Starting a MoyaMoya Blog

Hi!

I have been thinking a lot lately. Yes, I am stuck in my own brain lately. At times that is not where I want to be.  My thoughts are I still want to write a book regarding my experience with Moya Moya, because I am an adult with it. Most of the articles are about kids who have it.  This disease/syndrome is at times horrible to me.  It must be hell on parents and kids!  An adult perspective is rarely out there, and it is needed.  Often I am told to write about what I know. Well, I know Moya Moya and the aftermath. I am living it!

I believe that having a separate blog is the answer.  When I post about my experiences and post it on FB in the Moya Moya sites, I get more readers than with my cooking and craft posts.  I am keeping this open because I do like posting my food and craft items.

I am going to ask you to keep your eyes open for the new blog. I am working on it. I haven't decided a name for it. I know that Moya Moya is part of the address. Moya Moya in the desert or Palm Springs. I don't know yet. It is a work in progress.

Mexican Chocolate Sheet Cake

A quick posting I made this lovely, not lovely, awesome cake on Sunday.  I can't use "lovely" because it is a joke on our family about using lovely to describe a meal or dessert.  I will share that story in the next posting. It is actually one of Patrick's stories about his mother.  Back to the cake . . .

This cake was extremely good with coffee and cinnamon as key ingredients.  Eve Shane and Jenan ate it even with the coffee.  Here is the recipe:

https://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/mexican-chocolate-sheet-cake/21c3c1de-3aec-4540-a984-8de361f186f7

I hope you see the recipe.

Enjoy!

Low Carb Chili Recipe

Here is the recipe for the chili I made earlier in the week. My family loved it even though it had no beans.  Beans have too many carbs for me.

Major hint: don't forget the tomato paste! At first I didn't add it, and Patrick and I kept looking at it,  We were puzzled, because it didn't look like chili.  So I reread the recipe and Duh me! forgot the tomato paste. Please add the tomato paste!

Low Carb Chili

Adapted from Andres Regalado

Serves: 6

•          2 pounds of ground beef
•          8 oz. tomato paste
•          3 tomatoes chopped
•          1 red bell pepper chopped
•          1 small onion chopped
•          2 celery sticks chopped
•          2 teaspoons cumin
•          2 teaspoons chili powder
•          ½ teaspoon black pepper
•          1-1/2 teaspoons of garlic salt
•          (Optional) 1 tablespoons of Adobe sauce or chopped Chiptole peppers
•          2 or more cups of water

1. Brown the meat in a medium large stove pot. Once almost finished, drain off fat and sprinkle the garlic salt over the meat.
2. Add onions and peppers to pot and continue to cook for 1 or 2 minutes.
3.  Add the tomatoes, celery, tomato paste, celery, water and seasonings to the pot. Mix.
4. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover pot and simmer for two hours. Occasionally stir the chili.
5. Top with diced onions, cheese and sour cream.
6.  Enjoy!

Rustic Sign I Painted

Two Sundays ago I was invited to a paint party by a friend of mine.  We were allowed to look at many designs and decide on one or more.  I chose this one to be in my foyer.  I make a ton of paper decor  but I wanted something different.

You are probably asking how did I make it? Inquiring minds want to know!!  I will tell you, because it was very easy to assemble.  The price including everything - the stencil, the board, the sander if you want that and the paint.

First I received a pale board with the borders. I didn't want to the edges to be blonde and I wanted the inside to be black.  I liked the idea that the sign would be like the chalkboard sign.

I stained the edges with walnut, and after it dried painted the inside black. The blue tape helped me not paint the stained part black.  Here is a picture of it drying.

After it dried the person who is the consultant had previously made a stencil with the words, decorations, our last name, and the year we got married.  We applied the stencil over the dried black paint. It was a little warm outside so I had to finish my project inside because the stencil was not adhering the black paint.  The next step was to paint over the stencil with white paint and waited for it to dry.  There was a lot of waiting for the paint to dry.  Here is a picture of the white paint over the stencil.

When it was finally dry we pulled up the stencil, and Viola!  The words about my family.  I loved this project.  Painting is definitely different than paper crafting!  I will have a party late summer so we can decorate  for the fall season.

See you tomorrow!

