Saturday, May 31, 2008

to quench ?or not to quench?


I'm a bit of a germ-a-phobe, ironic as I'm a nurse, but somehow I manage. I never travel without my trusty hand sanitizer, I wear gloves on the subway in winter, and hold on with the crock of my elbow at all other times of the year. I never hold railings or escalator bars. I CLOROX wipe the telephone and keyboards at work and NEVER eat without a surgical scrub down of my hands.

Today, however, I found myself in a dilemma. A few miles into my run, I was dry...bone dry...my mouth was pasty and my gum stringy. I needed a drink. I thought about stopping and asking one of the vendors for a cup of ice, but remembered that this is New York and people just aren't that nice. So I pressed on.

But by the end of the 6th mile, I couldn't take it. I veered off course and went (yup, you guessed it) to the public water fountain. I couldn't get the water down fast enough, I kept gulping and gulping...it tasted so good. Refreshed ,I pulled away and trotted along, not bothing to wipe my face with my sweat laden shirt because of course that's dirty.

I finished out my run and passed another water fountain. I stopped in my tracks. My stomach turned. There, in front of me, was a homeless person washing their shirt in the fountain.

Ugh....I'm off to buy one of those ugly running belts.

Nurse Kelly + public fountains = no good.

Friday, May 30, 2008

all in a year


I've been on days for a week and truly feel like a new person. I'm awake and ready to roll at 4:45am, even before my alarm goes off. I hop out of bed and can't wait to lace up my running shoes. I was warmly welcomed back to the gym by the 5am crowd. I forgot how much more I enjoyed my morning routine than my sleepless, energy depriving night one.

Work is great too. (Let's hope that I just didn't jinx myself). As nervous as I was to rotate back to days, as it's mostly senior staff, some of who can be a teensy bit intimidating to a youngin' like myself, I jumped right back into the grove. I forgot how nice it is: to be able tank the patients for burn care and dressing changes, to have more than one resident available, to have the coffee shop open, to walk to and from work with the crowds-not against them. to sleep when it's dark outside. I could go on, but won't tease myself as this "tour of days" is only a month. Although some other staff may not agree with me, I've really enjoyed this last group of residents (for the most part). I think have baby crush on one of them, but tomorrow is his last day, and plus I think he's too old for me (36...yes? no?). He's one of the few surgeons I've met with a phenomenal bedside manner. I've seen him deliver news of a patients death with eloquence and empathy, I've seen him gently stroke the shoulder of patient who was scared shitless of being admitted. I'm crossing my fingers that the next group is just as good.

Working days has also proved to me how far I've come. Last time that I worked days, I was on orientation...I was clueless, stressed out, and still working on time management. The thought of making a suggestion to a physician damn near killed me, but now I've gone on calls with resident to the ER to decide if we should admit a patient. I was scared to question an order, now I have no issue marching up to the residents (thought still not the attendings) in my patent leather clogs, cocking my head to the side, and saying, "Really? Are you sure?" I can better anticipate what I need and have a better 6th sense about when shit is going to hit the fan.

It's amazing how far I've come in a year! Now if I only knew what I wanted to do about my future.....

FFoF

Here are this week’s four questions. The theme is “barbeque”. I guess Valmg was inspired by the spring weather us East Coasters are finally experiencing. Check out everything else she blogs about....

#1. What is your favorite food that is cooked on the barbeque?
I love seasonal veggies; however, one of my favorite smells is a hamburger cooking on a charcoal grill. (Weird, I know! But it just reminds me of childhood!)

#2. What veggies, if any, do you cook on the barbeque?
It's my mom's combo, the perfect blend: yellow peppers, purple onion, eggplant, zucchini, portabella mushrooms, asparagus, and red peppers...minced garlic, lemon, honey, salt, pepper, worcestire sauce, balsamic vinegar


#3. Tell us a little about your barbeque habits. Who grills, how often, what months, etc.
Unfortunately, apartment living doesn't really afford me the luxury grilling, but when at home the grill gets fired up at least 2 times a week even in the winter, and summers at Cape Cod, it was grilling every night! Steaks and burgers= dad; chicken and fish =mom.

