Year in Review and a Hopeful Look Forward

When I started this little blog I only intended to share recipes and meals being cooked in my kitchen.  Over the past nine months I have enjoyed discovering other similar blogs and what I have appreciated most is the combination of delicious recipes and personal stories.

I am going to branch out and follow the lead of some of my favorite blogs with a reflection of the past year and list some of my intentions for 2013.

A year ago I was in chronic pain and feeling hopeless.  There were so many blessings in my life (my husband, my daughter, we had recently moved closer to family etc.) but I had been in chronic pain for a year and was paralyzed with fear about what might be wrong with me.

It started as a sharp, stabbing headache at the back of head but quickly developed into a daily headache that wrapped around my entire head and spread across my face.  I woke up with it and fell asleep (or tried to sleep) with it. I woke up every hour or so through the night and continued the cycle the next day. The pain caused me to feel anxious and worried most of the time and I felt unable to enjoy the obvious blessings in my life.

Last January I finally saw an ENT (for months the headache had been diagnosed as "allergies" but allergy treatments had no affect) who referred me to a neurologist.  After a battery of tests she diagnosed me with occipital neuralgia and prescribed me Lyrica.  The good news was that the Lyrica gave me some relief from the headache.  It was finally manageable. I could sleep through the night. The headache decreased from a level 10 to a 2-3.  If I missed a dose it flared up again but for the most part the Lyrica masked the pain.

The bad news was that I could not try to conceive another child while on Lyrica.  This immediately led me to pursue any other possible treatments. Not much is known about occipital neuralgia. My best understanding is that the occipital nerves, which originate at the back of the head and wrap around the front, become aggravated by muscle spasm, swelling, lesions or tumors. Tests had ruled out lesions or tumors so that left spasm and swelling which in my case may be triggered by stress and scoliosis.  I sought help from a wonderful group of practitioners at a wellness clinic which provides chiropractic care along with massage, nutritional counseling and physical therapy.

Through dietary changes (mostly cutting out caffeine and sugar), vitamin supplements (extra vitamin D and B12 complex), chiropractic care, massage therapy and exercise (I now attend Pilate's and spin classes regularly) I have managed to cut back to half of the amount of Lyrica I started on but have not been able to come off entirely.

The other benefits I have received from all these treatments have been AMAZING!! I sleep better, have more energy, feel emotionally better and my posture is greatly improving. All of this also led me to address a lifetime of intestinal troubles.  This meant another round of tests which thankfully all came back negative but gave me no real answers.  With out a specific diagnosis I have cut gluten and dairy from my diet and have never had such a regular digestive system!

At the beginning of this month I tried a series of Botox injections to help the headaches. The theory is that the Botox relaxes (or paralyzes) the muscles around the nerve endings which will reduce the aggravation and hopefully eliminate the headache. Apparently it has been a very successful treatment for migraines.  Unfortunately, it did not work for me and I actually feel like it made the frontal headache worse.

Even though I still have a daily headache, I am feeling very hopeful about 2013. A year ago I was afraid and not very hopeful.  Today I am grateful for my journey with chronic pain, all that it has taught me and the positive changes it has caused me to make in my life.

I have never been one to make New Year's resolutions but several blogging friends have been listing their intentions for 2013 and have inspired me to do so as well.

My Intentions for 2013

1. To remain dairy, gluten, refined sugar and caffeine free
2. To attend Pilate's class at least once a week and be able to do a roll-up with out assistance
3. To attend spin class once a week and increase my resistance and sprint speed 
4. To incorporate more high-protein vegetarian meals into our routine by trying at least one new recipe a month
5. To continue to seek alternative treatments for occipital neuralgia and stop taking Lyrica
6. To blog at least once a week about new (or new to me) recipes and treatment of my chronic pain
7. To take time each week to read or watch something inspirational (I would love to say once a day... but I want my intentions to be realistic and attainable!)

I am feeling very hopeful as I look forward to 2013! What a difference a year can make.

Do you live with chronic pain? What natural treatments have you found helpful? What do you do to stay positive?

Fun in the kitchen... even when the recipe flops!

So I had grand plans for baking tonight. We were going to make yummy muffins, make a huge mess and have a fun in the kitchen.  We accomplished two out of three goals. We had a blast and made a HUGE mess but the muffins were a complete flop. Even after almost an hour in the oven they were still soupy.  Not quite sure what I did wrong... however I thought I would still share photos of how my daughter helped me every step of the way.

