Six

Six years ago, I received the worst news ever.

I had two small children.  One loving husband.  A father who'd already lost my mother to the same, horrible disease.

I am still here.

I was very, very fortunate.

I had an amazing team.  I don't just mean the doctors.  My nurses were fantastic.  The other floor staff were excellent.  My doctors' office staff (primary, specialist and surgeon) were all very determined.  There were people of many faiths who prayed for me.  People who brought food for my family.  People who watched the children for us.  People who helped in so many ways.

Without all of their help, things could have gone very differently.

I am still here.

Like many in the Survivor's Club, I am vigilant.  If something is not quite right with my health, I don't ignore it.  I get poked and prodded regularly.  I don't mind.  I don't want it to come back.  

In the spirit of helpfulness...

I read Weighty Matters.  Not every day, but often. 

Today Dr. Freedhoff posted a plea.  A doctoral student is conducting a survey on spousal sabotage of weight loss programs.  She has a brief, anonymous survey to collect data for her dissertation, but needs just a few more participants.

I have a soft place in my heart for doctoral students.

The details  of the study can be found here, along with a link to the survey itself. 

Please take a look.  Maybe you can help.

What is going on?

I've been saying that a lot lately.

I've started a new project at work, and haven't been posting lately.

Also, I noticed I was doing a lot of food posts.  Which is fun, and certainly gets site traffic, but has been tending toward "off message".  This is supposed to be a helpful blog with a health(ful) focus.

Cute food not so much.

So, I'm doing a little regrouping.  I plan to keep posting, but my schedule will change.

Just a little lunch

Yesterday only Pumpkin required a packed lunch.  Since she wasn't able to finish Monday's lunch, she asked for less this time.

I thought the ham and tortilla wrap with broccoli and grapes looked a little sad, but Pumpkin said it was perfect.  It looks like smaller lunches will be in order for a bit.  Until the next growth spurt, anyway.

Yes, healthy snacks still get sent along too.

added to What's For Lunch Wednesday

Only a test

Remember a while back I mentioned testing season?  It's over for this year.

I'm fine.

Except for the pinky toe on my left foot.  It didn't quite clear a door frame the other day.  At least it's not sandal weather.

Speaking of weather.....

Yes, we did have snow the other day.  Just like Cinnamon said.  No, I am not happy about it.

Weather Forecast: More Rain

It's been a couple of cold, rainy days.  We had a nice weekend, which made going to the pumpkin patch a delightful experience.  But today?  Rain.  Yesterday?  Rain.  Tomorrow?  Also rain.

Rainy, grey fall days make me want to bake.

And what better than pumpkin scones!

Today the girls have Sesame Ginger Baked Chicken (leftover from last night), with brown rice.  Can you see it?  It's under there.  Cucumber slices help hold the rice in place,  red pepper slices add colour.  Steamed broccoli provides extra veg and fits in well between the cucumber and the red grapes.  The special treat Mini Pumpkin Scone with cinnamon glaze sits in a purple flower shaped cup.

It's cute, and the girls ate all of it over the course of the day.  But the biggest hit wasn't the scone.
The biggest hit (for Pumpkin, anyway) was this guy:

I wrapped the spoon and fork in a napkin and secured it with this festive little guy.


Added to What's For Lunch Wednesday

Black Cat Pasta

Fall is here.  October.  A nifty month, full of rain and falling leaves and fog.  Towards the end there will be costumes and pumpkins.

I found this pasta on the weekend.  Black Cat pasta.  Little kitty faces and kitty paws, coloured with spinach.  I thought it would be fantastic for a Halloween themed lunch, especially since I had a few cute Halloween picks.  I suspected the vibrant colour would not hold through the cooking process.  I was right.  They are still pretty cute though, aren't they?

The pasta is not black.  It's a pale green.  Le sigh.  I've been spoiled by squid ink pasta.  And by other spinach pastas.  They've usually held their colour quite nicely.

The garlic and parmigiano-reggiano kitty pasta is sitting in a purple cabbage leaf and decorated with a little tomato.  (Both from our garden!  Yes, even still! ) 
Steamed carrots sit in a silicone cup.  The cucumber was unfortunately peeled before I could stop my kitchen helper, but  keeps the pasta separate from the grapes just the same.