Simple Squash Soup

What do I love more than a delicious fall meal?  A simple soup made from those delicious leftovers!  Even with a "broken" stomach, being in the kitchen still brings such pleasures, especially when I know the food is nourishing and good for me, body and soul.  However, there are always days when energy is low or the day is long, when a bowl of warm and comforting soup with minimal effort is calling.  We may eat mini meals but that doesn't mean we have to prepare them that way.  Rule of thumb in the GP kitchen: cook once, eat twice (or multiple times!).

A Brave One is Lost But Her Memory Remains

I did not know Haley Stonehocker personally, nor did I know any of the other patients who recently passed from gastroparesis compications.  What I do know is that my heart is heavy and filled with thoughts for their families and friends, and for anyone whose lives they may have touched.

Grain-Free Pumpkin Pancakes

This time of year I can't get enough of this delicious, nutrient dense, GP-friendly food!  Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin A (1 cup has 760% of the daily value!) as well as vitamin C, iron, and calcium.  The variety of ways to use it are endless, for example adding a scoop to hot cereal, smoothies, soup, etc.  Most recently I experimented with a recipe for a protein rich breakfast that would include the pumpkin love.  The result was a light and fluffy crepe like pancake, with plenty of fall flavor!

A Lesson from Luna

Three weeks ago a new love entered my life.  Her name is Luna and she is a 13 week old blue heeler/rottweiler mix.  After two months of grieving our previous loss, Spier (see this post), we decided it was time to try adding a new member to our family.  The plan was to get a dog around the age of 3, knowing full well how much work puppies can be.  When we arrived at the event for the alternative humane society, there she was, curled up in the corner napping, and it was love at first sight!

Fundraising: Oh, What a Wonderful Feeling!

After months and months of organizing, researching, emailing and preparing, it finally happened and quite successfully I might add!  I quickly learned putting on a fundraiser is no simple task.  It requires not only time and dedication, but a deep passion to make a difference.  Luckily, I was far from alone on this project.

Awareness Walk for GP T-Shirts and Bonus Macrobar...Must Sell to Complete Fundraising!

The walk was a huge success raising at least $3,000!!!  Weather could not have been more perfect, sunny, 80 degrees and no wind.  So thankful for all the volunteers and their hard work, this could not have been possible without them. We had several visitors up from Seattle area and met many locals who are dealing w

ith similar issues and learned so much. Later this week I will be posting a follow up report on the day as well as sharing photos. 

The Ebb & Flow of Acceptance

Does time seem to go by as fast for you as it has for me?  It's hard to believe a whole year has passed since having my feeding tube placed last August.  What is even harder to believe (and accept)...it is still a part of my life.  Thinking back prior to the procedure, when I was struggling so much to get down enough food in the day and pounds were dropping quickly, this option of "feeding" seemed unreal.  However, reality struck and acceptance sunk in that I could no longer avoid an alternative form of nourishment.  The doctors insisted it would only be short term, 3-6 months at most, until my weight became steady again.