Cancer won't take a holiday this week.
You probably know someone recently diagnosed - I know too many who've heard those ominous words in the last weeks.
I also know many who are gallantly confronting their cancer, determined to join the sixty-two percent of us who shout our survival to the world.
Christmas is an appropriate occasion of course, to remind ourselves - with or without cancer - that each day is a gift from God, from which we should squeese every moment. The day can't be banked for when we're not busy, or for later in life. It's not retreivable. I always beleived of living to the max, and even more so, after my diagnosis and treatment. My motto is borrowed from the inspirational Jean Vanier, "live today well", for this is the only day we can be sure we have.
Take time this holiday season to tell everyone you love, that you love them. Look them in the eye, and tell them they are important to your life. Let them know you care for them and appreciate their thoughtfulness, their affection for you.
My family is like many - we're dysfunctional and all over the place - yet I will ensure I let each of them know I love them. How they helped me through my cancer adventure (the two older granddaughters served me pie and ice cream in the recovery room after surgery!), and give me the reason to cdelebrate each day.
I hope that each one of you finds peace and love.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
This Christmas, spare a thought - and a prayer - for the more than 3,000 men and women serving Canada in almost 24 countries around the world. They're on duty at sea, in the air, on the desert, in the hills, so that we may truly celebrate this season.
The best Christmas of my life was spent three years ago, in Afghanistan, with more than two thousand troops of the Canadian military. General Rick Hillier, a fellow Newfoundlander, made it his goal to shake hands and say thank you to every man and woman serving Canada in Afghanistan and the Persain Gulf. A group of us - comedian Rick Mercer, singer songwriter Damhanait Doyle, actor Mary Walsh, the Montreal rock group Jonas, and three high ranking Conservative Mps - John Baird, Jay Hill, and Laurie Hawn - joined him in bringing support from home. It was amazing.
On the front lines, General Hillier and his staff served the holiday meal, warily eying across the dusty fields for Taliban. In the camp, more than one thousand of them were served turkey dinners that day by their commanding officers, including General Hillier. Our troupe performed - a la Bob Hope - to offer some joy on this Christmas so far from home. Because it's a war zone, all the soldiers at the concert - and at dinner - keep their guns at their side. I remember telling Mercer, "you'd better be funny - they've all got guns if you;re not!" He was.
While all of them wished they could be with their loved ones, none complained about being on mission. On board HMCS Ottawa, it was overwhelming to join Damhanait as she and the 250 soldiers on board - sand O Canada, an Iranian plane watching overhead. In Kandahar, I wished one officer a Merry Christmas...he looked up and asked, is it Christmas Day yet?
All through the camp, you could see the letters and notes and banners sent by supporting Canadians back home. I ever found one signed at the Ottawa EX by the CTV crew that summer. The troops treasure the words from home. They strongly beleive in what they're doing there - and fear that back in Canada, the support may be slipping.
They kept thanking us for giving up our Christmas to be there with them. Oh, we didn't give up anything - and we got so much in return.
Merry Christmas - across the miles. And thanks for our freedoms.
The best Christmas of my life was spent three years ago, in Afghanistan, with more than two thousand troops of the Canadian military. General Rick Hillier, a fellow Newfoundlander, made it his goal to shake hands and say thank you to every man and woman serving Canada in Afghanistan and the Persain Gulf. A group of us - comedian Rick Mercer, singer songwriter Damhanait Doyle, actor Mary Walsh, the Montreal rock group Jonas, and three high ranking Conservative Mps - John Baird, Jay Hill, and Laurie Hawn - joined him in bringing support from home. It was amazing.
On the front lines, General Hillier and his staff served the holiday meal, warily eying across the dusty fields for Taliban. In the camp, more than one thousand of them were served turkey dinners that day by their commanding officers, including General Hillier. Our troupe performed - a la Bob Hope - to offer some joy on this Christmas so far from home. Because it's a war zone, all the soldiers at the concert - and at dinner - keep their guns at their side. I remember telling Mercer, "you'd better be funny - they've all got guns if you;re not!" He was.
While all of them wished they could be with their loved ones, none complained about being on mission. On board HMCS Ottawa, it was overwhelming to join Damhanait as she and the 250 soldiers on board - sand O Canada, an Iranian plane watching overhead. In Kandahar, I wished one officer a Merry Christmas...he looked up and asked, is it Christmas Day yet?
All through the camp, you could see the letters and notes and banners sent by supporting Canadians back home. I ever found one signed at the Ottawa EX by the CTV crew that summer. The troops treasure the words from home. They strongly beleive in what they're doing there - and fear that back in Canada, the support may be slipping.
They kept thanking us for giving up our Christmas to be there with them. Oh, we didn't give up anything - and we got so much in return.
Merry Christmas - across the miles. And thanks for our freedoms.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Spirit of Christmas
Christmas just doesn't happen on Christmas Day - it can be any day of the year, any time of any day...when you invoke the spirit of Christmas.
