Category: Food

Food. Eaten. Made. Discussed. All gluten-free.

April 27, 2013

HAWMC Day 27: What’s in a name

I am attempting the Wego Health Activist Writers’ Month Challenge. A post each day in April. So, now that I told you I am going to do it, I oughta follow through, right? Today’s prompt is:If you wrote a book about your life, your community, your condition, or your Health Activism – what would you title it?

I’ve thought about this one a lot. But mostly because I want to share delicious baked goods with the world. Baked goods that just happen to be gluten-free. Like many musicians, some days I feel that a self titled debut would be perfect. But then I am always led to the never quite answered question:

What is a FrannyCake?

I think a question as a title is perfect (hint hint to all of you literary agents that peruse this little blog). It sets up a story. A journey through what I know best: gluten-free baked goods.

I could bring my cupcake therapy to the masses! I could teach others that they don’t have to eat cake made from box mixes that taste like chemicals (please say no to Betty Crocker – there is no excuse for chemical flavored cakes, these days there are several gluten-free mixes that even I think are great).

I can show how I have never suffered when it comes to food. I can show you the hope and happiness that can fill a gluten-free kitchen.

The Chronic Positivity Project

This is actually the title of my upcoming web project (submit quotes and ideas here), but it is the framework that I build my life around. I had an unexpected realization about not being able to ride a bike again. Not that I did that often before, but the thought of never being able to do it again is a bitter pill to swallow. I embraced the sadness for a moment. I let myself mourn the loss. And then I looked for my silver lining.

I have to frame my life this way. If I didn’t, there would be days lost to wallowing. Days lost to crying over the never-agains and the never-will-bes.

As a book, it would be all about the strategies to make these things happen, as a web project it will be all about sharing inspiration for a positive life with everyone who needs it.

April 26, 2013

Snack it to me: Mango Lassi Trail Mix

This post is part of Snack It To Me – recipes for my favorite snack mixes. The posts are: Fairy Berry Gluten-Free Trail Mix, Sour Patched Gluten-Free Trail Mix, Cherry Cordial Gluten-Free Snack Mix, Mango Lassi Trail Mix, Apricocious Trail Mix, Raisinably Delicious Snack Mix, Happy Endings Trail Mix, My go-to prepared snacks.

After an interruption for surgery involving my spine, Snack It To Me is back. And it is back in a big way.

I transferred to U of I as a junior, and was on my third college. (Apparently fashion design classes do not transfer to other schools as they do not apply to real world skills, so I went to community college to cram in some lost credit hours). I was a junior living in a dorm filled almost entirely with freshmen and the rest were either RAs or seniors who would be graduating in December.

Transfer student orientation was miserable, and none of my high school friends had gone to UIUC. And except for a cousin, I was on my own. And those first few days on campus were rough. Ugly cry yourself to sleep rough.

But then I met Sid.

Somehow, despite radically different cultures and polar opposite favorite hobbies, we became fast friends. He eventually worked his way to BFF status, and is still one of my first calls when I have big news (even if we live half a world apart now).

Sid is the reason this recipe exists.

Food was always central to our friendship. It started with grabbing dinner in the dining hall together when we could. Lunches on campus when we could squeeze them in. And two years of my home-cooked Sunday dinners when we both moved out of the dorms. Some weeks it was the only time our schedules worked out for us to see each other.

We have learned a lot from each other over the course of our friendship. I dragged him to his first American football game (we lost) and made him sit and watch the Bears in the Super Bowl. I fed him his first Irish soda bread and my mom’s famous tomato and rice soup.

He is the one who introduced me to Indian food (he also introduced me to Korean and Middle Eastern cuisine), something I probably never would have tried on my own. He is the one who talked me into trying new things every time we would go to one of the many curry places on campus. The one who got me to try a mango lassi the first time.

A lassi is a yogurt and mango dring that is creamy and just sweet enough. For me, it was love at first sip. (Joy the Baker has a recipe for a mint and cumin lassi that looks out of this world).

With that, I give to you Mango Lassi Trail Mix. The idea for this mix is, sadly, not all my own. I had a similar combination from Graze (more about them in another post), and was thoroughly disappointed when they discontinued it. So, I just had to make my own.

Gluten-Free Mango Lassi Trail Mix

Recipe Type: Snack

Author: Mary Fran Wiley

Mangoes and yogurt are a match made in heaven.

Ingredients

75 grams roasted sunflower seeds (a good handful and a half)
50 grams yogurt covered nuts (about 30 yogurt covered almonds were used in the photographed version)
50 grams dried mango (chunks are best, but the flatter kind kan be roughly chopped into strips, as it is here)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Adjust amounts to suit your taste – I really love yogurt covered anything, you might really love mango. Take this and make it your own.
Store in a sealed container for up to one month.

