FRIDAY FARE: Healthy Holiday Recipes

It's Christmas Eve!!!!! I hope your preparations are going well. I've been busy getting everything ready, and so the posts for this week are kind of crazy. I posted Kathy's Thursday Thoughts yesterday, and today, I'm going to post Friday Fare - some healthy recipes you might want to take to your Christmas parties! These are simple, pretty, and yummy. Oh, and healthy, too! Wow!

Winter Fruit Salad

This recipes comes from the About.com Low Fat Cooking site. The picture comes from the Food Network. (They've added kiwi to their for even more pretty color).

"This colorful fruit salad makes a beautiful addition to the holiday table. Serve as a light dessert or as a palate cleanser between courses."

Ingredients:

• 2 Blood Oranges
• 2 Navel Oranges
• 1 Pink Grapefruit
• 1 Yellow Grapefruit
• 2 Star Fruit
• 1 Pomegranate

Preparation:

Using a sharp knife, peel and segment oranges and grapefruit. Remove pith, pips and membranes. De-seed pomegranate and slice star fruit. Arrange citrus segments in a bowl with the star fruit and gently mix together. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Serves 6

Spiced Apple Cider

This recipes comes from www.health.com. I bet this would make your house smell divine!

Ingredients:

• Lemon rind strips (from 1 lemon)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 gallon apple cider
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 20 whole cloves
• 5 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks, halved
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup Calvados (apple brandy) or applejack (such as Laird's)
• Additional cinnamon sticks (optional)

Preparation:

1. Bring first 8 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes.

2. Pour mixture through a sieve over a large bowl, reserving liquid; discard solids. Stir in brandy. Serve in mugs; garnish with additional cinnamon sticks, if desired.

Sugared Cranberries

I found this recipe on www.cookinglight.com. I thought it looked light a yummy snack...

"Because of the contrast between the tart cranberries and sugary coating, the flavor of this snack pops in your mouth."

Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar

Preparation:

1. Combine granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring mixture until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer; remove from heat. (Do not boil or the cranberries may pop when added.) Stir in cranberries; pour mixture into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
2. Drain cranberries in a colander over a bowl, reserving steeping liquid, if desired. Place superfine sugar in a shallow dish. Add the cranberries, rolling to coat with sugar. Spread sugared cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature 1 hour or until dry.
3. Note: The steeping liquid clings to the berries and helps the sugar adhere. Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.

That's it for Friday Fare this week. I hope your Christmas is WONDERFUL! We'll see you back here in Monday.

-Kara

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Here's To Those Who Take Time From Their Busy Schedules To Help Others...

Guest Post:

Within the last week I have experienced several things which have greatly warmed my heart. To begin with the movie at the gym cinema where I work out was,” The Goonies”. I haven’t seen this movie for so many years that it was almost like old home week for me. I remembered when my boys and I watched in amazement as they chased after Chester Copperpot, One Eyed Willie, and the treasure that no one had been able to find for many years. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. It put me in a good mood all morning long. My boys are all over 30 years old and on their own now, but for the time I was watching that movie, I felt we were all snuggled up on the couch together so many years ago where I took turns tickling their backs one at a time. I just felt warm and happy all over.

I am sure that by now most of you have heard about the “layaway angels” who have been going to Kmart and paying down the balances of people who have fallen behind on their payments. I first heard about this on the news. Then my son forwarded me the actual article from the Associated Press which shared many actual details. I am quoting now directly from this article:

“The young father stood in line at the KMART layaway counter wearing dirty clothes and worn out boots. With him were three small children. He asked to pay something on his bill because he knew he wouldn’t be able to afford it all before Christmas. Then a mysterious woman stepped up to the counter. “She told him,” No, I am paying for it, ’” recalled Edna Deppe, the assistant manager in the store in Indianapolis. “He just stood there and looked at her and then looked at me and asked if this was a joke. I told him it wasn’t, and that she was going to pay for him. And he just busted out in tears.”

There were many more stories about single mothers and others who had no way to provide Christmas for their children. One lady said, “ It might have been only $50, but to us it might as well be a million.” One lady donated anonymously saying just to “Remember Ben,” her husband who had died very recently….and the list goes on. I find it heartwarming not only that this happened in several states, but the fact that it got so much media attention. This is one case where copy catting is a good thing! It is a win-win situation for everyone….Givers, receivers and those who witness all of these kind acts. Those running the stores say they have never seen anything like it. Once again, I found my self so happy just because this story made me feel that way.

