Happy New Year 2014

Here it is  December 31st 2013 and it has been a challenging year  to say the least.
Though I hate to recap here it goes.the year started  we me getting outpatient maintenance immunotherapy,but unfortunately my follow up CT scan In May showed Bilateral lung nodules. subsequently had surgery to remove the  left which unfortunately revealed metastatic Melanoma the good new was it did test positive for the BRAf 600 mutation.the Right  lung nodule was left in to use a  marker.In July I had my mediport placed and over the next 4 months  I underwent in patient high dose Interleukin therapy.It was rough but with the support of my friends and family and an occasional trip to the west coast thanks to  my sweetie Richard Tash the time went by quickly.My follow up CT scan in November showed  some shrinkage of my right lung nodule yeaaaa.So here I am back on my ZELBORAF the oral gene blocking therapy.Though the side effects are annoying ,chronic  joint and muscle pain  its a small price to pay . With G-Ds help will keep my Cancer from progressing  and any way its nothing that  Ibuprofen can't relieve some of the symptoms.The year ended with  the most awesome Birthday weekend  celebrated with my family  & friends.
  Wishing all my friends and family a less stressful,successful, and healthy 2014.

The last Full Week of 2013

There have been a lot of ups and downs this past week.Last shabat was quiet  but lovely went to shabbat dinner at the Elsons which the company and food was great.I ended up staying home shabbat morning secondary to a "gout" attack ,and discomfort  and had a quiet shabbat  lunch for 1 but that was more han fine.Sunday went to my great nephews Azriels 1st birthday party he is just sooo yummy.
 The work week was uneventful and  fairly quiet secondary  to so many people being on vacation.Woke up the 25th feeling woozy and still with a fair amount of pain so unfortunately I had to cancel going to the movies with Ilene & Grace  and the traditional take out Chinese food. Yossi & Resa Fogel stopped by and they ended up getting me out of the house for a little bit.
  Looking foreword to shabbat lunch at my sisters with rafi,Yael Moshe Arona & Motti.
So I'm feeling a lot better today more energy less pain so I decided to cook for  Shabbat and thanks to my friends Dvora & Perry Krevat it will be lively shabbat table.
 So of course had to start a bit of cooking and baking frenzy here my menu.
 home made challah and gluten free rolls,chicken soup,tachina,roasted beet salad,roasted cauliflower  and asparagus,gluten free turkey sechzhuan meatballs,roasted herb butterflied chicken,potato  kugel,
and last but not least for dessert poached pears and gluten free pumpkin cupcakes with an orange vanilla glaze.
   Really looking forward to this shabbat and weekend celebrating my birthday with family and friends  though my two sons & daughter in laws from  Israel   and my honey in Oakland  will be missed

Another week gone

 Here it is Friday morning Dec 20th and the year is winding down. it's been a great week at work and home as with everyone else it had it's challenges. Snow last shabbat & then again during the week always adds stresss and and requires physical endurance I wasn't sure I had,though no complaints here my kids in yerushalaem had many more challenges to overcome. the 2 feet of snow that  fell.
 i dis make an awesome Gluten free pumpkin bread(cake) with an orange vanilla glaze for  Paul's birthday(resident).
  Every time I get a new ache or pain i worry it may be secondary to my Zelboraf  or even the melenoma but thank g-d this week that wasn't the case and it's more of an annoyance than anything else'I have a stye  on the inside of my left lower eyelid so it almost looks like I have a shiner on my left eye ,It is improving daily with some antibiotic ointment . I did have a follow up visit with DR Pecora yesterday all is stable and I'm to continue the oral gene blocking therapy .I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend  & שבת with friends and family

Hunkering down for the next wave of snow

Here it is  another week at work finished ,great week at work even with Paul (junior resident) on vacation.though I am feeling stronger every day the aches and pains in my hands  are still a real brother but I'm taking ibuprofen which at least takes the edge off. these are. Side effects from my Zelboraf (my gene blocking therapy)but for the first time in weeks ,I really felt like cooking so I invited my next door neighbors for lunch tomorrow .
   I baked gluten free carrot cupcakes and a small bunt for my sister & brother in-laws anniversary  32 years and still going strong,chocolate chip cookies.for lunch gefilte  fish, home made purple slaw oven baked BBQ & fried chicken.a a couldn't done the old fashion way on the stove ,perfect for a snowy day.and of course I have a couple good books to keep me company.