A 16 year old terminal cancer patient gave me one of the most prized Christmases of my life. In 1995, Susan Fields was quickly running out of treatment options at CHEO, her health - and her spirits - declining as December approached. I made her a deal: she stayed alive, I'd take her to New York where she could have my VISA card at Macy's!.
And so it was off to New York, Susan, her mom and brother and me. Susan was not feeling very well, and used all her strength just to make the trip. She curled beneath a blanket in her seat on the plane all the way there. She said little on the limo ride from the airport to the hotel in Manhatten, and even less as we checked into the Marriott.
That's when the angels took over. The limo driver, so taken by her beauty and her obvious pain, dropped us off and headed to a mosque to pray for her. (He would do that for the entire three days, drive us, then go prayer for his "beautiful Canadian". The Marriott hotel clerk - advised of the seriousness of the illness - promptly changed her room to a much larger and comfortable suite, compliments of the hotel. (Marriott is a founding member of the Children's Miracle Network, representing 170 children's hospitals across North America.)
The weekend was a blur for all of us. Susan drew strength and smiled through the Radio City Music Hall's annual Christmas show; she did manage a half-hour at Macy's in a wheelchair - treating my credit card gently (brother Charlie did lots of damage to it!); and even managed to eat a little at the Manhatten Planet Hollywood.
On the return flight, the pilot invited her into the cockpit - she was too sick and too exhausted to accept, so Charlie got to watch the pilots land the flight in Ottawa!
It was a quiet, subdued Christmas for the Fields family and the extended family at CHEO. Susan kept her part of the bargain - she enjoyed as best she could Christmas, and New Year. And mischeviously wrote and produced a rock-music funeral tribute for me to host, after her passing in late January.
She has never faded in my memory - she gave all of us so many gifts of joy while she lived, and everlasting joy in her embracing of the angels whom she saw at her CHEO bedside in the final minutes. "The angels are here for me," she smiled.
A 16 year old terminal cancer patient gave me one of the most prized Christmases of my life. In 1995, Susan Fields was quickly running out of treatment options at CHEO, her health - and her spirits - declining as December approached. I made her a deal: she stayed alive, I'd take her to New York where she could have my VISA card at Macy's!.
And so it was off to New York, Susan, her mom and brother and me. Susan was not feeling very well, and used all her strength just to make the trip. She curled beneath a blanket in her seat on the plane all the way there. She said little on the limo ride from the airport to the hotel in Manhatten, and even less as we checked into the Marriott.
That's when the angels took over. The limo driver, so taken by her beauty and her obvious pain, dropped us off and headed to a mosque to pray for her. (He would do that for the entire three days, drive us, then go prayer for his "beautiful Canadian". The Marriott hotel clerk - advised of the seriousness of the illness - promptly changed her room to a much larger and comfortable suite, compliments of the hotel. (Marriott is a founding member of the Children's Miracle Network, representing 170 children's hospitals across North America.)
The weekend was a blur for all of us. Susan drew strength and smiled through the Radio City Music Hall's annual Christmas show; she did manage a half-hour at Macy's in a wheelchair - treating my credit card gently (brother Charlie did lots of damage to it!); and even managed to eat a little at the Manhatten Planet Hollywood.
On the return flight, the pilot invited her into the cockpit - she was too sick and too exhausted to accept, so Charlie got to watch the pilots land the flight in Ottawa!
It was a quiet, subdued Christmas for the Fields family and the extended family at CHEO. Susan kept her part of the bargain - she enjoyed as best she could Christmas, and New Year. And mischeviously wrote and produced a rock-music funeral tribute for me to host, after her passing in late January.
She has never faded in my memory - she gave all of us so many gifts of joy while she lived, and everlasting joy in her embracing of the angels whom she saw at her CHEO bedside in the final minutes. "The angels are here for me," she smiled.
Friday, December 18, 2009
So... what have we accomplished?
Research is not a solo endeavour - no one ever works in a successful lab by themselves. I have been very fortunate to work with a team of very bright and creative people. Postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, research associates, technicians, undergraduate and summer students have all contributed to our research program in one way or another. Mostly it’s by doing the challenging experiments in the lab, but sometimes it’s through inspiration. Some of my best students were not brilliant scientists themselves, but were high-energy motivators of the rest of the team. Each member of my research team brings their own strengths to the table, and I value very much every member of my team and the work that they do. They challenge me and make me laugh, and there is nothing more delightful than having a student appear at my office door wearing a big grin. It is the euphoria that precedes the announcement of an experiment done well, or an unexpected but interesting result.
