So...whats for dinner?

SpecialK

momine - I am with you on the hungry thing!  Actually it is not so much hungry as longing for certain foods.  I am doing a detox diet, trying to consume only organic/grass fed protein (beef/chicken/eggs) and veggies and one piece of high-fiber fruit a day, and have cut out pork, dairy, caffeine (my one remaining vice!), alcohol, grains, sugar, etc.  I have been doing it for 30 days and have lost 10 lbs., which was from chemo, steroids and excess fluid.  I feel better and really am not hungry as I can eat as much as I want - I just want some naughty foods!

Momine

specialK, good for you! At first I mostly felt great. But once I cut the meat and eggs way back, because I started femara and it can cause cholesterol problems, I am beginning to think that something's gotta give. I am VERY thin and really quite hungry a lot of the time. But I am not sure how one adds calories with most high-calorie foods being a no-no for one reason or another.

LuvRVing

Joyce is the head administrator for an anesthesia group in a local hospital.  I am quite sure they are taking excellent care of her!!!

 Momine - what's wrong with avocados?  Yes, they are fatty, but it's very much the good kind, like olive oil.  Your diet is rather austere...I couldn't, wouldn't want to do it. 

Momine

Avocados are supposedly not a good idea if you are ER+. A lot of nice foods are not, apparently, compatible with ER+ cancer. Add to that the cholesterol risk of the AIs and my desire to keep my blood sugar down and steady and there isn't much to eat.



I do let myself have a little wine, cheese etc, so it is not as austere as it mght sound, but i used to consume cheese and avocados almost daily. Now I might have a small amount of one or the other every other week or so.

SpecialK

Glad that joycek has the "friends and family" hookup at the hospital!  I always found that to be helpful too!  Most of my early appointments at BS/PS/MO I was in scrubs because I had come from work, and I found that I got a lot more technical info.  Also ended up in the ER with DD a couple of times straight from work - they looked at my badge and we never were in the waiting room for long!  Gotta love it!

momine - I already had the cholesterol issue prior to BC as a result of hyst/ooph, so I am on a statin to keep it down.  I was careful with fats before but I have now taken it to a new level - I am curious what my numbers are now with the combination of statin/AI/almost no fat in my diet.  Glad you are still occasionally enjoying some yummy and fun things. 

Momine

SpecialK, let us know how you do with the numbers, please. My numbers were fine before treatment, but I have had an ooph and have started AIs, so I am quite nervous about it. The idea of statins scares the living daylights out of me and I will go to fairly great lengths to avoid it. Have you had problems being on them?

apple

hmmmm 6 avacadoes are almost at perfection at my place.  I could eat a couple tonite on the Jewish hotdogs but had a huge lunch with the DD,

Momine

Michelle, I took your suggestion and pigged out for dinner. I had two gyro sandwiches and it was GOOD! Thanks

carolehalston

I'm ER+ and I eat all foods that I like in moderation and consume alcohol in moderation.  The only food I was instructed to avoid was soy.  My cholesterol has become elevated since I started taking arimidex so now I take a statin.   I need to lose about 15 lbs that I've gained over the three years on arimidex.  It's very hard to manage weight with no estrogen.

We're having another pleasant day in Clinton, IA.  DH and I played 9 holes of golf and walked instead of renting a cart.  Afterwards we had a good lunch in the restaurant at the golf club.  I had a delicious Cobb salad.  With avocado!  And blue cheese dressing.   IMHO, the Haas avocados are the best.  Subway has avocado as an option now. 

Dinner will probably be a salad and fruit.  If we're hungry I have some home-made eggplant parmesan casseroles in the freezer.

Laurie08

Michelle- Thanks on the update on Joyce, I have been thinking about her and missing her here.  I hope all her tests turn out good.  Keep us posted.  I am glad you didn't break out the hose yesterday!!  Hope you spaghetti dinner turns out great and DH is happy once he gets it in his mouth ;P

Momine- Yay!!  I am glad you got a fattening meal into you.  It's good to be conscious of what we eat but it's also good not to be hungry.  I laughed at the gyros.  DH loves them, once I said ok, I have to see what the fuss is about and had a bite of one of his, they are really good!!