#4. Share a barbeque recipe.
Grilled Pineapple and Scallops Teriyaki
*couldn't be easier*
12 large sea scallops, washed and dried
12 chunks fresh pineapple
1/4 cup bottled all-natural teriyaki sauce

Soak 6 wooden skewers in water. Toss all ingredients together in a bowl and marinate for ½ hour to 1 hour. When ready to cook, drain skewers.

Heat the grill to medium.

Place 2 pineapple chunks and 2 scallops on each skewer. Grill, turning as needed, for 6 to 8 minutes or until scallops are just cooked through.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Seeking Truth

I'm a sucker for personality quizzes. I came acorss this one and just had to check it out.
I'm a REFORMER
You're a responsible person - with a clear sense of right and wrong.
High standards are important to you, and you do everything to meet them.

You are your own worst critic, feeling ashamed if you're not perfect.
You have uncompromising integrity, and people expect you to be fair.

At Your Best: You are hopeful, honest, and inspiring. You bring out the best in humanity.

At Your Worst: You are intolerant, judgmental, and picky.

Your Fixation: Resentment

Your Primary Fear: Being corrupt.

Your Primary Desire: To be good.

Other Number 1's: Al Gore, Martha Stewart, Gandhi, Celene Dion, and Spock from Star Trek.


Whar are you? Check it out here and post a comment with your results!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Why did it have to end?

Did you ever have one of those weekends that you just don't want to end? As in, you don't have a care in the world, and life is perfect (or almost). That was me last weekend. First and foremost, I had the weekend off! I met up with a friend for dinner on Friday night. Despite the rain, we had dinner at a really cute and cozy Italian place in midtown. When we paid the bill, M's credit card fell out of the jacket and the waitstaff thought they lost it. The found it in about 2 seconds on the floor, but they comped our drinks and gave us free after dinner drinks. I let M have mine because I had a race in the morning, but the night was just perfect.

I got up early Saturday morning and headed to the park (me and about 8,000 other people). I ran the Healthy Kidney 10k race. It was a georgus day and there is nothing that makes me happier than running in the spring with a rowdy crowd cheerng me on all the way. The race was over by 10:30 and I walked back to the gym to grab my stuff. It wasn't crowded so I got in a little ab workout.

I knew that I didn't want to spend the day inside, so I ran home and showered and put on my new sundress. I decided to get my hair washed and blown out (hey, I ran a race in the morning, why not get pampered?!?!). I was in and out, with only a small dent in my wallet. I called M and we met down in Union Square and wandered around the farmers market
and looked at the "art" people were selling. No matter how old I get, I'll never understand impressionistic works...still looks like little kids finger painting to me! After picking up some fresh organic produce,) we grabbed coffee at st@rbucks and then sat around and people watched. Next thing I knew, I was on the 6 train back uptown and I dropped off my produce.


That night was E &L 's joint bday party, but we were kicking the night off at an all you can eat sushi/all you can drink sake restaurant downtown. A bunch of us girls met at E's apartment and we had some drinks. WE hopped in cabs and went the restaurant. We took up the entire back room. There were 18 guys and girls. It was so good to see everyone. I knew everyone except for 2 people....but was soon acquainted with them. The night really took off when we did the first sake bomb. A good 5 or 6 sake bombs later, we rolled out to the bar for the party. The night started off slow, but before I knew it, the place was packed. I think every single person who graduated from Penn in the last three years was there. Our friends were up from D.C and Philly., down from Boston and Connecticut. I couldn't turn around without bumping into another long last face.

At one point, three of the boys who we went to school with, but who weren't guests at the party, just happened to be at this bar. SUCH a small world...espescalliy beuase they go to Columbia and we were all the way downtown. Not long after I arrived, I introduced myself to G, one of the people who I didn't know at the sushi restaurant. Well wouldn't you know that we approximately 50 mutual friends, lived in the same freshman dorm (on the same floor), and he was equally active in Greek life at Penn. Small world, hunh? We talked and talked, and were amazed that we had never met in four years. Aside from the bonus of meeting G after four years, the party itself was awesome. I cannot recall the last time I danced so much; however, I surely am thankful for all the dancing because it probably kept me from reaching the point of no drunken return. I got to see J, who has seemingly sold herself to the I-banking Gods, and catching up with her was well overdue! I think people were most shocked to see both she and myself, as our schedules are the least forgiving when it comes to socializing. But it sure does make you feel good when people say, "So happy to see you out! We miss you!" I don't know where the night went. Sometime between leaving the party and trying to get home on the subway, G and I met up...I ended up coming home in a taxi. No more details, just in case my mom and dad ever come across this post.