Fell Off the Face of the Earth

Yes it has been almost a year since writing last.  A ton of changes happened - both good and bad.  That is life. Right?  I want to start writing again mostly for myself.  This blog will still have posting about Moya Moya syndrome, recipes and crafts but different at the same time.

The last posting we were going to Flagstaff, Arizona.  That was a great trip! Very pretty - lots of trees and weather!  What is that? Rain, thunder and lightening.  Living in the desert we don't get weather - just hot and hotter. Flagstaff's elevation is 7,000 feet so it has much better weather and landscape than we have here. We saw the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater and Wilsow.  Think of the Eagle's song. Jenan was taking a Visual Corps training at Northern Arizona University so she is in none of pictures. I think we will have to do the trip again with Jenan.

My word for the 2017 year is HEALTHY - healthy body, mind and bank account.

Right now my focus is my health.  A year ago the doctor said that I have diabetes and we will monitor it with my diet.  Yeah right!  I didn't change a thing.  Stupid me!  I am paying for it now.  I went to my GP about a month with numerous complaints, mostly I have psoriasis on my scalp bad! I just want to scratch my head all of the time.  Well, when I saw the doctor she chewed me out big time!  Didn't like that I gained weight when I was supposed to lose it. She wanted my labs stat, but of course I waited a week.  I was afraid what they would show (diabetes).  Of course they showed my sugars were up in the diabetic range.  Long story short, I now take glucophage; check my glucose levels every morning and change the way I eat.  I eat high protein (high fat) and low card (less than 20 carbs a day).  It is amazing how many foods are high carbs.  No bread, pasta, candy, starchy vegetables (potatoes) and most fruit.  These are the items that I love. I am allowed half of an avocado a day.  The main downfall I can't bake any more. I love baking!  I am showing Jenan how to do it.   Patrick doesn't know what to cook for dinner now.  We are still working the meals out.  Thank God I plan the meals out.  Tonight is pulled pork sandwiches, french fries and salad.  I will eat the pork and the salad but no fries or bun. I am using no carb BBQ sauce by Walden Farms but the family doesn't know that little bit of change.  Walden Farm's products taste pretty good.

I would be lying that this has been an easy transition.  Depressing is what it is.  I am slowly coming out of my depression.  I have to stop beating myself up.  From now on this is my life. Another trial,  Not that having Moya Moya syndrome, migraines, unable to work much, and now diabetes too is enough.  The good thing I am losing weight - 11.8 pounds so far.

I need to stop feeling sorry for myself.  I am signing off for now.  I will write more regularly because I find it therapeutic.  I promise to still post about Moya Moya syndrome; more pictures of items I have made and recipes low carb. Hopefully I can help someone else. That would make me feel better!

Vacation

First of all last week we went on vacation to Flagstaff, Arizona so I didn’t write at all. My daughter Jenan is in the Palm Springs Spirit of the Sands band and loves it.  She can’t play an instrument to save her life, just like her parents. She is a part of the Visual Corp or a “Tall Flag” girl.  Last week she and a fellow Visual Corp girl went to camp for four days.  They worked very hard and learned new techniques and spins.  At the end we saw a performance and the girls won an award for Most Improved. I am so proud of them. 

I was designated as their driver so I bought my husband Patrick and my son Shane with me.  We were able to explore Flagstaff and the surrounding areas.  We went to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Meteor Crater, and Winslow.  Winslow was sort of sad, because the recession hit it hard.  If you are an Eagles fan, you know why we were there. “Take It Easy” was singing in the background. 

We were pleasantly surprised about Arizona mainly the northern part of the state.  It was beautiful with the pine trees and cool weather. While we were there it was mainly in the low 80’s during the day, and in the 50’s at night.  We got lucky because it rained accompanied by thunder and lightning every day.  Living in Palm Springs we haven’t seen rain since January, plus cooler weather won’t come back until late October or early November.  We loved it!  The further south we drove it became a desert again just like home. Icky!

I will share my pictures and insights on our trip over the next couple of blog posts.  I was able to take some amazing pictures.  We are back at home in the 116̊ heat, and hating it.  I will resume writing and making cards and scrapbooking in the a/c with a fan blowing on me. Bliss!  Talk to you tomorrow.  

