I've Been Thinking…
Since my last (rather emotional) post, I’ve been thinking–a dangerous endeavor, I know–and I’ve come to a few conclusions:
1) You are amazing. Every single one of your comments was so appreciated this past weekend. You all provided such reassurance and put a smile on my face. I feel so blessed to have the support of a community of such smart, thoughtful individuals. Thank you.
2) I need to get over it. In reading over my post and reconsidering my reaction to my diagnosis on Friday, I realize that I might have come off as a big brat. I mean, really hypothyroidism is not such an awful problem: it is easily treatable with medication, it doesn’t have much of an impact on my daily life, and it’s pain-free. I think about the millions of people who have terminal illnesses, and many of them manage to remain optimistic and live life to the fullest. As my father would say, “quit wallowing in self-pity.”
3) My health status does not define me. As I sure you may have surmised by now, I am a perfectionist in many aspects of my life, ranging from schoolwork to pantry organization to cookbook alphabetization. Apparently, my health has become another area in which I strive to be flawless. I’ve never broken a bone, I haven’t thrown up since I was 7, and I’ve managed to make it through 3 years of college without getting mono. Somehow I have misconstrued these events as indicators of some sort of skillfulness of health, rather than appreciating them as the blessings that they are. Furthermore, having a health condition is not equivalent to a failure on my part.
Alright, all of my egocentric self-analysis is now complete. Here’s what’s been fueling all this contemplation:
Friday
Is it sad that I have been in my apartment only a week, and I have already nearly gone through an entire economy-size container of frozen strawberries?
strawberry-blueberry smoothie with Blueberries N Cream Spirutein, soymilk, & Pumpkin Flax granola
Saturday
With a full eight hours of sleep, I flounced over to the gym for a treadmill run and returned home for my kind of comfort food: scrambled tofu.
scrambled tofu with broccoli & shrooms; whole wheat bagel; orange segments
Thus far, I have basically failed at spending my food points. I used lunch yesterday as an opportunity to get one of my favorite salads at Alpine Bagel.
salad with walnuts, cranberries, tomato, carrot, & onion (Alpine Bagel); leftover hummus with Ak Maks; local Ginger Gola apple
For dinner, I made a simple pasta dish with jarred pasta sauce and leftover chickpeas. I typically use Classico or Newman‘s Own for pasta sauce, although I’d like to try making my own sometime. Got any good recipes? Anyway, I added cumin, ginger, and paprika for a Moroccan twist.
whole wheat spaghettie with Moroccan-spiced sauce; cantaloupe; spinach with sunflower seeds
I forgot about that little jar of PB2 I had tucked into my cupboard. I’m not a huge fan of it on its own, but it makes a lovely addition to smoothies and shakes.
shake with strawberries, Chocolate PB Swirl Spirutein, PB2, soymilk, & raw oats
Sunday
Dates and almonds are quite the dynamic duo–I never tire of this combination.
7 Grain cereal cooked in soymilk & banana, topped with almonds & dates
More campus fare for lunch, this time from The Loop. If you’ve been a Broccoli Hut reader for a while, you likely recognize this salad, as it is another one of my favorites. I love that crunch, not to mention the generous dose of broccoli.
Crunchy Broccoli Salad (Loop Pizza Grill); flat bread with hummus; orange segments
Before heading to chapter, I made a big feast. I had intended to make a burger with zucchini “fries,” but I got lazy and just made them into little spears for dipping. Thanks to Katie for bringing this brand of veggie burgers to my attention.
CCV-recommended veggie burgers
veggie burger with salsa & onions; zucchini spears with salsa; cantaloupe & grapes; plain yogurt with honey sesame cashews
Off to prepare for another week. Have a fabulous Monday!
Filed under: Meals
Hello and welcome! I have created this blog for people who love food, especially healthful, vegetarian food.
I have just graduated from Duke University with degrees in English and psychology. I plan to pursue a master's degree in nutrition starting in Fall 2010. Ideally, I would like to combine my love of food and the written word someday as a health writer.