A young journalist recently interviewed me and asked the "dreaded question" - so what have you accomplished? He meant, I know, what have you done that helps women with ovarian cancer? This question is so hard to answer because the answer depends on the perspective. Since I started out life on a farm, I will use a farmer's analogy - you have to plow the field before you can plant the seeds. And what we have done for ovarian cancer in Canada is plow the field. In the past few years we have:
- trained students to become scientists with an interest in ovarian cancer, thereby building the number of ovarian cancer scientists in Canada from 3 to almost 30.
- established a national network of ovarian cancer tissue banks with the four primary sites in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and here in Ottawa. These tissues, donated by ovarian cancer patients at the time of their surgery, are tremendously important for scientists who want to study how these cancers form, how they progress, and how we can stop them from growing.
- built bridges between scientists and doctors so that what is discovered in the lab is immediately evaluated for its potential application in the clinic.
- identified proteins that are expressed in ovarian cancers and that make good targets for new drugs; and we have started to test some of those new drugs on women with ovarian cancer.
- worked with fund-raising organizations to devote funds to pilot projects on ovarian cancer with a special focus on those that have new ideas for identifying strategies for the prevention or early detection of ovarian cancer.
- generated the world's first and only transgenic animal model of ovarian cancer that is being used to study how the disease begins, how to detect it, how to prevent it or slow its progression, and how to treat it effectively.
- jumped all over new treatments, like oncolytic viruses, to test them in these models of ovarian cancer, to help pave the way for women with ovarian cancer to be eligible for the clinical trials of this new treatment when it becomes available.
In summary, we have plowed the field and we have planted many seeds. And not just one kind of seed. We have planted seeds for prevention, for early detection, for treatment, and for quality of life. And we are at the stage where we are nurturing our young plants, watching them carefully and hoping that at least one field will yield enough for a good harvest.
And, on that note of optimism, I wish you all happy holidays and a new year filled with laughter, chocolate and the thrill of discovery.
A young journalist recently interviewed me and asked the "dreaded question" - so what have you accomplished? He meant, I know, what have you done that helps women with ovarian cancer? This question is so hard to answer because the answer depends on the perspective. Since I started out life on a farm, I will use a farmer's analogy - you have to plow the field before you can plant the seeds. And what we have done for ovarian cancer in Canada is plow the field. In the past few years we have:
- trained students to become scientists with an interest in ovarian cancer, thereby building the number of ovarian cancer scientists in Canada from 3 to almost 30.
- established a national network of ovarian cancer tissue banks with the four primary sites in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and here in Ottawa. These tissues, donated by ovarian cancer patients at the time of their surgery, are tremendously important for scientists who want to study how these cancers form, how they progress, and how we can stop them from growing.
- built bridges between scientists and doctors so that what is discovered in the lab is immediately evaluated for its potential application in the clinic.
- identified proteins that are expressed in ovarian cancers and that make good targets for new drugs; and we have started to test some of those new drugs on women with ovarian cancer.
- worked with fund-raising organizations to devote funds to pilot projects on ovarian cancer with a special focus on those that have new ideas for identifying strategies for the prevention or early detection of ovarian cancer.
- generated the world's first and only transgenic animal model of ovarian cancer that is being used to study how the disease begins, how to detect it, how to prevent it or slow its progression, and how to treat it effectively.
- jumped all over new treatments, like oncolytic viruses, to test them in these models of ovarian cancer, to help pave the way for women with ovarian cancer to be eligible for the clinical trials of this new treatment when it becomes available.
In summary, we have plowed the field and we have planted many seeds. And not just one kind of seed. We have planted seeds for prevention, for early detection, for treatment, and for quality of life. And we are at the stage where we are nurturing our young plants, watching them carefully and hoping that at least one field will yield enough for a good harvest.
And, on that note of optimism, I wish you all happy holidays and a new year filled with laughter, chocolate and the thrill of discovery.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
I try find ways to improve the fate of the 2,600 Canadian women who are newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year.
My role as an ovarian cancer researcher is to ultimately find ways to improve the fate of the 2,600 Canadian women who are newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. My laboratory does that by performing studies that increase our understanding of what ovarian cancer is, how it starts, how it progresses and how best to stop it. The research projects that are most active in my lab right now include the testing of new cancer treatments, including oncolytic viruses, the investigation of the earliest events when ovarian cancer begins, and the role of stem cells in the development of ovarian cancer – all projects aimed at developing strategies for prevention, early detection and effective treatment of ovarian cancer. At the moment, we are very excited about recent experiments that are showing how estrogen promotes the risk of ovarian cancer. We know that the use of oral contraceptives reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, but estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy increases the risk, and our research is beginning to explain why. Perhaps more than most scientists, I am acutely aware of the importance of community support for what I do. I hold an endowed chair that was established because one man took on the responsibility of ensuring that no woman would have to suffer the fate of his wife, Corinne, who survived breast cancer, and then melanoma, and then died from ovarian cancer. I would not be doing my job as the Corinne Boyer Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research if I did not tell you something about this deadly disease. Every woman knows about breast cancer, but a recent survey found that 12% of Canadian women had never even heard of ovarian cancer.
