Monday, August 28, 2017

Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head

Hello Darlings...

I'm taking a break from whining about my cancer because something much bigger and worse is going on in my state and frankly my little bout with something trying to kill me pales in comparison to a catastrophic storm...

I've never liked the name Harvey...

It always sounded like a name that belonged in the past and wasn't a name of a cool guy you wanted to date.

I preferred to date guys with names like Chad---never dated a Chad but you catch my drift.  The Harvey's of the world never were likely to get my attention because...Harvey...

I mean how cool can Harvey be?

Well now I can unequivocally tell you that I hate the name Harvey forever...

Because Harvey showed up in Texas and he was far from being a cool kid...

Hurricane Harvey came with a vengeance and he has damaged so much...

first he destroyed my beloved Rockport---a small coastal town where I spent many a happy sunny day on the water...when I was married we owned a condo there with my mom.  I'm not sure the condo is still standing (it was sold by my ex after our divorce).

On Saturday morning I woke up to hear how Rockport and Port Aransas and some other coastal towns had been devastated by the storm and I knew we were in for some rain.

And rain we got...

Over the last 48 hours my beautiful city of Houston has gotten more rainfall than it usually does IN AN ENTIRE YEAR

And that rain has come to RUIN.

I am so incredibly blessed.

My house is safe.

The water has filled my street but only come up in my driveway a few feet.  My backyard has managed to absorb the water and not hold on to it.

I have not been without power for more than 5 minutes and I have running water.

I have plenty of food.

(I am, however, in danger of growing feathers from all the chicken I have been eating)

I have plenty of vodka for my nightly diet-breaking dirty martini.

(because what you consume during a storm doesn't count)

I do have horrible cabin fever.  I miss my workouts so much I could cry.  I love my house but I am kind of tired of being a prisoner in it (reminds me of post-chemo days) and the cats are sick of me.

My street has handled the water and even though there have been periods of time I could not safely leave my neighborhood for the most part this has been a non-event to my life.

I think God has spared me (if you do indeed believe God works that way) because He threw me a mighty giant curve ball in the form of very deadly cancer so I think He decided that after having me fight for my life I didn't need to fight for my home.

It would have made for a fabulous Lifetime or Hallmark movie ("the sweet divorcee takes on cancer and then faces a flood!") but life is NOT a Lifetime or Hallmark movie.

Life is real.

And shit just got real here in Houston.

I have friends who have lost their homes.

And by lost their homes I mean that their homes are no longer inhabitable because so much water has entered their homes and remained.

I will not list names but these are people I know and love and are IMPORTANT to me...

One of my dear friends just won "yard of the month" last week.

Yard of the month...

she was so proud of that!

And she had already overcome having her house flood once before.

And when I saw the photo she posted on social media showing off that "yard of the month" sign I cried...because I know how hard she and her hubby have worked to rebuild their home and earn that sign.

When all of this is over I have promised my girl that I will cook her whatever she wants for dinner and we will drink my "why did I pay this much for a bottle of wine" wine.

She deserves it

I have friends who have had to leave their homes in boats.

Yes, in boats...

They had to climb into the boat that a stranger was kind enough to put in the water to rescue people and leave their home and belongings and get into a boat and go to safety.

Think on that for a minute (and yes my "yard of the month" girl had to do the same thing).

Contemplate leaving your home and all your precious things like photos of your child when she was a baby and photos of your deceased loved ones...your wedding gown you hoped to pass on to your daughter...your son's college diploma...the artwork your child made that you were saving...your grandmother's collection of knicknacks that were passed on to you...your beloved aunt's ring...that piece of furniture that had been handed down for generations...

and you climb into a little boat with the clothes on your back and you leave it all behind...

(excuse me while I go cry for a minute....seriously)

and you grab your pets and/or child and you leave...

because the water is taking it away...

I have friends who were told to evacuate their neighborhood by the sheriff's department or by policemen driving down their street yelling into bullhorns that they needed to evacuate immediately.

So my friends (more than one family) got into their cars and left...not knowing if they will come back to a liveable home or not...

let that sink in for a moment...

I cried when I saw my friend's facebook post about the policemen with bullhorns because up until now my biggest worry in this storm was if I was going to get to watch Game of Thrones season finale

(I still haven't watched)

My friends got into cars and boats and left their homes...

and I was worried about a tv show...

puts things into a very terrible perspective

My ex called me last night.

He was at his girlfriend's house.

She lives in a very flood prone area.  And that area was due to have the nearby reservoir release water.  The streets will flood.  Her house might flood.  The larger streets that lead to the neighborhood have been under water for weeks at a time in the past.

She is out of town so he went to her home to secure it because his townhouse was safe.

Now he might not be able to get out and return to his place for a few more days...and his kitty is safe for now (she used to be MY kitty so I worry) but he assures me she will be ok.  And trust me I am a bitch enough of an ex that I will break into that damn place and get her if need be.