Sunday was a lazy, loungy day. It was my "day off" from running, so I slept in, savoured my morning coffee and went both yoga and pilates! (Did I mention how much I LOVED having the weekend off?!?!) After my enjoyable morning and afternoon,I had to face the music and get ready for work. So glad that I was still on my high from the weekend, because work was depressing. HIPPA doesn't really let me talk about my high profile patients, but all I can say is, if you are in any way spiritual, say a little prayer for J. No 9 year old deserves what happened to him.

And on that note, I;m done. I'm working this weekend, so it's not a holiday weekend for me, but things are looking up because starting Monday, I'm working a month of day shifts! Get ready people, nurse Kelly's blog will be hot, hot, hot!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Four Foods on Friday: the big 3-0

To join in the fun, go here and see how you can play.

#1. What’s your favorite white beverage? If you don’t have one, what’s your favorite beverage with something white in it?

D*nkin D*nuts Vanilla Chai...at least it used to be, until I realized that it was more cream/sugar/fat than actual chai! hahah, still soooooo yummy

#2. What’s your favorite white gravy, sauce, condiment, dressing or topping?
Cool Whip!

#3. What’s your favorite white item from the refrigerated section?
Vanilla Soy Milk


#4. Share a recipe for something white.
Coconut Snowflake Cookies
from my trusty Whole Foods Cookbook

1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup fine unsweetened coconut
3/4 cup oatmeal, coarsely ground in a blender
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup rice syrup
1/4 cup barley malt
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon orange extract

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Combine flour, coconut, ground oatmeal, soda and salt in a medium sized bowl.
Blend oil, rice syrup and barley malt together in a small bowl.
Add egg, vanilla and orange extract.
Combine liquid ingredients with flour mixture. Batter will be stiff.
Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a lightly oiled cookie sheet.
Press cookies with a fork to about 1/2 inch thickness. Bake for 12–14 minutes or until bottoms are golden.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

too bad you missed this

If anyone s having a bad day, keep on reading. My stupidity (or charma) will surely make you laugh.

I worked the last three nights. Again, I was taking care of our pediatric patients, so it's pretty much constant activity ALL night. Can I say one thing here? INSTANT BIRTH CONTROL. Nurse Kelly isn't ready for any lil babes of her own yet! Even if they are so cute and adorable! Sorry, I'm getting off topic. Oh yes, I worked the last three nights and I'm exhausted. I had to schedule a delivery for our replacement P*land Sprin% water cooler, but of course, unless I wanted to wait 2 weeks, the only available time they had was this morning between 7am-12noon. Well I don't even get off work until 8, so I had to beg and plead and pretty much offer my soul for them to come after 8:30. Pretty sure when I made this call last night, I said, "I'll even have a fresh pot of coffee." What the hell was I thinking?

I arrived home this morning at 8:25. Took a 1 minute shower and threw on my sweats and t-shirt (sexy, right?!?). I parked my bum on the couch with a book and tried to read. Mission failed. I turned on the TV. I must admit, I saw more coverage on American Idol and Dancing With the Stars than was necessary in a 2 hour period. Must have seen the same TV clips 20 times! I was fighting hard to stay awake. I did fall asleep a few times but quickly jerked and woke myself up (I hate that feeling!) The last time I jerked, I also realized that I had a large drool spot on my shirt....nice.

At 11:54 the delivery man came to change out the water cooler. (Note to O &A- I made sure that I wasn't wearing the infamous white tank top from the flower delivery incident last year). Well there was a slight problem. Our old cooler had a full jug of water attached to it. Let's just say we had a little flood here this morning. I cleaned up the mess and went to lie down for a an hour or so. I couldn't have been in bed 5 minutes when the high school on our block began band practice. Yup, lots of clanging, banging, and one band teacher who isn't warning his paycheck! I realized that I wasn't going to get any sleep so I dressed in my better clothes and figured I'd do some errands and household chores.