There is no reliable method to screen for ovarian cancer. Almost 70% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will die of it, most within 3-4 years. And 96% of women cannot identify the combination of symptoms that are associated with ovarian cancer. They are:
• Abdominal bloating or discomfort
• Changes in bowel function
• More frequent urination
• Unexplained weight gain
• Nausea
Changes in menstrual patterns If any of these symptoms persists for more than three weeks, see your physician, and raise the possibility of an investigation for ovarian cancer.
There is no reliable method to screen for ovarian cancer. Almost 70% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will die of it, most within 3-4 years. And 96% of women cannot identify the combination of symptoms that are associated with ovarian cancer. They are:
• Abdominal bloating or discomfort
• Changes in bowel function
• More frequent urination
• Unexplained weight gain
• Nausea
Changes in menstrual patterns If any of these symptoms persists for more than three weeks, see your physician, and raise the possibility of an investigation for ovarian cancer.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Ottawa's Cancer Research Group
In March 1995, four cancer researchers - Mike McBurney, John Bell, Doug Gray and I, moved our labs from the University of Ottawa to the third floor of the newly constructed cancer centre. We had spent 5 years designing this research floor, and when we finally moved into our new space, we were like kids in a candy store - limited only by our imagination and our willingness to explore. Mike McBurney, our director, gave us only two instructions: play nice with each other, and play nice with the neighbours.
Looking back, those two characteristics are what define the strength and the uniqueness of the cancer research group today. In adult terms, the key words are team and translational research. Working as a team has been a foundation of our group from the start. When we received the architectural plans for our new research floor, the first thing that we did was erase the internal walls - we didn't want any barriers to the flow of communication among the different labs. We not only work in shared space but, from the start, and still today, the cancer researchers can be found every day in the hospital cafeteria for lunch. We share the results of our recent experiments, describe interesting topics that we have recently read about, or discuss the best way to tackle a particularly tough problem. In this way, information is shared and little problems get solved on a daily basis. In the early days, we spent a lot of time talking about how to ensure that the research floor ran as efficiently and cheaply as possible. With a Scottish man as our director, it’s no surprise that we have maintained our basic principles of high quality research performed as frugally as possible. Teamwork among the cancer researchers is really our standard way of doing things.
The Director's second instruction - to play nice with the neighbours - turned out to be an idea before its time. The term "translational research" had not yet been coined, but we were already doing it - developing strong connections with the clinicians downstairs to ensure that anything we discovered in the lab could be assessed immediately for its potential to have impact on cancer patients. This third floor of the Cancer Centre, now known as the Center for Cancer Therapeutics, currently is home to nine scientists and three clinician-scientists and more than 100 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and technicians who all share the same goal - to translate ideas for better strategies to prevent, detect and treat cancer from the lab to the clinic.
Looking back, those two characteristics are what define the strength and the uniqueness of the cancer research group today. In adult terms, the key words are team and translational research. Working as a team has been a foundation of our group from the start. When we received the architectural plans for our new research floor, the first thing that we did was erase the internal walls - we didn't want any barriers to the flow of communication among the different labs. We not only work in shared space but, from the start, and still today, the cancer researchers can be found every day in the hospital cafeteria for lunch. We share the results of our recent experiments, describe interesting topics that we have recently read about, or discuss the best way to tackle a particularly tough problem. In this way, information is shared and little problems get solved on a daily basis. In the early days, we spent a lot of time talking about how to ensure that the research floor ran as efficiently and cheaply as possible. With a Scottish man as our director, it’s no surprise that we have maintained our basic principles of high quality research performed as frugally as possible. Teamwork among the cancer researchers is really our standard way of doing things.
The Director's second instruction - to play nice with the neighbours - turned out to be an idea before its time. The term "translational research" had not yet been coined, but we were already doing it - developing strong connections with the clinicians downstairs to ensure that anything we discovered in the lab could be assessed immediately for its potential to have impact on cancer patients. This third floor of the Cancer Centre, now known as the Center for Cancer Therapeutics, currently is home to nine scientists and three clinician-scientists and more than 100 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and technicians who all share the same goal - to translate ideas for better strategies to prevent, detect and treat cancer from the lab to the clinic.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
It's A Date!
Day Two of the Blog and today I am thinking about Dates. We recently received an information package on Medjool dates from Bard Valley (which is the desert on the California –Arizona border) that is very interesting and informative for many reasons.
1. I didn’t realize the history of Dates in North America
Date stones have been found in Egypt that date back to 4500 BC making dates among the earliest cultivated foods. They came to North America in 1927 when a doctor from the Bureau of Plant Industry traveled to Morocco to save the Medjool date variety from extinction! 65 years later six of the original plantings are still producing over 90 KG of delicious treats in Bard Valley.