SpecialK- I hope you're doing ok down there, it looks like more rain is on the way for you.  I actually go tto watch the news at lunch time and they had a lot of footage on Florida, so scary.

So I stopped at the store and got myself the ground lamb for dinner tonight.  This is a meal I grew up on and I love it, because Mom made it   We haven't had it in at least a year because of the price of lamb.  I'll have it with my fried zucchini sticks and sauce and roasted red potatoes.  Mmmmmm.....can't wait.  I haven't said anything to DH about it and I know he will be pleasantly surprised.

Avocados- makes me want a sandwich I used to have years ago.  It was called a California grilled cheese at a restaurant I worked at.  Whole wheat bread, guacamole, tomato and Havarti cheese.  I think when our tomatoes com ein in August I will have to go for it.

SpecialK

momine - I had the hyst/ooph 11 years ago and did not start a statin (Lipitor) for quite a while, I have always eaten sensibly and maintained a healthy weight.  My cholesterol started to increase but my triglycerides remained in control and my ratio was OK.  When all that went south I did start the statin, it brought my numbers down by almost 100 points (I believe I have a genetic issue) from a total cholesterol of 260 with a bad ratio, and I have not had any side effects that I am aware of.  Next time I have a lipid panel I will check it against the previous one - I am curious also since I am eating such a limited diet right now.  I have always wodered if I could control it myself with diet and exercise, so I may try to come off the statin at some point.  Yay on the gyro sandwiches - love them.  I like to have horiatiki salad with the gyro meat and tzatziki - sooo good!

laurie - rainy and very windy today - my dog is still scared but was excited to go outside!  The grilled cheese with avocado sounds yummy!  I want one right now!

carole - I just made the switch from Femara to Arimidex (with a 3 week washout phase) and I am wondering if I will continue to lose.  I was making such good progress so I hope I can keep at it - but I did have to go back to the AI since I am very strongly ER+.  I have been on Arimidex for about a week - already the joint pain is coming but it is fairly mild so far - it is the reason I made the switch.  I am basically gluten-free right now which some have said is helpful.  We shall see!

apple - I always have too many avocados ripe at the same time - but my DD has discovered that she really, really likes my guacamole!

gardengumby

Momine, where did you hear about avocados being not good for ER+???  Want to research it.   I was told by my MO that I can eat anything including soy in moderation - just not to take soy supplements.  It's all so confusing.

 For dinner tonight, I think we're going out for Chinese, as my DH is out fishing and I'm getting off work late... 

Tazzy

Apple... you really do need to write your memoirs... OMG!

Michelle... I do not know JoyceK - but my thoughts her with her and her family.   That is some avocado.  I really love avocados.... And everything in moderation eh?

Carberry - have fun at the casino and concert.

SpecialK... so sad about the manatees - what an incredible creature.   Happy you are all safe and sound.

Glad to hear you are having a blast Carole - and the Cobb Salad sounds so yummy.

Gardengumby.... I love Chinese food... its what we normally have the Saturday evening after my chemo - just love all the different flavours.

Again, dinner will be what DH wants to cook/bring out the freezer.

Hello and hugs to everyone I missed.

chabba

gumby, I am soooooooo jealous!  The thing I miss most  since we moved to the beach is lunch in Seattle's Chinatown.  My job used to take me to the Seattle area quite often and my coworkers in that area were mostly Asian.  One of them grew up in Taiwan in a family of gourmets.  When he was with us we went to places where I was almost always the only white in the place, the menu was in only Chinese and the food was wonderful.  If I could ever have a meal like that again I would think I had died and gone to heaven.

The finest Chinese meal I have ever eaten was at my friend's home. I happened to be working in Bellview where B lived when his parents were visiting from Taipei.  His mother and his wife put on a dinner in my honor.  He told me that they thought they should "Americanize" the menu and he said "Don't worry, she is half Chinese. Just cook as though our fussiest gourmet friends will be here."  (By the way I'm of Norwegian heritage.)  I think that was probably the best meal I've ever eaten, it certainly was the most memorable.

SpecialK

gardengumby - here is a blurb about avocado that I have largely ignored, lol!