Chanukah and Thanksgiving

I know it been  a couple of weeks since if posted nothing .It's benn  a very busy couple of weeks.
I have been on my zelboraf for the last few weeks at first the side effects were horrendous,all my large joints were killing me just going up and down the steps were a real chore,with little relief from Tylenol I had mistaken thought I redeveloped my allergies to ibuprofen.but the discomfort and pain eventually eased up.
  Work has been really rewarding and satisfying .The first night of Chanukah was lovely since Motti got out early I  walked into my house the the smell of latkas  wafting from the kitchen.I was really looking forward to my trip out to the west coast.
 I was at the airport by 6am tea lines fairly long even though it was Thanksgiving because of the bad Weather on Wed.the flight to Chicago w uneventful,the flight from Chicago to Vegas was fun someone actually proposed to his girlfriend on the flight it  was really sweet.Thanksgiving in Vegas was lovely no real time to do anything.Flew from Vegas to Oakland  Friday morning.The weekend and Shabbat in Oakland was wonderful and the weather could not be nicer mid to high sixties.got to see some real improv.Sat . Night and back to San Francisco Sunday and Union square.I could not have asked for a lovelier weekend ,thanks to Richard .
 Got back Monday evening and had a really good week at work.feeling stronger every day,and even though I still have the myalgias and neuropathy of my hands I've gotten used to it.My follow up appointment with Dr Pecora  on Thursday went well and my labwork looks great.So now it's just continue with the current course of Zelboraf and follow up appointments and labwork.

Thursday night

I know I haven't posted all week ,but it has been really busy.my second week on the Zelboraf and it has been a little rougher than I anticipated.Got through the whole week at work but I've been living on Tylenol for the joint pain and Benadryl for the itches, its a small price to pay to keep things in check.But all that being said and done its been a productive week and feeling more like my old self  though a little worse or wear,and I'm looking forward to a restful Shabbat

Sunday Mornin'

Here I am day  6 of my ZELBORAF (gene blocking therapy) and the side effects re in full swing not that I'm complaining because oral therapy trumps inpatient  Interleuken II any time.But I think I'm going to try and readjust my diet back to Gluten free because of all the myalgia and joint pain  (especially my knees so steps are no fun) also have the itchies again and my hair continues to thin,I figure it can't hurt.,so no biggie  that's what benadryl and tylenol  is for.it seems  have become super sensitive the allergies I grew out of in adulthood have come back  in full force  so far strawberries and anti inflammatories  like  motrin.
  I had a wonderful shabbat wit my cousins in Flatbush,it was just totally chilled.came home and just relaxed the rest of my evening.No real plans for today but since the waether is not great a chiled day at home is on my agenda especially since it will be a very busy week at the VA.

The end of my first full work week

Here it is Thursday afternoon and my  work week is winding down.it feel really good to finish the work week without feeling totally exhausted (just the ussual tired).After the good news on Monday I have  had nothing  but time to think about what this really means.This is reallly good news and I will take every little piece of positive news and try to pay it forward.But deep in my heart I know I still have a long road ahead   filled with uncertanity and fear of what the future may bring and  just wanting to be back to my old self .
 I have now restarted my BRAF blocking therapy which I may be on for years  ,with its own side effects and restrictions but the restrictions are a smal price to pay ( no sun exposure at all and no wine or alcohol).And I can even live side effects of mylagias and  numbness of my fingertips, repeat scans every few months to r/o more shrinkage or g-d forbid  progression of my cancer.So  I truly  appreciate all the positive thoughts,support  and especially the love of all my friends  and family.

Monday Veterans Day

 So Sorry that I really didn't have tiem to blog yesyetrday but it was a crazy busy day but in a really good way.
my day satrted with my follow up CT  scan,then went to see the early show of Last Vegas with my sister had a few really good belly laughs & then  out to lunch with my son Motti and a really good vegetarian Indian restuarnt in Jersy city(has rabbinacal supervision).But then thank g-d it only got better I went to  see my oncologist Dr pecora and the news was good my Ct scan  has improved the right lung nodule has shruneken Yeaaaa!,so no more  inpatient treatment for now.And I strt again on my BRAF blocking oral therapy.labwork also great and to top th eday off had a great dinnerout ie;p mini reunion with some of my oldest friends form day & high school in the city .the love was all around.looking forward to a good week at work.