Lastly, my father told me about something that happened at their home in St. George just last week. My mother is in the last stages of Multiple Myeloma, Cancer of the bone marrow. She has (and continues) to put up a brave fight, although the progress is slow and painful. On Friday night a group of carolers came to my parent’s home. They were dressed in period clothes with top hats, scarves, hand muffs and all the rest. This was a surprise to my mother although my father had been called by his bishop to let him know they were coming. They had just finished giving a concert and then split up to visit a few homes in the area. They were well aware that this may be my mom’s last Christmas. As they entered, they sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” complete with bells and everything. My mother was so surprised and thrilled. They then asked my father to sit beside my mother as they sang several other Christmas Carols. Daddy told me that as they sang, one young woman in the front row simply could not hold the tears back. She sobbed on her husband’s shoulder as they sang. We all know the spirit is very strong in their home and we suspect that those on the other side are very close at this time. As my father shared this story with me I found myself overtaken by tears not only because I know my mother’s time is close, but also because these wonderful singers took time from their very busy schedules to help what may be my mothers last Christmas season filled with happy memories.

I am thankful for each of these events that brought such joy to my life. But I am most grateful of all for Jesus Christ; For His birth, His mission and His effect on each and every one of us who believe in Him and invite Him to be an active force in our lives.

Kathy Christensen

Survivor, Member of Lifting Hearts

SATURDAY STRENGTH: Exercising During the Busy Holiday Season

The holidays are a time when it's easy to forget to leave time for exercise. We are all so busy, and it seems that others things are more important - spending time with family, shopping, watching holiday movie favorites, or playing games. So, here is a list of things you can do to include exercise while you do all those other things!

SHOPPING: Go to the mall! It's not really my favorite place to shop, but you can get a LOT of walking done while you go back and forth to all of the different shops. The mall is a nice place to walk in, because "the weather outside is frightful", and it's nice and toasty warm inside!



SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY: This is an easy one... participate in winter sports - sledding, skiing, building snowmen, etc.



If you aren't in to sports, then just pick a favorite destination and take a walk with your family - bundle up, and look at the lights, or go caroling. We have a beautiful place here in Salt Lake City to go and visit... it's the LDS Temple Square, and it's lit up with thousands of lights. Take a thermos of hot chocolate, and go stroll through the square. It's an amazing sight, and a beautiful place to spend time with your family.



WATCHING MOVIES/PLAYING GAMES: Exercising while sitting still is kind of hard, but one exercise does come to mind - strengthening your stomach muscles - just lift your legs a little bit and hold. Do this over and over again... it won't bother anyone else, and it will give you a great workout. But, if you want a little bit more of a workout, and still want to play games with your family - try one of the gaming systems that offer exercises. It's a blast and a great workout!



I'm sure you can think of other ways to incorporate a little bit of exercise into your holiday season. It's super important, and it will make you feel good!

MONDAY MOTIVATION - Happy Halloween!

Yes, I'm still alive! Wow... when I realized that I'd forgotten to update the blog for 4 days, I felt awful. But, life happens, and sometimes things don't go as planned. I'll try to be better about updating daily.

Today is Halloween - the start of fun holidays with family and friends. Three years ago, this was me on Halloween...



This was taken 2 weeks after my bi-lateral mastectomy. I looked (and felt) pretty awful. In fact, this is what I felt like...


(picture of my son, Michael)

I was getting ready to start chemo the next week, and didn't really feel like celebrating any kind of holiday, but my sweet friends invited us for a Halloween dinner, and so we went. I felt better for going.

I think spending time with family and friends during the holidays, especially when you need cheering up, is a great idea. Just because you are going through something that completely consumes you - like cancer - doesn't mean that you have to give up on being normal. So what if your chest just got cut off? Wrap some bandages around you, and go party like a mummy! So what if all your hair just fell out? Wrap a skull bandana around your head, throw on your leather jacket, borrow your neighbor's Harley, and go as part of a motorcycle gang! Make something good out of something bad. You'll feel better, and you'll make others happy as well.

