Yoga, health and a mental health break!

September 25, 2013January 10, 2021 cathysmaha3 Comments

2008 was one of those years…after a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sleep Apnea, it was time to take action over my health. A friend of mine had just finished yoga training and was putting together a group to meet weekly to practice yoga. All of my life, I’ve wanted to try yoga, but the thought of trying it alone was too overwhelming. This intimate setting offered a safe place to begin and it has been a life-saver.

In the beginning I had no flexibility and that darn muffin-top of mine was always in the way. Five years later, my flexibility has DRAMATICALLY improved and I look forward to our weekly class together. We share a love for each other as well as a love of yoga (despite the occasional moaning and groaning). None of us take it too seriously, complimenting our practice with a good hearty laugh or two each week. Thank God for our teacher Diane and for alternate teacher and host, Chris. And who doesn’t love wearing yoga pants!

In a few days our ‘hot flash yoga’ team (never to be confused with HOT Yoga) will head to Shoshoni, in Nederland, Colorado for a yoga retreat. The fresh air, mountain views on top of two days of yoga and meditation is just what I need!

After almost two years of posting faithfully 2x a week, I’ve decided to take a break from posting but will be back soon, so stay tuned.

Namaste!

Summer Quinoa Vegetable Salad

July 19, 2013September 25, 2021 cathysmaha1 Comment

Quinoa salad can be found in my refrigerator about 50% of the time. Quinoa is full of protein and a great substitute for pasta or rice and great if you are trying to avoid gluten.

The combinations with quinoa are endless. I select vegetables that are in season toss with Gazebo Room Greek salad dressing (or your favorite vinaigrette) and you have a wonderful salad.

This salad has become a favorite at our book club, potluck gatherings made by different people with their own wonderful variations. What variations have you tried?

SUMMER QUINOA VEGETABLE SALAD

2 cups water (or your favorite stock)
1 cup dry quinoa

Bring water to boil. Add quinoa, cover and return to boil. Lower heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for another 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool.
Chop your favorite vegetables (broccoli, tomatoes, celery, carrots, corn, onions, peppers, etc.). I also add a can of drained garbanzo beans.
Dress with your favorite vinaigrette (I used Gazebo Room Greek Salad Dressing). This great dressing was introduced to me by friend, Chris (aka Grandson Evan’s other grandma). Since Gazebo Room is not available (yet?) in Colorado, we order from their website. Still working on King Soopers to carry this great product!

Chill and serve. The salad keeps well in the refrigerator for several days.

Also reference my recipe for Quinoa Salad with Strawberries and Chicken

New Favorite · Rheumatoid Arthritis · Skinny · Vegan · Vegetarian

Silky Squash Soup…Vegan and Delicious!

April 16, 2013September 26, 2021 cathysmaha3 Comments

Recently, I started a 10-day cleansing/detox diet that requires that I eat primarily fruits and vegetables. I love both but don’t have a strong vegan recipe inventory. One of the bloggers I follow, Lucys Friendly Foods, recently posted a wonderful Silky Squash and Rosemary Soup. I did not have fresh rosemary on hand so I used a wonderful spice blend from Savory Spice Shops, Cantanzaro Herbs, a mix of Garlic, lemon peel, marjoram, basic, thyme, rosemary and oregano. The results were yummy!

SILKY SQUASH SOUP

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 sticks of celery, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon Cantanzano Herbs (originally recipe calls for 2 sprigs of rosemary)
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped
32 ounces vegetable stock
salt and pepper

Saute the onion, carrot and celery in the oil until softened but not browned
Add the squash and herbs (or rosemary) and stir well
Pour in the stock and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the squash is cooked through
Remove Rosemary sprigs if you use this option
Taste and adjust the seasoning
Serve scattered with roasted pumpkin seeds

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 teaspoon Cantanzano Herbs (or finely chopped rosemary)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Combine all ingredients and spread on baking sheet
Roast for 10-15 minutes until the seeds start to turn golden brown

Recipe adapted from Lucys Friendly Foods

Family Favorites · New Favorite · New Traditions · Rheumatoid Arthritis · Vegan · Vegetarian

Roasted Vegetables…always!

February 15, 2013September 26, 2021 cathysmaha1 Comment

Fresh Vegetables have grown on me over time. As a kid I would rather leave them, than take them. My Mother grew wonderful fresh vegetables and they were typically used fresh or boiled and served with butter or creamed.

Over the past few years I have grown to love roasted vegetables. The flavor of the vegetable is enhanced and enriched with the roasting process. This time, I roasted broccoli, red peppers, eggplant and onions. No recipe, per se’, just a process I use with the fresh vegetables I have on hand. Always delicious, always healthy, always easy.

ROASTED VEGETABLES

1 eggplant (peeled and diced) and sprinkled with salt
1 red pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 – 2 cups broccoli pieces
Olive Oil
Fresh ground salt and pepper
Seasoning of choice (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Prepare the vegetables and place on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil , salt and pepper.
Roast for 30-45 minutes or until vegetables are cooked through and browned. Turn the vegetables halfway through the baking process.

Gluten Free · Rheumatoid Arthritis

First Awareness Day for Rheumatoid Disease February 2 … food for thought!

February 1, 2013September 26, 2021 cathysmahaLeave a comment

February 2 is Ground Hog Day and, this year, the first Awareness Day for Rheumatoid Disease. I love the comparison of the Ground Hog seeing his shadow to first diagnosis of the disease and trying to predict how the course of the disease will run for each individual. I am so happy to see this debilitating disease finally getting increased national awareness.

People often think of Rheumatoid Disease as ‘just arthritis’. Rheumatoid Disease is an autoimmune disorder that attacks joint and organ tissue. It manifests itself differently in each patient, young and old.

The Summer of 2008 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. My early symptoms included annoying nodules on my elbows and crippling hand pain. The nodules had been a problem for years and my Dermatologist treated them with cortisone injections (interestingly if she injected in one arm, they just jumped over to the other arm).

It wasn’t until I made an appointment with my Physician Assistant and related the hand pain and nodules, that the diagnosis process began. She took a biopsy of one nodule and ran a panel of blood tests. All results pointed to Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and I was quickly referred to a Rheumatologist.

The first two years of treatment involved injections (Enbrel) and Celebrex and when a flare-up occurred, steroids came into play. During this time, I also started seeing an Accupuncturist who treated my immune system and I began practicing yoga. Additional doses of Fish Oil, B12 and Vitamin D were added to my daily regimen. I also began to realize the correlation between gluten and inflammation.

Flare-ups typically occurred during periods of high stress. Solution…less stress. In late 2010 I had the opportunity to retire early from my corporate management position. Amazingly, once I knew I was leaving, the stress began to dissipate. I discontinued taking Enbrel and Celebrex and my RA has been in remission for two years.

I’m lucky and grateful that, for today, I have my health. Rheumatoid Arthritis is considered a genetic disease yet the only possible connection in our family is to a third cousin. However, shortly after I was diagnosed, my niece, seven years my junior, was also diagnosed with Rheumatoid Disease.

Raise your awareness and voice on February 2 for Rheumatoid Disease. I know I will.