3.2.1337

April 26, 2013

HAWMC Day 26: Stop wishing, start living

I am attempting the Wego Health Activist Writers’ Month Challenge. A post each day in April. So, now that I told you I am going to do it, I oughta follow through, right? Today’s prompt is to write how you wish you could have used a pain-free pass (either in the future or the past)? How would being pain or worry-free impact that day?

I find that this is a slippery slope. Looking at the what-ifs. Longing for a past that wasn’t. Grasping at a future that very well may not be.

Don’t get me wrong, I am full of hope. I am optimistic. Someday, someday.

But hoping isn’t wishing. It is having faith. An idea. A light to guide you through.

Thinking about what I would do with a pain free day? I had plans in life. I had things I liked to do. But my past has colored my future.

It is very likely that I will never be able to ride a bike again. Or to live completely on my own. I will definitely never run again. Learning Irish dance? Nope.

And wishing for these things is not going to bring them any closer to me.

So, I am not going to tell you what I wish I could do. I am going to tell you what I am striving for. Where my hope and faith are taking me.

I am looking into writing a cookbook. Or getting one of the children’s books that I have written and illustrated published. I have started working on a new project that I can’t wait for the website to be finished so I can show you. I am going to be the best dang web designer that I can be. And I am going to bake. When I feel good, I am going to try new things (that culinary bucket list of mine just keeps growing). When I feel bad, I am going to make recipes that I know by heart.

I am going to live fully. Love completely. Fight fiercely.

Who’s in?

April 25, 2013

HAWMC Day 25: Lessons from you

I am attempting the Wego Health Activist Writers’ Month Challenge. A post each day in April. So, now that I told you I am going to do it, I oughta follow through, right? Today’s prompt is to share something you learned from another Health Activist (Share their name/blog/website!)

I am still a bit worse for wear from my surgery, so I am probably going to keep the rest of the HAWMC posts short, sweet and to the point.

Two shorten the road.

(Irish Proverb)

Being sick or in pain is a tremendous load. It can tug at our hearts and hang a cloud over our heads. It can slowly pull us away from loved ones.

A partner can help you navigate. Lead you through the rough patches. If there is something that I have learned from the wisdom of the peoples of the internet it is just that.

Reach out. Ask for help. Do not let yourself end up on an island.

It can be your mom. Your sister. Your best friend. The who doesn’t matter. Just that you let them hold your hand. That you let them in.

It’s a long journey, but when shared with a friend, the time will pass just a little bit easier.

April 24, 2013

HAWMC Day 24: Nearly Wordless Wednesday

I am attempting the Wego Health Activist Writers’ Month Challenge. A post each day in April. So, now that I told you I am going to do it, I oughta follow through, right? Today’s prompt is to create a Pinterest board that shows your health focus and share an image of your board.

A group board that is full of positive energy:

A board full of gluten-free treats:

A board all about inspiring stories:

April 23, 2013

HAWMC Day 23: Yes, I’m a cyborg

I am attempting the Wego Health Activist Writers’ Month Challenge. A post each day in April. So, now that I told you I am going to do it, I oughta follow through, right? Today’s prompt is to write about how technology has played a part in your treatment.

So, you follow me on twitter. Or maybe instagram. And you saw a tweet. It mentioned a surgery that I hadn’t told any of you about. In fact, outside of my family, coworkers and friends I considered to be close, I didn’t tell anyone. Not because I didn’t think that you should know, but because I didn’t want to share too soon.

Because I didn’t want to jinx it.

You see, I am a battery-operated, remote-controlled human. Which makes me part robot. Although, I am less robot than Cybermen and the borg. And more human than the Cylons. (I sure hope I got enough sci-fi references in there to maintain my nerd status).

I have a device implanted under the skin on my back and it runs from my left hip to my spinal cord. It’s called a Spinal Cord Stimulator.

The SCS works to interrupt pain signals from my leg to my brain. It is kind of like a pacemaker, an insulin pump or a replacement joint. A man-made contraption designed to improve my quality of life. Once a week, I plug in and charge.

A year and a half ago, I took the plunge and had it implanted. Between October of 2011 and March of 2013, the wires that were tunneled into my spinal cord came loose. One even moved so far that it was just free-floating below my skin.

So, last Thursday, I went in to be rewired. I left with an upgrade

You see how I could not want to talk about it, right? A surgery so filled with promise had already gone awry once, I just wanted to wait it out. I was managing my own expectations. And I was trying not to panic. Or worry too much. That’s what I have Mammacakes for.