I have friends that are watching the water creep up their yards and driveways as they wait to see if it will enter their homes.  You can't exactly relax and work when you are wondering if you will have water in your home.

These are all people I know...

And as I watch tv I see so many many more stories just like this...people who are stranded in their homes and apartments by water.

I cry...

I cry a lot...

As I write this the flood control is giving a press conference about releasing water from the reservoirs and it will affect my ex's girlfriend's neighborhood and home...

I don't know her but she is nice to my kids...

and so I cry again...

for a woman who loves the man I once loved who now may lose her home she has worked hard for as a single mom...

There is so much tragedy and sadness

So much damage...

But there is one thing that I can unequivocally tell you about Houstonians:

WE ARE THE TOUGHEST STRONGEST AND MOST GIVING PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY

We will survive this...

it won't be pretty and it will take a while but we will survive...

We have been blessed by people from all over this state and Louisiana and other states coming here with boats and large trucks to help.  The Cajun Navy is here trying to rescue people.

Strangers are helping strangers...

neighbors are helping neighbors...

The shelters are filling and people are wanting to help (if we can just get out of our neighborhoods)

We are Houston strong...

We won't let this defeat us...

we are the 4th largest city in the country but we are first when it comes to heart

I moved to Houston in 1978.  I was born in Kingsville (which is my hometown even though I live here) and I went to high school in Kerrville (not my hometown but a place I love) but Houston is really my city.  I wasn't born here but like so many Houstonians it is my city and the place I will really consider my home.

I wouldn't live anywhere else.

And this horrific storm won't kill my city...

This storm will bring us together and we will show the world just what Houston is made of.

So for my friends who have lost so much---let me do something for you!  You all are friends who supported me during my cancer time and lifted me up when I was at rock bottom. I will never forget the love I felt from my "yard of the month" girl when I texted to tell her I was sick---I could FEEL her love through the phone.  I got you girl---this time it is MY turn to lift you.

All of you---all of you who have lost something let me help you!  Let me cook for you...or bring over wine...or wash your clothes...or give you a place to sleep...or drive you somewhere because you lost your car...or just let me wrap my arms around you and hug you...

And I am gonna wrap my arms around this city and love it...

The rain will eventually stop...and the sun will eventually come out...and there will be hard hard work ahead to get this place back on its feet.

But we will rise...

we will rise...

and it won't be easy

but we will shine...

Houston we have a problem...

but that problem will be overcome...its a horrific painful problem but we will beat it....

and when we do---LOOK OUT

because this city is going to show the world that Texans and Houstonians may be down but we are never ever out...

Houston I love you...

Inspiration Song: a no-brainer here: Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head by BJ Thomas...and just like the song says: "there's one thing I know...the blues they send to meet me won't defeat me...it won't be long until happiness steps up to greet me"...

Bye Darlings: if you are not from Houston please pray for us...this city is going to need a lot of help...







Monday, August 7, 2017

Most Girls

I was all set to finish my blog about something important that I wanted to share with you...I want to spread some awareness of things I have learned during my fight with cancer.  But today I saw something on tv and social media that got me feeling the feels (and not the good kind) and I just had to blog about it...so here goes...and I'm gonna just write as I go and hit publish without editing...wild ride ahead...

Hi Darlings...

This morning when I tuned into Good Morning America (it's my morning show) they featured a story on a young millennial couple and the husband's Instagram post gushing about loving his plus-sized wife's curves...(to me she looks like a pretty girl who likes tacos like me)

apparently social media went wild for this...and then there was some backlash...

story here:

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/husbands-post-wifes-curvy-body-incites-backlash/story?id=49068614

So this husband goes on social media to declare how much he loves her "thick thighs, big booty, and cute little side roll"...

I'm giving a big eye roll here...

we are supposed to think this guy is great for LOVING HIS WIFE BECAUSE SHE IS NOT THE SIZE OF A VICTORIA'S SECRET MODEL?

He's supposed to be congratulated because he married a size 12 girl and not a size 2 and is ok with it?

They interviewed an author on body image and here was her take:

“I think it ends up coming off as a backhanded compliment,” she explained. “He’s like, ‘I love you so much, and the media marginalizes you, and you fill out your jeans, and I still love you anyway.’ I think partly that falls flat. I also think this reminded me a lot of when dads are congratulated for babysitting their own kids. It’s like, ‘Dude, that’s part of your job description, so you should probably just go do your job without getting a whole big sensational story out of it.' This is the same thing. It’s part of a husband’s job description to love his wife.”

I agree with her...it does seem backhanded...and I also really agree with her on the dad's being congratulated for babysitting their own kids (my ex expected a damn parade).

I think maybe the guy's intentions were good but how about TELLING HER THAT WITHOUT POSTING IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA SO YOU LOOK LIKE SOME SORT OF A HERO...

What it made me feel like was this: I am a curvy girl...I have dimples on my thighs and a huuuuge butt and side rolls and so I guess if some guy ever loves me he's gonna be a damn hero because hell who wants a woman with cellulite?

