Mothers Day { twice in a week! }

This year we celebrated Mothers Day two weekends in a row. Miss E had to come home for an appointment on May Day so she stayed for a long weekend.

The two of us set up an office for ourselves downstairs since my "office/sewing/craft room" upstairs was covered with projects in progress and as a result there was not much available space. We did not really consider Mr. Wonderful's office although we could all fit comfortably if we wanted however he is on the phone a lot so we preferred our cozy spot on the game table. Of course we did remove the adorable spring quilt on top while we worked so that it would not get dirty. 

Miss E's appointment last week was for another ultrasound of her neck which she has every 6 months to monitor her lymph nodes. In March she had her scans and then had to come back a week later on March 20th for a special ultrasound. When we arrived for that appointment the hospital parking lot had gone from the usual completely full garage to empty spaces on all the floors and also having our temperatures taken at the door and given  dated badges to wear. Last week it was the same thing, empty parking structure, temperature and badges, so we were very happy they did not have to change or cancel her appointment. There will be more imaging required, however, for now she has a break. 

Once we returned from her appointment Papa Bear had grilled up a great dinner for us. 

His signature burgers are amazing although Miss E and I did not top ours with pastrami like  he did. The stuffed hamburger patties along with the toppings were quite enough for us. 

Saturday we picked up some online orders at one of our favorite stores which was fun. I had not done that yet but it worked great. We pulled up along the curb, called the number and they came out and put the packages in the back. Easy, peasy. We actually did it twice! 

We had another fabulous dinner Saturday night which required a little team work but we work well together. 

It was another beautiful evening so afterwards we sat by the fire pit to have dessert.  

We also did facials and face masks which was relaxing and a lot of fun.  It was a wonderful weekend and a special early Mothers Day!

Happy Monday!

Pasta & Angel Food Cake: Round 2 ~ Day 19 THYCA LID

This is the week of appointments for Miss E's 2nd round of RAI scans and we are now on day three although she has actually been on the Low Iodine Diet 19 days. Preparing for the scans requires a trip to the hospital each morning this week so oatmeal, fruit smoothies, and egg white omelets {if there is time} with some coffee and/or tea made with distilled water are the best options for breakfast except for the day{s} that require fasting.

For our 3rd dinner since she has been home we decided on pasta. Some chunky Tomato sauce over some veggie spaghetti sounded good and we happened to have plenty of fresh vegetables to use. 

Once the veggies were chopped and ready this tomato sauce went together fairly fast however it needed to simmer about an hour to enhance the flavor and thicken a bit. 

While the sauce was cooking I made Angel Food mini bundt cakes. 

It does not take as long as you might think to make Angel Food Cake from scratch. And it tastes great! So light and fluffy and meets the LID requirements.

 I did have leftover batter which I put into a loaf pan and baked since that was easier than washing the bundtlette pan for another batch. 

The strawberries in the store are getting better as the season gets closer so I bought some for the cake. I just sliced them up in a bowl and sprinkled a little sugar on top. Then I let them sit at room temperature while I finished preparing dinner. 

Once we were finished with dinner and the kitchen was cleaned up I served the Angel Food Mini Bundt Cakes on top of sugared strawberries and drizzled the strawberry juice over the top. YUM!

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LID Angel Food Mini Bundt Cakes

http://thegrandsurprise.blogspot.com 

by Jennifer Stull

Ingredients

• 1  1/4 cups flour
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 cups egg whites at room temperature *
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1/8 teaspoon **NON IODIZED SALT**
• 1 teaspoon vanilla  
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat standard oven to 350 degrees or convection bake oven to 325 degrees. Spray mini bundt pan with oil.
2. Separate large eggs and place whites in the bowl of a standing mixer or large mixing bowl. Let sit   30 minutes or until room temperature. 
3. In a separate bowl whisk together flour and powdered sugar. Set aside.
4. Add cream of tartar, plain salt, and vanilla to egg whites. With whisk attachment beat egg white mixture on high for 4 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Gradually add sugar and combine.
5. Switch to paddle attachment and with mixer on low add flour mixture to egg white mixture 1/2 cup at a time.
6. Fill mini bun wells to the rim. Bake 15 - 20 minutes until light golden brown.

