<p>Nrdsbr - our dear friend was probably on a similar regimen - very same issues. I was making food for his wife because so she didn’t have odors in the house. Now, the funny thing is, when he was off treatment, he craved a combination Indian plate from our favorite vegetarian restaurant - spicy, aromatic!</p>
<p>A young woman we know has been through hell with breast cancer. She posts a lot on Facebook and Caringbridge, and it has taught me that I have *no clue *what someone going through chemo would like to eat. For a while she’ll be living on bananas and cherry limeaide, then she’ll be scarfing down Mexican. It’s nice if you can ask what the person is in the mood for.</p>
<p>I made a chicken/rice/potato soup, fruit salad, fresh bread and cookies. She was grateful and said her H would love it. So tough to hear about her cancer. Found on a routine 50th colonoscopy and it was already stage 4. :(</p>
<p>She really had no symptoms at all?</p>
<p>NM - big hug to you. It is so hard facing this with a friend. I am sure your meal was sooo appreciated.</p>
<p>She looked good. Her hair is a little shorter and her eyebrows are gone but I thought she looked good! She gets tired but looks about the same weight…has always been a health person, exercises regularly and eats healthy. Has a port for the chemo. Was actually making bars for her son’s bball team. Slow but was getting it done!</p>
<p>I have an aunt who died of colon cancer. I had my first colonoscopy at 40 and there were 3 polyps, none cancerous. Then colonoscopies every two years with nada until the one this winter and three more polyps, again no cancer. </p>
<p>I’m trying to drink more water. Have read that helps. Hate, hate, hate colonoscopies. No matter how hard I try, I always end up retching in agony on the bathroom floor the night before.</p>
Hit the gym early this morning as I have a hair appt. In the past I would have canceled for the day and not gone. I am proud of myself for getting up earlier and getting the workout in. Small step but important for me! Really trying to be aware of what I am eating. Started watching Biggest Loser and that motivates me too! Lost another pound! Yay!
<p>Good for you, NM! Colon and ovarian cancer are two of the scariest cancers in how quickly the symptoms can appear from nowhere and how serious the disease can be at that point. </p>
<p>I actually haven’t gotten on the scale in a while. I visited D this past weekend and took her and my three new daughters out to dinner at a Mediterranean place. What I noticed was that I was not only making better food choices I also wasn’t finishing my meal. My clothes fit better- I pulled out a pair of pants I couldn’t squish my lard into last spring and guess what? They were loose. </p>
<p>When I initially started this I was hoping to go to my college reunion (25th) and run in the 5k. That’s not going to happen, but I’m still really glad that I’m losing weight and feeling a whole heck of alot better.</p>
<p>NM, big hugs to you. Some day, some day there will be better therapies and earlier detection for cancers.</p>
<p>We just came back from our mini-trip, and when I stepped on the scale last evening, I that my weight crept up by two pounds. However, I was not worried - I always gain 2-3 pounds after a plane trip ( it’s jsut water retention due to the salty foods and lack of movement). As expected, both pounds are gone this morning! I went for a very leasurely run on my dreadmill last night (it was cold, rainy, and dark outside - yuck!), just 6.5 mph, but with a steeper incline. It felt good.</p>
<p>BTW, congratulations to all - it is May, and the thread just keeps going and going! Great job, everyone!</p>
<p>So to continue this lifestyle change I went and bought some organic quinoa at the grocery store this morning. Any one have a good recipe?</p>
<p>I made a quinoa salad similar to the recipe below recently. </p>
<p>I didn’t use avocados and used a sweet balsamic vinegar instead of the lemon. </p>
<p>[Greek</a> Quinoa and Avocado Salad Recipe - Food by Yahoo! Shine!](<a href=“http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/recipes/greek-quinoa-and-avocado-salad-536434/]Greek”>http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/recipes/greek-quinoa-and-avocado-salad-536434/)</p>
<p>That looks good! I will definitely make that! Having a garage sale tomorrow and will have this for lunch with my friends! Thank you so much toneranger! It has everything in it that I like!</p>
<p>Good luck North Minn. Your garage sale sounds like fun! (Just a note that I absolutely ADORE avocados…but beware…they are quite high in calories).</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>BB, you crack me up. I’m really comfortable at 4.8 or 4.9 mph, and I’m struggling to get up to 5.0 for anything more than five minutes.</p>
<p>On another note, though, if I may brag a bit: As some of you know, I’ve been going to the gym for about four and a half years now, usually three times a week. For one of those times every week, I work on core exercises – abs, sides, and lower back. And I am loving how my core looks!! </p>
<p>Just took three pairs of pants to the tailor this morning. I only bought them a year ago, and they were swimming on me.</p>
<p>^^^No wonder you’re VeryHappy!!! 
Congratulations!!!</p>
<p>NM, I have lots of reasons to be VeryHappy. Good health is one of them.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>D1 made a quinoa salad when she was home for Easter. Cook the quinoa according to package directions. Add in some chopped up peppers (red, yellow, orange - whatever combination you want), cucumber and mix in some Paul Newman’s lite vinaigrette to taste. Top off with some sprinkled feta cheese. </p>
<p>It was yummy.</p>
<p>Have been working out in earnest about 10 days - spinning, treadmill, step classes, latin impact - whatever is showing when I get to the fitness center. Took last Sunday off but otherwise I’ve been very steady. So this morning I woke up feeling as if I could barely summon the energy to function. Stepped on the scale - down five pounds. I didn’t do this to lose weight, I did it to gain strength. Feel as if I’m disappearing and losing all strength. Did just 30 minutes on home treadmill today and ate like a truck driver - egg mcmuffins (2) for breakfast. PB&J for lunch. Pizza for dinner. And have been chugging a lot of water. Starting to feel better.</p>
<p>I think those spinning classes are kind of lethal.</p>
<p>Sounds like your body is saying it needs some rest sewhappy. How does every other day sound, it gives your body time to repair & the burn out rate is less?</p>