I have some great qualities: 
I'm very loving
When I love I love hard and fully
I'm very devoted to those I love
I'm a good cook
I can organize a closet so pretty it can be scary
I'm faithful
I give of myself 100%
I always put others first
I forgive pretty easily

But then there is a list of things that make me harder to love:
I'm stubborn
I'm very emotional
I will delay dinner because I need to spin or do yoga
I can't fry things---I burn them
I hate to bake
There is no room in my closet for someone else's clothes
I have irrational fears of heights and cockroaches
My feelings are easily hurt
I get scared a lot
I get angry easily
I like to sleep...a lot...

And then there is the whole 52 year old divorcee who has cancer...and is NOT the size of a Victoria's Secret model...

So basically I am an overly emotional middle-aged woman who is chubby and fighting a disease that is trying to kill her....

what man can resist that?

(maybe I do actually need a hero...or an angel...because it might take that...)

Women come in all shapes and sizes...and I think all of us are beautiful...

some of us are tall and lean...
some are petite and don't have an ounce of spare flesh
some of us are tall and amazon-like
some of us are curvy
some women many would call "fat" (that's an ugly word unless you are discussing fat in food)
some women are thin

I could go on and on for the different ways women are shaped...

When I see my #girlcrush KuteKim and MarvelousMel and their strong lean bodies on petite frames I do sorta wish I could look just like them...but age and genetics aren't in my favor...

and then there is Gal Godet---I mean who wouldn't kill to look like Wonder Woman?

Those of you who have been with me on my journey since I was an unhappily married 300 lb woman know I have been all sorts of sizes...I got myself down to a much leaner version of myself by losing over 140 lbs and had a tummy tuck to get rid of extra flesh and added on some implants to make my boobs better.  I'm an open book about it.  I am also open about the fact I get Botox and fillers and really like good skincare.

I started to gain back weight almost the minute I recovered from the tummy tuck...it's like my body said "Ha!  now that you look REALLY GOOD I am going to rebel and unless you live on air and ice you will gain weight"...

and the weight crept on...

and then cancer...

now I am trying like hell to get myself down to a healthy weight and body fat percentage...not to catch a man or live up to society's standards but because I just literally fought for my life and I'll be damned if I am going to let diabetes, heart disease, or some other malady related to weight take me under...

My internist Dr. Beauty is helping me...she suggested I follow a low-glycemic diet and I go in weekly for weigh ins so I am accountable.

When she checked my body fat percentage it was high---well over 40%.

That's not cute and not healthy...

So I am losing weight to live and not just to be cute in my white jeans...if I ever decide to wear white jeans again.

I eat the way I am eating because I feel better doing it...I honestly have more energy and less gut issues (other than those related to radiation) and I'm not hungry and don't feel deprived.

I work out every day not just to help me lose weight but mostly because IT FEELS DAMN GOOD and because I literally love going to Revolution Studio and sweating.

I love the feeling I have after a spin class---I feel strong and powerful and like I just survived a booty kicking that most women my age would struggle to do.

I love the feeling I have when I am practicing yoga---again I feel strong and powerful  and kind of sexy as I flow through the poses and do things like the splits.

Yes my fat old legs can still do the splits...

I love a good workout and how good I feel after...and that I can actually do it...

I am trying to keep my body healthy because God gave me a second chance...He had Dr. Rockstar and Dr. Angel cure me and I need to take care of this gift I have been given.  They worked hard to do it and all of you prayed hard for me to live.

I'll never be skinny...or thin...or "small"...I'll always be thick and curvy...it's my genetic makeup...I didn't get the "thin" genes for anything but my thin hair.

But I do want to be in better physical shape than I currently am...and I would like to wear things other than the sacks I sported during my illness...I'm ready to wear white jeans next year, pull out my pretty high heels, and dress in something that doesn't make me look like an old fat lady...and I have a "goal dress" that I plan to wear to the 2018 Tommy Tune Awards while I watch my kids perform on the Hobby Center stage...

I never judge a woman for her size...a good portion of it is genetics and beyond our control.

I know curvy women who rock their look and love food and have no desire to go down a few sizes...and they are truly beautiful women.

I know thin women who rock their look and love food but have the genetic makeup that their metabolism works such that a chicken fried steak doesn't end up causing them to gain a pound...

if I LOOK at chicken fried steak I gain a pound...

All that matters is that you love your body no matter what size or shape you are...because IT IS YOUR BODY

Do we all need to look like a Victoria's Secret Model?

no

But there are a lot of men out there who would rather have one by their side than a size 14 woman...

