Have you ever wondered what physician family life is really like? Is it all champagne and caviar, or more like 5-hour energy drink and Cup O' Noodles ramen? 

I'm demystifying it all in a new guest blog for The Flipside Life, an organization dedicated to the well-being of physician families (like mine). 

Read more about medical life glitz vs. grit in The Flipside Life blog, which features an excerpt from my book, "Memoirs of a Surgeon's Wife: I'm Throwing Your Damn Pager into the Ocean." 

Find all of my bylines and media mentions here. 

Raise a glass and get to reading!

Thanksgiving is child’s play, right?
 
You simply prepare and serve a harvest-themed feast for a massive group of ‘eclectic’ relatives while keeping your home spotless and your children off the America’s Most Wanted list.
 
You tastefully decorate in shades of burnt sienna and copper. You burn pumpkin spice latte scented candles.
 
You do NOT burn your house down. I repeat – do not burn your house down. This is not part of the plan. Keep a watchful eye on that oven.
 
Each of your seven gourmet, scratch-made pies are ready to go before your guests arrive. 

You, dear hostess, have already showered and even bothered to put on lipstick and some jewelry. The host donned a pair of pants. You’re ready to rock.
 
Even though more than half of your guests never officially RSVP’d, you’re prepared.
 
There is seating for everyone, including the dogs that are apparently coming to dinner. Because…these dogs cannot be left alone. Whatever.
 
All that is left to do is enjoy lively, non-political conversation and bask in the glow of your own awesomeness?
 
Ummm…Yeah…If you didn’t detect my overwhelming sarcasm, I’ll let you in on the secret: Thanksgiving only goes like this in your dreams!

Here are 15 awesome Thanksgiving hacks that save time and energy – For REAL people 
​
1.  Get thee a bucket.
​Visit any home improvement store to purchase a 5-gallon all-purpose bucket, which you can use to brine your turkey for ultimate flavor satisfaction. Just don’t use your bucket for this, for the love of God. And check ahead of time that the bucket fits inside your fridge, or plan to store it in your garage if temperatures are cold enough. 

2.  Chop your chopping time.
​Rather than spending hours chopping everything yourself, visit the fanciest grocery store salad bar you can find and load up on pre-chopped goodness: onions, celery, peppers, bacon, whatever you need. 

3.  Sleep on it.
​Set your Thanksgiving table the night before, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. You can also do this with your Thanksgiving dinner outfit by choosing and then laying it out. 

4.  Print to prep.
​Print all your recipes before T-Day, and arrange them in order of preparation timing. You may even like to secure the printouts to your kitchen cabinets with painter’s tape to keep the flow going while you cook. 

​5.  Got fridge space?
​When you’re feeding a crowd, it’s tough to find enough space to stow all that food until meal time. If you don’t have an extra refrigerator to act as a pinch hitter, lug out your summer cooler and fill it with pre-prepped Thanksgiving food or any food currently taking up too much room in your fridge. 

6.  Put your crockpot(s) to work.
​Your slow cooker is a great place to stash those perfectly buttery mashed potatoes or sugary sweet potatoes in a warm and cozy environment without sacrificing a stovetop burner. You could even warm green beans or stuffing in the crockpot on keep warm mode. 

7.  You’d butter try this.
​Oh yeah, I went there. Instead of manually cutting in butter for biscuits and pie crusts, grate that butter stick right into the mix. 

8.  Roll with it.
​My mom taught me this trick (because she is THE GREATEST!). To roll perfect pie or biscuit dough without the mess, grab a piece of parchment paper about the size you’ll eventually want the pie to be, and put it on top of your dough ball. Then roll it out with the parchment between the rolling pin and the dough. It works like a charm. 

9.  Create your own pie weights.
​If you’re baking pie, you will need some sort of pie weight to prevent the shell from puffing up during pre-baking. Pie weights are expensive and rarely used. Instead, line the dough with foil or wax paper and use dried beans, uncooked rice or uncooked pasta to do the job.

​10.  Get a jump on dessert.
​It’s just not realistic to have fresh pies right out of the oven after you’ve already cooked enough for the whole neighborhood. Make your pumpkin or pecan pies a day or two ahead of time and keep refrigerated. You can do the same with cranberry sauce. On the big day, remove from the fridge and let the pies come to room temperature. 

11.  Make an organic turkey rack.
​You don’t need a fancy-schmancy roasting rack for your turkey. Elevate your poultry on a chunky bed of carrots, celery and quartered onions. The flavor addition is a nice bonus.

