Work-Mind-Body Balance

This week's post was inspired by an amazing event that Hawaii Pacific Health held for female physicians.  It was an evening dedicated to restoring balance in our work, personal and family lives.  As a working mom, I know sometimes I feel completely overwhelmed by all of my responsibilities -work, motherhood, wifehood (is that even a word?).  I want to do it all and I feel guilty when I take a little time for myself.  Anyone else feel the same?  And, for my friends who stay at home -  they're even in more desperate need for time for themselves.So, Kapiolani organized this event which had an hour long yoga session, followed by a cooking demonstration by Chef Russell Sui of 3660 On the Rise.  The yoga was nice and relaxing.  Not hot yoga, where you're getting all sweaty and trying to get in shape.  This was yoga at its purest - good breathing and stretching.  I felt invigorated afterwards.OK, this shot was staged.  This is me in my backyard, but I forgot to take pics of the yoga session.  Don't I wish I had the motivation to do yoga by myself in my yard?  I'm doing tree pose, but i look more like a leaning pine than a tall, stately oak.Then, the the fun stuff -- the food! Chef  Russell  Siu is extremely entertaining.  He prefaced the demo with the caveat that he was asked to prepare healthy meals. "So, if you are still hungry afterwards, its not my fault!" he said half-jokingly.  Throughout the demo, he mentioned places in the recipe he might otherwise want to use butter or cheese, but couldn't because of the "healthy" limitation.  Hmmm...I got the sense he would have far preferred cooking without the healthy limitation.  But it was delicious nonetheless.Here's my friend, Dr. Deborah Yang, a dermatologist at Kaiser Permanente, and I eagerly awaiting our first course. And, the Chef himself.So, on to the meal.  Oops - I ate the soup without taking a pic first (I was very hungry after a one hour yoga session after all!).  But, here's the recipe.  All recipes are courtesy of 3660 On the Rise.

Chicken Soup With Cilantro, Onion, Tortillas and Grilled ShrimpService for 6 peopleIngredients: 12 ounces chicken breast, small dice 1 each onion, small dice 1/4 cup diced tomatoes in juice 48 ounces chicken stock 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1/2 tsp. oregano pinch of cumin 1 each bay leaf 4 wedges of lime on the side 1 each 8 inch corn tortilla, fine julienne, fried 6 each shrimp, 21-25, peeled and deveined 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 4 Tbsp. oil 1/4 tsp. basil 1/4 tsp. oregano Directions: Sauté onion with 2 Tbsp. oil in a soup pot until transparent over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to pot and sauté for about 2 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, cumin and bay leaf and sauté another 1 minute. Add diced tomatoes and chicken stock and simmer for about 20 minutes over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper Shrimp: Marinate shrimp with 2 Tbsp. oil, basil, garlic and oregano for about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper and grill.

 I did remember to take a pic of the second course, halfway through (I would be a lousy food blogger, I can't restrain myself from eating before taking the photograph of the food!).  It was delicious as well, though I don't like tomatoes.  I was surprised at how sweet the raw corn was in this meal.And, here's the recipe for the chicken pasta.

Grilled Chicken Over Pasta Shells With Slivered Onions, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Kahuku CornBasil VinaigretteService for 4 peopleIngredients: 12 ounces chicken breast 1/2 cup slivered red onions 12 each cherry tomatoes, cut in half 2 each cucumbers, Japanese. Medium diced 1 each kahuku corn, kernels only 1 1/2 cups pasta shell, raw 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated Directions: Marinate chicken breast with 1/2 of the basil vinaigrette for about 2 hours and grill until cooked. Slice and reserve in a warm area. Toss rest of ingredients with the basil vinaigrette with half of the parmesan cheese. Top salad with balance of parmesan cheese and top with the sliced chicken. Basil Vinaigrette Ingredients 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup orange juice 1/4 cup onion, sweet, diced 1 clove garlic 8 leaves basil, fresh 1/2 tsp. orange zest 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp. honey Directions Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. For a sweeter sauce add more honey.

 The next course was a pan seared salmon and was one of my favorites. I think this is easy enough that I could actually make this without a bunch of sous chefs. As you can tell, I enjoyed it and then remembered to take a picture. But, luckily, a few physicians weren't able to make it to the event, so there were leftovers, which I brought home for Jeff.  Here's his plate and he just put everything on there at one time, so it has the chicken pasta and the salmon on it.  The recipe is below: 

Pan Seared Salmon Orange Honey Jus, Parsley Red PotatoesService for 4 peopleIngredients: 4 each salmon fillet, skin off (6 ounces) 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 clove garlic, sliced 4 leaves basil, chiffonade 1 Tbsp. black pepper, cracked Directions: Marinate salmon in a ziplock back with above ingredients for about 1 to 2 hours. Orange Honey Jus Ingredients 1 cup orange juice 1 tsp. orange zest 1/2 cup white wine 1 Tbsp. shallots, brunoise 2 Tbsp. honey 5 leaves basil, chopped 1/4 cup butter, unsalted Directions In a sauce pot over medium heat, add orange juice, orange zest, white wine, shallots, honey and basil. Reduce mixture by 25%. Whisk in butter and season with salt and pepper. Strain through a chinois and keep hot.

 I mentioned that the salmon was one of my favorites and that's because the dessert - a vanilla bean panna cotta was my absolute favorite.  Unfortunately, since this was not "healthy", we were not given the recipe.  I don't even like pannacotta and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I love my work - there is nothing I would rather do.  Every day I am rewarded. I love the relationship I am able to have with my patients here in Hawaii and I truly enjoy caring for them.  I love my boys - I am blessed with 2 wonderful, sweet and healthy sons.  But, I'm a firm believer that as a woman, I also need to take more time for myself - whether it's doing yoga, going out to dinner with my girlfriends, reading, anything that recharges me.  When I've had that time, then I know I'm a better physician, mother and wife.  So, thank you Hawaii Pacific Health and all associated hospitals for such a wonderful event!