Veterans Day weekend

The weekend started out with a lovely day Friday finally got up the courage to go to Home Depot and buy a couple of new shades for my front window ,one of the old ones was lateral torn down the middle,but I get frustrated so easily and they didn't install as easily as they should have ,and needed some assistance that would not be available until Sunday morning so I gave up and temporarily hung a tablecloth over the window.
  With Shabbat so early .just did a bunch of errands but thank g-d feeling so much more like myself.Went to the Fogels  for Shabbat dinner we had a great time even played some apples to apples after dinner .Went to my sister and brother in law for lunch we had a great time food was great,company even better especially getting to bond and play with my great nephew Azriel.
  I know I'm feeling stronger on our way home from my sister we took the long way home and did an extra circuit around 3rd ward park and just felt refreshed and relaxed by the time we got back to my house.
  Motzei Shabbat was fun,we drove into the city and grabbed a bite to eat then we went to the uptight citizens brigade and watched some improv,great fun.Sunday morning we finally got the shades up in the living room,at least I feel like I accomplished something.dropped Richard off at. Newark airport got home laundry up.but it's been a great weekend and a day off tomorrow is he icing on the cake .
  CT scan in the morning and hopefully great results to follow late tomorrow afternoon with my oncologist and a  mini  reunion with a bunch of my old classmates in the city tomorrow night.

Erev Shabbat

I know I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday,but things are on the upswing .I had a really good day at work my energy level is almost back to normal I'd say about 80% but what an improvement.gotbhome a little later the normal made dinner chicken and green beans with jalfrrazi sauce over ice yummmm.Went to bed early  woke up this morning with a clear head and almost not itchiness  got a lot done around the house and looking forward to a great Shabbat with family and friends and especially my special guy from California.It also doesn't hurt that Monday is Veterans Day and. A day off though I have my follow up CT scan on Monday morning and an oncologist appointment in the afternoon which wil determine the next step in my treatment but we are thinking positive thoughts and preying the best.

To chop or not to chop

Every dy a little stronger the itchiness has subsided a little bit had to change to aveeno body wash my skin has become sore sensitive and super dry.Clinic went very smoothly today.the caveat was I had an appointment with my hairdresser,and had to decide if I needed to cop my hair off,it's been thinning tremendously ,and I was worried its all going to fall out but  after a great consultation with Dina my hairdresser for 16 years we decide that just a good cut would do for now,so I'm feeling a little better about that at least but I had resigned myself to if I needed to chop it all off ,it's just hair and would grow back .So I'll just wait and see what happens .
I am feeling stronger and more like myself every day.

on the road back

her eit is Tuesday and I realized that when I got to work today I forgot to blog yesterday.Had a good day at work yesterday and even went for a check up after work and after I got home I didnt feel like a rana  marathon.As I've said before I have to stop beating myself up and realize that  some of te side effecta are cumulativ and afte each cycle of chemo it will take  just that much longer to recuperayte and get back to my baseline.S0o her it is Tuesday and my energy level is improving daily.though I still have the itchy's.So here it is alitlle more than a week post chemo and I'm starting to feel like my old self YEAAAAA!

Sunday

It was really wonderful having my daughter in law Matla come after Shabbat and a nice Melava Malka with some of her friends but I pooped out by about elen thirty.I did remember to set my clock back but Unfortunatly I didn't get any more sleep ,and I was  still up bright and early this morning.
At least some of my itchiness have subsided,though my hands are still stiff and achy.I went with Matla to Costco it felt like I did 10 miles on my treadmill.so rested and then went to the groundbreaking ceremony for  the Young Israel but had to leave before it was over ,just didn't have the stamina to stay until the end.I have to come to he realization that its going o take a little more time to get o my baseline.And to regain my strength .

Saturday night

Here it is Saturday night and my first shabbat. Home after my treatment last week.Once again realizing that I have to give myself a break I did make it to shul today but was done once I got home.and that as much as
I made it back to work this past Wed. I' still feeling he cumulative effects of he treatment .no stamina or strength  and the myalgias and neuropathy is kicking my butt.but I'll get past this  ,and give myself and my body a chance to heal and recuperate.looking forward to seeing my daughter in law  Matla tonight and spending he day with her tomorrow.