​12.  Keep that gravy warm.
​This is pure genius: keep that luscious gravy warm in an insulated mug/thermos until serving time, then transfer it to a gravy boat. 

13.  Save your dry bird.
​If you overdid it on the turkey, don’t beat yourself up. Just drizzle it with warm chicken broth to bring back moisture and add flavor.

14.  Pretend your guests are your temporary personal assistants. Think of a few easy, out-of-the-way tasks that can be done by guests who (inevitably) ask how they can help. Examples: filling water glasses, opening wine bottles, taking coats and purses to a designated area, passing appetizers, entertaining kids, smuggling vodka to you on the sly. What? Who said that?

15.  Get your gourd on.
​No official ice bucket for your white or sparkling wine? Carve out the inside of a pumpkin (no, not your spongy Halloween leftovers—a fresh one, dude). Throw a glass or metal bowl in there if it will fit. Add ice. Add alcohol. Voila! Festive pumpkin ice bucket. 

Onward, Thanksgiving experts! On this day, ye shall reign supreme.
 
What Thanksgiving tips and tricks do you swear by? Leave a comment!

I’m not one of those people who can say they have visited 100 out of 195 countries. Not even close.
 
So far, I’ve been to Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Italy, India, Spain, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, St. Martin, and Germany (airport only, which doesn’t really count). Next month we’ll visit the UK for the first time (yay for London and Bath!).
 
A small fraction of this big, beautiful earth.
 
There is always more to see, more to do. Here’s why I will forever answer that call for adventure.
 
9 Reasons I Will Never Stop Traveling

1.  Exotic food.
​Okay, truth time: Food is one of the primary motivations for anything I do, but I especially look forward to sampling local delights when I travel. Buttery naan and expertly cooked curry in Agra. Hand-made and freshly caught squid ink pasta in Venice. Decadent churros con chocolat in Madrid. Hearty lamb stew in Killarney. OMG, I’m hungry. 

2.  New languages.
When I travel internationally, I enjoy challenging myself to learn some of the local language. At least enough to order food in a restaurant (see: reason #1 for traveling). I rely on phrase books and audio tapes to help guide me. 

3.  Unfamiliar terrain.
New landscapes are a fantastic change of scenery (pun intended), especially if the natural beauty or architecture is unique to the city or region. I’ll never forget the gracefully rolling hills and ancient castles of Ireland or the intimate cobblestone streets of Madrid. We can all use a break from what we see day in and day out. 

4.  History in abundance.
Here in the United States, our history doesn’t stretch as far back as other civilizations. I love getting lost in the history of another culture, imagining what life was like hundreds or even thousands of years ago.

5.  Breaking with routine.
It’s healthy to break through the monotony of our daily lives, to mix it up. It can open our eyes to new possibilities and recharge our spirit. 

6.  Experiencing another culture.
As Americans, we occasionally forget that we don’t *NEED* unlimited refills on our 64-ounce Cokes or drive-thru access to our meals. Other cultures are often better at slowing down, enjoying the moment, and appreciating the little things.

7.  New experiences for our children.
What better way to see how other people live than to experience it for oneself? I treasure the way travel gives our daughter a broader perspective and empathy for other people. 

8.  Using that old rusty brain.
When you’re plunged into an unfamiliar place, you put your brain to work by navigating, communicating with locals, and absorbing the sights and sounds. 

​9.  Treasured memories rather than things.
If I had to choose between a memorable trip and a bar of pure gold, guess which I would choose? Memories and experiences are priceless, and stay with us throughout our lives.

What do you love about travel? Which destinations are on your bucket list? Leave a comment!

Sometimes when I’m cleaning up a puddle of pee or begging my toddler to put on pants, I dream. I dream of a world run by moms.
 
Dream with me, friends.
 
Welcome to a World Run by Moms

All doors at shopping malls, grocery stores and restaurants are wide enough to accommodate a double stroller.
 
There is no such thing as ‘mom jeans’, only ‘your booty looks fabulous jeans’.
 
Paid maternity leave is guaranteed for ALL moms.
 
Diaper changing stations are available in all men’s restrooms, and those restrooms are clean as a whistle. Why isn’t this already a thing?
 
Mornings are peaceful and nag-free. Kids dress themselves, use the bathroom, brush their teeth and hair, and eat breakfast without the constant power struggle. 

Businesses offer free, on-site day care for working moms.
 
Moms in a hurry can opt for the express check-out lane reserved for moms in every store.
 
Anyone traveling with a child (mom, dad or grandparent) is granted unlimited carry-on baggage. Oh yeah, and they enjoy priority boarding, like in the good old days.
 
Car seats are designed to be buckled and un-buckled one-handed.
 
