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Oompa! & my new job

Growing up, my brother was a really picky eater. And some things never change. Oddly enough, saganaki is his favorite food. I guess there’s not much to dislike about a salty, rich cheese set up in flames with a big, loud “Oopma”! Smart baby brother of mine! When I saw Faith’s recipe for saganaki I knew I had to make it. I had a bit of trouble finding Kefalotiri cheese, so I used a similar Greek cheese, Halloumi (found at Whole Foods). It worked beautifully! The pictures do this recipe no justice! Mr. Prevention agrees!

Saganaki (Fried Kefalotiri Cheese) from An Edible Mosaic

6 oz Kefalotiri cheese, sliced into about 1/4-inch thick slabs
1 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
Lemon wedges, for serving

Coat the cheese with flour and gently rub off the excess.  In a medium pan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Once melted, add the cheese and fry until golden brown on both sides.  Serve immediately, with lemon wedges to squeeze on top. Serves 4 as an appetizer.

Nutrition Information (per serving): 166 calories; 13 g. fat; 8 mg. cholesterol; 24 mg. sodium; 2.5 g. carbohydrate; 0 g. fiber; 9.8 g. protein

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So yes, my last day was very sad, but in the past 2 weeks I got a chance to see all my favorite patients! 😀 I’m probably not supposed to have “favorites”…but I do! And it’s mainly those I saw on a regular basis and formed a bond with.

I lead my last bariatric support group last night and in the middle of the meeting the lights went out. A bad storm had rolled through and there were torrential downpours. Luckily, the generators kicked in…but not for long. After 20 minutes, we were left in the pitch black! I’m SOOOOO glad I cleaned out my office and took everything home yesterday!! Phew!! What a way to end a meeting…and a job!

I haven’t talked much about my new job, but I will be working at a dialysis clinic where about 50% of the patients are diabetics. My most recent job has been heavily focused in prevention and treating diabetes and my new job will be treating the end stages of kidney failure, which is common in cases of uncontrolled diabetes. Renal nutrition is very detail oriented and deals with minerals such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, much increased needs of protein, and strict fluid restrictions. This is a “full-time” position at 32 hours currently, but I am seeking another part-time position where I could drop down to 20 hours in renal and add a 20 hour position elsewhere. I have a 2nd round interview for a pediatric endocrinology position (mainly type 1 diabetes), so I am hoping I can 1) get the job in peds endo and 2) make the schedules work out. We shall see…but for now, dialysis!

Question: Because I’m curious, do know anyone personally who is on dialysis? And on a much lighter note, have you ever had saganaki? 😉

I’m PUMPED to be off for the next 10 days with not much to do other than workout and hangout with my Lily girl! 😀

Happy weekend!

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24 Comments

  1. July 16, 2010 / 5:12 am

    Enjoy your time off Nicole!! I’m sure your new job will be stressful at first (like mine has been) just getting used to your new surroundings and new duties, but then you will be in the zone and loving it. So, do what I did and enjoy and take advantage of your days off.

    My parent’s neighbor is on dialysis and we talk about it sometimes. I do want to learn more though. In fact I need your help with some diabetes classes I have to teach (yikes), I may be e-mailing you!

  2. July 16, 2010 / 5:44 am

    I’ve never heard of that cheese till now and don’t know anyone on dialysis. That’s quite the ending to your old job!!

  3. July 16, 2010 / 5:48 am

    Have a wonderful time-off Nicole!
    I’ve never tried saganaki before… but I do consider it now. It does look delicious!
    My father in law is on dialysis, he’s diabetic. I know a little about this form him.
    Have a wonderful weekend ๐Ÿ™‚
    Tes

  4. July 16, 2010 / 5:57 am

    I’ve never heard of or tried saganaki. I’m intrigued!

    Congratulations on the new job. Its sounds really challenging to be working with people who are already suffering so much from their condition.

  5. July 16, 2010 / 6:18 am

    I love Saganaki! Greektown in Detroit has the most authentic Greek restaurants and Saganaki is a must. I cannot say I’ve never made it at home though, and I probably won’t. I’ll leave that to the pros!

  6. July 16, 2010 / 7:21 am

    I’ve never even heard of that but it’s cheese so I’m 99.9 percent sure I’d love it. (I’m a picky eater too, so if it’s picky-eater approved then I feel better about it.)