#1- Laundry, three loads. Whoops I washed my fleece with a sweater. Result? Swiss Cheese Sweater, lovely.

#2-Recycling. Sort the plastic and paper into separate bags to bring down to the utility room. So what if the bags are stuffed to the max, why bother using another bag? Answer: Because the bag will break in the elevator and as the door open all your "trash" lands at your neighbors feet.

#3-Grocery Shopping. In my fog to leave for the store, I forgot my reusable canvas bags. I bought a jar of better'n peanut butter and a jar of almond butter. I guess that plastic bag was heavy because as I was crossing the street, I felt a "thug" on my big toe,looked down, and saw my $12.00 jar of almond butter rolling down the street. As I swung my body around to chase it, the B'N'P also flew out, except it smashed in the street. Before I knew it, my almond butter was cracked and oozing out against the tire of a parked car and my B'N'P was a a lumpy, glass mess. Bye, bye $18.00.

#4-Showering, properly. Standing under the warm water, I soon realize that my feet are in 2 inches of water. I'm no plumber, but I'd have to say clogged drain. I washed off the soap and turned off the water. I threw on a rubber glove (Nurse Kelly is already prepared). I fished around for a minute and pulled out a HUGE hairball. As in, my roommate and I should be bald. We would make a Lock-4-Love wig with all that hair.

Luckily the rest of my day ha been uneventful, maybe because I'm going to bed and it's 7pm.

G'night folks.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Week 29 of FFoF

#1. What’s your favorite beverage containing chocolate or chocolate flavoring?
Oh, that would have to be the drink I discovered in St. Maarten...."Dirty BBC": baileys, banana, coconut, rum and chocolate syrup.

#2. What’s your favorite chocolate bar? OR Share a pic of your favorite candy, chocolate or otherwise.
chocolate and mint in any combination is a winner in my book.

#3. What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten that had chocolate in it?
I had chocolate sushi at a wedding. It was so creative (and tasty).


#4. Share a recipe using chocolate.
Grilled Brown-Sugar Peaches with White Chocolate
from Bon Appetit, June 2006

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 unpeeled peaches, halved, pitted
1/3 cup finely chopped white chocolate
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped toasted salted pistachios
preparation

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Whisk first 3 ingredients in large bowl to blend. Add peach halves; toss to coat well. Place peaches, cut side down, on grill. Grill until slightly charred, about 1 minute. Using tongs, turn peaches over. Divide chopped white chocolate among peach cavities and drizzle remaining butter mixture from bowl over chocolate. Grill until chocolate just begins to melt and peaches are charred, about 2 minutes. Divide peach halves among bowls. Sprinkle with pistachios and serve.


Pop on over to here to join in on this weekly meme fun!

in need of coffee

When it rains, it pours. I'm sitting down for the first time tonight. So far I've: had a baby puke all over me and throw up his NG tube simultaneously; reinserted the said feeding tube; gotten a new admission; had another kid pull out his NGT tube; reinserted that tube; been down to the ER to look at an admission with the residnet becuase he ALMOST sent home a patient with 2nd degree scald burns over 1/2 of her abdomen, blisters oozing; done burn care on my 4 patients; started an IV on a kid who's so far beheind on their PO intake; changed diapers on my patient who's parents couldn't be bothed to stay the night; fed the previous patient...every 2 hours;talked down an irate parent in the hall; begged the residnet to write orders for my new admission so I can do burn care.,argued with the pharmacy about not sending up my patients antibiotics on time....and oh yeah, charting, all that charting. All this an it's only midnight. What does Nurse Kelly need right now? Coffee.

Friday, May 09, 2008

trial and error

I've had to do a lot of experimenting with what I can eat before I go out for a run. It's harder that one would think to find the perfct balance of carbs and protein within the timeframe you have to eat (in my case 30-45 minutes prior to the run).

You don't want it to have too much salt becuase then you'll be thirsty. You don't want it to be too sweet becuae that churns your stomach. Potassium is key to prevent muscle cramps. and avoid high fat foods becuase they don't digest quickly enough.