Workplaces are equipped with pumping rooms and napping rooms for new moms.
 
Eating chocolate burns calories rather than piling them on. 

No more mom brain – your to do list magically takes care of itself.
 
Nail and hair salons offer a playground and supervised childcare for your kiddos.
 
Feeling achy? Text the Mobile Mom Masseuse Squad to work out those kinks while you're on the go.
 
When a mom decides she is done having children, she is offered a complimentary tummy tuck and a spa day, because she deserves it.
 
Can’t make it through your errands without a cat nap? Check into Hotel Mom for an hour or two, a plush sanctuary for you to get some rest (childcare provided). 

Every new mother is matched with a highly qualified personal assistant while they figure things out.
 
Out of milk and diapers? Breeze through your friendly neighborhood baby emergency supply drive-thru.
 
Local baristas are trained to memorize their mom customers’ orders to help speed things along. In fact, they have your drink ready as you walk through the door.
 
When you’re up late feeding your baby, click on the Entertain Mom app, filled with hilarious YouTube videos, memes and articles just for moms. 

About to have a total freak-out moment? Step into a discreet, sound-proof Freak Out Pod, and scream and swear to your heart’s content.
 
Moms night out = any damn night (or day) you please.
 
A museum-quality curation service arranges and displays your kids’ art perfectly in your home.
 
Women and men are paid equally. Because we are LITERALLY doing the exact same work. Again, why is this not reality?
 
Drinking fountains are expanded to include coffee fountains, filled with organic cold brew, of course. 

No time to get dolled up before work or a play date? Stop into a beauty café, and a skilled makeup artist will do your makeup while you wait for your latte.
 
No need to worry about re-stocking that diaper bag. It restocks itself when supplies get low.
 
Got a personal haz-mat situation, thanks to a baby spit up or blowout? Pop into a Freshen Up Pop Up for moms, where you can grab a quick shower and a change of clothes without stinking up your car.
 
Ummmm…any entrepreneurial moms out there who want to make this happen? I. Am. In!

Keeping a toddler entertained. No easy task, without the help of a tablet.
 
Fear not, parents everywhere! You CAN find fun for the whole family on your cruise!
 
Now that you’ve snagged a super deal on your cruise adventure, you’re ready to start planning your itinerary and building your arsenal of things to do.
 
Ideas and Tips for Entertaining a Toddler on a Cruise

Children’s activities and programs vary significantly by cruise line. Disney cruises, for example, offer character experiences, waterslides, themed deck parties, and more. Most other cruise lines are not as kiddo-centric as Disney.
 
We recently took a cruise to Alaska on Holland America Line (HAL). Holland America offers Club HAL, a supervised space for children ages 3-17 with age-appropriate activities and toys. Unfortunately, we could not take advantage of this free offering, since our daughter isn’t yet three. We asked the staff if we could allow our daughter to play in the club space while we watched her, but they said it was against corporate policy. Bummer.
 
Since we couldn’t use the Club HAL space and there was no playground on the ship, we had to get creative to keep our daughter happy and active on board.

What to do when you’re desperate
We don’t allow screen time for our toddler unless she’s on a plane or train, or if it’s a special occasion like a party.
 
But if you’re desperate for a way to calm your toddler, HAL has en-suite smart TVs that feature an impressive selection of kids’ movies, including “Moana”, “Sing”, “Finding Dory”, “Pets”, and more. The interface was incredibly easy to use.
 
You may also want to bring a tablet.
 
Easy as pie, right?

Next Time: Secrets to a Successful Family Cruise with Toddlers.

​In the final installment of this series, I will reveal the remaining de-classified tips for having a blast on your family cruise.
 
*Author’s note: these opinions are my own based on my personal experiences. I have not been paid to endorse any businesses, products or services in this blog

You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Cruise with kids: Travel tips for cruising with toddlers (baby/toddler travel guide series)
Baby/toddler travel guide series: going international
Baby/toddler travel guide series: what to pack
Baby/toddler travel guide series: the essentials!
Vacation time! Why I’m actually vacationing on my vacation
Vacation fun: 44 things you only do when you're on vacation or holiday
Travel: Insider’s guide to the best Seattle outdoor activities
Your insider Seattle trip planner: lodging (where to stay) and getting around (rental car or no rental car?)
An insider’s guide to Seattle’s Pike Place Market
60 fun and unique date ideas for the young at heart
Parenting: A no-fuss guide to your toddler’s birthday party for Pinterest-fatigued parents
What I never expected about Midwest living
How to be the perfect friend: a guide for the ladies
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned