Year: 2012

Update & Recipe

Bea All Recipes, Entrées, Positive things

I haven’t published in a while but here is quick summary of what has happened during the last 15 days: Cristy my younger sister spent her spring break with us, the weather was beautiful and we had a great time in the Baltimore/DC area. Few days later Caro my sister travelled to Annapolis and she accompanied me to the hospital for chemo no. 6. I love spending time with my sisters!!

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I am half way on my treatment !!!!!. I have noticed that I am more tired though; yet I feel good in general and I am still running. Tomorrow I have chemo no. 7 (only 5 left). Thank you for your prayers and positive energy 🙂

Last Thursday I made the recipe below. It is an ideal option for any flakey white fish such as Rockfish, tilapia, red snapper, etc.

Mustard-Roasted Fish
Time: 30 minutes | 4 Servings
Level: Easy

  • Four fish fillets (i.e rockfish, alaskan red snapper, tilapia)
  • Kosher salt, plus 1 teaspoon for the sauce
  • Freshly ground black pepper, plus 1/2 teaspoon for the sauce
  • 2 to 3 medium shallots
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons capers
  • 8 oz ounces creme fraiche (Whole Foods sells it)
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard

Preheat the oven to 425 F degrees. Have a baking dish ready to align the fillets.
Season the fillets lightly on both sides with salt and pepper. Place the fillets on the baking dish. Note:  If you are using a skin-on fish like rockfish place the skin down.

Mince the shallots (to yield 2 tablespoons) and drain the capers; place both in a medium bowl. Add the creme fraiche, the water, both of the mustards, 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, stirring to combine.

Spoon the sauce over the fillets, making sure the fish is completely covered. Bake for 20 minutes or until the fish is cooked through (if you live in Mexico City or any city with high altitude you will need to add more minutes in the oven)
Serve hot or at room temperature, with sauce from the dish spooned over the top

Cooking tip: If you cannot find the creime fraiche, use sour cream instead.

A Wonderful Surprise from Australia

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My friend Jess and I in New York, 2007

My dear friend Jess who lives in Australia called me today urging me to check my email since she had news to share. I opened my email and what a wonderful surprise I received….. The site Frockaholics – amazing resource for fashion-organized a contest to celebrate the International Women’s Day. Jess entered the contest that consited in writing about stories of inspiring women. Jess wrote about me. The great news is that the story was selected. The prize is two beautiful Camilla lace up shirts one for Jess and one for me!  

Thank you Jess, I can’t wait to see you in May!!!!!. And thank you Frockaholics for this honor, I hope my story and journey beating cancer inspire other women around the world to stay positive despite difficult times.

P.S. A new pair of shoes, a cool bag and a new dress are always a great reminder on how beautiful and fabulous we are.

Flower Power

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Through my mother-in-law I learned about the Children’s Art Project, an initiative from the University of Texas MD Anderson  Cencer Center to portray artwork of young patients and artists in diverse merchandise. Thank you Kathy for the beautiful “Flower Power” scarf. Certainly, flowers have the power of healing and bringing colors to life. To Connie, Anne, Katie & Emily thank you very much for the beautiful flowers you sent. Flowers make me smile.

The National Cherry Blossom festival in DC starts in March 20. The three pictures below depict some of the famous cherry blossom trees (with no flowers yet). I took those pictures last week on a beautiful walk in DC.

Last Monday I had my fifth chemo, almost 50% done!!. This time the administration of the chemo was easier since now I have a port (I feel like the bionic woman haha).
Based on my last week scan results, my body is responding to the medicines and the lymph nodes have shrunk considerably. I am more tired though. So far, so good!!.

Thank you for your words of encouragement, but most importantly thank you for your prayers.

Let’s enjoy the flower power in Spring!!!

The Best Animated Short Film 2012

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This is the first time I watch the Academy Awards entirely and it was an ok experience. I was not surprised with the results since in these days of real-time media and social media, information is leaked and we immediately learn about an event through twitter/Facebook before our favorite newspaper.

Great and unforgettable films are those that connect with our feelings and somehow turn us into protagonists of the story. Today I came across a film that in my opinion, made the Academy Awards worthwhile: “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore”, movie awarded with the Oscar to the Best  Animated Short Film. A great story with a beautiful message about books and how magical they are. The music is lovely. Worth watching!

Team in Training!

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Many years ago I started running and I ran several 5 and 10 k races but nothing more. Running a half marathon or a full marathon was beyond my dreams and honestly I never thought one day I will decide to run 42 km (26.1 miles)
Encouraged by my friend Evelyn, I started training to run a full marathon. After several months of training and hard work in October 2010, Evelyn and I completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. One of the best experiences in my life.

What I learned about training for a Marathon that is applicable to any situation is:

  • Be consistent in your training
  • Prepare your mind for success
  • Be ready for not-so-good days
  • Give yourself a break
  • Learn from those that have gone through a similar path
  • If possible train with a team
  • Enjoy the journey and love the race

Speaking about teams, the last two Saturdays I have run with my dear friend Kelli who joined Team in Training (TNT). TNT is a training program created by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Through the program LLS trains thousands of people for run a half or full marathon.

Kelli is training to run her first half marathon this summer. She is running on my honor and in loving memory of Harry Lebowitz. While training, Kelli is raising funds for the lymphoma and leukemia research. To make a donation, please go to http://pages.teamintraining.org/md/rnr12/klivay

Thank you Kelli for joining Team in Training. Can’t wait for the run on Saturday!

