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My Life Outside Of Practice: Nature And Baking

By Lorraine K. Doyle, MD

In this present atmosphere of micromanagement and ridiculous regulations, I escape to the outdoors, and I canoe. The triad of motive (absurd administrative demands), opportunity (a co-worker willing to teach me), and location (Cleveland’s Metroparks) led easily to the purchase of my first canoe. The absolute joy of paddling, surrounded by wildlife and natural beauty, cannot be overestimated.

To fulfill my need to create something with my hands, I have turned to cooking. Baking has always been an outlet for me, but it remains exciting and challenging. The internet and the increase in foodie websites have led to my using heretofore unheard-of ingredients. Just as I have had to adapt to and absorb new operative techniques, cooking has led me to learn without fear of failure. Burnt pastries are a downer, for sure, but blackened cookies won’t threaten or sue me.

As for words of advice, I’ll quote my chief of surgery when I left my internship: “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” You’ve worked hard; do something (anything) that you’ve always wanted to do.

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