TGIF

Here it is Friday morning and so glad I didn't have to get up to go to work.I have to remember to take a step back and realize though the treatment regimen is the same the effects can be cumulative .Still very achy & itchy , with very little stamina or strength ,but glad I have today and Shabbat to rest and regain my strength.The scary thing was this morning in the shower as I washed my hair and noticed huge clumps just circled around the drain, but its is coming out in clumps,  there is still  alot there I've resigned myself if that's the case Ill get a cute pixie cut and start from the beginning plus I still have all my scarves and hats from before my divorce,hahaha.wishing all my friends and family a Shabbat shalom and a restful weekend.

Finally home

Here it is day two back at work,and still feel like I've been through the wringer.I have to be realistic and realize I just can't jump back into a crazy10 hour day. I have to stop betting myself up and take a stp back and not over do it.I also have to realize that even though he chemo is e same the side effects nd adverse reactions can be umulitive.So glad I don't work Fridays and have Shabbat nd he weekend to regain my strength .though not a common side effect of e interleukin II every time I put my nd through my hair large amounts are coming out ,so I guess my hir is thing and worse cae scenario if it starts to rely fall out I'll get a cute pity cut or something because its only hair and it will grow back but I'm putting he cart before the horse.

First day back at work

Here it is Wensday again ,and my first day back at work after my treatment last week.As usual a fully booked  clinic .But all that being sid I was really glad to be back & back in the swing of things.,though  I probably could have used another day at home recuperating.Im not trying to be a martyr I know that even working atbslower pace being there  tomtke care of my vets made a difference .Unfortunatly  still have the itches and hand pain but with Benadryl & Tylenol I made it through clinic.on the road to recovery ,getting stronger every day and with the support of my coworkers it makes it that much easier.

Another day of recuperating

Here it is Tuesday day 3 post  discharge from chemo.some of the post treatment side effects are still kicking my butt,the ,rash is gone but still itchy all over thanks g-d for Benadryl ,but my myalgias and neuropathy hasn't improved.but I know they will in time.but all that being said and done I'm feeling better and stronger each day.and hoping to return to work tomorrow.

Monday Monday !

Discharged from the hospital Saturday night ,just happy to be home in my own bed but OMG I have become so hypersensitive all my old allergies from my childhood strawberries now I also think ibuprofen ,thank g-d for Benadryl but I woke up with swollen puffin eyes the only thing I have done differently in the last couple of days is I took some Motrin before I went to bed last night.I'll just he to wait and see.
  Sunday was a struck day just chilled out and tried to keep from legs elevated since I'm still retaining  some of the fluid gain from the hospital.my folks visited and then we had a lovely family dinner with my parents,Simmi ,Izzy ,RafI,Yael,& my adorable great nephew Azriel and Motti.
 It's amazing how even after I completed my chemo and I'm home how these old allergies from childhood have resurfaced.At least I got a little more sleep last night.So today my goal is to relax,recuperate and regain my strength so I can return to work on Wed.

Finally Home

Here it is motzei Shabbat and so happy to be home .I also can't wait to sleep in my ownbef.i could not have made it through this past week without the love and support of my family and friends.Not unexpectedly the side effects kicked my butt but I was ready to deal with them.Avery. Special shout out to Nick Eckstein who stayed in the hospital with me over Shabbat I would have climbing the walls otherwise,another special shout out to my sister Simmi for supplying the yummy meals.and also my son Motti.
So cycle 2,course 2 finished fu ct scans in a couple of weeks,which will determine  the next step.

Friday completed chemo

Ask I sit here in my hospital room going over the past week . I realize that I am truly blessed.first of all I made through 12 infusions though the adverse reactions really get me down and I think that the hardest part. I really wasn't up to writing the last couple of days.but having my family and friends  near by either in person or keeping in contact by phone is touching and truly appreciateed.the question is to get get d.ischarched so I can be home for shabbat is a tough decision.i'm Unfortunatly still suffering the worst side effect of mall which is the diahrea.but being able to Skype with my sons and daughters in law in Isratel also makes a hugely difference .signing off for now wishing all my friends and family a Shabbat shalom and a restful weekend.