2. They are incredibly nutritious.
Medjool dates contain even more beneficial plant compounds (polyphenols) than Blueberries! Only 2 dates provides 2.7 grams of dietary fibre more than 10% of daily requirement. They are also a source of magnesium and have 187.5 mg of potassium so you can eat and feel like that magical food is doing your body some good!
Buying: you will find BV Medjool dates year round.
They should be shiny and plump with only a little wrinkle to their skins.
Avoid broken or cracked skins or skins with crystallized sugar on the surface.
Store in pantry for up to 3 weeks in refrigerator up to 6 months and freezer up to 1 year.
Cooking tips:
5-6 Medjool Dates will yield 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped dates
Place dates in freezer for about an hour to make them easier to chop or slice
Rinse dates in very cold water before putting them through the food processor, they will chop better and cleanup will be easier
Plump them up in a little warm water for a few minutes if they are looking a little dry
Ok now the fun part! Eating and playing with dates:
Here are a few delicious and easy apps
The first has been happening at dinner parties that our group of friends has been attending for a few years because Rebecca Hollingsworth (link www.ottawainjury.ca ) watched Surreal Gourmet on Food Network make them.
It’s Parmesan Stuffed, Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates-how could they be bad?? They are actually ridiculously easy and yummy. I have also tried making then with Proscuitto and they are equally good and less fatty. The choice is yours!
Medjool Dates
Canadian Parmesan Cheese
Bacon or Prosciutto slices
Preheat oven to 450F. Slit all dates lengthwise and remove pits. Stuff each date with Parmesan cheese and wrap a thin prosciutto strip around each date. Broil until cheese bubbles and bacon is cooked, about 15-18 minutes. Serve warm.
Even speedier no cook equally delicious ideas from the BV Date growers
That have no measurements, because they're all very forgiving--the idea is to use what's on hand, and inspire your own creativity: You’ll notice that we are tying in the Omega 3 rich California walnuts from yesterday’s blog! Enjoy your dates and happy cooking!
Quick Cheeseball Bites
Medjool Dates
Mascarpone or softened cream cheese
Walnut halves
Slit all dates lengthwise and remove pits. Carefully stuff each date with cheese and then a pecan half. Arrange dates on serving plate. Refrigerate for up to two days.
Chocolate Dream Dates
Medjool Dates
Cream Cheese
Walnuts
Dark chocolate, chopped
Line a tray or large plate with wax or parchment paper. Slit all dates lengthwise and remove pits. Melt chocolate in a bowl set over simmering water or in a microwave for about 1-2 minutes. Remove the chocolate from heat just before it is melted, and stir to finish melting completely. Stuff each date with a walnut half and then roll each date in melted chocolate. Place on paper, top with a walnut piece and chill until set. Store in an airtight container for up to three days. Slice in half to serve.
1. I didn’t realize the history of Dates in North America
Date stones have been found in Egypt that date back to 4500 BC making dates among the earliest cultivated foods. They came to North America in 1927 when a doctor from the Bureau of Plant Industry traveled to Morocco to save the Medjool date variety from extinction! 65 years later six of the original plantings are still producing over 90 KG of delicious treats in Bard Valley.
2. They are incredibly nutritious.
Medjool dates contain even more beneficial plant compounds (polyphenols) than Blueberries! Only 2 dates provides 2.7 grams of dietary fibre more than 10% of daily requirement. They are also a source of magnesium and have 187.5 mg of potassium so you can eat and feel like that magical food is doing your body some good!
Buying: you will find BV Medjool dates year round.
They should be shiny and plump with only a little wrinkle to their skins.
Avoid broken or cracked skins or skins with crystallized sugar on the surface.
Store in pantry for up to 3 weeks in refrigerator up to 6 months and freezer up to 1 year.
Cooking tips:
5-6 Medjool Dates will yield 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped dates
Place dates in freezer for about an hour to make them easier to chop or slice
Rinse dates in very cold water before putting them through the food processor, they will chop better and cleanup will be easier
Plump them up in a little warm water for a few minutes if they are looking a little dry
Ok now the fun part! Eating and playing with dates:
Here are a few delicious and easy apps
The first has been happening at dinner parties that our group of friends has been attending for a few years because Rebecca Hollingsworth (link www.ottawainjury.ca ) watched Surreal Gourmet on Food Network make them.
It’s Parmesan Stuffed, Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates-how could they be bad?? They are actually ridiculously easy and yummy. I have also tried making then with Proscuitto and they are equally good and less fatty. The choice is yours!
Medjool Dates
Canadian Parmesan Cheese
Bacon or Prosciutto slices
Preheat oven to 450F. Slit all dates lengthwise and remove pits. Stuff each date with Parmesan cheese and wrap a thin prosciutto strip around each date. Broil until cheese bubbles and bacon is cooked, about 15-18 minutes. Serve warm.