First we needed chopped apples and I am so excited about my new food processor that I decided to use it to chop the apples. (this may be were the recipe went awry because they turned out more like apple puree..) My daughter is fascinated by the food processor.  After making sure it is unplugged I let her put the apples in the bowl (what toddler doesn't love transferring objects from one place to another?) Since the machine isn't too loud she also loves pressing the button and watching everything whirl around!

Then we measured out all the dry ingredients and put them in a bowl. She likes to know about all the ingredients and must touch each of them before dumping them in the bowl!

She tells me that hand mixing is the best technique and the messiest!

Then we dumped in all the wet ingredients. This is the maple syrup going in. Somehow she managed to keep it all in the bowl!

The whisk seems to be the easiest tool for her to use when mixing wet ingredients.  The spoon is still a little too hard to get around and usually ends up flinging batter around instead of mixing.  She of course wanted to use the spoon...

Next time I may let her use a small measuring cup to help me fill the muffin tins.  

These smelled so good but unfortunately they just didn't bake well.  We had a great time making them and left me with a sink full of dishes!

What is your favorite thing to make with your little one?

Curried Coconut Carrot Sweet Potato Soup

Last week I mentioned I was going to try two new recipes for lunch.  I didn't get around to trying the soup until today... and it was well worth the wait. Can't wait to have it for lunch again tomorrow!!

I was inspired by this delicious and simple ginger carrot soup but I didn't have ginger or a shallot so I had to improvise. I did have a package of frozen sweet potato I wanted to use and so here is what I came up with...

Ingredients

1 bunch carrots (I had about 8-10 medium carrots)

1 bag frozen sweet potato (or maybe 1 large diced sweet potato)

4 teaspoons sesame oil

2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)

1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder

1/2 cup Coconut Creamer (unsweetened)

Salt and pepper to taste

First dice the carrots and sauté in the sesame oil in a large pot. When the carrots begin to soften (about 5-10 minutes) add the frozen sweet potato and sauté for another 5 minutes. 

Once all is warmed through and softened add two cups of broth and the curry powder.  Simmer for 15-20 minutes.  Then add coconut creamer and simmer for another 5-10 minutes.  Finally transfer mixture to a food processor (you may need to do this in several batches) and pulse until you have a rich, thick creamy soup! Serve warm and season with salt and pepper. Mine came out quite thick but I like soup that way. You could always add more broth to make it thinner.

What's your favorite soup to make with a food processor??

Toddler in the Kitchen!!  (and this week's dinner plan)

My daughter has been spending A LOT of time in the kitchen wanting to "help" mommy.  As soon as I start rummaging around in the kitchen she flashes a big grin, grabs her little blue chair and excitedly rushes into the kitchen.  It is very hard to say no... even if there really isn't anything for her to do. So I have started to get creative about coming up with tasks for her.  They may add a few minutes to the prep time for a meal but these are precious moments we get to spend together and I hope the beginning of a life-time joy of cooking for my daughter.

She loves to watch me chop things.  She takes the rules with kitchen tools very seriously.  Knives are grown up tools and she is very good at keeping her distance from the board.  When I've finished she loves to put the pieces in the pot or if I'm putting them in a hot pan I have her put them in a small bowl and then I transfer them. "Here you go Mommy... I helped!"

She also loves to pour water.  Even though it is easier to put water directly from the tap into the pot I will use a measuring cup and have her pour the water in. The best part is if a little spills. "Whoopsie Daisy Mommy! We need to clean up!"

I've also been trying to do more recipes that she can help with.  Lately one of our favorite things to make are the cookie dough balls from our friend Laura a mommy run fast.  We really like the chocolate coconut ones. This week we will be making halloween treats for her friends at school. I will be sure to post pictures of that!

This is the last week of the October menu planning challenge.  While I have had a hard time finding the motivation on Sunday's to plan (maybe I should plan on another day!) I have appreciated seeing all the other plans and enjoyed pushing myself to try new recipes each week.   This week I am giving myself an additional challenge. I am going to try to make two new recipes for lunches. I have a hard time taking time to eat a good lunch so this week I will try to make this delicious spaghetti squash and jalepeno casserole (with non-dairy substitutes) and with my new food processor I will try this ginger carrot soup! I will try to post updates about these recipes.

Here is this week's dinner plan. 