Day three

Had some unexpected company and visitors on Monday.helps  the day go by.  able to get almost three hours of sleep last night.now the fun begins infusion number six running.ten pounds of water weight on , my hands look like boxing gloves haha(not unexpected in fact last time I put a total of twenty pounds of water weight on.)still no apetite but I was antipating that. I'm still psyched to get through this and to get at least thirteen incisions this cycle  knowing how caring the staff is mass this journey that much easier to tolerate.

Day two

Here it is about six am Monday morning.the treatments yesterday were quite challenging but I think we have my cocktail down pat to avoid some of the more severe side affects from the chemo.
 Sleep is not something you get while an inpatient,so I manage with little act naps in between . This time I thought I would be smart and some homemade food with me ,it didn't quite work out as planned .once again Cold not make it through without the support of my family and friends.we a shooting for the full 14 infusions if I can push it through so three down 11 to go.

First day

Here it is Sunday morning checked in at Hackensack 5pw  before 9 am.There  is a great comfort in. knowing you are  not only comfortable but as familier with the staff as they  are with you.my cardiac moniter  is hooked up my medi port is accessed  the IV  hydration started . I am totally psyched to get this next course of chemo underway,It just bring me closer to my goal of not only feeling like my old self but beating this .

Shabbat Oct 18-19th 2013

Went into this Shabbat relaxed and ready to repairs myself for my next admission Sunday.as I lit the Shabbat candles and finished my tehillim I was spiritually preparing myself of what's to come next.I had a great Friday night dinner at Fern & Steve Roth,went to shul Shabbat morning with another great dear Torah by Rabbi glasses.Lunch with my next door neighbors the Galimidi's.came home to relax and had special company when Nechama Eckstein. Came by to keep me company and just chill she has been a huge help and source of support over the last few weeks.we even went to the malla nod for pizza just so I could get out tonight for a little while before being admitted tomorrow it was a break that I needed but also had a blast.
Once agin support of family and friends has been great inspiration and source of support,and when one least expects it card or a call comes through that heartens you and helps give you the strength and resolve to push through and persevere .I had a great Shabbat and I have faith that the coming week  will breeze by.

Psyched

Here it is Erevan Shabbat as I try and have actually been able  to psych myself for my admission Sunday for course 4 cycle 2 of my chemo.
  My day started nice and early  skyping  with all my kids in Israel .though I miss them all desperately  skyping is next next basest thing to seeing them in person.all the love and support just jumps through the computer, and there training  for the upcoming Tel Aviv marathon ,along with heir running for me just opens my heart.also skyping with my guy in California makes getting through my days so much easier.
  I am also determined to try to actually eat while I'm Ana in patient next week the tough thing is figuring out what to cook and bring with me since my taste buddy's are shot and I'm really into the spicy these days,so I'm making buffalo wings,I made rice I have some cold cuts,soup my diet ginger ale and ice team already to pack with me.I'm keeping my fingers crossed tabs I actually have a appetite next week.Signing off for now I'm hoping to continue posting while hospitalized next week wishing all my friends and family a great weekend and Shabbat shalom.
And once again I can't thank my friends and family enough for your love and support.

touched

 As I sit her at my desk on my last day of work prior to my next admission for chemotherapy on Sunday one of my major concerns this week was how I was  going to manage financially .I have no right to complain since  b"h I  have a good job with good  benefits and coworker,friends & family  who really care and understand, but the last fifteen months after my initial diagnosis and subsequent surgeries & treatment  have left me totally void of any vacation or sick time.(and being a federal employee on federal property there is no disability).
 But thanks to the  unbelievable generosity of my coworkers and the donated leave program not only has my mind been put as ease , but I can be admitted Sunday  for my next round of chemotherapy knowing how blessed I truly am with  the love and caring  from  all the people I am surrounded with at home and at work .There are just no words to describe what I'm currently feeling Thank you