Oh no, Caroline! I only just read your last post abt your diagnosis…I am so sorry! But what your friend really touched me, too:”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Oh wow…how BLESSED are you to have such a wise friend beside you? She is God’s angel sent to remind you to trust in Him and to rejOICE in Him…
And looks like you DID do some praying because you came up with such a strong and positive and beautiful list!
i am SO proud of you, Caroline! I cant imagine how tough it is, but you’re a trooper and God is DELIGHTEd, absolutely PLEASED with you and be rest assured that He WILL bless you, my dear!
your maturity about your situation makes me smile. you are a strong lady! i like PB2 added in smoothies as well, not as much when made on it’s own. better get some more strawberries! have a happy monday. xoxo. PS i am five foot one
This new camera of yours is awesome! I have a Canon SD600 that is celebrating it’s 3rd birthday soon. Can’t wait for our first meal together this week
Caroline…there are times in life that one has every “right” and reason to bitch, moan, complain and gripe, wallow in self pity or any of the above and it’s totally ok…one of those times is when you’re walloped with a major medical diagnosis out of no where. As you have been. And as I have been. Pretty soon it’ll be like the stages of recovery where there’s anger, grief, denial, bargaining, and then acceptance. Or something to that effect. Anyway hon, I dont really know you well, but I am wishing you health and best wishes and am making your bloggie a regular pit stop from now on.
Thanks for stopping by my bloggie today, too!
As for the PB2…do tell, you don’t really like it? I just kinda heard about it and Monday morning was gonna order some. As well as the Chocolate PB2. Crap…you don’t really dig it…hmmm….food for thought for me.
Hugs and be well!
i am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis
But i am happy to read that you have reconized that your illness does NOT define you. what doesnt kill you, makes you stronger and wiser. You will only come out on top 
i have definatly gone through an economy sized box of strawbs in a week. And a full watermelon.
oh summer love.
Dear Caroline, I was shocked when I read about your diagnosis, I’m sorry for you. But I think you’re so powerful in this post, when you say that this diagnosis doesn’t define who you are! And that’s right girl!
And love the food-pictures in the last posts…your taste is pretty similar to mine:)
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
I am SO trying the scrambled tofu recipe. I’ll post it on my blog (if I don’t forget/have the time). Must be so comforting and yummy, thanks for the idea.
I just realized something…your blog should be named ”The Smoothie Queen”, ya know??? lol.
You have such yummy eats.
xxx
Vanilla
I’m glad you are feeling better Caroline! You are such a wonderful friend and I hope you know I’m always here for you
and the hairs stood up on my forearms when I read and reread the phrase about your health not defining you.
there, Friend, is your mantra.
Carla
Great perspective, although you are certainly allowed to have that initial moment of self-pity and “why me?” Any sort of diagnosis is a bummer, but you’re so right in saying it doesn’t define who you are. If you never found out about it, would you feel differently about yourself? Probably not, so use it as a positive in that now you can treat it and move forward–healthier and a bit more aware
As always, your food looks beautiful and I want to just through the screen. Hang in there, and just know your “self-analysis” was not egocentric, but rather inspirational!
dear, I’m so glad to know that you feel better and decide to take it easy. As you say, it’s a treatable thing and pain-free and it doesn’t define you. I’m sure you’ll make it disappear soon.
Yummy eats as always!
I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling a bit better about things – hang in there
When you use PB2 in your smoothies, how much do you typically put in? Also, can you taste it? Those Cluckphrey burgers sound fantastic – I finally picked up some Health is Wealth chicken nuggets thanks to your suggestion, I just need to try them now!
Yes, Caroline, can we please be real-life friends some day?
We can sit around all day (when we’re not running together) and eat moophreys and broccolios and banana blender cereal and spirutein (not all at the same time!) and watch Beauty and the Beast!!!
-Katie (your blogger twin)
Glad that you are feeling better. You didn’t come off as a ‘brat’ at ALL! Totally okay to vent and use this space to say what’s going on…and it sounds like it helped!
Pasta sauce- I make a basic tomato sauce, but add a hefty dose of paprika and a couple tsp of either sugar or cocoa powder. And lots of tomato pasta. Delicious
Getting a diagnosis is scary. End of story – the unknown can be really emotional and frightening and you’ve dealt with it so well and so maturely.
All your eats in this post have me salivating. Moroccan spaghetti especially!!