Even speedier no cook equally delicious ideas from the BV Date growers
That have no measurements, because they're all very forgiving--the idea is to use what's on hand, and inspire your own creativity: You’ll notice that we are tying in the Omega 3 rich California walnuts from yesterday’s blog! Enjoy your dates and happy cooking!
Quick Cheeseball Bites
Medjool Dates
Mascarpone or softened cream cheese
Walnut halves
Slit all dates lengthwise and remove pits. Carefully stuff each date with cheese and then a pecan half. Arrange dates on serving plate. Refrigerate for up to two days.
Chocolate Dream Dates
Medjool Dates
Cream Cheese
Walnuts
Dark chocolate, chopped
Line a tray or large plate with wax or parchment paper. Slit all dates lengthwise and remove pits. Melt chocolate in a bowl set over simmering water or in a microwave for about 1-2 minutes. Remove the chocolate from heat just before it is melted, and stir to finish melting completely. Stuff each date with a walnut half and then roll each date in melted chocolate. Place on paper, top with a walnut piece and chill until set. Store in an airtight container for up to three days. Slice in half to serve.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
I got the call from a friend in March asking if I knew an organic chef who would be available immediately for a small job, to which I immediately asked “who wants to know?”
Apparently Suzanne Somers was coming to do a seminar in Ottawa and needed lunch for 5 or more in her green room.
Obviously I said, “I am”.
I’m not….
But really, what is an organic chef?
…I can cook, I can cook with organic ingredients…
Never mind that it was Thursday afternoon, I had shows at ATV the next morning and we had to have it dropped off and set up by 10:00 am Saturday morning (the same time as my daughter Rebecca’s 6th birthday party at Cosmic adventures…no problem!)
Having gone through Breast cancer, Suzanne Somers is very particular about what she will put into her body, she is in control of everything. She does eat meats and cheeses, lots of nuts and fruits and vegetables. Living in California makes this an easier feat year round. Our task was all organic, no sugar and it had to be finger food’ish.
Pictured below: anne nicol & Suzanne Somers & korey kealey!
I did mention that it was March so buying organic foods locally was challenging and very costly.
We didn’t plan a menu, rather we went shopping and bought all the foods that were attractive and organic. We then laid out our finds on the counter and went about mixing ingredients, concepts and ideas. What we came up with was creative (to say the least) and delicious. If an organic chef did prepare this meal the expensive condiments, olive oils, maple syrup etc. would probably have been in supply and not necessarily have to be purchased to supply a tbsp! I didn’t care, it’s Chrissy from Three’s Company!!!
If it wasn’t so crazy rushed, I might have jotted down some notes or a recipe or two but sometimes it is fun to just let your creativity flow. Please excuse the less than perfect photography. And enjoy the pictures, it was a thrill! If you really need a recipe email us at www.foodthought.com and we will put one to paper
Organic Roasted Tomatoes on Polenta with Green Olive Tapenade (DELICIOUS!!!!)
Parmesan & Date Tuilles filled with Wild Mushroom Pate (personal favourite)
Tamari and Ginger Marinated Beef: (these were devoured)
Apparently Suzanne Somers was coming to do a seminar in Ottawa and needed lunch for 5 or more in her green room.
Obviously I said, “I am”.
I’m not….
But really, what is an organic chef?
…I can cook, I can cook with organic ingredients…
Never mind that it was Thursday afternoon, I had shows at ATV the next morning and we had to have it dropped off and set up by 10:00 am Saturday morning (the same time as my daughter Rebecca’s 6th birthday party at Cosmic adventures…no problem!)
Having gone through Breast cancer, Suzanne Somers is very particular about what she will put into her body, she is in control of everything. She does eat meats and cheeses, lots of nuts and fruits and vegetables. Living in California makes this an easier feat year round. Our task was all organic, no sugar and it had to be finger food’ish.
Pictured below: anne nicol & Suzanne Somers & korey kealey!
I did mention that it was March so buying organic foods locally was challenging and very costly.
We didn’t plan a menu, rather we went shopping and bought all the foods that were attractive and organic. We then laid out our finds on the counter and went about mixing ingredients, concepts and ideas. What we came up with was creative (to say the least) and delicious. If an organic chef did prepare this meal the expensive condiments, olive oils, maple syrup etc. would probably have been in supply and not necessarily have to be purchased to supply a tbsp! I didn’t care, it’s Chrissy from Three’s Company!!!
If it wasn’t so crazy rushed, I might have jotted down some notes or a recipe or two but sometimes it is fun to just let your creativity flow. Please excuse the less than perfect photography. And enjoy the pictures, it was a thrill! If you really need a recipe email us at www.foodthought.com and we will put one to paper
Organic Roasted Tomatoes on Polenta with Green Olive Tapenade (DELICIOUS!!!!)
