Alcohol in Organic Cooking Sauces - Concerns?

Hello,

I am not triple negative nor do I have any professional expertise in nutrition. Although I would never suggest that anyone subsist on a diet of sweets, alcohol and potato chips, it makes me a bit sad to read that you’ve given up 99% of the things you enjoy about food. I have always had a very healthy diet, but my feelings are that indulgences and culinary pleasures contribute to one’s enjoyment of life. So unless you’re guzzling whole bottles of salad dressing and sauces, my opinion is don’t stress yourself out over this. I know not everyone will agree with me on this but my generally healthy diet allows me to enjoy treats without an ounce of guilt. I am 8 1/2 years out from a stage IV dx with no progression since initial tx. I can’t attribute this to my relaxed attitude toward diet nor anything else that I’m aware of. I just know that stressing out about what I eat or drink has never been helpful to me. I have given up nothing, but I do limit my treats, so I have never felt deprived

Agree with Exbmxgrl on this one. Unless you are following the recipe that says "start with marinating yourself with one bottle of wine," the key is balance and a general focus on healthy food. This includes the indulgences and sweets that make life a lot more fun.

I try to focus on ingredients that I can recognize: real flour, real dairy products, cuts of meat or fish, fresh vegetables and fruits, herbs, wine, butter or olive oil. I use some frozen items such as peas and spinach, and some canned/jarred items such as tomatoes and stock which I don't have time to make from scratch. I am the lady who often has 4 types of carrots in her fridge. Which reminds me that I need to use up the parsnips and red cabbage.

Usually, I have wine with dinner, but since there is an extra 15 pounds of me at the moment (down from 20+), I am drinking herbal tea and upgrading my lunches from the dubious items that I was purchasing. I now make veggie soups which are more nutritious and contain fewer calories. When I shed the remainder of the weight, I will layer wine back in as I miss the celebratory evening ritual.

I will be taking a break in about 10 days to celebrate my birthday appropriately. This includes a ski trip, champagne, good wine, and chocolates for Valentine's Day which immediately follows. Still working on a second present for myself. The Wellies will be great and get good use, but they don't quite cut it for a milestone birthday.

Don't do organic wine. Organic or biodynamic grapes yes, but you need sulfites unless you like to drink expensive vinegar. This from a winemaker friend of mine who owns a biodynamic vineyard which produces amazing wines, and where I get to camp in the orchard. (I put the lodging savings into wine and good food.) These wines will be labeled something like "made from organic grapes."

Anyway, my take is that life is too short to deprive oneself of good food. This is not the same as a diabetes diagnosis where managing one's food intake would be critical. Or heart disease. Exercise has been shown to have a clear benefit in survival, but diet is a lot harder to pin down. Obviously, a diet of Cheez Doodles and soda isn't a good idea for breast cancer survivors, but it's a bad idea anyway.

Anyway, most of us look at food the wrong way. We need to focus on nourishing body and spirit. Yes, I had done a bit too much wine in the past year or so. Do I think it's going to affect things (other than weight) one way or another??? No, but I can say that I am looking forward to a more svelte future where I can rock my belt collection and look fabulous in my clothes. Which is why I decided to focus and take action.

So take a great breath.....and then plan a fabulous and healthy meal of foods you love. This would include wine. Because you have much to celebrate, which is the rest of your life.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. - Claire

On the topic of wine, there was a study published about 10 years ago that basically said: drink wine and you're toast if ER+. However, most of those women measured in that study had not been given anti-hormonals as part of their treatment as the study was retrospective to back when the standard of care did not include anti-hormonals. These results have since been refuted by studies at the University of Washington and Cambridge University. But the earlier study still casts its shadow, scaring millions of women globally half to death annually.

Then there is that very odd contingent who would advise you that a wine spritzer is the same thing. BLECH!!! I either drink or don't drink wine. A shandy (beer with Italian lemon soda) is nice on a hot day though. Right now, I am waiting for dinner to cook, though haven't decided whether it's the Brats made with local beer, or locally-made German sausage. I can decide while the veggies are roasting.

I think that one positive is being intently aware that I need to the make the most of every single day because there are no guarantees in life. I also now leave my haircuts to the professionals, with far better results. I live a full and rich life. And most of the time, I eat what I want.

Next up in my soup maker is leek and potato. I made one batch and it was absolutely delish.

Hoping for fabulous Nordic skiing next weekend. Because there are only so many perfect ski days. My birthday will be an area I have never skied before which straddles two valleys. I can't wait....and what a way to kick off a new year! - Claire

Thank you so much for sharing these articles. I agree with your post!