reduced stigma surrounding mental health care. As the world suffers this collective trauma together, I think we have become more accepting of the phenomenon of the effects of isolation and fear of becoming ill in causing depression and anxiety, and we’re more willing to discuss it. Finding a provider to assist with these struggles right now can prove challenging. But at least if we talk to each other about these prevalent issues, perhaps we can even more fully normalize these feelings, and they become less of a burden to carry.
I watched last week’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy, where they have incorporated the pandemic into their storyline. Of course, there’s some grumbling from fans about not getting a break from daily Covid world. But I think the writers are actually doing a community service. I’m already weary of being a healthcare provider in Covid times, and I’m not a frontline fighter. I catch patients after they have passed the danger of dying from the virus. But watching this episode, they articulated so well how most of us feel who are working in the hospital, helping the nation survive this battle. Maybe it will convince others to take the virus more seriously and develop more empathy toward those on the front lines. It’s worth watching.
Looking back over my blog posts as this pandemic developed, we have many more answers to how to battle this virus and, it seems, we have the prevention on the way. It’s still exhausting from all perspectives: wearing masks, fewer social interactions, changes at work, limited visits with loved ones outside your “quarantine cluster,” and virtual schooling, to name a few. This feels like we’re running an ultramarathon at this point. For a while, we were lost in the woods and didn’t know which mark on the trail would lead us in the right direction. We even rolled an ankle and ran out of food and water and ended up waist deep in a creek. But the finish line has been discovered. Now we just need to stay vigilant and run a bit farther to reach it. We can do this!
Do you plan to get vaccinated? How has Covid affected your life? I’d love to hear about your feelings and experiences. As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Anne the Vegan 