Recipe -- Word for the Day -- Thursday, January 21, 2010

Recipe

Definition: prescription: a set of instructions for making something from various ingredients: a formula or procedure for doing or attaining something

Just to catch you up on the labs and the last two weeks of treatment. And, drama...

Recipe -- If I were to do my own definition it would be: a meal of special ingredients shared with friends.

Last night I fixed stuff bell peppers. We haven't had those in a while. I took Son one to work this morning and he says you just can't imagine how much you can cram into a bell pepper. ChemoSabe couldn't eat all of his.

Tonight I fixed chicken breasts, rice and English peas. We have been lying off the bread... ChemoSabe can eat four pieces with margarine. Most times he brings out the Apple Butter. We have GOT TO LOSE!

I have been walking two miles in the afternoon with my favorite neighbor. We are walking it in 25 minutes. We are going to try for three next week. We walked so hard last week that my cheeks were sore to sit on when we went out to eat Friday night. Working those muscles.

So, back in dinner tonight. My boss, Ken, is always cooking. We talk about our favorite recipes. He spoke of one last week that I thought I would try, but I have been experimenting elsewhere. His is of Telapia. Sauteing onions, tomatoes and wine together. Well, tonight I did chicken breasts... See below

Put a 1/4 cup of oil in a skillet. Add your chicken breasts and heat high as if you are frying. Slightly brown on each side. Take out and drain on paper towel. While drying -- Heat in the oil chopped onions, bell peppers, and diced tomatoes (you can used canned, drained). Add 1/2 cup of red wine, salt, pepper and teaspoon of minced garlic. Saute until onions/peppers are just past crisp. Lower heat and add chicken... Simmer until you think it is JUST RIGHT..

Do your rice and peas. Then pour the chicken mixture over the rice... ENJOY this recipe! This is an easy dish for the guys to fix, too. Just make sure you don't drink the rest of the bottle of wine while you are cooking! ha

I want to mow tomorrow. It is suppose to be nice. I have cabin fever. If it rains, I can see the whole house being rearranged.

Labs have been very good the last two weeks, except I am still concerned about the WBC... It is at 3.5. His CRP (crap) is at 7. We think that is a result of another bruise on the top of his hand. If it ain't Pete scratching him, he is bumping it on the bike or something else.

He is having problems again with the left foot. It doesn't seem to be neuropathy. He took himself off the Gabapintine a couple of weeks ago since the numbness seemed to be less frequent. The last two days have resulted in massive pain in the arch, especially at night. I thought he was having cramps. He couldn't lie down or walk last night. It was some good strong pain, so tonight I started him back on it in the a.m. and p.m.

Since last week was the first week on and last Dex was on Friday, it brought on a rash of snappiness. I saw it coming last weekend and this week has resulted in more, but more toward work than toward me. I think he has learned his lesson! ha. He works through it very well by apologizing when it occurs, no matter who it is with or what it is about.

We are babysitting the Valentine's Day weekend. That will help take my mind off my mother. It will be a year since her passing. Seems just like yesterday.

Work has been unusual for both of us this week. I prayed for changes and got more than I expected and unexpected. It will be a challenge, but you know me, I love challenges. They energize me. When I focus on something hard, then I tend to lose weight. The great recipe for weight loss.

We had good news this week in that two insurance reports showed his cancer insurance is paying 100%. What happened? Thought we had met the million dollars limit in January 2009... It hasn't even been two years. But, that was only two bills out of 14 accounts. Oh, hum.

Guess it is time to get to bed.... I will continue to keep you posted.

Don't forget Valentine's Day -- you guys!

Good night and Love -- Pepper