For a nurse at Ben Taub General Hospital's emergency center, survival is a challenge under normal working conditions, but the Great Flood of 2001 in Houston definitely brought out our nurses' basic survival instincts.

Basically, nurses' lockers have become our refueling pit stop.

Some of the basic gourmet necessities that can be found in my locker, along with those of others, are:

• Instant gourmet coffee with instant nonfat milk to create lattes (not as good as Starbucks, but easily obtainable).
  
• Quick one-minute oatmeal, nonfat powdered milk and Sweet'N Low (almost as good as mom's).
  
• Quick grits, cheese and bacon flavored (just add water, microwave and enjoy).
  
• Individual serving cans (with twist-off tops) of fat-free chicken breast or albacore tuna in spring water. Whole wheat bread can be eaten on the run or used for sandwiches.
  
• Generous supply of my favorite cola (Soft-drink machines were down during the flood).
  
• Styrofoam cups, plus the three basic plastic utensils: fork, knife and spoon.
  
• Fresh fruit and candy bars.
  
• Can of whole asparagus-no fat and all the taste.
  
• Toothbrush and toothpaste (mainly used for the benefit of our patients and co-workers).

These items provide the four basic food groups. They are low in fat and high in protein. They're a good energy source and low in calories. These foods will provide a nurse with breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a healthy snack.

The nurse's locker as a food source is better than restaurant food, because we can get our healthy food at a moment's notice. A visit to our survival lockers energizes us and enables us to continue taking care of our patients in the emergency room at Ben Taub.

The location of the locker can be just as important as what's in it. My personal choice is a bottom locker. This encourages sitting on the bench. This simple action shifts the weight from the feet to the buttocks. The feet are resting while a meal is being assembled.

Surviving from a nurse's locker takes a little ingenuity and a few moments to create and organize, but once it is set up, both nurses and patients reap the benefits.

Contact Tina Gbazaleh at legourmet@awesomenet.net.