Taco Tuesday

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I don’t know why but sometimes when I feel bleh, I motivate myself to move by cooking up something colorful. I know, I’m an oddball. Today was one of those days. I started a new medication for my desmoid tumor, a syndrome of FAP colorectal cancer, and I just felt unmotivated. So, hello Taco Tuesday! Our family has been observing this meal for years and it changes quite a bit. Could be fish, turkey, or beef. Today was turkey tacos with thinly sliced rainbow radishes, tri-color tomatoes from my garden, paprika seasoned local corn, avocado, and lettuce. After slicing and dicing somehow I felt better, knowing we’d have a colorful, tasty dinner with leftovers for taco salads for tomorrow’s lunch. I was even motivated enough to join Jules and Kevin at the gym!

Everyone comes with their own unique stories. It’s important to have an outlet- some will share their stories – like me, others will not, some will journal, others will exercise, some will cook or bake. I don’t have all the answers. I’m not a nutritionist but I do pay attention to my body – after being on TPN for 3 years, one tends to really know what their body is capable of and what it needs to survive in a healthy way! And I know when I eat colorful, healthy foods, I feel better, happier. I also feel SUPER happy when I eat a luscious Italian pastry! Anyway, I hope you gain some comfort from this colorful photo or in knowing you’re not alone when you’re feeling bleh. My wish for each of you is that you find your outlet and move towards being happy and healthy!

The Fine Art of Weed Whacking

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My husband purchased a new weed whacker. I decided I wanted to learn how to use it. I know, some of you might be thinking “why?” But I like to learn new things and be useful. So I put on junky clothes, my garden boots, ball cap and goggles. Kevin was patient getting me started. Then he went to Ace to buy more weed whacking paddle thingies! An hour later, my arms shaking, the trim around gardens, pool decking, sidewalks, and driveway looking like a blind person whacked it with a jagged machete, Kevin kindly took the tool and told me to rest, enough damage done for one day!

Exhausted, I went inside and cleaned up. Deciding I am more geared towards gardening and cooking, I made myself a salad – fresh yellow tomatoes from my garden, mozzarella, avocado, sea salt/pepper, and a drizzle of blood orange olive oil. This is my good to summer salad – healthy fats, vitamin C, potassium, niacin and folates! Life without a colon – survivor of FAP colorectal cancer- makes me always look for ways to make my food enrich my body and soul. Give this salad a whirl – you could even add a hard boiled egg and some fresh basil!

Fun Fridays

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My daughter told me to start writing again. I admit, I had writer’s block. And I started having fun again. You know, belly laughs and sunshine. Surviving FAP colorectal cancer and it’s subsequent chronic symptoms, I know fatigue and I say enough is enough. So, hello Fun Fridays. I’m thankful for these times and friends and plan to keep it going. I mean, belly laughs are good for the soul, right? Try it today!

Little Things

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Those little bulbs work hard to push up through that frozen ground. They keep at it until, at last, they feel the sunshine and light. They keep going, don’t give up, and we get to enjoy the beauty bestowed upon us, who have done nothing but wait and watch.

It’s March – Colorectal Awareness month. All we have do is show up – at the GI’s office and get an exam. It’s not hard, just make a call, schedule the appointment. Push through 30 seconds of discomfort to earn knowledge about your body and health. Trust me, colon cancer and its treatment is way worse than 30 seconds of discomfort. Please, take care of yourself or a loved one and get checked out! Enjoy today, enjoy everyday, enjoy good health my friends!

Homemade Vanilla

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Day 1 Vanilla on the left. Day 14 on the right.

I love to bake. So does my mother, sister, and daughters. You might say it’s in our genes. Happy to share a yummy, fun gene rather than the FAP gene I unknowingly shared with Victoria. Sigh. Anywho… The last time I purchased a 12 oz. bottle of pure McCormick vanilla, I paid almost $30! Not happy with that price tag, I turned to my favorite baking blog, Sally’s Baking Addiction. I found a recipe, purchased the ingredients, and am making my own vanilla! It’s cool to watch the vanilla beans brew with the vodka and deepen in color. I’m going to follow Sally’s advice and wait at least 6 months before tapping into a bottle. If you’re looking for a simple project to take on, check out the recipe at: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/homemade-vanilla-extract/. Reach out to me if you have any questions!