Optional: Sift powdered sugar over top of cool mini bundt cakes. Top with fresh berries.
* It will take approximately 10 - 12 egg whites.

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Low Iodine Diet PASTA PRIMAVERA

http://thegrandsurprise.blogspot.com

by Jennifer Stull

Ingredients

• 8 fresh Roma Tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
•  1 red pepper, chopped 
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 basil chopped or minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon **NON IODIZED** salt
•  1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 package of **LID approved** pasta
•  **DISTILLED** water
•  Olive Oil

Instructions

1. Wash and prepare vegetables.
2. In a large skillet add approximately 1 tablespoon olive oil, onion and garlic and cook over medium heat until translucent. 
3. Add tomatoes, red pepper, basil, thyme, salt, red pepper flakes and 1-2 cups distilled water. Bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer until sauce thickens. Add more distilled water if needed. 
4. Meanwhile, fill a large pot with distilled water and bring to a boil. Add Pasta and cook according to package directions. 
5. Cover Pasta with Primavera Sauce and serve. 

Makes 4 servings

Happy Friday!

THYCA LID Tacos & Snacks: Round 2 ~ Day 18

Grilled Steak Tacos and leftover chocolate Wacky Cake were on the menu for day 18 of the Low Iodine Diet. We had some leftover steak from our dinner the night before which we thought would be perfect on the Tacos.

Mr. Wonderful made his signature guacamole while I wrapped the steak and LID approved tortillas up in foil packets and put them in the oven to warm.

We also had leftover grilled vegetables so this easy peasy dinner was on the table in no time at all. However, we almost forgot about the UNPEELED potatoes which were mixed in with the grilled veggies from the night before.

Thankfully, Miss E is on top of things and remembered right before she began eating. Luckily the potatoes were easy to see so removing them was quick fix.  

 Then, just when we assumed we could eat, she asked if all the leftover steak had been wrapped up together.

It did not even occur to us when we were putting the food away the night before that her leftover steak should be kept separate as hers was the only one that could not and did not have butter melted on top after grilling. UGH, just when we think we have thought of everything!

The tacos were great but unfortunately hers ended up being the stripped down model.

The avocados have proved to be a great staple. The guacamole is wonderful on actually everything so she has been spreading it on Matzo crackers for a snack. 

Salt free almonds are approved too so those are a good snack as well.

Daily morning trips to the hospital to prep for the RAI scans, and quick trips to the grocery store to pick up a few LID food items here and there that we forgot or didn't think of keeps us busy each day. We made it through day 2 and ready for day 3. A pasta dinner is on the menu so I am hoping it goes together without a hitch this time.  

Happy Thursday!

THYCA LID Diet ~ round 2

It is hard to believe it has been almost 3 years since we started this Thyroid Cancer journey and a little over a year since we learned all about the Low Iodine Diet and began preparing restricted meals for the Thyroid Cancer Radioactive Iodine treatments. During that time we tried many recipes, made mistakes, learned a lot and kept detailed notes to help with the next RAI. Now, after about a 12 month break from the first RAI scans and treatment, it is time for round 2 and hopefully it will be much easier to prepare this second time around. 

Miss E was making her own LID meals at her place for the past couple weeks however she is now home for the RAI scans so in order to give her a break from cooking I am doing my best to prepare some well balanced and appetizing meals. We are stocked up on fresh fruits and vegetables, distilled water and other approved foods from the list and have our menus ready.

Our first dinner included grilled steak, focaccia bread and grilled fresh vegetables all of which were cooked following the LID guidelines. Since Papa Bear is the grill master around here he helped with chopping the vegetables and of course the grilling. Miss E did catch one small error before we ate which was the skin on the the petite assorted potatoes. Potatoes are okay to have but only if they are peeled. Fortunately she was able to pick out the potatoes and enjoy the rest of the vegetables. 

For dessert I used the same Wacky Cake recipe that I used last time. It makes the perfect size cake, is easy to make, tastes great and satisfies our sweet tooth. Our first LID meal for the week was delicious and almost mistake free which may have been the best part.

