July 28, 2010 (Updated April 12, 2023)

My Last Day of Work!

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

58 comments

Good morning!

Today is my last day of work! Crazy… I can’t believe how quickly this summer has flown by. As you know, I’ll be moving to Chapel Hill, NC in a couple weeks to go back to school full time for my MPH-Nutrition! The program is 2.5 years and when I’m done I’ll be ready to take the exam to become a Registered Dietitian. Hooray! (New readers — to read more about my journey back to school after 6 years in the working world, check out this post.)

I dragged myself out of bed this morning to hit the gym before work and am now diving into a delish breakfast before heading out! I’m sure you can guess what I had:

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Yep, another of my vegan Almond Butter Banana Breakfast Bars! So obsessed with these. I think they get better every day!

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Along with my breakfast bar, I enjoyed a smoothie made with:

  • Skim milk
  • A dollop of nonfat plain Greek yogurt (to thicken it up)
  • Frozen blueberries
  • Half a super ripe banana
  • Ice

Yum yum! I used to loathe using my blender because I never wanted to clean it, but I’ve discovered the secret is to rinse it out right away after you use it, then you don’t have to clean it! Every 5 or so uses I’ll give it a real scrub down, but just rinsing it out does the trick in between 🙂

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Yep, my cup says “Chug!” along the rim. Clearly from college. Don’t judge. 😉

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I also packed up a quick afternoon snack — some yogurt, cut up peaches, and fresh blackberries. Yum!

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No 5 minute packable lunch today — I’ve requested we all go to Corner Bakery as my “last meal.” 😉 I’ll be sad to say goodbye to my coworkers! 🙁 But excited to start my new adventure.

Have you ever made a big career change?

…

p.s. I am featured as the “Cook of the Week” on the Better Recipes blog The Daily Dish! Check it out to hear how I first got into cooking and to read some of my favorite healthy cooking tips 🙂