I Crave a Change

Craving a Change

This week I have been unsettled.  I want a change. I want summer to be over so I can resume subbing and earning extra money again. All of the subbing money I earn will go towards getting rid of the debt. I want to start seriously saving so we can travel and buy a house somewhere not in the desert. I know a lot of “I want”.   Patrick has to retire – minor detail.  We are going to look into early retirement once school starts again.  School starts in less than a month.  I am writing it here because my family would be horrified about my wanting them back at school.  Patrick just started his vacation this week. He thankfully taught summer school because we need the extra funds for the Back of School clothes and supplies.  I think this will be the final year of teaching summer school. He is getting a tad burn-out on teaching. He needs his summers back.  I am hoping that the mini vacation next week in Flagstaff will help with my being unsettled. God I hope so.  

Double Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake

Last Sunday we went a party at our friend's house and I meant to bring this cake. Yes,  I meant to bring it. The only thing was it bombed bit time!  The cake fell in the middle and the frosting wouldn't spread.  Totally strange. I have made this a multiple of times and it turns out great.  Just not this time.

The recipe is a good one and I am sharing it with you.  Sunday was the only time it was an epic failure.

Robyn Long with Sharron LaGail Freelen 

I can still remember my Mom pouring out a bottle of Coke to make this cake. It was our favorite. This cake is so moist and the icing is just irresistible. I hope you get a chance to make this one.

Double Chocolate Coca Cola Cake

1 cup Coca Cola (real thing, not diet)
1/2 cup oil 
1 stick butter
3 Tablespoon cocoa
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

Frosting:

1 stick butter
3 Tablespoon cocoa
6 Tablespoon of cream or milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups confectioner's sugar

In a saucepan, mix Coca Cola, oil, butter and cocoa and bring to a boil. In another bowl, combine the sugar, flour and salt. Pour the boiling Cola mixture over the flour mixture and beat well. Add the eggs, buttermilk, soda and vanilla and beat well. Pour mixture into a greased and floured 13 x 9 inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees or 20 to 25 minutes. Remove pan. Cool for about 10 minutes before frosting.

Frosting: In a saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa, and milk. Heat until the butter melts. Beat in the remaining ingredients and spread on the cake while it's still warm. Enjoy!

Cuban Beef Sandwiches

Cuban Beef Sandwiches

This is the Crockpot dinner we are having tonight. It is a new recipe, so I will tell you how it turns out on Monday.  Last weekend we watched a DVD called "Chef" and it talked about Cuban sandwiches.  Theirs was made with pork, but I was wanting one. Thankfully I saw the recipe and pulled it out of the magazine. We had all of the ingredients so it is tonight's dinner.  If you print the recipe you will notice that it can made in the Crockpot but also in the Pressure Cooker. I have both but I feel more comfortable with my Crockpot.  Crockpot it is! Enjoy!

Weight Watchers Keeps Me Accountable

Weight Watchers Keeps Me Accountable

In this picture are my fabulous friends that I met through Weight Watchers.  Becky is in the middle and I met at our first meeting with the famous Jeff almost 10 years ago.  Becky, along with her husband Joe, are Lifetime Members alas I am not. Not even close.  Most of the time I go to WW at 9:30 on Wednesdays to see my friends and listen to Beverly our leader.  It is a highlight of my week except those days that I schedule a massage or take a Card Class.  During the summer I go to my Card Class so I can be creative with my friends. Normally I craft solo which can get boring.  My fellow WW friends at the meetings keep me motivated  and help keep me pumped up in the my weigh loss journey - the horrible slow journey. I didn't gain it fast and I am definitely losing it quickly - slowly just like the tortoise and hare fable. I will keep you posted on my weigh loss and gains, because I am not perfect.

