Bucks for Bernice...

Bernice, who is my mother in law's sister is battling cancer.  She was recently let go from her job of 23 years, because of her illness. ( which has angered everyone, who has heard the story. ) The doctor also informed her that she is terminal.  So, tonight friends and family gathered around and had a benefit to help her.  There was a 50/50 raffle, then there were lots of great raffle baskets that were donated.  So many wonderful people were there having a great time chatting, catching up and supporting Bernice.  Today in Ohio is also known as "Sweetest Day".  A Hallmark type of holiday where it is like Valentine's Day.  So, what better way to spend the day than supporting someone that you think is amazingly sweet?  Bernice is just one of the many reasons why I walk, and will continue to so till we find a cure.  

Fantastic Foodie Fridays~ Chicken-Coconut Soup

  

I am always trying to find new food choices to you to try.  Here is a new soup for you.  I LOVE this soup! I made a few changes based on my ingredient-availability and preference, I think it turned out really well! I used olive oil, regular coconut milk, didn't use the cilantro, and traded in white potatoes for sweet potatoes. I think this made a huge difference. The sweet potatoes had mostly dissolved by the time I was done cooking, resulting in a thick broth. Delicious!  I'll definitely make this again.  I hope you enjoy this & will try adding your own twist to this. 

Chicken-Coconut Soup

INGREDIENTS:
•  2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup carrots, scrubbed and chopped into approximately 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 cup small white or red potatoes, scrubbed and chopped into approximately 1/2-inch pieces
• Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup light coconut milk
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 oz each)
• 1/2 cup snow peas, cleaned and cut lengthwise
• 1 tsp red chile pepper flakes (or to taste)
• 1 to 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 4 tbsp cilantro, coarsely chopped

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium. Add garlic, onion, carrots and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper and sauté until onions are lightly translucent.
2. Add broth and coconut and skim milks. Bring to a light boil.
3. Add chicken, cover and let simmer for 12 minutes over medium-low to medium heat.
4. Remove chicken and set aside. Add peas and chile flakes to soup. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
5. When cool enough to handle, slice chicken and add pieces back to the soup.
6. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired. Add lemon juice, sprinkle in cilantro and serve.

Nutrients per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 250, Total Fat: 12 g, Sat. Fat: 4.5 g, Carbs: 18 g, Fiber: 3 g, Sugars: 6 g, Protein: 16 g, Sodium: 150 mg, Cholesterol: 30 mg 

By Sandra Schlafer | Photo: Gibson & Smith   

Clean Eating Posted on August 26, 2011

Metastatic Breast Cancer...

I always try to learn at least one new thing a day. Today I learned 13 new things and thought that I would share them with you.  Feel free to share these as they might just save your life or someone you love.  Know your body and trust your instincts. Early detection may just save your life!  This post tonight is in Honor & Memory of friends that I have and had the pleasure of knowing.  They live and have lived with this disease and survived in spite of it, living each day to it's fullest.  Till there is a Cure, I will walk.  While I am continuing to walk, I learn.  As I learn, I share it with you in the hopes that you will never need to use it...  XoXo 
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day~ October 13, 2011 

13 Facts Everyone Should Know about Metastatic Breast Cancer:

1. No one dies from breast cancer that remains in the breast. The lump itself is not what kills. The metastasis of cancerous cells to a vital organ is what kills.

2. Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer to different parts of the body, typically the bones, liver, lungs and brain.

3. An estimated 155,000 Americans are currently living with metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer accounts for approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the U.S.

4. Treatment for metastatic breast cancer is lifelong and focuses on control and quality of life vs. curative intent. ("Treatable but unbeatable.")

5. About 6% to 10% of people are Stage IV from their initial diagnosis.

6. Early detection is not a cure. Metastatic breast cancer can occur ANY time after a person's original diagnosis, EVEN if the patient was initially Stage 0, I, II or III and DESPITE getting annual checkups and annual mammograms.

7. Between 20% to 30% of people initially diagnosed with regional stage disease WILL develop metastatic breast cancer.

8. Young people DO get metastatic breast cancer.                                                                                 9. There are many different kinds of metastatic breast cancer.

10. Treatment choices for MBC are guided by hormone (ER/PR) and HER2 receptor status, location and extent of metastasis (visceral vs. nonvisceral), previous treatment and other factors.

11. Metastatic breast cancer isn't an automatic death sentence. Although most people will ultimately die of their disease, some can live long and productive lives.

12. There are no hard and fast prognostic statistics for metastatic breast cancer. Everyone's situation is unique, but according to the American Cancer Society, the 5 year survival rate for stage IV is around 20%.

13. To learn more about National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day as well as resources specifically for people with metastatic breast cancer see www. mbcn.org. 

We appreciate your support on October 13 and throughout the year.

Women Who Wine ~ Halloween~

Tonight the ladies met at the Spring Hill winery in Geneva.  It was "Women Who Wine" night.  We were celebrating in our Halloween best!  I was a Cancer Kicking Fairy, Faye was a Sheik, Linda was a Witch and Sharon was the Pink Panther.  We had a wonderful night out.  They let us sample a Apple Wine and it was delicious.  I was also asked to talk at the December "Women Who Wine" event.  Really excited about that!  I was one of the winners in the costume contest and so was Sharon.  I had the opportunity to speak to a few people about the walk in Washington DC & the up coming walk in November in Arizona.  

10 Ways to Love...

I know many of you think that 3-Dayer's are "over the top", "pinkwashed", and even a little "crazy".  This may be a little true.  We train like mad to meet the demands of walking 60 miles, because not training, ( that would be just plain CRAZY! ) We fund raise just about any and ever where we go because raising $2,300 is no easy task, and the numbers go up the more places we want to go & walk at.  So when the day comes that we lace up our sneakers and take the first step of our 60 Mile Journey we try to bring all of our love, creativity, fun & of course bring about awareness as we walk.  Some let loose & have fun with the walk dressing in all sorts of costumes & others dress in team shirts or matching outfits.  It doesn't matter which way you decide to represent your loved ones or yourself on this walk.  The thing that matters is that you are involved.  You are not sitting on the sidelines waiting for a cure, you are out there doing everything you can to bring about a change, Now.  With all of the fun & festivities there are struggles and there is loss.  This unfortunately, is not a 24/7/365 party where you get to spend time with all of your friends "just because".  Thinking about it, how amazingly wonderful it would be if that was true.  I have met some of the most incredible people over the last two years.  With all of that being said, there is a serious side.  Right now we have friends, loved ones and people that we have met in our travels fighting for their lives.  All they want to hear is that they are in Remission or that the Cancer is gone.  Not that the cancer is spreading and that the cancer is in control.  As a pink family, when one hurts, we all hurt.  We try to lift up those that are hurting and in need, doing all we can to be there to support and help.  Sometimes, all we can do is pray.  Pray for the latest treatment to work.  Pray that the cancer shrinks or disappears, and sometimes,  just pray that if we have to let go, that we can be there for them in the way they need us to be.  No one wants to let go, no one wants to lose one more person to cancer ( no matter what kind ).  So tonight, as you get ready for bed say a prayer for all of those that are fighting.  Pray that they have the strength to make all of the difficult decisions that they are having to make.  Pray, so they know they are not alone, even in their darkest hour.  Pray tonight and give Thanks for all of the blessings in your life.  Tonight, I will Pray... Will you?  XoXo