I tried match.com for a hot minute years ago...the men who reached out to me for the most part were not my type...and by my type I mean that I had an age limit and they were exceeding it by a good 15 years and lying about it (hey when your photo features you next to your car and it is a 1995 model YOU ARE LYING ABOUT YOUR AGE when you say it is a recent photo).  And more then one of them told me I was "fat" after I declined their kind offer to be their girlfriend...

not kidding...and I was a size 8

I'll fully admit I have a "type" of man I am attracted to and I also know that I am not every man's cup of tea...

But lately I have found that my "type" has gone more by the wayside in favor of someone who can make me laugh and smile....that can make my heart flutter with a smile just as much as dimples and blue eyes do.

I'm not looking for George Clooney (and he's not looking for me)...

I'm looking for a man who makes me laugh, tells me I am pretty when I am a hotmess, kisses me when I am cooking, brings me lilies, does the dishes, is willing to try spin and yoga because I love it, is great at conversation, and has kind (but not necessarily blue) eyes...and he has to know who Jon Snow and Groot are (or at least be willing to learn)...and he has to have a smile I smile back at...

notice I said nothing about body type there...

because that isn't part of my list...

No one applauded my ex husband for staying with me when I was 300 lbs...but more than a few men told him "wow you are lucky your wife looks great" when I lost the weight...sadder still I think he liked that...his new girlfriend has a cute figure...but she can't cook...lol...

So back to Mr. Instagram "I love my curvy wife"...

he says he wanted to celebrate "real women"

guess what buddy?

WE ARE ALL REAL WOMEN

whether we are a size 2 or 22 we are ALL REAL WOMEN...

If you are a size 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, etc YOU ARE A REAL WOMAN...

This guy doesn't need to be celebrated for being a thin man married to a curvy girl who professes his love for her on Instagram...he married her so he should damn sure love her no matter what her size is.

Women are beautiful---we are all beautiful...and the men and women that love us do not need to be called a hero for loving us despite our size...no matter what our size is.

Now lest any of my men friends who read this get offended---I am not picking on YOU and if you are my friend who I let into my life you are a good guy...I love my male friends and most of them are married and they all have fabulous wives...

But if you are one of my men or women friends who is married after you read this go tell your wife she is beautiful...because she is...and sometimes we just need to hear it from the man we love...

and if you are a woman who is finding herself not loving her body much these days (we have all been there no matter what size we are) ask yourself why you aren't loving your body and find a way to appreciate it...

These days when I look in the mirror I see my curves...I see my scar that runs vertically down my tummy that will forever remind me that I am a damn warrior...I see my breasts that I like and thank my plastic surgeon for because they look real and natural...I see my wide hips that once protected my uterus that carried two beautiful babies to term...I see my thick thighs that have been dimpled since before I was 30 and always will be...I know my legs are strong enough to spin hard in a spin class and support me in every warrior stance that yoga throws at me...

I see a body that is the body of a mother...a warrior...a goddess...a body that made and birthed life...a body that survived deadly cancer...a body that has served me for 52.5 years...a body that is never going to wear a bikini in public again but might be sexy to a man who loves me...a body that is mine...

I am grateful to my body...it fought cancer and survived chemotherapy and radiation...it will (hopefully) age more over the years and the skin will sag and my muscles won't be as tight and defined but I will cherish my body if I am lucky enough to have an old body because if not for some pretty great doctors my body might not have the opportunity to age.

One day I will find that superhero or angel man who will love my body because it belongs to me and not because of whatever size it is...

and I will take care of it because God gave me a second chance to appreciate it...

No matter what your size is your body is a wonder...and it is yours...

You are beautiful if you are a petite or plus sized girl...if you are tall or tiny...if you are thick or thin...if you are old or young...

your skin is gorgeous no matter what the color...

your body is wonderful...because it contains YOU

So I'm going to end this with a little exercise...it's one I have been doing since I came home from my hysterectomy...

stand before your mirror naked....take in the view...and find at least ONE thing to love about what you see...see if you can't find two things...and then three...and then four...and instead of looking at the things that are NOT what you like, focus on the things that you DO.

And thank your body...

your body serves you every day...and if you are healthy and taking care of it, it will serve you for many years to come.

And if you see things you don't like and they bother you then do what you can to change it...and it's ok to do that because it is YOUR body...lose weight, have plastic surgery, decorate your body with beautiful tattoos, gain weight, body build for muscle....it's all good as long as you are happy with it...

Last thing: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY...if something feels wrong or hurts or seems off---go to the doctor...you have one body to live in---TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT

Love your body...I've learned to love mine and it didn't take a man to declare it on Instagram to make me like the skin I am in...