Yesterday I went to WW and thankfully lost 1 pound - I will take it. To be honest I don't follow the WW plan any more. My new diet is called HEAL. Basically high protein and very little carbs. I am allowed 20 carbs per day.  It is a lot like the Atkins diet.   No sugar with a lot of protein and salads which I can do. When I followed WW I didn't lose the weight. I loved my sweets, fruits and great bread.   Plus now I am a diabetic, and really need to get my weight off.  All of my meds have the side effect of weigh gain.  That includes cholesterol, high blood pressure and keeping my mind sane.  I need those meds especially the sanity meds.  It took over 6 months to find the correct balance of them.  I call it my sanity cocktail.  This is the ONLY cocktail I have because those meds and alcohol really don't mix well.  Well you call throwing up in the middle of night after drinking one glass of wine fun. I don't.  I throw up off my migraines. That is enough.  Back to my diet . . .

Even I don't their diet I continue going to WW meetings because I need to see my progress. The weekly weigh in keeps me on the weigh loss plan. The best part is I see my friends there.  That is always a plus in my day.

Have a great day!  I am getting my hair and finding another bathing suit.  Mine doesn't fit, so I can't go to water aerobics.  During our horribly hot summers, I can walk in the air conditioned mall or do water aerobics. I am trying to do both,  Therefore I need a bathing suit. Today is not a bad temperature for Palm Springs - only 106 F.  

Tortellini, Broccoli and Bacon Salad

Happy Fourth of July!

Hello!  

Enjoy your 4th of July. We are lazing about this morning, and then seeing Independence Day Resurgence in the afternoon. Yesterday we saw Tarzan- a very good movie with gorgeous scenery of the Congo. Tarzan himself was a great eye-candy too.

Tonight we are grilling steaks with a big salad plus the Tortellini, Broccoli and Bacon Salad. I found it on the Betty Crocker site.  For us their recipes are a combo of hits and misses.  This one has a hit! I have included the recipe so you can make it too.  The only change we make to it is we use Creamy Caesar not the coleslaw dressing.  We are not fans of coleslaw dressing. We are learning to like coleslaw but I made the dressing, not buy it.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/tortellini-broccoli-and-bacon-salad/996c08d1-fb57-4eb1-9cdf-3009a60fbcc2

Enjoy!  

Flashback This Morning

I was enjoying my morning, drinking coffee, reading a smut novel and watching TV all alone and blissful.  It is only a Friends rerun, until I noticed it was the finale.  I try to avoid the finale, actually I never seen the finale since it first played in 2004. It is just the finale. Right?  Well, I watched it in the ICU at UCLA.  I can’t really remember my 10 days in ICU, my memories come in snippets. Weird not focused memories.  I can remember the pain and the nausea after the surgery.  Oh God the pain!  Sorry to say this: I have been so happy to get my morphine shot.  I could tell when it wore off, and I have 15 more minutes to wait.  I will write more about the ICU stay later. I know that other Moya Moya survivors can relate! 

Today I am focusing on my flashback and Friends. I love Friends and their reruns. I love Big Bang Theory a little more, but Friends is a very close second.  I saw the finale this morning and the waterworks started. Oh shoot!  They are starting again while I write this unplanned post.  I am sure that I am not the only person that gets flashbacks. People in psychiatry call it Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.  I was never a soldier, but I am a Moya Moya survivor.  Per my therapist Evelyn says I have it due to my growing up in a  very dysfunctional family; the strokes; my crash and burn; and Moya Moya. I know that I am not alone.  Moya Moya survivors know when they had their surgeries and other milestones.  They post their anniversaries on Facebook.  I don’t post mine because I had a stroke after mine.  I will say Mother’s Day in 2004 was the best because I got to see my babies again after 10 days in ICU.

Back to Friends that finale is a clear 30 minute memory not a snippet.  I was placed in ICU near the two TV’s in the ward.  I was awake and so many people were not.  I might have cried because it was such a great ending.  Now I am cry because I am flooded not great recollections.  I remember being scared, actually terrified.  Sh*t!  I have another stroke! F&ck!  I knew what I would go through in rehabilitation – the third time.  I wanted to go home – out of the hospital. Anything to not be where I was!  Wondering how long this will take.  All of those memories flooded my peaceful Sunday morning. 

My daughter Jenan came out when I was sobbing.  By the way I hate sobbing in front of my family and friends. It is not pretty.  She asked some questions thinking it because the show.  I finally squeaked out “It is because of the memories and UCLA”.  She gave me a much needed hug - a hug filled with love and feeling sorry for me.  The best hug!  After getting myself together I knew that I had to write about it. 