So many people have hypothyroidism, and its really not that bad. I have it as well and have been taking this supplement:http://www.thyrosense.com/ for almost 6 months now and I feel normal again, its taken all my symptoms away. I would recommend it to anyone, who has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
I don’t take any other medication, just this natural supplement.
That strawberry smoothie sounds like it would taste like PB & J in a glass, whats not to love about that!
Sophia,
http://whatyourmommadidntknow.blogspot.com/
Some very interesting points raised here, which has got me thinking!
aww I am so happy to hear you come to these realizations! Any diagnosis is alarming and frustrating but you are definitely one lucky girl to be in a treatable situation and I think you know that.
Ahhhh mmmm uuuuu all your foods look do delicious and nutritious and very tummy satisfying!
I can’t think of two more inappropriate words to describe you than ‘big brat’. That was a shocking diagnosis and would upset anyone…just because there are more serious illnesses out there, doesn’t make yours any the less distressing. Anger, hurt, frustration, a sense of injustice: these are all perfectly valid emotions and you should feel no guilt whatsoever about experiencing them. Thanks for clarifying the deal with TSH levels ~ next time I’ll make sure I’ve got my facts right before making an amateur diagnosis or casting aspertions on your typing skills ; )
I hope your Dad didn’t tell you to ‘quit wallowing in self-pity’ in relation to your diagnosis because that’s something my own father says regularly to me and I don’t think it’s a constructive attitude at all ~ you certainly don’t come across as the self-pitying type to me; quite the opposite in fact.
Hmm, apparently PB2 is now available to order online for those in the UK…I’m still unsure as to whether it’s worth the £9.50 shipping charge per jar.
Smoothies look delicious as always!
Take care and don’t be so hard on yourself
*hugs*
xoxo
Love this: “Furthermore, having a health condition is not equivalent to a failure on my part.” Definitely true
I’m so glad you realized all these things!
I make a very simple (but delicious, if I do say so myself) tomato sauce by sauteeing carrots, onions, and garlic in evoo (you can season the veggies here). Then, I add Italian stewed tomatoes (although I’m sure regular old diced tomatoes are good too) and a squirt of ketchup (I love this addition). Let it bubble up and season with salt, pepper, and desired herbs (basil and oregano). I also like to blend it all together with my hand held blender.
I think that you’ve come to some awesome conclusions!
I always forget how good dates are until I eat one.. then I want a million!
You are one mature girl…and it seems like you are beautiful from the inside out. I look so forward to reading more of your blog!
Hi! Just wanted to say I enjoy reading your blog. I am from Alabama and go to Birmingham weekly to see my Dr. (and of course I stop by Whole Foods!) You are an inspiration and great model for healthy eating!
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. My friend has the same thing and she is in nursing school with me and I could never tell the difference because she just takes meds. I understand how hard it can be on you though. Hang in there. Cooping with something like this can be hard and it takes time to figure things out. Praying for you.
Caroline!!! You are so strong and wonderful!!
oh i love ya – you are wonderful and no matter what happens, you will power through it!
your eats? drool. all of it!
i didnt really like that brand of veggie burgers, but im glad you liked em. they were a little too wanna-be-meat-like for my liking. anyways, i think YOU are amazing, and you are sooooo inspiring for the thought provoking things you write about on a daily basis. give yourself some credit AND a huge pat on the back. you deserve it.
as for the hypothyroidism, im sorry. i can see why you freaked out knowing you would have to take synthroid for the rest of your life. at least your MD discovered it without first enduring horrible symptoms until the diagnosis, right? as an aside, maybe you would wanna get a second opinion? or get another blood draw just to double check the TSH levels? im not saying hes wrong, its just have you had any symptoms or issues that would lead you to think you have a thyroid problem? (meaning ihave you felt lethargic or passed out or anything…)
anyways, hope all is well, xxx
I’m always looking for new veggie burgers and that brand looks great. And I’m the same with peanut flour: on it’s own I find it boring and not a good replacement for PB at all but I love it in plain yogurt with chocolate syrup or vanilla yogurt
Good thoughts up there. Lucky you not having throw up in that long, throwing up is the absolute worst! And…um…I got mono when I was 26, three years out of college. Just sayin’. I thought at first there was no way it was mono, cause that’s like a high school and college thing, right? Not always so.
All your foods look so tasty! Especially the tofu scramble and all those salads.