Parmesan & Date Tuilles filled with Wild Mushroom Pate (personal favourite)
Tamari and Ginger Marinated Beef: (these were devoured)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
This is very fun and exciting to be able to share some of our ideas around the holidays via this Blog. In addition to our own foodthoughts, we rely heavily on good resources, information and ideas from marketing boards, cookbook authors, foodies and food writers so that we can interpret and pass the best ideas on to you!
After attending Dr. Richard Beliveau’s seminar on “Cooking with Foods that Fight Cancer”, I had a renewed interest in looking at food as pleasurable medicine. Everything we eat has a direct affect on our bodies either positive, negative or a little of both. As a healthy person who understands and consumes nutritious foods, I try not to worry too much about the little indiscretions but I have been trying a little harder to squeeze in that little bit of nutrition into the less virtuous foods to offset my indulgences.
Over the next few days I will share themed ideas focusing on one food or food group to entertain or help you over the Christmas and Holiday season.
Here are a few delicious and easy apps and recipes that are both tempting, indulgent and good for you.
Walnuts are the topic of conversation for today. Walnuts being the only nut with a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids make it the nut of choice for the Cancer Blog. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to help lower cholesterol and help reduce the risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and clinical depression. By eating a handful of walnuts each day (about 8 -10 walnut halves) you are getting the omega 3’s that you need along with the feeling of happiness in your belly.
When buying walnuts look for California or US on the packaging.
California walnuts are harvested between August and November each year and then stored in temperature-controlled environments and shipped on demand, year-round,
thus ensuring a sweet mellow flavour. To keep them from becoming bitter store walnuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months or freezer for up to 1 year.
I love to set out my walnut halves and then think of the 100’s of ways that I can simply add them to my meals and snacks that day.
I have to admit my favourite is:
- 4 squares dark chocolate broken into 8 pieces to eat with 8 walnut halves. If I am happy with my snack I stop looking for other foods so while it may seem a little indulgent it’s really not! You could even melt your chocolate in the microwave and dunk it, but I like the crunchiness and the chocolate melting in my mouth
Other little taste treats to effortlessly assemble:
- Arugala topped with a nib of blue cheese and half a walnut pressed in to the cheese topped with freshly ground pepper.
Apple slice topped with chevre cheese, crumbled walnuts a drizzle of honey and freshly ground pepper
Ok the possibilities are endless and I would love for you to share some of your simple recipes with walnuts or how you liked my ideas!! Go to www.foodthought.com to contact me! I’ll share your ideas with my foodthought group on twitter.
Here are some HOLIDAY HORS D’OEUVRES that I have made twice now. I love them both as they are make ahead and freeze for later use. They are both recipes that I make at the holiday time but the addition of walnuts takes them up a notch in my mind, I hope you like them too. Find the recipes on www.walnutinfo.com along with many, many others. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy Cooking
korey and the foodthought team
Pork Dumplings with Walnut Sauce: Serve these delectable appetizers with savoury walnut sauce to add a modern twist to this classic combination of Chinese flavours.
California Walnut Savoury Scones: The addition of California walnuts and thyme add a distinctive holiday twist to these fluffy, buttery scones. The dough can be prepared a day ahead and kept in the refrigerator - all you have to do is pop them in the oven when your guests arrive and serve with your favourite fillings or toppings.
After attending Dr. Richard Beliveau’s seminar on “Cooking with Foods that Fight Cancer”, I had a renewed interest in looking at food as pleasurable medicine. Everything we eat has a direct affect on our bodies either positive, negative or a little of both. As a healthy person who understands and consumes nutritious foods, I try not to worry too much about the little indiscretions but I have been trying a little harder to squeeze in that little bit of nutrition into the less virtuous foods to offset my indulgences.
Over the next few days I will share themed ideas focusing on one food or food group to entertain or help you over the Christmas and Holiday season.
Here are a few delicious and easy apps and recipes that are both tempting, indulgent and good for you.
Walnuts are the topic of conversation for today. Walnuts being the only nut with a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids make it the nut of choice for the Cancer Blog. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to help lower cholesterol and help reduce the risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and clinical depression. By eating a handful of walnuts each day (about 8 -10 walnut halves) you are getting the omega 3’s that you need along with the feeling of happiness in your belly.
When buying walnuts look for California or US on the packaging.
California walnuts are harvested between August and November each year and then stored in temperature-controlled environments and shipped on demand, year-round,
thus ensuring a sweet mellow flavour. To keep them from becoming bitter store walnuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months or freezer for up to 1 year.
I love to set out my walnut halves and then think of the 100’s of ways that I can simply add them to my meals and snacks that day.
I have to admit my favourite is:
- 4 squares dark chocolate broken into 8 pieces to eat with 8 walnut halves. If I am happy with my snack I stop looking for other foods so while it may seem a little indulgent it’s really not! You could even melt your chocolate in the microwave and dunk it, but I like the crunchiness and the chocolate melting in my mouth
Other little taste treats to effortlessly assemble:
- Arugala topped with a nib of blue cheese and half a walnut pressed in to the cheese topped with freshly ground pepper.