Breakfast + Brunch Smoothies & Drinks Snacks
- anne

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58 comments
  • Nicole
    Congrats on your last day of work! I haven't made a big career change, but i plan on it in the next 2 years!
    Reply
  • Marilou @ Mostly Healthy
    I did not completely change my kind of work, but I went from being the manager of a store to work for a big corporate business. It's was kinda weird going from the top of a small world, to the very bottom of the big world.
    Reply
  • Jessica @ How Sweet
    Made a career change that sucked a big one! Making another one now though. :)
    Reply
  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    Enjoy the last day of work! Oh, and that's exactly the reason I never use my blender. Cleaning it is such a pain!
    Reply
  • Cynthia
    I am debating a career change. Actually, I am debating becoming a registered dietician just like you! I went to school for something else, but I don't think it was my calling, so to speak. And as my husband says, I am a little obsessed with food, health, and nutrition. That definitely seems to be my passion. Good luck on following yours!
    Reply
  • Red Head, Yellow Dog
    yay! i still have 2 more years of graduate school at UNC so hopefully we will cross paths at some point!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Yes we definitely should meet up when I get down there! :)
      Reply
  • J
    Congratulations on your last day! Depending on the blender, you can put a drop of dishsoap and some water in there and turn it on the slow setting for a few seconds to clean it out. Then just rinse and let dry.
    Reply
  • Amelia
    I am making a career change now. In two weeks I am moving to Colorado and will be going back to school to become an R.D. I currently work as a pastry chef, so this is definitely a big change. I am so excited!
    Reply
  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    oh my goodness, it felt like it was so far away and now today's the last day! crazy how time flies! :) i am in the process of making a big career change...but i wouldn't change it for the world :)
    Reply
  • Lindsay
    I'll admit, my favorite part of this post is the cup! I have the same one and I still use it all the time!! Have a great last day of work!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Haha! Theta theta theta! ;)
      Reply
  • Jessica
    Have fun on your last day, Corner Bakery will be so worth it! Can't wait to have a new place to visit. My big career change...ha, sometimes I feel like that is an understatement :) So happy for you, the next month will be so crazy then a new adventure begins!
    Reply
  • Matt
    The last day is always a sad one :(
    Reply
  • Kris S
    Yay! Congrats on your last day! :) Um, no career changes for me... 28 and been in school since I was.. 3? Yup!
    Reply
  • Caity
    After much debate, i am heading back to school for a career change -- to become an RD too!!! it is so scarey but I know I can do it. Good luck on your last day and with all your new challenges! Can't wait to read about them, and compare to my own.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Yay! Good luck to you as well :)
      Reply
  • KaraHadley
    Enjoy your last day! And don't worry, you'll definitely love NC once you get here.
    Reply
  • Dorry
    I've changed "careers" many times! From teaching to Real Estate to Advertising, etc. I think it takes a while to figure out how you really want to spend your time! I'm so excited for you and this next adventure!!
    Reply
  • Sami
    Happy last day of work! :) Enjoy it!! And I couldnt agree more a bout cleaning the blender....My Mom cringes everytime I DON'T actually wash it, but she just doesn't understand...haha.
    Reply
  • Alejandra
    I actually just turned in my resignation yesterday and I'm about to make a big career change!
    Reply
  • Cynthia (It All Changes)
    Congrats! I would love to get a degree in nutrition just I knew about how to feed myself better and my family.
    Reply
  • RhodeyGirl
    You want to know the FASTEST way to clean a blender? Come to my HLS presentation!!! hahahahah no really... you full the blender with warm water and some dish soap and put the blender on high for about 20 seconds. It cleans the sides really well. Then all you have to do is rinse of the soapy water and it is crystal clear and beautifully clean.
    Reply
  • Anna
    Exciting times ahead!
    Reply
  • Megan (Braise the Roof)
    Last days are always a funny feeling- especially when you like your coworkers! :) Enjoy the day and good vibes for your big move and career change!
    Reply
  • Amanda @ My Switch to Scrubs
    I have been an Office Manager for a Foundation for 3 years, and will be leaving at the end of the year to start Dental Hygiene School in January. HUGE career change! I was with you in the pre-requisite boat last year...lots of Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology...oh my!
    Reply
  • Heather C
    Look at you, Chef Anne!! :) Congrats, thats so cool. Just think, next time you are paid do to something, it'll be in reference to food and nutrition. Whoop!
    Reply
  • Jenna
    Wowza, congrats on your last day of work and the new journey that is about to begin. So exciting!
    Reply
  • Allie
    congrats on the last day- great things are ahead of you! i see rhodeygirl beat me to the blender cleaning secret! seriously so easy!!!
    Reply
  • angie
    I wish I was as brave as you. I would like to do the same thing, I want to go back to do something with nutrition and exercise but don't know if I have the time and money. Plus I am married and would have to possible move to do this, which I can't do at this time. My degrees are in Accounting and Finance. Good luck on the move !
    Reply
  • Renie
    Hi Anne, Your new profession wll be so rewarding. I am very happy for you, and you will love Chapel Hill, NC. By the way, I tried Oikos organic fat free plain yogart for the first time yesterday and it so rich and creamy, love it. I mixed it wth blueberries and 1/2 pack splenda. ( I just have to have a sweet taste to enjoy).I also made your Almond Butter Banana Breakfast Bars and they are soooooooooooooo good.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I'm so glad you like them! :) With the yogurt, instead of splenda (I'm not a fan of artificial sweeteners... they trick your taste buds into liking SUPER sweet stuff!), how about trying a little honey instead? It's delicious with yogurt :)
      Reply
  • Renie
    Ok - I will try a little honey. I am on my way to the store anyway, I'll let you know how I like it. You would think, being from the South, I would have tried honey by this time. I just always reached for the sugar. "People" out there, take it from someone who knows, please do not reach for the sugar, like Anne says, there are other things out there.
    Reply
  • S @ extremebalance.net/blog
    I'm actually starting back to school in a few weeks, too--degree number FOUR, god help me, and it's a pretty major career shift. I'm on a 2.5 year plan, too, so I'll see you at the finish line! Good luck!
    Reply
  • amanda
    enjoy your last day of work and moving down to NC. BTW, yeah I have had the transition from army life to the cilivian world. I went from driving trucks, to retail, to taking x-rays and now back in school for healthcare management
    Reply
  • Jackie (Peaces of Earth)
    Congrats on your last day of work and starting a new chapter!! I haven't made any major career move...yet. ;) Yeah, definitely must rinse the blender out right away or else it's a pain in the bum! I've tried blending soap and water before and that works really well, too.
    Reply
  • Miranda @ MirandasJeans
    After a rough sping/late winter this year with a lot of loss of my job stability I took action. I made the decision to go back to school. I currently work in the social work field, and now I am going back to become a Holistic Nutritionist come Sept. Yeahhh!
    Reply
  • Michelle Heikell
    LOL! I feel the same way about my blender. Great tip :)
    Reply
  • amanda
    i hope your last day was stunning! they better have thrown you a big bash. you big move will be great. the chapel hill area is just darling. love itttt.
    Reply
  • emily
    I'm making the same career change as you actually, I quit my job as a teacher and am starting a Dietetics program in the fall!
    Reply
  • DHP
    Hope the last day was a good one! It certainly started right. Good luck. We look forward to following what lies ahead!
    Reply
  • Donna
    I'm new to your blog. Your breakfast bars look fantastic. Do you have any nutritional information about them? Calories, protein, etc.? Thanks.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I'll be sharing the info in my post today, by popular demand! :)
      Reply
  • Alyson @ Nourished Fitness
    I was actually working in health care, coordinating research projects, out in Baltimore, and decided to pick-up and move out to Arizona for grad school, specifically an MBA specializing in Sports Business. It was a huge change considering I was never the businessy sort. .. And congrats!
    Reply
  • Travel Raw
    Congrats on your last day at work and good luck with the big move!! How exciting to be pursuing your dream! :) The Almond Butter Banana Breakfast Bars look fantastic. I will definitely be trying those soon! Thanks for sharing.
    Reply
  • Julie
    Ummm I may or may not have a similar cup that I, too, use for smoothies. I love using plastic ones! At least you cut off the kite icon ;-) Can't wait for you to come down here!
    Reply
  • Lauren @ 40Apples
    Anne you rock for pursuing your dream and making that move for it! I'm still figuring out the "what" and "how" for myself, but you're providing me with some great inspiration! Enjoy your last day at work!
    Reply
  • Brynne
    Love that familiar kite tumbler ... ;)
    Reply