Okay, I feel a little better after writing and crying some more. Hug your family a little tighter and enjoy your Sunday!  

Fourth of July Plans

Sorry about not posting yesterday. I am super busy and then got stressed out. Being stressed out is no good for me!

What are your 4th of July plans?  We are staying inside out of the heat. It is only going to be 106. That is much better than 122 last week.  That is hot enough for me! We will go to the movie to see Tarzan or Independence Day. We can’t decide, anything to stay inside. 

On Monday we are cooking a lot. For appetizers we are baking Potato Skins and Stuffed Mushrooms.  We grilling rib-eye steaks; making a Tortellini, Broccoli and Bacon Salad; a green salad, and baking a Marbled Cappuccino Fudge Cheesecake.    We were going to bake the cheesecake on Father’s Day but time got away for me.

To marinate the steaks we use different marinades. Sometimes I use Yoshinada marinade from the store. I buy mine at Costco because my family loves it. Yoshinada is very versatile; it can marinade almost all meats and poultry.  I also use this marinade that I found on Pinterest.  It is yummy too.

Classic Steak Marinade

• ½ cup of soy sauce
• 1/3 cup of olive oil
• ¼ cup of Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar
• 4 garlic cloves – minced
• 2 Teaspoons of balsamic vinegar
• Black pepper

Let it marinade for 2 hours or overnight. 

Grill.

Enjoy!

Migraines Past and Present

Last week I wrote about the events around my Moya Moya diagnosis and everything that happened during and afterwards.  Actually I started to write the Chapters in my Moya Moya book. I am planning on writing other books, but right now I am focusing on Moya Moya.  I believe I have a niche because I don't see any books written in regards of adults who have it.  I know that within this chapter will be a explanation what are migraines are in the medical field, but not today.  By the way my other books are going to talk about teaching in South Central, overseas, Palm Springs and our mishaps and blessings here and there.  My husband I will write them together. You are thinking have they started?  Hell no.  I need to get him motivated. Right now he is trying to survive teaching summer school. One thing at a time. 

First of all, migraines suck the big one. They truly do!  I can remember having horrible headaches starting at the age 12.  I thought everyone did.  I was wrong!  I know for me that stress and lack of sleep brings them on, plus much more. I was hoping after the brain surgeries they would be gone.  But no!  Maybe I should have told that to Dr. Martin. At that time I playing for surviving and not stroking out.  After the first brain surgery I did have a stroke, but I am here alive. What more can I ask for?  I will say that I would think with all of the hours of work in and on my brain it would have stopped my migraines, but alas no. I am not the poster child for the Moya Moya surgeries due to the stroke, but I am here!

Migraines are weekly occurrences.  When it starts with a bad headache with the nausea, I drink some more water and eat a little bit of protein, and see if that works.  If not I just take a half of  pill and lay down.   If the pain and nausea continue, I take the other half of the pill plus my evening medicines and sleep it off.  Usually sleep helps a lot.  I also need my bedroom to be very cold and dark.  I am out for the count on these days.  My husband Patrick has to take over.  Thank God he is a great guy and father.  I am very blessed to have him. This is one of the reasons I have my menu for the month planned and posted with everything bought for the week.  

For my own sanity I have to make jokes about them, as in the above.  I need to make fun of Moya Moya and my strokes in general.  If I didn't I would become them, but I am not them.  I have to live a happy life and be thankful because I am alive and able to take care of my family.

I have good and bad days and weeks.  I never know what the day will bring, and I have to be aware to not over do it.  That is my main problem -  I want to ignore the pain and do what I had planned.  But I can't.  If I try to do what I want, my brain says, "No way b*tch you are getting a bad one!!! Ha ha on you!"  I am down for the count a couple of days.  My neurologist Mr. Seymour Young I need to kill it the first day.  When they last for many days, I didn't murder it the first day.  I usually have a foggy day the next day so I don't do much. I feel so lazy on those days. I don't like feeling lazy but I am taking care of myself, plus I hate housework, dishes and laundry. I need a maid!  Ha ha!  Yeah right!