    So do you think you’ll try to become a CDE with either of those positions once you get the certification? I’m excited for this new chapter in your life. I hope it’s as good as the last!

  7. July 16, 2010 / 7:28 am

    Saganaki is something I was introduced to when I moved here! can’t believe I had never been introduced to such a wonderful thing such as cheese set on fire! he he he

    Happy Friday! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. July 16, 2010 / 7:29 am

    Congrats on your new job nicole…saganaki is something which i havent heard of but looks really delicious…

  9. July 16, 2010 / 8:33 am

    I am glad you have a new job lined up…that is less stressful then moving sans a job! I haven’t ever known anyone personally on dialysis and let’s knock on wood that I don’t ever have to!

  10. Cheryl
    July 16, 2010 / 9:07 am

    Wish you only the best in your new jobs! My aunt is currently on dialysis. I’ve picked her up from several of her treatments. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Watching her experience and my grandmother’s has given me the incentive to be more careful about my own health. Prevention….right?!

    Haven’t tried the cheese but anything with cheese and fried in butter has to be good! Low carbs too….will definitely be trying this one.

  11. July 16, 2010 / 9:28 am

    I’ve never heard of Saganaki, but it looks GOOD!!

    Enjoy all of your time off with Lily!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. July 16, 2010 / 9:30 am

    I’ve never heard of this dish…it looks great!

    Good luck with your new position! It sounds very interesting!

  13. July 16, 2010 / 11:37 am

    Enjoy your time off!!!!

    Congrats on your new position and the potential one, your work sounds so interesting!!!

  14. July 16, 2010 / 12:12 pm

    I think I’ve had saganaki before… What’s not to love about melted cheese?!!

    I have a family member that was recently diagnosed with kidney failure and will be going on dialysis in the near future. I haven’t found out too much about the situation tho.

  15. July 16, 2010 / 12:37 pm

    I’ve never heard of saganaki, but looks like something I’d love to try!

    As for dialysis, yes, I do know somebody on it, but not for diabetes. He’s had some major lung/kidney (?) issues lately and has had to be on it for quite some time.

  16. July 16, 2010 / 2:31 pm

    WOW, that is such an important role you’re going to play Nicole. MNT for renal is very meticulous, but you will be fabulous! And I’m sure all your patients will love you just as much, if not more, than in your previous position. Go you!

  17. July 16, 2010 / 3:52 pm

    Have fun with your time off!!
    I LOVE saganaki!! Its so good. But I mean really, whats not to love about it?

  18. July 16, 2010 / 9:32 pm

    I had some in Greece!! Love it. I bought Haloumi a while ago not knowing that. It was an enjoyable cheese.

    Have fun during your time off :).

  19. July 17, 2010 / 8:42 am

    Enjoy your well deserved 10 days off. Sounds like the perfect time to catch up on stuff, not like that ever happens around here! I need so badly to try that grilled cheese.

  20. July 17, 2010 / 9:00 am

    I have never heard of that fried cheese..but I am not a huge cheese fan myself, although many members of my fam are, so I can still bookmark this!

  21. Kenya
    July 17, 2010 / 9:08 am

    Before his passing, my grandfather was on dialysis. As a middle aged father, he had a stroke, but fully recovered from in. As the years passed, he struggled with high blood pressure and was on medication. He was 83 when he passed, and the last 6 months he had to have dialysis 3 days a week.

  22. July 17, 2010 / 12:32 pm

    Totally jealous, I love saganaki. I love it so much that the night before my wisdom teeth removal, you know you have to be NPO by a certain time, and the greek food festival started and since after the surgery I would not be able to eat it, I made Ryan take me and I wanted to eat multiple servings. thanks for the recipe. My trouble has always been getting the right cheese for this.

    Your new job sounds cool. I did peds for a bit as staff relief and I worked with the new onest type 1s and those non-compliant kids as well in Las Vegas. Are you guys moving or were you just ready for a change?

  23. July 17, 2010 / 2:49 pm

    mmm have I mentioned how much I love haloumi?! I’ve never had it breaded, just simply pan-seared or grilled with either lemon-caper vinaigrette or a tahini-honey sauce… so good either way!

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