Breast cancer-related effects of eating avocados

One study found that a diet high in avocado oil promoted the formation of mammary tumors in rats. Another study of postmenopausal U.S. Latina women found that consumption of avocados was associated with higher circulating estrogen levels. On the other hand, a toxin in avocado leaves has been shown to enhance the cytotoxic effects of tamoxifen on human breast cancer cells regardless of their estrogen receptor (ER) status. Based on the available evidence, breast cancer patients, survivors and those at high risk should limit consumption of avocados until further studies clarify these findings.

LuvRVing

JoyceK called me around 6:00, she is fine.  She had her tests and then went back to work!!!  They didn't find anything except something that can be treated with Prilosec (gastritis, I think).  I know she appreciates everyone's well-wishes and prayers. 

Veal milanese with leftover grilled veggies for dinner tonight.  A tiny cannoli is in my future. 

Lacey12

Glad to learn that Joycek is doing fine!



I do hope that you get some relief from the rains, SpecialK. Such a sad Manatee story. Those creatures have the most compelling faces.



As I was just reading along, catching up, after another day in the office mess, I started getting anxious about all the avocado talk and "promotion"' too. So I was glad to see that Momine shared the concern that I had also read about. That said, When I was going a bit bonkers about what I could eat with the ER+ and tamoxifen status, I consulted with an oncology dietician who insisted that even soy in moderation (and not the kind processed in chips, etc.) is fine. That said, she wasn 't able to tell me much about the grapefruit contraindication and it seems from other sources that it is clearly a no no for those on tamoxifen. So I do eat most of the ER+ no no's (soy, sesame, avacado, etc. etc. etc. see the page on ER+ foods) on a limited basis.



Hit the grocery store after "work" ( the cupboard was unusually bare!)and we did a quick marinade of steak tips and veggies to grill along with corn on the cob (really sweet!), and a basic garden salad. Enjoying some bing cherries for dessert.

All of my file cabinets and game cabinets are either empty or otherwise in order for the next person, so tomorrow on to emptying out my desk....then the book packing begins. I really may have to audition for hoarders! My goal is to be out by Thursday......



Carole, good to hear that your trip is going so nicely.

Chabba, loved your best Chinese meal story!

Apple, you continue to amuse......:)

Laurie, I hope your lamb dinner was great! I am dying to make my own lamb patties with garlic and rosemary now after that incredible "burger" this weekend.Yum!!!

bedo

I'm glad Joyce is OK

Speaking of little horses, here is the world's smallest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XQtd9cTGFM

I am thinking of running away...really  I had 15 minutes to myself today bcause of work and spent it with my neighbors. It was so much fun.  As I was driving around for work, I thought, what if I just kept going? I do love my work, but I can't keep working 12 hour or more days. Apple,  I did the "We want the naked truth" thing too, and embarrassingly enough, did it a few years ago too

For dinner, a pineapple tart from my neighbor and frozen lemonade from the street vendor.  I usually eat very well during the day, but not too hungry at night, so I eat things that are not worthy of this thread. 

carolehalston

Laurie and anyone else, how do you make your lamb patties?  We eat lamb loin chops and I have cooked leg of lamb but never lamb patties.   

apple

i so need to become friends with that farmer and photograph his horsies.

  that is one cute little horse bedo...  o my gosh.

Laurie08

I too am glad Joyce is ok.

Bedo- you always make me smile

Carol- For my lamb patties I just make them like burger patties and sprinkle both sides with oregano.  Grill and when done add a slice of tomato and a slice of mozzarella cheese and let melt.  It was yummy.

Apple- I agree, you need to write a book, the people you have met and the life you live is amazing!!  Not to mention, you have a knack for telling it.

debbie6122

Michelle- I pm'd Joyce a few days ago she told me about her test she was going to have. thanks for letting us know they came out fine.:-))

Bedo- Einstein is so cute, I want one!! Was cute seeing the mom trot along side to keep an eye on her baby. I have a cute photograph of some horses in a pasture lined up along side the fence watching these 2 guys push a truck. dont know why this cracks me up but it does i laugh everytime i look at it.- Oh and dont run away, we'd miss you lol!

Specialk- I also have been watching the news what a mess! My DD lives in Georgia and said they were getting some flooding but nothing like you have had. Hope you keep safe.

Wish i liked lamb but could never get a taste for it. But say it ain't so on the avacados!