I am thankful for them being weekly. When I was teaching Kindergarten after the brain surgeries it was a daily event plus I had insomnia.  These two together made my life miserable, especially when I need to sleep off the migraine. I would go to bed at 8 and wake up at 3 unable to go back to sleep.  In mid-September 2006 I had my crash and burn. That will another chapter.  Medicine and laughter are the the best!  

This is a little longer than usual.  I could go on and on about the migraines, but I have dinner to plan.  

I Hate Making Lunch

I have a confession to make I hate making lunch, especially being on this low carb diet.  I am allowed 20 carbs a day max. I miss having my sandwiches, fresh bagels and good bread. Ohhh the bread! When the kids were little they didn't eat much, so we always had leftovers.  Patrick would take some for lunch and I would eat the rest.  Not any more!  Teenagers eat a lot!  Rarely we have leftovers for both my husband and myself. Today I was looking through my Low Carb cookbooks and it suggested "Deviled Eggs" for a meal.  Man I make the best Deviled Eggs in my opinion, because I add curry. In my house Curry makes every thing taste better.  The best thing is there will be leftovers because my kids hate them!  Yeah Me!

Deviled Eggs

·         Peeled, Hard Boiled Eggs

·         Mayonnaise to taste

·         Dijon Mustard to taste

·         1 teaspoon Curry Powder

·         Salt & Pepper

·         2 teaspoons Paprika

Cut the eggs in half. 

Put the yolk in a bowl and the two halves on a plate.

When finished halving them, start mashing the yolks.

Add the mayo and mustard with the spices except the paprika.

Taste it, and add more ingredients as needed.

Using a small spoon, fill the eggs with the mixture.

Sprinkle paprika over them.

Serve and Enjoy!

Italian Marinade

Hi!  We have been grilling a lot lately. First of all it is hot outside, and I don't want to heat the house.  We also have a lot of chicken thighs and they so yummy grilled. Here is the recipe I used last night. So yummy!

Italian Marinade

·        2 Tablespoons Mustard (I like Dijon)

·        3 Garlic cloves minced

·        1 teaspoon of dried herbs, oregano, or basil (I used dried herbs called Cantanzaro Herbs from The Savory Spice Shop)

·        1 Tablespoon sugar

·        1/3 cup white wine vinegar

·        1 cup olive oil

·        Salt and Pepper

Mix in a Ziploc bag and add the chicken and marinade it for more than two hours.  Occasionally turn the bag.  The longer it is marinated the better it tastes.

I used about 2 pounds of chicken thighs. You can use breasts too.

I Make Stuff

Hi!  This week I have been crafty as in I made Birthday cards.  I love sending and receiving Snail Mail.  I know it brings a smile on whoever face.  I now I even have a Pen Pal from Australia. Remember Pen Pals? They are back! Yes I do love snail mail.  In the past I have made many cards, calendars, wreaths, banners and more. For five years I was a Close To My Heart consultant, but I stopped two years ago. I got tired of selling stuff. I am not the best direct sales person around.

Here are the cards I made this week.  They are a Close To My Heart kit from two (?) years.

Enjoy!  That is it for today.  Stay cool!  It is only 109 F today. It is way better than 123 F on Monday. The weather in the desert sucks in the summer. Oh why am I here?  Why?

My Moya Moya Events

I have writer's block today.  Don't know why I just do.  I decided the write of the events preceding Moya Moya diagnosis and afterwards, aftermath as I call it.  These events will be blurbs not paragraphs. This shouldn't be that long - I promise.  These events mostly likely become the chapters of my book so bear with me.