Snow Day

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Pic #1 – Where’s Jules? 2003 Pic #2 Mid December snow storm 1999
Sisters, Sadie, and Snow 2003

Who doesn’t love a good snow day?  As a child, I remember laying in bed waiting for the community fire horns to blare at 6 am signifying that schools were closed, officially declaring it a snow day.  My girls are grown but I still love me a snow day! Walks with the dogs in the snow or cozied up in the house reading or baking cookies or tackling an indoor project – all perfect options for me.  I’m feeling nostalgic for the days when my girls would bundle up and go outside to make snow angels, snow tunnels or just have a good ole snowball fight.  Pancake breakfasts, usually reserved for leisurely weekends, could be made because a snow day is more relaxed. Today’s children won’t know the pure bliss of a true snow day.  COVID has taught us how to teach children virtually so the most they get is a half snow day maybe starting around noon. Boo. I suppose the good thing is that children are highly adaptable and will be thankful for even a half day to play in the snow. But I say – let children be children! Sound the horns!

Good Riddance 2020!

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It’s the last day of 2020 and I realize that I’m happy and a little sad. Happy for sure to see the end of a really tough year for our country and hopeful for a safer, healthier future. A little sad as I remember all the joyful events that happened in 2020 because we were forced to limit contact outside our unique bubble. Somehow, I made new friends – thanks to the great outdoors – and reinforced older relationships. I learned a lot about my little family. I’ve been given an opportunity to improve my health – see a previous post where I finally got off TPN – and made the best of my forced cocoon. I hope you were able to realize some positive moments despite some high drama negativity. I’m ready to see awesome achievements in 2021 – I want to jump out of the box and explore this great world again!

Gone Baby Gone

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3 years, 1,095 days, almost. I was on TPN for just about 3 years and in August, it was finally over. This past week, all the supplies were picked up. That blue bag – it was my constant companion every night, softly humming me to sleep for 8 hours until the shrill alarm, alerting me that the infusion was complete, blasted me into total awareness in the dark, wee hours of morning. At first, I felt so very off kilter – What? I can eat now? No, that can’t be right. But here I am, eating again and very content. Baking, cooking, juicing – wow, how I missed all that! For all you out there on TPN, there is hope. I pray that my body cooperates and I don’t have to go back on TPN. I’ve been given a gift and I pray everyday that I don’t lose this gift of freedom…to choose my next meal!

Just a small sample of my daily supplies

Summer Love

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I am constantly in awe of Mother Nature. In awe of how quickly seeds sprout up out of the ground. In awe of how the strong seeds thrive, weak seeds wither. Love watching the veggies grow and the incredible colors that turn out. Amazed at how quickly the bad guys- squash bore, squash bugs, slugs, etc. – find my lush, thriving plants and make camp, intending to thoroughly annihilate my plants. I don’t let it happen. I fight veggie bugs year after year. I lovingly cultivated these plants, I’ll be damned if I’m going to let some pesky bugs kill them.

I don’t have cucumbers this year- they got annihilated.

I think of my body. One day I was perfectly healthy and thriving, the next, I’m very much not healthy and thriving. I don’t know where I draw my energy from to fight, but I do. And always will. For what I believe in – my right to grow old on MY terms- I fight. Heaven help the bad guys that cross my path or the path of my family, friends or veggies!

Good Morning!

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During these days that are uncertain and also seem to blur together, I’m so lucky to have a hobby that brings me beauty – and produce! When I see a zucchini or butternut squash start growing, I feel proud and excited. I did it – I brought a seed to life! I worry about my daughters – one in SanFran, one in Orlando – will the people in their cities wear masks or no? I worry that I’ll get the call that they have Coronavirus and how will I get to them. I worry about my daughter that lives with me- I know she is safe but will she ever get to fulfill her dream and teach? My only break from worrying is my garden. I hope you all have a hobby that gives your mind a break from whatever worries you. Peace to you today and always.