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Low Iodine Diet FOCACCIA BREAD

Adapted from InspiredTaste.net
the Grand Surprise

by Jennifer Stull

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic - finely minced
• 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 cup warm **DISTILLED WATER**
• 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar 
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon **PLAIN or KOSHER SALT**

Instructions

1. Combine olive oil, black pepper, garlic, thyme and rosemary in a skillet or pan and warm over low heat until aromatic but before the garlic browns. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl combine warm water, yeast and sugar and let rise for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of flour and 1/4 cup infused garlic-olive oil mixture. Stir until flour has moistened. Let sit another 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 1/2 cups flour and salt. 
3. Once dough comes together knead 10 -15 times until smooth. Transfer to oiled bowl, cover and let rise approximately 1 hour. 
4. Heat standard oven to 450 degrees or convection oven to 425 degrees. Use approximately 2 tablespoons of garlic mixture to oil 9 x 13 rimmed baking pan. 
5. Transfer dough and press down in pan. Use fingers to dimple dough and then drizzle remaining garlic mixture over top. Let rise 20 minutes.
6.  Bake 15 - 20 minutes. 

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Low Iodine Diet WACKY CAKE

THYCA LID COOKBOOK
the Grand Surprise

by Jennifer Stull

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon **PLAIN SALT**
• 5 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1 cup cold **DISTILLED WATER**

Instructions

1. Preheat standard oven to 350 degrees or convection oven to 325 degrees. Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, soda and salt in an 8 x 8 inch baking pan or dish. Mix thoroughly. 
2. Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, soda and salt in an 8 x 8 inch baking pan or dish. Mix thoroughly.
3. Make 3 holes in the dry ingredients. Place oil in first hole, vinegar in second hole and vanilla in the third hole. Pour water over all and mix well. Spread batter evenly in pan and bake in the pan that the batter was mixed in. 
4. Bake 30 minutes or until center is firm. Cool. 
5. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar if desired. Optional: top with fresh or frozen berries.

For more THYCA LID recipes visit : https://www.thyca.org/download/document/231/Cookbook.pdf

Happy Wednesday!

You Request ~ We Deliver!

This week we had to temporarily restrict access to two rooms in our house due to

Radioactive Iodine - 131 treatment. 

As a reminder to us I decided to make signs to put on the doors and areas that are off limits, primarily 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom.

I thought Pink would be perfect and of course Sparkles.

Between my stash of craft paper and stickers and Miss E's I found everything I needed to create a couple signs.

The Low Iodine Diet continues for one more day however we have

now added

Delivery Service.

Since we cannot enter the room I set up a small table in the doorway of the bedroom next to the restricted bedroom to set meals, snacks, mail or even special requests on.  Some things cannot be touched without wearing disposable gloves so those are handy if needed and I also made a little chalkboard to warn everyone the table is off limits. We deliver just about anything including jam to put on Iodine crackers for an afternoon snack.

LID Lunch: Apples, Carrots, Avocado, Pico de Gallo and Meringue Cookies. 

A sign for the restricted bathroom.

Isolation is not fun but this treatment makes it necessary so we are making the best of it while it lasts. 

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Sweet Treats { week 3 LID }

Over the weekend I discovered that Homemade Angel Food Cake is okay on the low iodine diet as long as non-iodized salt is used so I decided to make some mini bundt cakes.

Since I was cracking and separating eggs I went ahead and cracked a few more to make Meringue Cookies as well. 

While the cookies baked I mixed up the Angel Food cake batter. It made more than enough 

to fill the bundtlette pan so I put the extra in a tube pan.

I believe we have plenty of goodies for the week but Angel Food Cake is a favorite around here so we'll see how it goes!

Happy Monday!

Chicken Avocado Salad - { LID week 2 }

Last night was Girls Night for dinner so we decided to make our favorite Chicken Avocado Salad since it met all the Low Iodine Diet requirements. 

The chicken is broiled, chopped into chunks and tossed with lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, cilantro and lime juice. It is always so tasty and easy to make. Definitely on our favorites list, including LID!

Happy Saturday!