Inspiration Song: "Most Girls" by Hailee Steinfeld...the lyrics are pretty great:

Some girls feel best in their tiny dresses Some girls in nothin' but sweatpants, looking like a princess Some girls kiss new lips every single night
ADVERTISING
They're staying out late cause they just celebrating life You know some days you feel so good in your own skin But it's okay if you want to change the body that you came in 'Cause you look greatest when you feel like a damn queen We're all just playing a game in a way, trying to win that life Most girls are smart and strong and beautiful Most girls work hard, go far, we are unstoppable Most girls, our fight to make every day No two are the same I wanna be like, I wanna be like most girls I wanna be like, I wanna be like most girls I wanna be like, I wanna be like I wanna be like, I wanna be like I wanna be like, I wanna be like Some girls like to keep their physique real private Some girls wear jeans so tight 'cause it feels so right, yeah Some girls, every day searching, keep the blades turning Sleeping in late cause they're just celebrating life You know some days you feel so good in your own skin But it's okay if you want to change the body that you came in 'Cause you look greatest when you feel like a damn queen We're all just playing a game in a way, trying to win that life Most girls are smart and strong and beautiful Most girls work hard, go far, we are unstoppable Most girls, our fight to make every day No two are the same I wanna be like, I wanna be like most girls I wanna be like, I wanna be like most girls I wanna be like, I wanna be like I wanna be like, I wanna be like I wanna be like, I wanna be like Most girls, yeah Most girls Wanna be, wanna be, wanna be Most girls, our fight to make every day No two are the same I wanna be like Most girls I wanna be like, I wanna be like most girls I wanna be like, I wanna be like I wanna be like, I wanna be like I wanna be like


Bye Darlings---love your body...love your lover's body....be grateful for health and that your body serves you....and you don't need an Instagram post to prove it...











Friday, August 4, 2017

Food, Glorious Food

Hello Darlings...

My last blog post (Just Lose It) seems to be popular and several have asked or messaged me for recipes so I thought I would share them here...

Basically I am eating "clean" and indulging in carbs but only low-glycemic ones.  I don't use much dairy and not everything here is perfectly unprocessed (one recipe uses soup and salad dressing package mix).

Remember I am not a chef or dietician so none of these recipes is perfect.  I rarely measure so these are mostly approximations.  Adjust to your taste.

If you don't like spicy things skip the jalapenos in these dishes.  And if you hate cilantro just leave it out...

Some staples I keep on hand:

sweet onions
garlic
cilantro
olive oil
agave nectar
Knorr chicken soup base (in a jar but can use cubes)
cumin
spaghetti squash
black beans (both canned and dried)
jalapenos (fresh)
farro
mushrooms

I try and bake spaghetti squash and make a large batch of farro each week so I can use them in place of rice or pasta.  I add the farro to salads for a little "bulk".  I like to keep a batch of black beans (or a can I have "dressed up") to add to dishes as a good source of protein.

Let's start with those basics:

Farro


I make a large batch of farro once a week and I use it to put into my salads, serve beans over it, make salad with it, or use in place of rice.


2 cups farro (washed and drained...it tends to be “dusty’)
6-7 cups water
Place farro and water in a large pot.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to a simmer.  Simmer 20-25 minutes until desired doneness.  Drain well.  I put it back into the pot so it can dry out a bit.  Fluff with a fork.


Roasted Spaghetti Squash


Buy the smaller spaghetti squash---they are easier to cut into.  I look for ones that are no longer than 10 inches or less.


Carefully slice a bit off of each end so you remove the stem end and have a flat bottom. Very carefully slice lengthwise into two halves.  Scoop out pulp and seeds.  Very lightly spray or drizzle with olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper.  Put into a 450 degree oven for 1 hour (might need a few more minutes depending on the size of the squash).  Once cooked and cooled a bit use a fork to separate the “strands”.

Black Beans (from dry beans)

1 package black beans
1 onion, diced
1 jalapeno, sliced (seeds and ribs removed if you don’t like spicy)
3-5 cloves of garlic, minced
Handful cilantro
2 cubes Knorr chicken stock
2 TBS agave nectar
Ground cumin
Pepper
Salt

Rinse beans and place in pot or crockpot and cover with water. Soak 4 hours to overnight or bring to a boil and boil 3 minutes and turn off heat and cover and let soak 2 hours. Once beans have softened by soaking add in onion, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, chicken cubes, and agave and bring to a boil then cut back to a simmer and simmer 2-4 hours (or cook on high in crockpot one hour and reduce to low for 6-8).  Once beans are cooked season to taste. You might need to add water as they cook...for “soupy” beans add more water...for “creamy” beans use less but watch carefully. Season with salt, pepper and cumin. Serve with a dollop of mexican crema (or sour cream) and more cilantro.  Delicious over farro, used in salads, or added to veggies for a stuffed pepper.


Dressed Up Canned Black Beans

1 large can of black beans, do not drain or rinse
1 small (or ½ large) onion, small dice
1 jalapeno, minced (remove seeds and ribs if you don’t like spicy)
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 TBS ground cumin
Handful cilantro
1 TBS agave nectar
Salt and pepper to taste

Soften onion and jalapeno in a bit of olive oil in a saucepan or small pot.  When almost totally soft add in garlic and ground cumin and make sure it doesn’t burn and allow it to soften and become fragrant. Add in canned beans and heat through and add agave.  Adjust seasonings. Add in cilantro and let cook for a few more minutes.  I keep a jar of Knorr chicken base and use it in place of salt---or just season with salt and pepper.

