The Incentive...health and life

I spent yesterday recovering from this "bug" I suppose...still sniffling and coughing but otherwise, feeling better.  It was a sunny day so I wanted to make sure we spent some time outdoors even for a short while.  So the girls did go out in the backyard only to come back in a short time later since it was still a bit chilly outside (though much warmer than the last few days).

Yesterdays recipe for this weeks project (an item from this book) was "Breakfast Cookies."  Fairly easily and quite appealing to the young ones since it is a cookie after all and for breakfast!!!  This is simply cereal and other whole wheat goodness in cookie form....absolutely awesome!!!  I did however, burn my first batch...wuups!  I followed the cooking instruction to the letter but my oven is kinda' off all the time so no surprise here.  I just have to make a note to lower down the temperature next time and maybe even lessen the baking time just to be sure.  

Here's the recipe:

2 cups of whole wheat cereal (like Total or Wheaties...I used Life) crushed with rolling pin

3/4 cup Flour Blend (equal amounts of all purpose, whole wheat flour and wheat germ)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 large egg

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup low-fat ricotta cheese

cinnamon sugar for dusting

Whisk together dry ingredients.  In another bowl, mix wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients to the wet and mix just enough to moisten. Drop in single tablespoonfuls, flatten with fork and sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar before placing in 400 degree oven for 18 to 20 minutes.

The girls and I also enjoyed some fresh squeezed orange juice (great to kick this cold away)!!! Our neighbors tree conveniently hangs a few oranges our way.... but I think we'll ask him for more since he has plenty.  The girls enjoy squeezing their own juice and thanks to our citrus press (thanks mom!) it really is fun and easy. 

Today we also started a new routine that will hope to be a part of our regular schedule - our family Bible study.  We'll be reading and talking about bible stories in chronological order using our the "My Book of Bible Stories" book (published by Jehovah's Witnesses).  My hubby accounted for the limited attention span of the little ones and made sure that our session was short but meaningful.  Spirituality takes first place in our lives and it's a legacy we proudly pass on to our children but there is always room for improvement and we're hoping this year we could definitely do so much more.

We also skipped today's recipe project to spend time with other family members.  My sister-in-law, who has stage 4 Gastric cancer is still in the hospital facing a full week of aggressive chemotherapy.  This is the last treatment that her medical team is willing to try.  Her cancer is not abating and is quickly spreading to her other organs.  If this chemo do not work, the doctors would like to stop treatment.  She just turned 39 late last year and we are still hoping for the best.  She is strong and her spirit is never broken and my daughters love her very much.  In fact, Ickey was a bit upset because she could not come closer to give her a hug and kiss. 

Gastric cancer is a very aggressive disease but gets very little press.  Part of the cause is simply what you eat and how you prepare it.  According to the National Cancer Institute, the following MAY increase ones risk in developing this disease:

• Eating a diet high in salted, smoked foods and low in fruits and vegetables.
• Eating foods that have not been prepared or stored properly.

It is one of the reasons why I'm making a stand and helping my family change our eating habits and opting instead to the more natural and organic food sources.  It's not difficult at all and may it NEVER be that our incentive come from a life altering disease like this.  

We love you Manang!  Keep fighting!!!