I ‘m up early and am keen to make the most of the energy I have left in the tank. I head over to see my sister-in-law Kari and my niece and nephew. Kari’s mum, Linda, also bobs over which is an added bonus and we have fun hanging out. Linda has something she wants to give me but it’s too heavy to carry home she says. She’s going to drop it over this arvo. She’s being very mysterious. The suspense is killing me!
On my way home, I pop into Kari’s local supermarket, which unlike ours, has a big Kosher section. I’m looking for Kosher salt and matzah – both of which are iodine free. Matzah is unleavened bread and is basically a big, tasteless cracker but I’m thinking it will make a refreshing change from the cardboard rice cakes. Matzah even when jazzed up with something tasty like jam aren’t all that appetising, but when baked in a pudding with raisins and egg they are the monkey’s nuts! Matzah pudding is one of my all time favourite childhood deserts – my nana used to make the best matzah pudding – so I do have an ulterior motive here. When I’m eating iodine and not radioactive, I’m going to make a monster matzah pudding and share the love with my family and friends. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water! Anyway, I digress! I strike lucky with the matzah and get the last box. The kosher salt is proving more elusive – looks like pepper is going to be my sole seasoning for the next couple of weeks!
When I get home, I’m desperate to eat something iodine free and super sweet so I get busy in the kitchen and knock up some iodine free Fruity Macaroons. They’re ridiculously easy to make and sufficiently sweet enough to satisfy my cravings. Moreover, they’re not only iodine free, but they’re fat free too! I’ll definitely be making these again!
Later, Linda swings by as promised with the most enormous hamper – no wonder she said it was too heavy to carry home! It’s packed full of edible iodine free delights and really is a most beautiful basket. It’s packed with almost every fresh fruit you can think of, as well as a whole heap of dried fruits, nuts and snacks. And it’s all iodine free, so I can eat everything! I’m really touched at Linda’s generosity and thoughtfulness and waste no time at all at getting stuck into some of those tasty delights!
Not only have my friends and family plied me with flowers and food but I’ve also been given more than my fair share of films too. Jane’s been particularly diligent in donating movies to keep me meaningfully occupied during my sojourn at home and in hospital. Tonight we start with the docu-movie Forks over Knives ,Check it out at www.forksoverknives.com/ This thought provoking movie explores the claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by eating a plant based, whole food diet. The major storyline in the film traces the personal journeys of a pair of pioneering and highly inspirational researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. This really is a fascinating film and I highly recommend it.
Initially, I’m a bit grossed out, as for the next three weeks, we’re eating an almost entirely meat based diet. Although, my treatment prohibits us from making changes to the way we eat in the short term, David and I both think that the issues raised are going to profoundly affect our diet and menu choices in the long term. I don’t think either of us would make especially good vegans, but we’re both going to make a conscious effort to eat less dairy, less meat and more fruit, vegetables and legumes. It’s another wake up call. It’s our responsibility to look after our body. If we had a car we’d fill it with the best gas money could buy! We fill our home with beautiful things. Why shouldn’t we show the same care and attention to what we put in our body? It’s common sense, hey? This film is literally food for thought !