Now that we have those ready let's put them to work in some easy healthy recipes:

Mushroom, Onion and Spaghetti Squash Saute

1 spaghetti squash, baked and shredded
1 pgk sliced cremini (baby bella) mushrooms (or if you slice your own---about 2 cups)
1 onion, small dice
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Red pepper (if you like spicy)

In a large skillet, lightly saute the onion in olive oil until softened.  Add in mushrooms and cook until soft.  Add in the cooked spaghetti squash.  Season with salt and pepper and red pepper if desired.

Mediterranean Farro Salad

2-3 cups cooked farro (cooled)
1 small red onion, fine dice
1 cucumber, seeded and diced
½-1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Other add ins: olives, diced red pepper, diced sun dried tomato, green onion...add in whatever sounds good
Vinaigrette dressing of choice (Greek, Italian, Balsamic...or just a simple oil and vinegar)
Optional: grilled shrimp or chicken

Toss together with vinaigrette...that’s it...just toss it together...leave out the protein for a side dish



Mexican Farro Salad

1 cup farro, rinsed thoroughly
3 cups water seasoned with one cube Knorr chicken stock (or TBS from jar)
1 small red onion, finely minced
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
Large handful cilantro
½ - 1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half
½ cup black beans
½ cup corn (can be raw...corn is not low glycemic...just be aware)
3-5 green onions, sliced thin, whites and greens
½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
Dressing: 1 TBS olive oil, 2 TBS lime juice, few dashes of cumin and 1 dash tabasco

Bring farro and seasoned water to a boil and reduce to a simmer and cook 25 minutes.  Drain thoroughly.  Cool.  Add in onion, jalapeno, cilantro tomatoes, beans, corn (if using), green onions and cotija.  Dress with dressing...adjust seasonings as desired.

Vegan Stuffed Peppers

I prefer to use red, yellow or orange bell peppers as they are sweeter but green work just fine. For this recipe I just use whatever veggies I have on hand...I’ve even added in additional leftover roast veggies. Feel free to add whatever you like…

4 red, yellow, or orange bell peppers---tops removed and diced
1 large onion, fine dice
1 jalapeno, finely minced (seeds and ribs removed if desired)
3-5 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 cups chopped mushrooms
1 TBS ground cumin
1 cup cooked black beans
1-2 cups cooked farro
Handful cilantro

Remove tops from peppers and dice and set aside.  Scoop out ribs from peppers and trim bottom of peppers so they stand upright if needed.

In a large skillet soften pepper tops, onion, and jalapeno in a bit of olive oil. Add in garlic, cumin and mushrooms and cook until “done”. Add in black beans and farro and cilantro. Taste to adjust seasonings.
Stuff peppers with veggie mixture and place in a covered oven proof pot.  Add in ½ inch of water to bottom of pot and cover and bake 30-45 minutes until peppers are soft. You can top them with a bit of crumbled cotija cheese (but then they aren’t vegan)

I use the leftovers of the veggie mixture in a lettuce wrap or add to a salad...


Now for some easy crockpot dishes...the first one is based on the infamous Mississippi Roast but I prefer it with chicken...

Mississippi Crockpot Chicken

1 pkg chicken thighs and/or breasts (boneless and skinless)
1 pkg Lipton Onion Soup mix
1 pkg Ranch dressing mix (dry)
⅓ jar of pepperoncini and their juice
⅓-½ stick unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped

Place chopped onion in crockpot. Add in chicken---I like to sear mine first but you can skip this step.  Add in soup mix, ranch mix, pepperoncini and juice and butter.  Cover and cook on low 6 hours.  Serve over farro or spaghetti squash or in a corn tortilla taco.

NOTE: I usually use a family size package of thighs---about 8 of them.  If you use breast meat I think the “tenders” cook up a bit juicier.  If using breasts use a ½ stick butter so they aren’t dry. This recipe can be doubled but if so i would double the soup, ranch, and peppers and chicken but still use less than a stick of butter.

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

1 package boneless chicken thighs and/or breasts
1 onion, chopped
1 cup of BBQ sauce
½ cup pepperoncini and their liquid or 2 TBS apple cider vinegar

Place chopped onion in the crockpot. Add in chicken (I brown mine first but you can skip this step). Top with BBQ sauce and pepperoncini or vinegar (this cuts the sweetness).  Cook on low 6 hours.  Serve over farro or spaghetti squash or in a slider.

Here's my favorite summer soup...it's not cheap to make because I use organic grape tomatoes but boy is it good!

Grape Tomato Soup

I will fully admit that this soup is not cheap to make...but it is sooooo good!  If you want to use large tomatoes you can do that too but I would remove the seeds…

I prefer to use my stick blender for this because I like the texture but if you don’t have a stick blender you can carefully transfer the tomato mixture into your regular blender.