Monday: Crock pot Santa Fe Chicken

Tuesday: Left overs

Wednesday: Dinner at a Halloween Party!

Thursday: Pork chops with rolls and green beans

Friday: Crock pot mongolian beef

Saturday: Left overs

Sunday: Pork roast

Thank you to Laura and Jill for this great month long challenge! It has introduced me to many new blogs and helped me discover some new delicious recipes!

Menu Planning Week 4 - Searching for Inspiration

Before I get to this week's meal plan I have to say that last week's birthday celebration was epic! My daughter and I had a blast baking a green cake for daddy's birthday. I promised photos so here they are. You can't really tell but the inside of the cake was green too!

Then my husband and I got to go away for a night. We went to the movies, slept in, went shopping... it was a blast and much needed! We came home to a very happy girl who had a great time with her Nanny (my mother-in-law) and then we were off to a cousin's first birthday party! I ended up not cooking all weekend and actually loved the break.

When I sat down to menu plan yesterday I felt like I had "menu-planning" block. Even after looking at all the amazing link ups I still couldn't think of a single thing I wanted to make! Does this ever happen to you??

After spending too much time searching the Internet and looking through recipe books I came up with a plan and did the grocery shopping for the week.  Of course today I woke up full of inspiration so next week's plan will be easier!!

link up here

Monday - creamy penne pasta bake with zucchini

Tuesday - leftovers (or pork chops)

Wednesday - Pasta Bolognese (double batch so I can take a meal to a friend)

Thursday - pork chops

Friday - Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala (with non-dairy substitutes)

Saturday - leftovers

Sunday - Pork Roast

That is the plan.  Several new recipes I am excited to try out.

Also, I received a food processor for my birthday. I am so excited but can't decide what to make first!! 

What is your favorite thing to make with a food processor??

Meal Planning Challenge Week 3 - Birthday Week!

Link Up!!

My husband's birthday is two days before mine which always makes for a fun week of celebrations. We usually celebrate on the 19th which we call the "inter-birthday". This year we get to have a special night away thanks to my Mother-in-law.  I am looking forward to dinner, a movie (haven't seen one in the theatre in three years) and SLEEPING IN!!

This year we will also do a little celebrating on Thursday because my daughter has to make daddy a cake. We can no longer have a birthday in this household without having cake and candles.  I will be sure to post pictures of her cake making adventures but be forewarned... it will not be healthy :) 

Here is this week's dinner plan:

Tonight: Dinner with family

Monday: Chicken, garlic, basil pasta with broccolini (We are in a rut of doing this every Monday, but my daughter loves it and she takes it to school for lunch the next day)

Tuesday: Leftovers (either from Monday night or I have extra Santa Fe Chicken that I froze)

Wednesday: Pork chops, rolls and green beans

Thursday (Daddy's Birthday): Carne Asada (I splurged and picked up a delicious marinated flank steak from the grocery store), rice, beans and tortillas

Friday: DATE NIGHT!!!!

Saturday: Dinner at a birthday party 

Sunday: Spaghetti bolognese and salad

While I still have to motivate myself to meal plan (thanks to Laura and Jill for this challenge!) I do find that it makes shopping much easier and the week goes smoothly when I don't have to worry if I have everything I need to make dinner.  

Carne Asada... That is what's for dinner!

I chose one new recipe for this week's menu planning challenge. I used a recipe for Carne Asada from www.eatingwell.com.  I followed their directions for preparing the beef and marinated it over night.

It was really easy to prepare this meal. I decided to buy some pico-de-gallo from the store rather than make the salsa listed in the recipe.  We got home from the park, I heated up the broiler pan and started making rice.  Once the pan was hot I placed the meat in the oven and started to heat up the beans. 

 I am notorious for overcooking meat and did it again last night!! I followed the recipe and cooked it for 4 minutes on each side. When I checked the meat it looked almost raw in the middle, so I did another 3 minutes. Then it looked a little better but I still cooked it for 3 more minutes.  I probably did not need that last 3 minutes. I know that the meat continues to cook after you take it out of the oven and leave it sitting but I just never trust it. Next time I might try 5 minutes per side and not give into the temptation to cook it more.

Served with rice, beans, pico, avocado and fresh tortillas it made for a delicious dinner.  The meat was tender but not as flavorful as I would have liked. Maybe next time I will up the spices in the marinade.

What is you favorite quick and easy Carne Asada recipe?