It's a fiesta!

Well I'm spent. Three weeks back at work and something planned every weekend and I'm about done. I need a day with nothing to do, but I don't think that's happening until September. So I need to keep my energy up as much as possible. That means more plant food and less meat and dairy. More walking, less sitting. 

Tonight's meal turned out better than expected. I've been wanting to make enchiladas for a while but kept forgetting to get chilies from the store. I used to use canned sauce for my enchiladas but haven't found one that is gluten free, so I had to make one. Sooo much better!! Also, corn tortillas don't roll for me no matter how much I warm them or dip them in sauce, so this became a casserole or lasagne type dish. Regardless, it was yummy!

Black bean and rice enchiladas

Sauce

2 tbs oil

1 tbs flour

1 tbs chili powder

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp cumin

1 dried ancho chili

2 cups veggie stock

8 oz tomato paste 

Enchiladas

10 corn tortillas

2 c black beans

1 c brown rice

1 c vegan cheddar cheese (I used Daiya)

Preheat oven to 375 Fahrenheit. Heat the oil in a sauce pan and stir in flour until blended. Add chili powder and blend. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes. I took the chilis out at this point but if you want more heat, leave them in. 

Layer the tortillas, beans, cheese and sauce in a glass baking dish. I did 2 layers. You could also roll them if you can manage. Pour remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly and melted. Let stand about 10 minutes to set up. Enjoy!

Belly full. Time for rest!

Xo, Lisa

Lots of changes

I know, I know.  Where have you been, Lisa???  We've been anxiously awaiting your next post and NOTHING!  Well, I've been busy.  New home, new job.  It's been busy!  But I wanted to check in quick and let you know how things are going.

I'm doing well.  The new job has been going on nearly 2 weeks now and I'm exhausted.  I'm not used to working.  It has been a year since I last worked in an office, had to get up early every day, and had to interact with people all day on an intellectual level that didn't involve a few glasses of wine.  Ex-haus-ting!  However, I am enjoying being back in the work force, despite the ongoing fear I have to supress each day of this only lasting 3 months before I have to go back on disability to return to treatment.  Ongoing fear.  I squash it down the best I can, but it pops up now and then. 

My leg doesn't like me being at work or moving.  It's quite swollen.  During our two weeks of packing for the move, moving, and unpacking from the move (oh who am I kidding, we're only mostly unpacked), my diet was not as clean as I would like it to be.  There are VERY few vegan options at restaurants that are also gluten free.  Actually, there are almost none.  Even salads all have meat and cheese on them.  So my diet wasn't clean.  I've put myself back on the wagon though, and I'm starting to see a bit of improvement there.  Tonight we're trying vegan "meat" balls and spaghetti from the Gluten Free Vegan blog.  I'm excited to finally try a gluten free, vegan "meat" product!  Most fake meats from the frozen food section have wheat in them, so I'm anxious to see how this works. 

I'm also going to start exercising next week again.  The outlets in the basement don't work for some reason, so I need to figure that out, but once I do, I'll be down there each morning doing my Power 90 tapes.  I'm starting with them since they build in intensity as you go along and that's what my lymphedema needs, but I'm hoping to graduate to running and doing a few more programs I've had my eye on.  I started running this summer, but then the multiple heat waves took place, and running in 95 degree heat is hard enough.  For an out of shape, lymphedema inflicted, survivor, it's damn near impossible.  Which leads me to...

The Philly LiveStrong Challenge.  I was supposed to participate in the run, but that ain't happening.  See above paragraph for my reason.  So I'll be walking.  I hope you still see fit to give, being that the LiveStrong folks provide so many services for people who need to be walked through and assisted in this cancer process.  They do good.  You can check out my page here if you want.  I'd love the visit.

Well, I hope to keep updating a few times a month for you all.  I've got the challenge coming up this month, so I'll be sure to post after that.  Busy, busy month of August, for sure!  Every weekend is booked!  But I'll find the time for you, my peeps.

xo,
Lisa 

Welcome!

Today I am beginning a new chapter in my life.  A chapter filled with good food, good friends, and good family.  It's time to kick start things around here, and this is just the time to do it!

In March of 2012, I noticed enlarged lymph nodes in my right groin.  Knowing this could be nothing - a minor infection, irritation, whatever, - I took note but figured I'd ask my gyn when I went for my annual in May if they were still there.  In May they were, so I asked, and she said yup, go get them checked out.  She ordered an endometrial biopsy and ultrasound on her side, both of which came back normal except for a rupturing cyst in my right ovary, which was thought to be nothing of importance.  I went to my primary care and she suggested a general surgeon to do a biopsy.  I had that done in June. 

On Thursday, June 21, 2012, I got the phone call that would change my life.  My biopsy came back positive for cancer.  Now here's the thing.  I knew it would at that point.  Lymph nodes don't stay enlarged for 3 months for no reason.  But what he told me would rock me to the core. Metastatic carcinoma, but they can't tell the origin.  I've been officially diagnosed with cancer of an unknown primary with a GI focus.  The cancer is in my lymphatic system, clearly, and the blood stream, but there is no tumor present anywhere in my body.  The cancer seems to have broken up from wherever the original location was and is now floating around my body.  So there is no surgery and there is no radiation.  Because the cancer cells aren't taking a specific shape of any one type of cancer (lymphoma looks one way, leukemia another, tumors another), it's hard to tell what kind of cancer it is.  The pathology says it's most likely GI - pancreas, stomach, esophagus, possibly colon.  From many scans and biopsies, every organ looks normal and has no cancer in it.  My blood work is all normal.  No cancer markers.  Nothing.  But the pathology reports still said GI.  So I went through an aggressive chemotherapy plan.  Three different drugs, every three weeks, for 12 weeks.  Carboplatin, Docetaxel, and 5-FU (fluorouricil).  Not an easy trip, but I'll spare you the details.  I finished my last round with a scan on March 8th showing no measurable disease, and it has stayed that way with two scans since. 

With my clear scan in May, I decided to adopt a plant heavy diet.  I'm doing everything I can to keep the beast tamed!  I bought Kris Carr's book, Crazy Sexy Kitchen, watched her documentary as well as Forks Over Knives, and set on my way.  On these pages I hope to share recipes, tips, and stories, and I hope to hear from anyone out there reading with suggestions and stories of your own! 

I'll start you off with something small - my daily juice.  It's delicious!  I juice every day now, packing a ton of nutrients into one glass.  I highly recommend it.  You'll get boat loads of energy!

Morning Greens

One cucumber
2 stalks celery
One green apple
Cup o' greens (I use whatever is in the fridge.  This week is kale.)
Handful o' parsley (you could use mint or whatever leafy herb you enjoy)

Wash, juice and enjoy!


We have a busy two weeks coming up.  We're moving next week and then I go back to work the following for the first time in a year.  I'm definitely going to need some plant energy to stay ready and focused!  So stay tuned for more goodies!  Now go enjoy your weekend!!