I can't drink anything but water and/or strawberry crystal light while I'm out for a run, but my issues are with the pre-run fuel.

*I tried half of a PB sandwich with some bananas but it sat like a ton of bricks in my stomach.
*I tried KAshi Go-LEAN CRUNCH bars, but they were too sweet and made me nauseous
*I tried drinking one of these smoothies, but quickly learned that sloshed around a little too much in my tummy.

I was frustrated. I wanted to find a snack that gave me that kick without weighing me down. And then it happened. I came home from work the other day and inadvertently threw my Odawlla green juice in the freezer (blame it on sleep deprivation). When I woke up from my nap and went to get some ice, I noticed my error. However, my bottle was sitting right next to my frozen bananas. Hmm....what about some frozen popsicles? I checked the refrigerator and grabbed a new bottle. I poured it into the blender and added in 2 frozen bananas....puree...pour inro ice-cube trays with popsicle sticks sticking out....freeze for 2 hours and voila! Potassium Protein Pops!

Now let me tell you, they were not only a whole 'lotta YUM, but they kept me charged! So if you find yourself in search of a qucik energy boost, try my Double P Energy Pops!

1 Bottle Odowalla Green-machine juice
2 frozen bananas cut into chunks
1 ice cube tray or popsicle tray set


Put 1/2 of bananas in blender, pour all the juice in, put in 2nd 1/2 of bananas.
Puree in blender
Pour into molds
Freeze for 2 hours
Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

*four- foods- friday*

Here are this week’s four questions. The theme is “chicken”.

Well, since you all know that I'm a vegerterian, this week is silly for me, but I'll do my best!

#1. How do you make chicken salad?
My grandpa loves when I make this version....
chopped poached skinless chicken breast, light mayo, chopped celery, cumin, salt, pepper, lemon juice

#2. Fast food chicken. What fast food restaurant makes the best chicken?
I've been told Wendy's grilled chicken sandwitch

#3. What’s your favorite way to eat chicken?

No way. No clucking creatures for me.

#4. Share a recipe using chicken or take a picture of a chicken dish.
I went out for Mexican tonight, so here's a picture of some chicken enchiladad



Don't be shy, join this FFOF meme.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008


Thank goodness spring has sprung. Finally time to hit the park! I was getting cabin fever and those 10 mile runs on the treadmill were getting old. Now, if I could only do something about having to go to work....

Saturday, May 03, 2008

A Letter to My Nemice

Dear On-Call Resident from Sunday Night,

Normally, I ignore your larger than life attitude and pompous arrogance. However, after Sunday night, you really should rethink how you treat the nurses. We're human too.

When I paged you the first time and you didn't call back, I gave you the benefit of the doubt. This a very busy ICU and we have lots of sick patients. When I paged you the second time and you didn't call back, I gave you the benefit of the doubt, I knew there was an admission in the ER. When I paged you the third time via text page to relay my message that Ms. L's complaints of pain at her IJ removal site, that she couldn't move her neck, and it was painful to the touch and you STILL didn't call me back...I started to get annoyed. Sorry sister, I went over your head and paged the fellow. Lucky for you, she was tagging along on your little adventures and didn't get right back to me.

I really do not appreciate the fact that when I finally saw you on the floor, 45 minutes after the 3rd page, and approached you about seeing my patient that you barked at me, "I'll get to it." Have you not paid any attention to SBAR. A time frame would have been nice. Lucky for you, I bit my tongue and repeated, "This patient needs to be seen now. I've been paging you for almost 3 hours. She is in excrutiang pain and it's affecting her vital signs. She's tachycardic and hypertensive and diaphoretic. Thankyouverymuch."

Your throwing of the pen across the counter and slamming of the papers was quite unnecessary. Your curt tone and rough "assessment" of my patient was uncalled for. When she flinched before you even touched her neck, you should have backed off, not dove right in to make the woman scream. Your thought that, "She's got some phlebitis. Nothing I can do for it tonight, she's already anti-coagualted." Wasn't that helpfull. As you went about your business, I kept an eye on you. I know that when I paged you again two hours later to report the patient was having some minor mental status changes, that you were sitting at the computer. You should have come to see the patient when you got up before you decided to go bronch Mr. S. In case you were wondering, I most certainly did page you three times while you were in with Mr. S. I will not be ignored!