Apple slice topped with chevre cheese, crumbled walnuts a drizzle of honey and freshly ground pepper
Ok the possibilities are endless and I would love for you to share some of your simple recipes with walnuts or how you liked my ideas!! Go to www.foodthought.com to contact me! I’ll share your ideas with my foodthought group on twitter.
Here are some HOLIDAY HORS D’OEUVRES that I have made twice now. I love them both as they are make ahead and freeze for later use. They are both recipes that I make at the holiday time but the addition of walnuts takes them up a notch in my mind, I hope you like them too. Find the recipes on www.walnutinfo.com along with many, many others. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy Cooking
korey and the foodthought team
Pork Dumplings with Walnut Sauce: Serve these delectable appetizers with savoury walnut sauce to add a modern twist to this classic combination of Chinese flavours.
California Walnut Savoury Scones: The addition of California walnuts and thyme add a distinctive holiday twist to these fluffy, buttery scones. The dough can be prepared a day ahead and kept in the refrigerator - all you have to do is pop them in the oven when your guests arrive and serve with your favourite fillings or toppings.
Friday, November 27, 2009
So you have made it… you are ready to move beyond treatment… what now?
Both my parents are cancer survivors. I celebrate this every day of my life. But, but… how does one get beyond the big “C” experience?
The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is determined to help people live with cancer. Our aim is to help all those who have experienced this disease thrive. This is why we are launching a new program: Cancer Transitions. It is an educational and support program that empowers survivors.
Do you think post-treatment care is important? If so, what do you think would be most helpful?
Linda
The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is determined to help people live with cancer. Our aim is to help all those who have experienced this disease thrive. This is why we are launching a new program: Cancer Transitions. It is an educational and support program that empowers survivors.
Do you think post-treatment care is important? If so, what do you think would be most helpful?
Linda
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Cancer is about more than the tumour that is growing inside!
OK, so now you have cancer or your loved one has cancer. Our health care system is not perfect but we all know that sooner or later we will be in good hands. Someone will do their very best to stop the growth inside. But who will help us live with this scary diagnosis? Who will be there to help us cope? Who will help us live with cancer?
Wellspring Ottawa is the answer to these questions. The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is working hard to raise funds that will make this a reality. Wellspring will provide all of us, accessible, fee-less ways of dealing with the challenges of cancer—at all levels: physical, emotional, psychological, practical….
We are still in the developmental stages of this amazing endeavour and would love to hear from you. What do you need to live with cancer?
Wellspring Ottawa is the answer to these questions. The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is working hard to raise funds that will make this a reality. Wellspring will provide all of us, accessible, fee-less ways of dealing with the challenges of cancer—at all levels: physical, emotional, psychological, practical….
We are still in the developmental stages of this amazing endeavour and would love to hear from you. What do you need to live with cancer?
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Anyone can and everyone should be involved in the fight for cancer survivorship
TEAM: Togther Everyone Achieves More. This is the mentra by which we live at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. Our challenge is making it a reality.
How can we break down barriers and nurture a truly cooperative approach to cancer care? How do we bring people together in the fight for cancer survivorship?
Knowing that the most pressing need is to garner resources that will reduce wait times, help bring care close to home, increase access to new therapies and support people living with cancer, how can we work together to raise more funds?
Linda
How can we break down barriers and nurture a truly cooperative approach to cancer care? How do we bring people together in the fight for cancer survivorship?
Knowing that the most pressing need is to garner resources that will reduce wait times, help bring care close to home, increase access to new therapies and support people living with cancer, how can we work together to raise more funds?
Linda
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Every day, 16 people in our community will hear the words, "you have cancer."
Did you know that the World Health Organization has determined that, if we applied the knowledge that we currently have, we could reduce the instances of cancer by 50% and we could cut the mortality rates in half - all within the next generation.
I have never in my life been inspired by statistics, but this declaration gives me hope and calls me to action. Let's work together to make this a reality in Eastern Ontario.
What do you think the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation should or could do to help?
Linda
I have never in my life been inspired by statistics, but this declaration gives me hope and calls me to action. Let's work together to make this a reality in Eastern Ontario.
What do you think the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation should or could do to help?
Linda
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Welcome to our new online Cancer Community
Here people affected by cancer or family and friends of those with cancer, can hear from others with similar experiences and connect with leaders in the fight for cancer survivorship. Here we can share information and learn from each other. Here we can find ways to make things better for Eastern Ontario’s cancer community.
The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation Team aims to give all those affected by cancer a VOICE. Through this new blog we hope to connect with you – to find out what concerns you most. Be assured that we will do everything we can to make sure that your issues are addressed.
This is a new venture for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. It would be great to hear what you think.
Linda
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