Researching Cancer Treatments, etc.

As is my nature, I am doing some researching of cancer, cancer treatments, diet during cancer treatment, diet to prevent cancer, and to prevent recurrence of cancer.

Naturally my first go-to source is Wildwood Lifestyle Center. I came across their category of cancer information. The articles are informative, and helpful.
 

Frankly, that's as far as I got! 

A New Journey Begins

Back in May of this year, I posted that I am trying to going vegan/whole food plant based. I have since learned that is imperative that I do go whole food plant based.

In April, during a pelvic exam, a polyp was removed from my cervix, and tested precancerous. Off to the gynecologic oncologist I was sent, and an appointment set for a complete hysterectomy (uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and all), for July 31. They also did biopsies of 3 lymph nodes. 

This past Monday (August 14) I had a two-week follow up. My incision sites are healing well. There hasn't been a tremendous amount of pain, which I've managed with acetaminophen. There was tremendous bruising on my abdomen, though. At one point it was such a dark purple, it almost looked black. Now, though, the bruising is nearly all gone.

At my follow up, I learned that, yes, I do have cancer. It sounds like it was mostly contained within the uterus and endometrium. But they want me to have radiation, to make sure to kill all the cancer cells, and to keep them from coming back.

In the meanwhile, I am also planning to go completely whole food plant based. At the moment, our finances will make it quite challenging, but for my health, I need to do this! Your prayers will be much appreciated!!     

Wendy

Microwave Mug Carob Brownie {recipe}

Sometimes the sweet tooth just must be satisfied. Here's a quick way to take care of that! The original recipe calls for cocoa powder, but I use carob instead. The original recipe does not call for the peppermint oil nor the carob chips. It certainly is tasty with those added, though!

Print Recipe

Microwave Mug Brownie

Source: The College Vegan Cookbook

Course: Desserts

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 1 min

Total Time: 6 min

Yield: 1 mug

Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 1 ¹⁄₂ tsp coconut oil
• 3 Tbsp non dairy milk
• 2 Tbsp carob powder
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• ¹⁄₄ tsp baking powder
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose, unbleached flour
• 1 Tbsp carob chips
• 1 drop peppermint essential oil

Directions

1. In a microwave safe mug or ramekin, combine the coconut oil, milk, peppermint oil, carob powder, sugar and baking powder. Whisk with a fork until smooth. Add the flour and stir until fully combined. Add carob chips, and fold in gently.
2. Heat on high power for 1 minute.

Amount Per Serving (1)

• Calories: 260
• Protein: 6 gr
• Carbohydrate: 45 gr
• Fat: 9 gr
• Saturated Fat: 7 gr
• Fiber: 7 gr

Powered by

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese

Who doesn't like macaroni and cheese? Most children would live on mac & cheese, if given the choice. If you're trying to stay away from the dairy products, here's a vegan option for you.

When I made it, I used the coconut milk, and used additional cashews, since I don't have soymilk powder. I used penne for the pasta, and I added in broccoli florets. 

My (cheese-head) son did eat some, and seemed to like it. But I did have it myself for 3 or 4 meals, myself. 

Print Recipe

Macaroni and Cheese

Source: wildwoodhealth.com

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Vegan

Main Ingredient: Pasta

Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 3 cups dry macaroni (use whole grain pasta if possible)
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 cups water
• ¹⁄₄ cup yeast flakes
• 2-3 teaspoons salt
• ¹⁄₂ cup raw cashew pieces
• ¹⁄₄ cup pimentos
• 1 tablespoons lemon juice
• ¹⁄₄ cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ¹⁄₄ cup soy milk powder (plain not vanilla flavor) or increase cashews to 1/2 cup

Directions

1. 1. Cook macaroni in 3 quarts boiling water with 2 teaspoons salt until soft. Follow package directions for whole grain pasta.
2. 2. Meanwhile, blend remaining ingredients about 2 minutes until very smooth.
3. 3. Drain cooked macaroni and return to kettle. Pour blended mixture into hot, drained macaroni and cook together until thick, stirring gently.
4. 4. Add 1-2 cups frozen peas or 1 cup mushrooms or sliced olives if desired.
5. 5. Cover and let sit 5 or 10 minutes before serving, or put in an oiled casserole, cover with seasoned bread crumbs, and bake.
6. Tip: If made ahead and heated the next day, stir in some water before heating – it tends to dry if it sits.

Powered by

Going Vegan/Whole Food Plant Based

Have you ever seen the movie, "Julie and Julia"? I imagine most foodies have! I have long toyed with the idea of doing something similar to what Julie did: cook my way through a cookbook and blog about it. I am having a bit of a struggle deciding which book I want to use, though. Would you like to help me out?