So, after little more than 2 hours of sleep, at 4:15 am, in epic flooding, Mammacakes and I made the drive to Rush. We made it through admissions. And the pre-op waiting room. I signed waivers and medical history forms.

And I waited.

A familiar face came by while I was waiting for the rest of the operating room staff to make it in (I did mention the epic rains, right?). It was the rep from Medtronic, the manufacturer of my SCS. She left to get the lay of the land (she normally works out of the hospital I was at previously), and I could overhear her talking to my doc.

They had a new offer.

They were going to be making the cuts anyway, so they offered me a new SCS. A fancy-schmancy one that could remember how I like it set in different positions. It will change when I lay down and sit up. If I roll to my side. Um, of course I wanted the new model! And then started the parade of residents and fellows in pain medicine. Each one of them made a point to tell me that they had never seen a stimulator have that kind of movement.

Surgery went smoothly and I am recovering well. Over the next few months, I will continue to heal – although that means no baking on my own for a while. But that’s ok, because this time, the stimulator seems to be working correctly.

I’m a proud cyborg. And don’t you forget it.

April 22, 2013

HAWMC Day 22: All that jazz

I am attempting the Wego Health Activist Writers’ Month Challenge. A post each day in April. So, now that I told you I am going to do it, I oughta follow through, right? Today’s prompt is to write about something ordinary that’s inspiring to you, something simple, perhaps overlooked, that fuels your activism.

I think that all you need is love. Truly. If I wasn’t for the love of my family and friends, I wouldn’t be writing, working or creating. Love gives me the strength to keep pushing on.

My love of life is what keeps me baking. Creating. Sharing.

And I hope that you can find the same love of life. And that it inspires you to reach for whatever it is that you want to do.

April 21, 2013

HAWMC Day 21: Adversity

I am attempting the Wego Health Activist Writers’ Month Challenge. A post each day in April. So, now that I told you I am going to do it, I oughta follow through, right? Today’s prompt is “The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” – Mulan. True or false? When do you bloom best?

Loneliness launched this blog. I was living far away from my friends & family. I had nothing to occupy my time, so I started writing.

Rude words got me to share my health journey.

A lack of understanding at my last job spurred me to apply for the job I have today.

So, I guess you could say that adversity has been a catalyst to getting my life back together. To becoming the person I am today.

Although, I would really like to believe that I was always headed here, some of the worst moments have led to the best.

And these recent moments have been pretty spectacular.

April 20, 2013

HAWMC Day 20: Burnout

I am attempting the Wego Health Activist Writers’ Month Challenge. A post each day in April. So, now that I told you I am going to do it, I oughta follow through, right? Today’s prompt is to write about burnout. What does it feel like? What are your burnout triggers? What gets you OUT of the pit of despair when nothing is going your way?

In college, before I was gluten-free, my friends all knew that if I was studying for a test there would be cookies. If I had a long day at work, there would be brownies. If I had a fight with MammaCakes, there would be a cake.

When I went gluten-free, I turned to knitting to unwind. It was a little better for my waistline.

But, then I learned how to bake gluten-free. And my brownies didn’t taste like beans. My cakes weren’t gummy. And there was joy in baking again.

The magic of butter and eggs. Sugar. A small army of flours.

The soothing nature of stirring and whipping. Whisking. The motions of the kitchen.

So, if you are suffering from burnout, I offer you my tried & true burnout cure, brownies. I have my base recipe memorized, and they are endlessly adaptable. And you just need 1 pot and 1 pan.

Brownies are the best.

My favorites are Gluten-Free Mexican Spice Brownies, Gluten-Free Espresso Brownies and Gluten-Free Strawberry Brownies.

April 19, 2013

HAWMC Day 19: Vintage

I am attempting the Wego Health Activist Writers’ Month Challenge. A post each day in April. So, now that I told you I am going to do it, I oughta follow through, right? Today’s prompt is to post a photo and where you were with your condition and diagnosis.

These photos are all post-weightloss. The first two are from before the knee injury that started everything, and the third one was not long after the injury, while I was doing physical therapy for an IT band problem and a kneecap being out of whack.

I was diagnosed about 3 months after the bottom photo was taken.

There aren’t too terribly many photos from diagnosis to now. Partially because I have never loved getting my picture taken. And partially because being unable to run or workout due to the pain, I gained a bit of weight back.

These bottom photos are all from the past year. The top two are the most recent. I decided this year that I am taking my body back. And that I am going to love being me, no matter what shape my body is in.