Back on Track Again

I have grown into someone I never thought I would be.  I like things to be ordered and predictable.  I don't like surprises and am no longer very spontaneous.  When I make up my mind to do something and then mess it up or can't follow through on it, I get frustrated with myself.  I'm a whole heap of fun, aren't I?

This Lent, partly because I have not felt well, and partly because I am incredibly busy with my boys' activities, I have had a rough time sticking to the fast.  I mean, I had a chicken sandwich at Chik-Fil-A the other night!  I could have had their carrot-raisin slaw - size large - but that just didn't sound good after a 9-hour fast. 

Well, as of today, I have gotten back on track and, with God's help, I am determined to stay there.  Check out the recipe for tonight's dinner - Linguine with White Clam and Broccoli Sauce.  (Right column of my Blog)It was surprisingly delicious!  Lunch was wonderful - ate at Sunflower Vegetarian restaurant with a good friend and had their Curry Supreme.  Breakfast was steel cut oats and a banana. 

Got some good news today - all blood work was normal, except for a low white blood cell count (has been that way since I finished chemotherapy almost 9 years ago, so it's no big deal).   Here's hoping the good ol' doctors can keep the "good news" trend going!

Well, that's all for tonight.  Tomorrow I will introduce you to a wonderful friend who has perfected Vegan cooking and baking!  I really look forward to utilizing her wisdom in this area and know that you will be inspired by her as well.  Until then, happy and healthy eating!

About Forgiveness...

To err is human.  To forgive is divine.  It sounds cliche, but there is wisdom in those words.  Besides being the last day we eat dairy for a while, this past Sunday was what we call "Forgiveness Sunday."  In some Orthodox churches, every person asks forgiveness of every other person in the church.  It works like this:  one person goes to the front of the church and then each person files by until there is a long line of people from which the very last person asks forgivness.  In our current church, we only approach those whom we feel we may have offended.  From a purely logical point of view, the latter seems to make more sense.  However, we are often so blind to the consequences of our actions that I fear we more than likely offend more people than we think we do.

So, since I did not make it to church this past Sunday, in this post I would like to attempt to purge myself of some of the guilt associated with the wrongdoings I know I have committed this year. 

If I have said anything that has hurt you, it is because I spoke without thinking and I'm sorry.  I never would want to intentionally hurt anyone.  There is enough pain inherent with living in this world without my adding to it by means of an unbridled tongue. 

If I have done anything that has upset, offended, or irritated you, I pray that I will be more sensitive to your feelings so that it will not happen again, and sincerely ask your forgiveness. 

This includes my family, friends, and even my blog-readers whom I have not had the privilege of meeting face-to-face.    

Eating-wise, today was a disaster for me.  I had a good enough breakfast - steel cut oats with a bit of raw sugar and some tea.  But the day plummetted after that.  I ran some errands and grabbed a nonfat chai from Starbucks (still not too bad, but certainly not a proper lunch).  But dinner is where I really blew it.  I went to a parents' baseball meeting at the High School that I thought would end no later than 8:00, after which I planned to eat some Chinese vegetables at my favorite local restaurant.  Instead, because I got out of the meeting closer to 9:15 and was starving, I ate the easiest thing I could get my hands on -  a Chik Fil A sandwich and some lemonade.  This is a classic example of putting a bad day behind you and getting back on track again tomorrow, which I will - I promise.  Ahhh...That other thing they say is true too, you know:  confession is indeed good for the soul.

Happy and healthy eating to you all!

Now It Gets Tough!

Last Sunday was Meatfare Sunday for Orthodox Christians around the world.  Today essentially marks the beginning of Great Lent for us, diet-wise.  What does that mean?  It means that from now until April 24th, we are supposed to eat no meat and no dairy.  Of course there are exceptions for those with over-riding health issues, allergies, etc.  But, overall, our diets will now pretty much be Vegan, with the exception of the fish that some Orthodox (like us) eat during this time. 

I am not at all a fan of meatless meats, especially those that pretend to be chicken.  And I am  not crazy about soy cheeses either.  They don't "melt" and the taste, well, I haven't had any that resemble their dairy counterparts in flavor.  Good news is that there are many cuisines out there that do not use meat or dairy in a good amount of their dishes.  Examples are Thai, Chinese, Indian, and meatless Mediterranean, such as Greek and Lebanese.  Even with Mexican food, portobello mushroom fajitas have hit the restaurant scene this past year and are quite delicious (of course, you'd want to hold the sour cream and cheese).  For the most part (except for the fish), we are Vegans for the next 46 days, which is a good thing.  It's almost like a 46-day cleanse. 

I have to confess that, due to allergies in my household and my younger son's dietary requirements (as a 15 and 1/2 year-old athlete, he should be consuming between 3,500 and 3,750 calories a day!), we do not stick to a strict Vegan diet 7 days a week.  I will allow my youngest to eat whatever his team eats when they go out or are served meals before games, and I will leave some dairy in our diet.  Overall, however, I will be cooking Vegan (when I'm home) and am looking forward to the challenge.  Got to pull out those Chinese, Thai, and Mediterranean recipes.  And my Indian ones are always on hand! 