When the patients lab values came back at 4am (did I mention that this patient was an extremely hard stick but that I was able to get blood myself, without paging you to do an arterial stick?!?!?) and her WBC count had jumped from 11.5 to 17.5 and I relayed this message onto you and you replied, "Yeah. So. It's 4am I haven't looked at lab values yet." THAT WASN'T COOL. Given this patients current condition and her history, you should have been in that room faster than lighting. I'm really happy that when you finally went in to assess the patient, after I followed you around like a lost puppy dog for 15 minutes, and you then touched the site and Goren puss came oozing out that I was standing right there to comment, "Phelebitis, hunh?" Boy did that comment feel good! Sorry it was inconvenient for you that you now had to culture the patient but maybe you should have thought about that hours ago when I first brought this to your attention.

I had to bite my tongue hard when you bitched and moaned about now having "another thing to do." Correct me if I'm wrong, isn't this your job? Oh yeah, that's right, my error. Someone made you take the MCAT's, apply to medical school, complete 4 years of medical school, apply to a residency program, and become a doctor. Seriously lady, get a grip.

after a quick prayer to the IV God's I managed to get an IV in this ladies arm so she could get her STAT dose of antibiotics. Did I gloat to you? NO.

I found it ironic that during AM rounds with the fellow you provided a beautiful narrative of the nights events...perfectly describing what YOU did, what YOU noticed, what YOU caught...weren't you the one who didn't even want to assess the patient?

So can you explain to me why you did nothing but complain about "the nurses" all night. Oh and FYI, I heard when you said, "The one with glasses (me)... She's ridiculously demanding and just doesn't get it. She couldn't. She's just a nurse". But I DO GET IT! I think you don't. Yes, I am a nurse and I'm not disputing that fact. However, I think you need to realize something. I'm not some dumb ass who says stuff to hear myself speak. Look lady, I've got an Ivy League education, perhaps better than your no-name medical school education, and I've had enough of your BS.

Do me a favor, actually two of them. First, shut up! Then, grow up! We're all here for the good of the patients, but if that's too much for you, I've got some bad news...you just wasted $250,000 on an education that isn't going to lead to a career.

Signed,
Nurse Kelly
(better thought of by you as "the relentless dumbass who clearly identified what was wrong with the patient hours before you even looked at the patient but isn't capable of making recommendations because she's just a nurse")

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Because It Wouldn't Be Friday Without...

Here are this week’s four questions. To join in on the fun, go here.

#1. What brand of frozen dinners do you think are the best and why?
I don't eat frozen dinners, but my roomate (who is the queen of premade food) is all about Lean Cuisine Spa Selections and Cafe Classics

#2. What is your favorite frozen waffle or breakfast food?
Frozen berries blended with soymilk and bananas. I throw in a little flax seed and tofu and voila! drinkable meal

#3. Frozen appetizers. Which one is your favorite?
Vegetable Spring Rolls

#4. Share a recipe or meal made from at least one frozen food.
Spicy Vegetable Chow Mein

10 ounces (1 package) Chinese egg noodles
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons peanut oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced ginger
1 celery stalk, sliced thinly on the diagonal
*1 large carrot, peeled, cut in half lengthwise and sliced
1 cup snow peas, strings removed
1 cup shiitake mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced
1/2 cup bean sprouts
*
*use an oriental blend of frozen vegetables. WAY less prep time :)

Sauce
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to your taste)

Cook noodles according to package directions, and rinse under cold water. Drain thoroughly then toss with sesame oil. Heat one tablespoon of the peanut oil in a wok or large sauté pan, just until smoking. Add pasta, reduce heat, and brown one side until firm and slightly golden, about four minutes. Turn over, heat another tablespoon of oil, and brown other side. Set aside.

Defrost vegetables for 3 minutes and drain off water. Heat remaining tablespoon of peanut oil and sauté garlic and onions. Add remaining vegetables and sauté on high heat until vegetables are almost cooked. Whisk together the sauce ingredients. Add sauce and sauté until vegetables are tender but still crunchy. Serve over pasta.