4-8 cups grape tomatoes
1 large sweet onion, fine dice
Agave nectar
Olive oil
Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper
Cilantro or basil
Tabasco

In a large pot soften the onion in olive oil...add in washed grape tomatoes and cook over medium heat until the tomatoes start to “pop”.  Once they are “popping” open, lightly mash them with a potato masher.  Cook an additional 5 minutes.  Blend until mostly smooth.  Add in 1 TBS agave nectar, 1 TBS cilantro or basil (your choice), 1-2 TBS worcestershire. Blend well and taste.  Add more agave if you want to bring out the sweetness (I find I need more in winter) and add additional salt and some pepper if you wish. I like to add a few dashes of Tabasco for flavor (doesn’t make it spicy) but if you want a spicy soup add in more tabasco or some cayenne.

And here are two great main dish recipes...they are "teenage boy approved" and make a regular appearance on our dinner table...

Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps

2 packages lean ground chicken
2 carrots, minced
1 onion, fine dice
1 jalapeno, minced (remove seeds and ribs if you don’t care for spicy)
2 cups farro, cooked
4-5 green onions, whites and green, sliced thin
Handful chopped cilantro

Sauce:
½ cup low sodium soy sauce
1 “squirt” sriracha (optional)
2 TBS agave nectar
1 TBS grated fresh ginger (I use the stuff in the tube)

Lettuce leaves for serving

Soften the onion, jalapeno and carrots in a bit of olive oil in a large skillet.  Once veggies are soft add in the ground chicken and cook until done---break up the meat with a potato masher.  Add in farro, green onions, cilantro and sauce and cook until the sauce is absorbed---about 3 minutes or so over medium high heat.

NOTE: you can replace the farro with cauliflower rice but cook and drain it first so it doesn’t make the chicken mixture “watery”.

Also when my son is not eating it I like to add some water chestnuts for crunch...


and now for my healthier version of bolognese...it's not authentic and it's not totally without a bit of vice but it is so good my son does not miss the beef and pork and extra butter...

Turkey Bolognese

3 TBS olive oil
1 TBS butter
2 medium onions, finely diced
6 carrots, finely diced
4 ribs celery, finely diced
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
4 ounces diced pancetta
3 lbs lean ground turkey
1 4 oz tube of tomato paste plus ½ of an additional tube
1 ¼ cup 1% or 2%  milk
1 ¼ cup  dry white wine
You have to start with the hard part...chopping the veggies. DO NOT USE A FOOD PROCESSOR! If you don’t feel like playing Iron Chef, there are some handly little choppers that are about $15 that do a square dice and can easily be found online. What you want is a nice square dice that is about ¼”.  Heat the oil and butter in the pan and add in the veggies. Add in the minced garlic (you can also grate it in if you prefer). Cook until the veggies begin to soften and the onion begins to get translucent but not browned.  This will take 5-7 minutes over medium-high heat. Stir frequently!

Once the veggies have started to soften,add in the meats. I start with the pancetta and, once it is mixed into the veggies, I add in the ground turkey while making sure I break up the chunks. Brown on high heat, stirring frequently, until the meat has cooked through. Make a small “pool” in the center and squirt in the tomato paste then stir it into the meat and continue to cook until the sauce turns a brick red color (about 2-3 min).

Add the milk and cook until almost reduced (about 4 min), then add in the wine and bring to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low and let it slowly simmer for 3-5 hours. Be sure your heat is low and it is a very low simmer or your hard work may end up being for not!. Season with salt and serve over pasta with a little freshly grated parmesan.

The ragu will keep up to a week in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.

I usually add in an additional lb of the turkey.  When I do I add in a few more carrots and celery and a bit more tomato paste and up the milk and wine to 1.5 cups.

You can skip the pancetta...if you do I suggest 1 strip of bacon, finely chopped or skip it altogether and make 1 lb of the turkey a little less lean.

Serve this over pasta but my favorite way is to serve it over roasted spaghetti squash.



Now for some fish recipes...let's start with salmon

TERIYAKI SALMON WITH SRIRACHA CREMA

You will need:
4 oz salmon filets (as many as you need)

Teriyaki Marinade:
¼ cup soy sauce (can be light)
¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp garlic powder
2 tbs honey
1 Tbs cornstarch
water

Sriracha Crema:
½ cup Mexican style crema *
1-3 tbs sriracha
2 -3 tbs agave nectar

*Mexican crema can be found at most grocery stores...it is like a slightly saltier and thinner version of sour cream...in a pinch you can substitute regular sour cream with a little added salt and thinned with half and half but I truly recommend the crema.

In a small bowl or jar mix 1 tbs cornstarch with ¼ cup water.  Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, honey, and 3/4 cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer.  Stir in the cornstarch and stir until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.  Let it cool to room temperature and then place in a zip top bag or covered dish and add the fish (be sure to lightly rinse in cool water and pat your fish dry before adding to the marinade).  Marinate for 1-24 hours.  

