Perceptions of Hospital Food

At a meeting yesterday, a friend mentioned a woman bitten by a Black Spider found in grapes at the grocery store.( http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Woman-Bitten-by-Black-Widow-Spider-Found-in-Shaws-Grapes-305058121.html)  The conversation then turned into how we all feel bad for the woman and how she will not look at grapes the same way again. Another colleague mentioned that he got the flu one Thanksgiving and he didn't eat turkey on Thanksgiving for ten years!

Experience and Perception is so powerful. It could set the tone for our future experience for a long time.

Hence, it keeps me wondering. If you ask someone what they think about "Hospital Food", their first reaction will usually be negative followed by the word "Ewwhhh". It might be due to the fact that it reminded them of the time when they were sick. So, even before a patient takes a bite, often times we lose half the battle. Unfortunately perception is always stronger than reality. Sometimes I will be asked by patients or their families why does the food in the Hospital cafeteria taste so much better than the food that we served in the inpatient unit? Apart from the food quality, it could also be a couple of other reasons. It could be due to the fact that:

1) The patient is not feeling well, therefore has no appetite
2) The medication that the patient is currently taking affects the patient's taste buds
3) The patient's diet limits the amount of sodium ,fat,or variety that could be offered to them.

At the hospital cafeteria, although we offer healthy choices, the menu was not tailored to the patient's individual diet.  For example, if a patient is on a Heart Healthy diet and a family member or friends decides to buy a bacon cheeseburger for the patient from the cafeteria, of course the patient will prefer the cafeteria food.  Often times, someone will bring home cooked meals to the patients as there is nothing the patient likes from the menu selection. I agree home cooked meals are always the best as these are our comfort food. The question is, will it help the patient with their recovery?

Ten years ago, patients might only receive a few choices a day and they have to eat at a set time. At the Sodexo account at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, we offer At Your Request – Room Service Dining® (http://sodexousa.com/usen/media/press-releases/2011/atyourrequest060611.aspx) that delivers freshly prepared meals to the patient in under 45 minutes, from 7am-7pm each day. The menu offers American, Italian,Latin and Asian cuisine. It empowers the patient and gives them flexibility. They can eat what they want, when they want, so long as it falls within their dietary restrictions. It reminds me of hotel room service without the shocking prices, plus it's good for your health! We also have a group of well trained Registered Dietitians and Nutrition Care Coordinators who can assist patients with their menu selections.

So, in this article, I would like to showcase some of the items that were prepared for our Patients at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center.

I know it is hard to change a perception but I hope all readers will have an open mind and give Patient's food a chance.

Chicken breast served with Carrots and Green beans

Tuna Salad

Omelette with Vegetables and Mushrooms

Meatloaf with Butternut Squash and Asian Vegetables

Cottage Cheese with Fruits plate

Tina Lee representing Taiwan on June 16 during Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

                                    

Tina Lee will be representing Taiwan on June 16 during Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day. 

Photos of Tina Lee at past events

Left to Right: Tina, Jason (Tina's grandson) and Ching Tsai (Tina's mom)

For more information about the event, please visit our blog post for the event at
http://sodexoatlahey.blogspot.com/2015/05/save-date-june-16-2015-celebrating.html

You can also visit https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZ5vJRw to see pictures from last year event.

Hope to see you there!

Happy Memorial Day

For those of us in the United States, we are celebrating Memorial Day today. Usually there will be lots of backyard barbecue and beach days to celebrate the three-day weekend.  This holiday is also a solemn holiday as it is a day to remember and honor those who have sacrificed their lives in the armed forces for the nation. It's a day for us to give thanks to our fallen heroes and their families for their ultimate sacrifice.

In Boston, 37,000 flags were planted by volunteers in the Boston Common to honor every Massachusetts native who had sacrificed their lives in the armed forces. I visited the site this past weekend and the scene there was quite overwhelming. Everyone visiting the site was quiet- staring straight at the flags, paying their sincerest tribute and offering a moment of silence to honor our fallen heroes.

To all our fallen heroes, thank you for everything. May you rest in peace.

Introducing Marie Joujoute who along with Nadege Joseph will be representing Haiti during Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day on June 16, 2015

Marie Joujoute along with Nadege Joseph will be representing Haiti on June 16 during

Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day celebration

Left to Right: Nadege and Joujoute at Haiti table last year

Colleagues from Environmental Services at Haiti Table at past events

Colleagues from Food and Nutrition and Environmental Service singing Haiti National Anthem- La Dessalinienne during past Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day celebration

Diversity Special featuring Haitian Cuisine during Haiti Independence day 

For more information about the event, please visit our blog post for the event at
http://sodexoatlahey.blogspot.com/2015/05/save-date-june-16-2015-celebrating.html

You can also visit https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZ5vJRw to see pictures from last year event.

See you there!

Featuring Omar Zaid representing Morocco with Fruit carving during Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

Omar was born in Figuig, a town in eastern Morocco near the Atlas Mountains, near the border of Algeria. He studied Fine arts and computer science during high school. He enjoy cooking and likes to incorporate his fine arts skills in his food presentation.

He will be presenting his artistic work at the Morocco table on June 16, 2015 during the Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center from 130pm-330pm.

Hope to see you there!

Omar with Linda Clay, Director of Food and Nutrition

Inroducing Ashley Linger and Ed Thompson who will be representing USA on Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day on June 16, 2015 at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

Fore more information about the event, please visit our blog post for the event at http://sodexoatlahey.blogspot.com/2015/05/save-date-june-16-2015-celebrating.html

You can also visit https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZ5vJRw to see pictures from last year event.

Hope to see you at the event! Have a great weekend!