Lucky for me, I'm not in the middle of treatments this year. I'm grateful that I can do normal things, like decorate my house with carved pumpkins, and answer the door to give out treats. I'm just happy to be alive! I hope that, even if you are in the middle of fighting the monster, you'll be able to focus on something else today. Enjoy being with your family... you can resume the fight tomorrow.

Go and have some good, old-fashioned Halloween fun tonight.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

-Kara

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Brenda Coffee's Blog Post - Holidays, Cancer, and Hope...

Finally back from the holiday bustle! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Today, I thought I'd share a blog post I read a few days ago on Brenda Coffee's blog. She is such a great writer, and said many things that resonated with me. The post was called "Holidays, Cancer, and Hope", and can be found on the home page of her blog - BREAST CANCER SISTERHOOD. This is a blog I read often, because I signed up for her newsletter. While you're visiting her blog, go ahead and sign up for the newsletter. You'll get an email whenever she posts something. It's really nice.

Tomorrow, I'll try to post some of the yummy recipes we enjoyed at our Sister Survivors Christmas party a few weeks ago.

Have a great day!

-Kara

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Merry Christmas!

Ladies -

This week is crazy busy, with all the Christmas preparations. I've been so busy, in fact, that I have barely any Christmas shopping done. So, I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and let you know that I won't be posting on this blog for this week, but next week I'll get back to posting each day. Let me leave you with this post, by Kathy Christensen - guest blogger... enjoy your holidays, and count your blessings!

-Kara


"Last weekend I traveled to St. George to spend time with my mother who is in the final stages of Multiple Myaloma (Cancer of the bone marrow. We are no strangers to Cancer in my family. Dad has survived Colon Cancer,Prostate Cancer, and also has skin cancers removed on a regular basis. I am a Breast Cancer Survivor and thankfully received the report this week that my follow up mammogram was clean and Cancer free.

As I spent these precious moments with my mother, I looked on this blessed Christmas Season with a new and profound gratitude. My mother's days are now numbered. She is made more comfortable and pain free by Methadone, Oxygen and Ativan for anxiousness. As I pondered in my mind the significance of this holiday and why we celebrate it, I realized (or rediscovered) that my mother is going to a far better place. She lost a little girl with Liver disease over 50 years ago and that baby (Cindy was her name)has waited a long time to have her mother back.

As we gather on Christmas Eve this year with our family, we will once again celebrate the life and mission of our Savior Jesus Christ. His life and mission are the most precious gifts that any of us will ever receive. Because of Him, we know our loved ones are not gone forever; they are just absent for a short time until we will eventually, at our appointed time, join them never again to be separated.

Despite the fact that Cancer is NOT my friend, I will be forever grateful in the part it has played to strengthen my level of gratitude for this knowledge and the strength it gives me each and every day of my life."

MONDAY MEMOIRS - The Christmas Season...

I was going through chemo during the Christmas season of 2008. In fact, it worked out that I had 2 chemo treatments that December. I'm normally a "Christmas" person - I decorate a ton, love to shop, and generally get very into the holiday spirit. I love to attend things like Festival of Trees, and love to drive around looking at Christmas lights. I remember that year - I just didn't have the strength to do any decorating, or attend anything. My sister came and decorated for me, and I had help taking things down after the holidays. I didn't do any baking that year, and I really just had to rely on others to help make the holidays special for my family. My parents took me out shopping, and even did some of the shopping for me.

A few things that helped - I did most of my shopping online. It was better for me, because I didn't want to go out around crowds. I accepted help from others, and learned about that wonderful thing called charity. Everyone understood that I couldn't do things I normally did.

As I run around this year, trying to get ready for Christmas, my thoughts go back to 2008. It was a hard time for me. This weekend, as I tried to decorate my 12 foot Christmas tree by myself, I remembered that I couldn't even put this tree up in 2008. I just didn't have the strength. I still didn't have the strength to do it last year. This year, my kids helped me, and there it is - my beautiful tree! I still need help to keep up with everything, but I'm slowly and surely getting back to my old "Christmas" self.

Today, take a minute to sit down and write in your cancer journal...

How did you get through the holidays when you were sick? What kinds of things help to make that time easier? Who helped? What did you miss being able to do?

And finally...

Count all of your blessings - being alive to enjoy the Christmas season is one of my biggest blessings!

Merry Christmas!

-Kara

HAPPY LABOR DAY!