trying to psych myself

Up early this morning made it to the hospital in plenty of time to have my cup of coffee before treating my patients for their bladder cancer.being treated for cancer myself has given me a whole new perspective and open my eyes to what my patients might be feeling and going through.But i know as I greet each one of them with a smile on my face and confidence in my steps helps get through this process.
 Wed. is always our busy day especially because we spend all day in clinic.But it does help the day go by faster.especially when some of the patients I've been following for years specifically request to see me.
 It is a source of encouragement and strength .As I left work today thinking about how to start to prep myself for my next admission for chemotherapy this Sunday,I decided to do a Costco run.I picked up some snacks for the hospital and a case of Attends briefs for the intractable diarrhea that I get while in the hospital (one of the fun side effects LOL )but I try and look at the bright side and have to keep laughing  for I realize that it is short lived and subsides in a day or 2 after the  infusions are finished.and that's a small  price I have to pay if I want to  beat this.I'm not looking for pity or sympathy .that this is just  a part of my life and routine right now.And I know with the support of my friends  and family it's just one short week that passes by quickly.

My personel journey

So as you can see I've now changed the tittle of my blog.What started out as a blog of my adventures in cooking and taken a huge turnThejourney begins Little over a 1 1/2 years ago when i was diagnosed with malignant melanoma on mid back.
 Now it's more than  1 /2 years later  six surgical procedures and a failed phase clinical trail of immunotherapy,I've come to what I think is a crossroads.
 Ive always had the attitude that I can beat this huge bump in the road but it gets real tough at times.when they Way a Little knowledge is dangerous being a PA or > 30 years can get to be  a real drag
 I am currently getting ready for 4th admission  and 4th cycle of high dose interleuken II,  this coming Sunday.for my metastatic melanoma.Though in reality I could not have made it to this point without the support of my family friends& coworkers whose daily encouragment makes getting up to go to work easier each day.The truth is it's truth what doesn't kill you   make you stronger and in fact the last year and 1/2 has not only strengthened my faith in G-d ,a stronger  person and and even better PA who can truly empathize with her patients .I'm planning to try and blog daily not just to keep all of my friends and family informed but to strengthen my own convictions that i will beat this.there are just too many things I still hope to accomplish in my life.

So i know it's been months since I have  even thought about writing.it's been a rough summer and few months but  thank g-d I'm finally starting to feel like my old self.It's been a little more than 2 weeks since my last treatment an it feels so good to get back in the kitchen and to prepare for the holiday.
 So I did a little baking last week after work to get a head start on things.It's a tough holiday coming up especially since it goes right into shabbat. and thanks to my family and good friends Motti and I are invited out for a few of the meals.so here is my menu.
for the first night, gefilte fish with carrots, parave roasted  squash soup,brisket,roasted chicken,roasted baby potatoes,brussel sprouts,black eyed peas,beet salad. mushroom onion quiche, Braised red cabbage, & tachina .
Friday lunch soup,morrocon fish stew, grilled salmon with a date  balsamic reduction,spinach quiche,rice, assorted salads,sours & tachina and some artisian cheese(thanks to fairway)
I also baked  challah, gluten free carrot cupcakes,gluten free apple cake,and chocolate chip cookies.
 i am looking forward to spending the, New Yearwith my family and friends.Wishing all my friends and famly a  a שנה טובה  and especially a Healthy new year filled with   ברכה והצלחה .

שבואות 2013

 I am looking forward to spending chag with  family & friends.
 So with being Gluten & Dairy free what to make for chag .The marathon started with baking on Sunday and I'll finish my cooking tday When I get home from the hospital but the menu will be as follows.Wild mushroom soup ,whole rainbow trouts,spinach mushroom quiche,braised baby bok choy, brussel sprouts,grilled asparagus,roasted baby potatoes,eggplant lasagna,   grillled vegetable and tofu quisidalles ,dill fish pie.pumpkin cheesecake,gluten free chocolate chip cookies and carrot muffins.and last but not least Tirimisu from scratch.And we are invited out for one meal

spinach mushroom quiche

pumpkin cheesecake

Home for שבת

So after a crazy busy week at the Hospital actually excited to be cooking for my son & myself for shabbat.
Even though I don't work Friday I still like getting a head start on things Thursday night.So  of course I started with baking  challah and gluten free low fat Carrot cake.Friday night will include chicken soup chock full of root vegetables,Allepo meatball, Swiss chard asparagus,fresh roasted chicken and sumac rice.
Shabbat lunch will start with but of course eggs and onion(caramelized) baby green salad with  my home made tachina, cole slaw,homemade grilled eggplant salad,oven baked schnitzel,my southwestern bean salad ,
assorted chamutzim.