For the crema all you do is put the crema in a bowl and add the sriracha and agave to taste...it will be a pale salmon color and will be a slightly sweet and spicy sauce.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray a pan with cooking spray or use non-stick foil.  Place filets in the pan with a little of the marinade.  Bake for 15-17 min until pink and flaky but not oozing the white fat.  

Serve over rice or my favorite way is to serve it along with a nice green salad...pour the sriracha crema on top of the salmon and dig in…


SALMON AND ASPARAGUS IN A FOIL PACKET


Per person:


1  6 oz salmon filet (skin removed)
1-2 TBS pesto
5-6 grape tomatoes sliced
8-10 thin asparagus spears


Note: I just use store-bought prepared pesto for this.  I think Whole Foods makes a delicious one and their Jalapeno Cilantro pesto is especially delicious with this recipe. You can also make this with fresh trimmed green beans but they must be par-cooked for 3 minutes in salted boiling water. Either way you have a meal in a packet.


Preheat oven to 400 degrees


Cut a 12 inch length of aluminum foil for each salmon filet. Season each filet with salt and pepper. Place trimmed asparagus (or green beans) on foil and season with salt and pepper.  Place salmon filet on top of asparagus. Top the filet with enough pesto to cover. Top pesto with sliced grape tomatoes. Seal the ends of the foil loosely so that you have a nice packet that lets the heat circulate. Bake for 18-24 minutes depending on preferred doneness and thickness of the filet. I prefer my salmon to be medium so I cook a 1 inch thick filet for 18 minutes

Another easy to prepare fish is tilapia.  It is light and mild.  I am also a big fan of snapper, redfish and my favorite---black drum.  If you aren’t familiar with black drum, it is a light flaky fish that is “cousin” to the redfish but to me it is milder and has a better flavor.  There is a “blood line” that runs through it that turns dark with cooking that you simply remove after cooking if you don’t care for the taste.  This next recipe will work well for any of those fish.


PAN SEARED FISH

fresh tilapia, snapper, black drum or redfish filets
garlic powder
kosher salt
black pepper
olive oil
butter

Optional for a sauce: lemon, white wine, scallions, capers or an asian viniagrette

wash and pat the fish dry.  Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  Heat up a large cast iron skillet or flat bottomed pan (note: a non-stick pan won’t give you the same sear as a cast iron or aluminium pan but will work just fine).  When it is very hot add in 2 TBS of olive oil and 2 TBS butter.  Place fish in pan and sear for a few minutes.  Carefully flip the fish and sear the other side and then turn down the heat and cook a few more minutes.  This is where you will need to watch your fish carefully so that it doesn’t burn but each fish cooks differently so just cook it until it is opaque and flakes.  

For an easy sauce just pour some asian style vinaigrette over it or make a sauce by draining off the grease and deglazing the pan with a cup of white wine...let it reduce by half and then add in the juice of one lemon (and maybe a little zest) and at the last minute stir in a TBS of butter...add capers, parsley, or sliced shallots if you wish. It is delicious served over a bed of fresh sauteed corn with avocado and cilantro.  



FISH WITH SHRIMP IN TOMATO WINE SAUCE


Note: for this recipe any flaky white fish will do. I prefer black drum but red snapper and redfish and tilapia are all good substitutes if you can’t find the drum. Whole Foods does carry drum at most of their stores.  


Per person:
1 filet of black drum, snapper, tilapia or redfish
10 peeled and deveined shrimp, tails removed
Salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne if you like a little heat
Olive oil
butter


For the sauce:
Sliced grape tomatoes
Garlic
White wine


Season the filets with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne if desired. Set aside shrimp.


Heat a skillet to high and add in a TBS of olive oil and TBS of butter per filet. Sear one side of the fish for about 3 minutes. Flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes and then turn heat down to medium to finish cooking the fish. Once fish is cooked set aside. Saute the grape tomatoes in the pan drippings (I use about 10-12 tomatoes per person). Once the tomatoes have softened and are starting to char use a micro grater to grate in some garlic (as desired). Turn the heat off and add in about a cup and half of white wine per person and then turn heat back on to high to deglaze the pan. When the wine is reduced by about half add in the shrimp and cook until done which may only take a minute or so. Place shrimp over fish and continue to reduce the sauce a bit more if desired. Pour sauce over fish and serve.  I like to serve my fish and shrimp over brown rice or farro or a bed of arugula.



So there you have it...this is basically what I eat...

I also eat a lot of salads, avocado toast for breakfast and lots of roasted veggies.

Sorry there are no pictures but I just threw this together and so...no pics...

Enjoy my friends...and let me know how you like the recipes...

Inspiration Song: "Food Glorious Food" from the musical "Oliver!"...because it was perfect...

Bye Darlings...I promise the next blog will be something more interesting than diet tips and recipes...I know you are missing me whining about my cancer lol...