PS. Last Friday I had my fourth chemo, I am doing well. I am more tired and I have experienced nausea. But oh well….  I am prepared for not-so-good days :).
Thank you for your prayers and good vibes that keep me energized and strong.

FInish line 26.1 miles = 42 km

Love!

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Six months ago I married my best friend Dave in a beautiful ceremony in Bloomington, Illinois surrounded by family and friends. So to celebrate our love and happiness, I put together the video below:

Tomorrow, people around the world will celebrate Valentine’s Day (Dia de San Valentin. In Mexico it is also called “Dia del Amor y la Amistad” which translation is “Day of Love and Friendship”

Even if you don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, take February 14 as a reminder of the importance of being kind to yourself and others.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Optimum Health

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In order to get better when we are sick, we have a mandate: to listen to our bodies carefully. The body heals when we listen, nurture, take care and love our body. Healing from cancer is a team effort and I have learned to work in conjunction with doctors and nurses to listen better how my body responds to the medicines and how I feel each day. The difficult part of listening to your body is to allowing yourself to rest without feeling “lazy” or “unproductive”.

Who would imagine that having cancer allows me to love my body like never before. An optimum health is not only accomplished by the amount of medicines or visits to the doctor but also by the amount of love and care we dedicate to ourselves and those who are around us.  

I want to share with you a positive phrase to repeat constantly. The thought is from Louise Hay.
By the way for those that have an iPad, I drew the picture above with an amazing app called Bamboo, super fun!.

Feb 4 – Cancer Awareness Day & a Recipe

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Today February 4, is the World Cancer Day, a global observance that helps raise people’s awareness of cancer and how to prevent, detect or treat it.

I cannot complain, I have the best care a patient could ever ask for. Yesterday, I had my third chemo and so far so good. The medicines I get are strong. There is one in particular that felt like it was burning my veins. Luckily enough, Lynne increased the amount of saline solution in the IV and I felt better afterwards. Today I only have a small headache but nothing else!. I appreciate your prayers and good vibes that give me strength and reinforce a positive attitude.

Lynne, Jeni -my amazing new friends and nurses – and I share the passion about cooking. Right after coming back from the hospital I couldn’t wait and I made for dinner an easy-to-make and tasty recipe Jeni shared with me. Thank you Jeni!

Couscous Chicken Salad
20 min | 4 servings
Level: Easy

Salad
1 lg chicken breast (or two small)
1 cucumber (remove seeds and dice)
1 pint of grape tomatoes (halved)
1 small can sliced black olives
Diced green onion tops (to taste)
1 box unflavored couscous (substitute with Orzo or pasta)
Feta cheese

Dressing
1 to 1 1/2 cups greek yogurt (to taste)
Couple tablespoons olive oil
Juice & zest of 1 lemon (lima o limon)
Dried mint
Salt & pepper

Grill and/or bake the chicken breasts (season to taste). Dice chicken. Mix the dressing the bottom of a large bowl and add the vegetables and diced chicken. Prepare couscous (pasta or orzo) according to package directions.
Mixed prepared couscous with dressing, veggies, and chicken. Stir in feta and serve either warm or refrigerate and serve chilled.

Cooking tip: After boiled, run the couscous through cold water to separate the grains better. I like Chobani greek plain yogurt which is a good option for this recipe.

Each Day

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Several of my friends recommended reading You Can Heal your Life by Louise Hay. The book has been a great discovery and it has helped me through this journey. Louise Hay is a strong woman who has gone through unimaginable challenges. Mrs. Hay is also a cancer survivor who has assisted thousands for people in discovering self-healing and personal growth.

Her inspiring words have changed the way I see life in general; I feel better about myself more, I do not sweat the little things, I say “thank you” more often, I laugh more frequently, I give more, and love life each day more.

Also I have learned that keeping a positive attitude and repeating encouraging phrases helps to go through any challenging situation. Each time I receive chemotherapy I think about how the medicines are working and healing me. I know that If I avoid negative feelings such as sadness or fear I will be ok. Our minds can do wonders. Here is one of those encouraging phrases

From Louise Hay

Crab Cakes – Baltimore Style

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Today my hair is short :).
Yesterday, I received beautiful roses, thank you Nancy and Philip. I also got a fantastic cooking book (I have chosen already several recipes) thank you Theresa!!!!

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The Maryland area and specifically the city of Baltimore are well -known for their famous crab cakes. Two nights ago I followed the recipe below from Epicurious; it is excellent.

Crab Cakes – Baltimore Style
Time: 40 min | 6 crab cakes
Level: Easy

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice plus wedges for garnish
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning**
  • 1/2 jalapeño, seeded, finely chopped
  • 1 pound lump crabmeat, picked over (Chicken of the Seas is a great option)
  • 1 1/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), divided
  • 1 tablespoon thinly sliced chives
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Whisk first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add crab; fold to blend. Stir in 3/4 cup panko, chives, salt, and pepper. Divide into 6 equal portions. Form each into 1 inch thick patties. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place remaining 1/2 cup panko on a plate. Coat cakes with panko. Fry until golden brown and crisp, 3-4 minutes per side. Serve with lettuce or salad.

Cooking tip: Panko can be found in groceries or markets with Asian products. Otherwise, bread crumbs are a good substitute.
**In case you cannot find Old Bay Seasoning in your local grocery store; you can make your own. Old Bay is a mix of the following spices: mustard, paprika, celery seed, bay leaf, both black and red pepper, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, salt, mace and ginger.