challah

gluten free low fat carrot cake

local  cherry blossoms

Last Minute Plans

Here i am once again posting on what I love most the  spontaneity of having last minute guests for שבת lunch.
I already had plans for dinner tonight at my  very special friends  Yossi & Resa Fogel.So when I got up this morning I ran to ACME to pick up some last minute ingredients.
 So I started my day in my kitchen baking putting my challah dough for it's first rise then unto gluten low fat carrot cake & muffins.Can't prepare for שבת  without my homemade tachina. Then unto my salads
home made coleslaw & hearts of palm salad.So what to do for the main event? I picked up a piece of london broil but I wasn't in the mood for chulent or even a chamim.So I braised the meat then  my vegetable reduced it with a cup of dry red wine then for a little kick added a couple of chipotle peppers.and put it in my crock pot on low over some yukon gold potatos.I am grilling some skinless boneless chicken breasts that have been marinated in ginger,garlic,orange.and last but not least we will be

starting lunch with eggs & onion.Wishing all my friends 7 family a restful weekend & שבת שלום!

last days פסח 2013 the marathon continues

   Here we are again just 1 week later and the never ending marathon of cooking a baking continues.Here it was I thought I had  just about enough left overs for the last  2 days of chag,but I was wrong.So out I was at Kosher Konnection  & the route 17 farmers market at just past 8 o'clock this morning.
   So once again I started

 with my baking .Passover oat rolls,my chocolate chip cookies( I tweaked the recipe) and raspberry chocolate chip bars(thanks Ilene Miller for the recipe )all gluten free.
than on to my side dishes of  steamed asparagus,broccolini, ratatouille.A beautiful french roast.fried flounder,grilled steel head trout.
 Thank g-d for the left overs in my freezer for the rest of the menu,gefilte fish,chicken soup,zucchini soup,braised cabbage,potato & broccoli kugel. Wishing all my friends & family A Happy easter & חנ שמח!
 

raspberry chocolate chip bars

broccolini

Passover 2013

Here it is Passover eve and all of us  are ready for that pre- seder nap.
My saga begins this year with my adventure in baking ,and what new recipes i can come up with or how to modify my previous recipes to gluten free.
So I preceded to take ground almonds and  pulse then until super fine in my food processor and used that instead of cake meal.Even I must admit my non grebrocht (gluten free) chocolate cookies came out  as good as my all year round ones.So yesterday I baked my cookies,coconut brownies,apple muffins,and almond.f sponge cake.then the cooking marathon began  with gefilte fish,sweet and sour carp,potato kugel,zucchini kugel,chicken soup and  cream  of zucchini soup,spaghetti squash , fried eggplant  carrot muffins , roasted beet salad,home made cucumber salad & coleslaw and last but not least  my son Motti & I made our killer homemade horseradish.After 7 hours on my fit i quit for the night.
 The saga continues this morning with  tongue,sweet & sour meatballs,bbq chicken,roasted chicken  chicken breast stuffed with  spinach & mushrooms and baked with a homemade cranberry sauce,oven baked fried chicken fingers,
 sauteed beet green,roasted cauliflower ,roasted Brussels sprouts,grilled portabella mushrooms,and safardi halibut stew, quinoa. And of course for our seder plate,safardi chaorset  with dates & apricots.

Gluten free baked Goodies !!

hamantashen

coconut,pecan Blondies

oat rolls

Here  it is one week before Purim and it's freezing outside.What a better day to spend the day but baking Mishloach Maanot for Purim.
All Gluten free!!!!

chocolate chip cookies

chocolate chip cookies,coconut pecan blondies,& hamatashen
I just substituted Gluten free flour mixture cup for cup

Braised lamb ribs

I know it's been forever since I've posted but I really have not had the time  or anything really exciting to  blog about.Though I have been home  for shabbat meals the last couple of weeks ,this week I have the opportunity & pleasure of cooking shabbat dinner for My recuperating son (flu) Motti & Myself.
 Surami salad with mixed baby greens
chicken soup( jewish penicillin)
braised brussel sprouts
sauteed beet greens
roasted beet salad
braised baby lamb riblits cooked slow & low
basmati rice