Introducing Zofia Swift who will be representing Poland during Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day on June 16,2015 at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

Fore more information about the event, please visit our blog post for the event at  http://sodexoatlahey.blogspot.com/2015/05/save-date-june-16-2015-celebrating.html

You can also visit https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZ5vJRw to see pictures from last year event.

See you there!

Introducing Sara Vasquez who will be representing Guatemala during Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day Celebration on June 16, 2015 at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

For more information about the event, please visit our blog post for the event at  http://sodexoatlahey.blogspot.com/2015/05/save-date-june-16-2015-celebrating.html

You can also visit https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZ5vJRw to see pictures from last year event.

See you there!

Happy Asian-Pacific American Heritage month! Serving Nepalese Chicken Salad during lunch at the World Cuisine Station today

In commemorate with the Asian-Pacific American Heritage month, we are serving Nepalese Chicken Salad during lunch at the World Cuisine Station today. The salad consist of Spinach, Nepalese baked chicken, curried Chickpeas and roasted cauliflower. For only $6.95, the salad also accompanied with a beverage.

Happy Asian-Pacific American Heritage month!

To learn more about Asian Pacific Heritage Month, please visit http://asianpacificheritage.gov/

Nepalese Salad

Left to Right: Chef David Cox and Ravi

Left to Right: Alex, Rich, Betty, Ravi, Dan and Carlton

Introducing Yaritza and Michella Isaac representing Dominican Republic during Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day Celebration on June 16, 2015 at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

For more information about the events, please visit our blog post for the event at http://sodexoatlahey.blogspot.com/2015/05/save-date-june-16-2015-celebrating.html

You can also visit https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZ5vJRw to see pictures from last year event.

See you there!

Introducing Lei Li representing China during Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day Celebration on June 16, 2015 at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

For more information about the event, please visit our blog post for the event at http://sodexoatlahey.blogspot.com/2015/05/save-date-june-16-2015-celebrating.html

You can also visit our flickr account at https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZ5vJRw to see pictures from last year event.

See you there!

Service with a Smile at the Cafeteria at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

Have you heard the quotation "You eat with your eyes"? It basically means how the food looks could determine our appetite or preference for a particular dish. I have written a post on this topic perviously http://sodexoatlahey.blogspot.com/2014/06/have-you-heard-phrase-you-eat-with-your.html.

At the cafeteria at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, we pay attention to our food presentation but we also reminded all our colleagues that their smile and positive attitude plays a big part in our Customer's dining experience.

Here sharing a few pictures of our Food presentation and our most important asset- Our People. 

Have a Happy Thursday everyone!

Display at our Entree station- BBQ chicken, Roasted cauliflower, Italian cut green beens, baked sweet potatoes and Cajun spiced roasted potatoes

Display at our World Cuisine- Fish and Chips special

Left to Right: Jason, Rich and Ayoub

Left to Right: Joan, Maria and Zofia

Left to Right: Steve, Ayoub, Jason and Silas

Jeremy

Left to Right: Sarla,Doug,Ravi and Steve

Shaina 

Left to Right: Kellsey, Lanita, Shaina and Silas

Left to Right: Genese and Chef Dave

Left to Right: Lanita, Shaina and Lindsey

Save the Date- June 16, 2015- Celebrating Diversity during Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

The Sodexo team at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center will be celebrating our colleague's diversity during the Sodexo Employee Appreciation Day on Tuesday, 6/16/15 from 130pm-330pm in the hospital 4 South East Lobby.

Colleagues from these two departments will be featuring arts and crafts, cuisine, performances and information about the countries they will represent. 

Ten countries will be featured this year:

1) Cambodia 

2) China

3) Dominican Republic 

4) Guatemala

5) Haiti

6) Morocco 

7) Puerto Rico

8) Poland

9) Taiwan 

10) United States of America

     

The events are open to everyone. Please come and join us!

Here are some pictures from past events. To view more pictures from last year events, please visit our flickr account at https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZ5vJRw

Happy Mother's Day (Sunday, May 10)

Happy Mother's Day!

Naturally a mother is the one who gave birth to us, but sometimes we come across someone special that touches our life just like our mom.  This person could be our neighbor, a friend or someone in the family.  If you haven't called your mom lately, please pick up the phone this weekend and talk to her.  Cherish them and let them know how much you love them.  If you are a mom, please take some time off today and pamper yourself. You truly deserves it!

For this special day,  I have prepared a poem for all Moms. 

Wishing all Moms (maternal or not) a Happy Mother's Day!

A Mother’s Day poem by Cassandra Loh

For nine months you sacrifice your health

To carry me whom you eagerly want to meet

I brought you tremendous discomfort

But you told me how much you love me
How you can't wait to see me

I cried the moment I was born

You cried the moment you saw me

Your miracle hand comforted me

Your love surrounded me

I grow in the blink of an eye  

I live my own life

You always ask me not to worry

You always tell me you are always there for me

Today on this mother’s day

I am wishing you happiness and good health

I want to thank you for being so selfless 

And I want to let you know how much I love you

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms!

Here are pictures of the Environmental Services and Food and Nutrition colleagues with their Mom

Tina Lee with  Joshua (her grandson) and  Ching Tsai (her mom)

Patty Vietro with her kids(Left to Right) Kevin, Jenny and Joey

Richard Delacy with his mom, Rosemarie Delacy

Left to Right: Maria Petkiewich and her mother in law, Christine McCarthy 

Picture of Mary Pittsley taken with Nalie, her grand daughter 

                    

Cassandra Loh with Baloo the bear (Disney character), Ivy (her mom) and Virgie (her godmother)