Momine

Yeah, the gyro sandwiches were good. It is my fave junk food, and I think it must be 6 months since I last had one.

SpecialK, thanks for the statin info. Not sure why it scares me so much, but I hate the idea of being on regular meds other than for the stupid cancer (and that bugs me too).

I think it is really hard to find a balance with the food stuff. For years, my favorite breakfast was a bread ring from the baker, white bread with tons of sesame seeds, sort of like a crispy, skinny sesame bagel. I used to eat 2-3 of those in the AM with my coffee. That is obviously not a good idea on several counts.

I also find that if I really seriously am going to get 5-10 half-cup servings of veggies into me on a daily basis, then there isn't actually room for much else. 

Kaara

Good to hear that JoyceK is doing ok...I'm not a fan of the prilosec...doc prescribed it for me and it made my condition worse.  I got better with a good probiotic that I take daily.  Prilosec blocks the stomach acid that is needed to digest food and ultimately leads to trouble.  It should only be taken for very sort periods to relieve bad symptoms.

Laurie:  Lamb patties sound good...never had them but might give it a try.

Disappointed to learn that I'm not supposed to eat avocados...I love them...and they are very alkaline which is good for my diet.  Oh well.

We played 9 holes of golf yesterday and then went out for dinner..my treat...I lost!  After that we came home and watched a netflix "The Vow" which was a tear jearker based on true events.  Imagine waking up from a horrific accident and not remembering your husband!

More lawn watering today...where is the rain that's coming up from Florida?? 

apple

too bad you cannot eat tomato worms

oh the drama of this wild place

So - I go out to check my tomato plants right outside the backdoor. Yesterday something had started eating the leaves and i see a HUGE greeen caterpillar. i took it off with a pair of tongs and cut it in half in the driveway. I then found another and did the same thing. dam bugs.

Mr. Fred the red headed finch is still fighting with himself in the car mirror

carberry

Apple  the saying "OFF with their Heads" comes to mind!  Too funny. Something is eating my eggplant plant too.

My fridge is really empty also...last night was leftover steak made into cheesesteak sandwiches, very quick and spontaneous as DH came home early and wanted help replacing shade canopy on our deck...who is this man and what did he do with my husband?

Couldnt get any of the men folk interested in the concert tonight, so my DH is taking 4 of us women Woohoo for him...it will be like a group date on the "bachelor"

Lacey12

Apple, they are not on the no no list.....might be interesting fried......or marinated?

Loved those little horses....little caricatures of themselves! It must be fun to see them daily.

Lacey12

Carrie, I hope your DH enjoys his "group date" as much as the bachelor!

gardengumby

chabba - your Chinese dinner sounds delightful.  We go out for dinner once in awhile in the International District here in Seattle, but I've always loved a restaurant in San Francisco that we visit when we're there.  I believe it's called the Black Pearl.  (I always find it by location instead of name.....  )

SpecialK, thanks for the info about avocado.  I won't give them up totally, as I don't gorge on them - and I'm a fan of "everything in moderation", but I won't invest in any avocado oil, either!!

In regards to lamb patties - there is a hamburger joint here in Seattle that makes a lamb burger that is sooooo good.  It has a slice of deep-fried lemon on it - I don't know if it's a Meyer's lemon (which is possible because it doesn't seem at all juicy), but it's probably the best hamburger I've ever eaten.  I do make lamb patties on occasion and generally on a grill, but my favorite is rack of lamb - I try to make that at least once a month.

Tonight we're having cold poached salmon with salad as my hubby is going fishing this afternoon/evening, so will probably eat much later than I, and cold food makes that easy. 

Tazzy

The miniature horse just has to be the cutest thing ever.

Kaara - The Vow... I mean really, if you woke from a coma, couldn't remember a thing and Channing Tatum said he was your husband, would you argue ??

You can have some of our rain too.    The Okanagan is a semi-arid desert, but this year I have had to go on a rampage of killing slugs.   They are eating everything in their wake.  

Carberry... bet your DH enjoys his evening - what a lucky fella.

Not sure what is on the menu tonight... only 9am here - and for the first time since last tx last Friday I actually I feel like cooking.

Hope you are all enjoying your days.