Well, tonight is one of those nights where we will all be running in about 5 different directions, so until next time, happy and healthy eating!
P.S.  If anyone out there knows of any good non-dairy cheeses, please let me know!  I would love to "stand corrected" on that point.

A Slam Dunk!

Today my son made a Hail Mary, 3-point shot at the buzzer from half court.  That doesn't happen very often and, when it did, I felt such a rush of joy.  Whenever any of my children accomplishes something big or has one of those "moments", I feel it, too.  I know you can relate.  It's one of the nicest parts of being a spouse, a friend, and, especially, a mother.  

I talked about how love connects us.  It's what I believe woke my husband the other night when I needed him.  This connectedness that we experience when we love is the impetus behind praying for one another.  And the evidence for the efficacy of prayer is the adrenaline rush we get when we share in the joys, successes, and accomplishments of those we love. 

It is said that God is love.  And among the many things  He has done for us, I believe He created all the beauty of the world for our enjoyment because He loves us. He, in turn, takes joy in our accomplishments, and achievements - just like we do in those of our children.  Made in His image, we, like Him, are capable of creating and accomplishing amazing things.  But, beyond that, when we love Him, we can draw on His power - that "connectedness" I spoke of before comes into play. 

When we shut ourselves off from Him, we still have creative energies, but are shut off from all we are capable of being.  We're like run-aways trying to find a place in a cold, strange city.  We don't always make the best decisions and things usually don't turn out so good for us. 

The feeling that I felt when my baby sunk that shot tonight?  Magnify that about 1,000 times and you might get a glimpse of how God feels when we turn to Him, acknowledge Him, and love Him...

When I called this site "Epicurean de-Lite", my husband reminded me that "Lit" means "Light" in French.  I love God - always have - and hope that during this Lenten period, His light will shine upon your hearts, and that you will trust in Him to help you accomplish all you seek to do to make your "self" the vessel He intended it to be.

What did I eat today?  I ate lunch out and had a Mediterranean appetizer consisting of Baba Ganouj, Hummus, and Taramosalata (red caviar with potato) with some pita wedges.  For dinner, I made a unique pasta that a friend sent me from Italy that was covered with a Pomodoro sauce and some Parmesan cheese.  On the side I had a serving of peas and a glass of cranberry juice.  It was a busy day - it was an easy meal.

Until next time, happy and healthy eating and God bless you all!

Baseball Season Has Begun - Healthy Eating Becomes Challenging

It's that time of year when I can begin to relate to those who work full-time, who tell me, "Hey!  I want to eat healthy and would love to cook the meals you post, but I don't have the time!".

  Baseball season has begun, my youngest son plays both Varsity High School ball and pretty high level travel ball, and my life begins to revolve around his practices and games.  When do I find time to cook?  Actually, tonight I did cook - a rather quick Indian meal (see photo on right.  It is delicious, easy to make,  and is full of wonderful antioxidants, including the amazing cancer-fighting ones found in turmeric). 

My son had two games today, with the second one ending around 5:00 p.m.  Dinner wasn't too difficult to manage (health-wise), but lunch was.  We had to eat "between games". 

We went to what the boys call "Fast Food Central" and I chose to eat at Taco Bell.  They have what they call a Fresco menu now - items that are low in fat and calories, and, on that menu,  I love their bean burritos.  One of them is rather filling and has 340 calories and 8 grams of fat.  Dolled up with their green or roasted pepper hot sauce, they are quite tasty.  I figure that between the beans, tomatoes, and other tiny chopped veggies they contain, they are a safe and healthy bet.  They also have Fresco chicken and beef tacos, but I'm not doing the meat thing anymore...

So....my son had his Varsity pitching debut today (at 15 and 1/2, he is the youngest boy on the squad, so I was all nerves when he hit the mound) and he did great.  Struck out a couple of guys, including a top prospect for South Carolina University and allowed no runs.  Thank God!   In the second game, he played right field and made an amazing catch and was part of a terrific play that resulted in a runner being thrown out on 3rd.   Yup, I love baseball.  This is one of the "happy times" in my life.  God is so good.  I am undergoing medical tests right now - as I'm sure you have figured out from my last few posts - but there is never a better time than this to have to be poked and prodded.  I love baseball and never even think of the pain I usually "put up with" while I watch my son on the ball field - really!  It's one of those miracles I just can't explain...

Well, I wish you all a great remainder of your weekend and, until next time, happy and healthy eating!

The Power Of Love

Love.  It's a word we throw around a lot.  We love our spouses, our children, our parents, our friends.  But we also love pizza, ice cream, our favorite song, movie, or book. 

Funny thing is that love all too often gets swallowed up or eclipsed by criticism, misplaced anger, envy, judgment, indifference, or pride.  Whenever we do not have our "brother or sister"'s best interests at heart, when we assume the worst (whether it's something they've said or done), when we do not rejoice in their triumphs, and lift them up through their struggles, we are not truly loving them.