1. 1976 Migraines start and continue even now
2. Patrick and I teaching here and overseas
3. 2000 - Coming home
4. 2000-2001 Jenan's pregnancy and birth
5. 2003 Shane's pregnancy with a ton of problems and migraine city!
6. Shane birth - December 5, 2003
7. One hospital visit because of TIA's after his birth and before the stroke
8. First Stroke on December 18, 2003
9. A History of strokes in my family - my father's side
10. January 17th to 19th - Hospital Stay
11. Rehabilitation - Second Time
12. February  - Released from Rehab and ready to go back to teaching
13. March - Cerebral Angiogram and Moya Moya diagnosis
14. Mid March - first visit with Dr. Neil Martin, my surgeon. Connecting with other patients who are waiting - truly amazing stories
15. April 29th - bypass performed on the left side
16. April 30th - second stroke - some time between midnight and 5 am
17. Rehabilitation - First Time
18. January 17, 2004 Grand Mal Seizure in the bathroom
19. April 30 to May 9th - ICU for 10 days - serious speech issues 
20. May 9th - Mother's Day out of ICU and a small TIA (my last one) affected my right hand
21. May 11th - released from UCLA
22. May 24th until July 29th - Rehab for the Third Time - so angry
23. Early August - went on vacation to Oregon
24. Late August - return to teaching Kindergarten
25. September - Second surgery of the right side. Out of hospital in 5 days
26. October to December 2004 - rested at home 
27. January 2005 - return to work part time
28. February, 2005 to June, 2006 - teaching Kindergarten with daily headaches and/or migraines and missing a lot of work
29. June through August 2006 - trip to New Zealand and Australia with serious problems sleeping
30. September 2006 - started my Master's in Education and dropped out quickly.
31. Mid-September - my mental crash and burn. No more teaching for me.
32. October to January - trying to find the right medicines for my brain and body
33. December 2006 - Dad has Alzheimer's and moved him to Palm Springs
34. January 2007 to now - Acceptance of being disabled and now retired per CalSTRS
35. March 2015 - Bell's Palsy scare
36. January 2016 to now - Working as a Substitute teacher for Palm Springs Unified 

I think I have a book.  An adult survivor and what happens after.  Now I need to start writing it!

Chicken Carnitas Recipe

Hi!  Quick post today. I crafted most of the day yesterday, and I want to finish it.  I would like to share on Thursday.  I am looking at Blogging Planners and get a rhythm on writing and posting.  Tomorrow's subject is Moya Moya and every Wednesday in the future.

On Saturday we went to a friend's party and the theme was tacos.  We were in charge of beans, rice and guacamole.  Well we made way too much, so I had to find a recipe for the meat filling.  Here is my new recipe for Crock Pot Chicken Carnitas that we tried yesterday. It is a keeper - another one for my binder.

www.lynnskitchenadventures.com/2015/03/crock-pot-chicken-carnitas.hmtl

It has beer in it and I used Corona. Patrick says, "How can you go wrong with beer as an ingredient."  Got to love that man!

See you tomorrow.

Cajun Pecans and The Savory Spice Shop

Cajun Pecans

From The Low-Carb Diabetes Solution Cookbook

8 servings of 1/4 cup serving size

2 Tablespoons of coconut oil 
1 Cups of halved pecans
1 Tablespoon of Creole seasoning

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While it is heating, put the coconut oil in a roasting pan, and stick it in the oven for a few minutes to melt.

When the oil is melted, dump your pecans into the pan, and stir until they're all coated. Now spread evenly, and put them back in the oven. Give them 10 minutes.

Pull them out of the oven, stir the Creole seasoning, and let them cool. Store in an airtight container.

I made these pecans on Father's Day, and they are so good.  I didn't use the Creole seasoning. I used a different spice blend that I got from my friend Gene Ware.  He is works at my favorite spice shop called The Savory Spice Shop in Palm Desert. It is the only shop on El Paseo that I frequent. For you who don't know about El Paseo, it is on par with Rodeo Drive in Hollywood. Too rich for me!

I love their spices. First all you get the taste every one. You find one that interests you, and take the tester and put a little of it on your palm.  Using your clean finger you taste the spice from your hand, and you push it off on the floor when finished. How cool is that?  They are many varieties, and the staff is very knowledgeable. Jenan and I were tasting all of the varieties of cinnamon, and we  found one that we loved and others that tasted not the best.  What I love most is that I can choose how much of the spice I need from 1 ounce to pounds of a spice or blends. At Christmas time I bake my dad's Christmas Tree bread and it calls for cardamon. I don't use it during the year, just at Christmas time. I buy an ounce and I am good.  I am slowly switching all of my spices to The Savory Spice Shop's brand.  No more store brands for me!  Store brands taste very bland and Savory Spice is far from bland! Such an intense flavor. There is no going back!

The Savory Spice shops are in many states. Here is their website http://www.savoryspiceshop.com/. I highly recommend visiting them.