Nature's Harvest was my very first vegan cookbook. I received it nearly 40 years ago, around the time I married my first husband.

I picked up Nature's Banquet after I left Living Springs Retreat, having worked there a few months. It's another worn, well-loved cookbook.

Dr. Agatha Thrash, from Uchee Pines, wrote the Eat for Strength cookbook.

The Country Life cookbook is another of my favorite go-to cookbooks. I haven't used the Silver Hills book much.

During my second marriage, our church had a health seminar. I volunteered to babysit for any attendees who needed a baby sitter. I was given a copy of the cookbook they used during the seminar. More Choices does also offer dairy options, if one so chooses.

Weimar Institute and Wildwood Health Institute both have lifestyle programs that will change one's life. Their programs are based on God's health plan: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest, and Trust in God.

Chef Mark Anthony is now at the Black Hills Health and Education Center. I enjoy his plant-based cooking very much. I even had the opportunity to see one of his live presentations once a few years ago.

Karen Houghton and the Micheff sisters have done cooking shows on 3ABN. Their cooking shows are always fun to watch, and are sure to make you hungry. 

The rest of these are new to me, and I haven't used them much. I picked them up, either at church (from someone who was getting rid of them), or used on Amazon or EBay.

Look! Mastering the Art of Vegan Cooking takes Julia Child's book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and veganizes it! And Betty Goes Vegan takes the Betty Crocker cookbook and veganizes it!

I picked up The College Vegan Cookbook, because I know the recipes would be smaller, and use more readily accessible ingredients.

So, what do you think? Which one should I start with? Leave your comment below. And join me on this journey.

Subscribe to The Kitchen on Chickadee Lane by Email

Time to Catch Up...A LOT!

This blog really suffers from "malnutrition"!! I don't really intend to go so long between posts, but...LIFE...

My dear handful of readers, the past couple years have been a bit brutal (an understatement) and challenging. In a previous post, I mentioned how hard we were working to preserve our health and prevent contracting covid. Well, we remained unscathed...until July, 2021...

In spite of our most valiant efforts, our bodies lost that battle. On July 15 or 16, my youngest son's temperature spiked. He complained of a headache, and he had a bit of a sniffly nose. By Sunday he was feeling better. 

That day (July 18) we went to Cedar Key, one of Jen's favorite places for a brief outing, to celebrate her birthday. We like to go, walk along the stores at water's edge, take a few pictures, perhaps eat while we're there.

The next day I had a headache, and my temperature began to spike, and the following day, Jen's spiked. She spent her birthday with a fever of 102. We did test positive, so we remained isolated as much as possible. But we did still need to help my parents; Steven had to fill in for Jen. 

Steven's place of work did close down for awhile, because others tested positive as well.

The morning of July 28, I told Jen I couldn't breathe. The next thing I knew the ambulance was there, to take me to the hospital. Thus began 23 long days in the hospital. I found out my dad was taken to the hospital the same day.

I was finally discharged on August 19. I came home on oxygen, and with a walker and bedside commode...and very little strength. It was a long recovery. I still suffer some after effects: my senses of taste and smell are still not right!

In August of 2022, I had to have a blood transfusion because my hemoglobin levels were so low. They gave me two units. 

Because we finally established a primary care provider that we really like, I am having some other health issues taken care of. In April, 2023, I had a gynecologist appointment to check into the cause of nearly a decade of vaginal bleeding. Initial pelvic exam found a polyp on my cervix, which the doctor removed. Then I had an intervaginal ultrasound, then they did biopsies from the uterine wall.

The uterine wall is supposed to be 4mm thick. Mine is 46mm thick! And the results from the biopsies came back as precancerous. So, now I await the next step.

A couple other events which have affected us are: my father passed away in October, 2022; and my mother passed away in March, 2023. Just five months and four days apart.

In the meantime, I am attempting to go vegan, and attempting to get back into nearly-daily walks. I hope you will join me as I again embark on this "journey to healthy."

Subscribe to The Kitchen on Chickadee Lane by Email

Seventeen Years!

Yes, it's hard to believe, but it was seventeen years ago that our lives changed drastically. 

Type 1 Diabetes. It will never go away. There is no cure. It is a daily battle. She can never take a vacation from it. She is on this roller coaster struggle for the rest of her life on this earth. How we look forward to Jesus' soon coming, so she can get a new body! No more pain. No more struggles. No more insulin.

Come soon, Lord Jesus!!

Subscribe to The Kitchen on Chickadee Lane by Email

Low-Glycemic Foods: Healthful or Hyped?

Low-Glycemic Foods: Healthful or Hyped?