In fact, without love as our driving force, all of the actions we perform, no matter how noble or seemingly holy, profit us nothing.  Remember, "Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails."  (I Corinthians 13: 4-8a)  

I think of the times that I could really feel God's presence when I prayed - the times that I felt him comforting me like a warm blanket on a cold day, guiding me into action, or speaking to my heart in that still small voice.  And they all have one thing in common.  I was praying so hard that I was either in tears or very close to it - tears for my husband, my child, my brother, my friend, or myself.  In every case they were ultimately tears of love - whether they stemmed from sorrow, concern, desperation, hope, or repentance.  Those are the times that I know He was listening, that I know His will was done, that the prayers were answered - even if not always to my liking or understanding.

I had one of those moments last night.  I awoke at 3:06 a.m. with my heart beating so fast that I could not catch a breath.  I tried to get up, but my feet were cold and tingling, as were both my arms.  I thought of calling out and waking my boys, but one of them has a big game tomorrow, the other is in Delaware today at an Invitational Choral Concert.  My husband was in Puerto Rico on business and, well, I never call 911.  I thought of calling my husband - I really did - a number of times.  But it was late and, even though I could use his prayers, I could not see myself "bothering" him.  Instead, I began to pray - hard!  I thanked God for all that He has blessed me with (and it is truly a lot), I asked His forgiveness for things I have let slip out of conscious thought, and I lifted up petitions.  I prayed for every family member and friend that God put on my heart and, finally, I prayed for myself.  As I prayed, I felt my heart start to calm down, the warmth return to my hands and feet, and that wonderful peace surround me.  Today, my husband called me from Puerto Rico, where they are 1 hour ahead of us, and told me that he was awakened at 4:00 a.m. and could not go back to sleep.  I told him what had happened and he told me that I should have called him - he was awake and would have definitely prayed with me.  And I realized that love connects us across the miles - that's how powerful it is.  Do I believe it is a coincidence that he was awakened just as I was having a terrible attack of tachycardia?  No.  Not for one minute.  And I should have called him...

I look at that list of what love is from I Corinthians and admit that I sometimes struggle with some of them.  Sometimes, especially with one of those I love the most, I am much too easily moved to anger, and find it hard not to keep a record of wrongs.  But I realize that I am but a work in progress.  And, as long as I strive for the "better things" (i.e., to really love as God does), friends become "family", and prayers are not prayed in vain.

I guess the only food on my mind tonight is of the spiritual variety.  It's been that kind of night.  Memory eternal, Diane!  Eleni, Tina, and Georgia, remember - love never dies.  And may God bless you all....

Waiting is The Hardest Part

Part of the human drama is having to wait.  Whether it's to see if you get into the college of your choice, if you got a spot on your school's baseball team, if you're going to get the job you've just interviewed for, or for test results, the process of waiting is never easy.

Most of the time we complain that time flies by.  We ask ourselves, "Where did the years go?", or we reflect that "It seems like yesterday...".   And we wish we could slow down the clock.  Except, that is, when we are in that interminable "wait" mode.  Then time seems to crawl.  And waiting can be sheer torture.

So how do we endure it time and time again?  It has to do with a virtue called patience combined with a gift known as faith.  Whether we are aware of it or not, both are present in every one of us to some degree.  They are among those qualities that are uniquely human.  No matter what your religious affiliation or your personal creed, you can't deny that there is something that sets us apart from the rest of creation.  And besides our seemingly limitless creativity, when we draw on our faith and exercise patience, we are exhibiting qualities that only we humans possess.  After all, we are made in the image of a creative, intelligent, and patient Being. 

Now, when I am low on patience and need a boost of faith, I find comfort in the words of wisdom compiled in the letters of encouragement that St. Paul wrote to the various churches who were undergoing struggles and/or persecution in the first century A.D.  His letters are often beautiful reminders of what I know instinctively to be true.  And I feel like every word he wrote could apply to this time, to this place, to me...

In probably my favorite of his letters, Paul tells us to "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, (and) faithful in prayer."  (Romans 12:12).  These 3 concepts are not merely random sentence fragments.  But, logically, they do appear to be in backwards order.  I see it like this:  If we pray with faith when we are going through a difficult time, we are given hope.  And when we have hope, that painful impatience we feel is replaced with a sense of joy that doesn't seem to make sense.  Yet we feel it all the same.  I don't know about you, but I find comfort in that reality.  Waiting is indeed hard, but it doesn't have to wear us down.

Anyway, tonight we went to dinner at Moe's as a fundraiser for my son's baseball team.  Moe's is a Mexican fast food sort of place that does offer some healthy options.  I had a vegetarian bean burrito with black beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoe, salsa, and a bit of guacamole.  (I had them "hold" the cheese and sour cream and it was good!). 

I hope you are all having a great week.  Until next time, happy and healthy eating!