Today was the last day of the annual county fair. We were so happy that circumstances allowed us to go, even if the day was unbearably hot, and the event cut short on account of rain.

Reya spent the day there with her friends and Sephoni hung out with us.  The three of us shared a blooming onion, a funnel cake, and a lemonade (homemade is better).  Sephoni rode a bunch of rides and as thrilled when she ran into one of her friends.

We came home and each took a nice cold shower.  We ate, I whipped up a batch of homemade chocolate ice cream (to go with the homemade chocolate syrup), and we’re currently watching The Return of the King on television.

Sometimes it doesn’t take all that much effort to have a lovely day.

Blessings

Jia

Reya came home from the hospital on Saturday the 17th, just in time to attend her grandfather’s 70th birthday party. At the time of discharge she was still symptomatic and we didn’t have any answers. We left with simply the advice that if she again spat up blood that we should take her to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Both Saturday and Sunday night found her bringing up blood. Monday, Accolan called CHOP and was advised that we should bring Reya to their E.R.

She was admitted and finally released Friday afternoon with a diagnosis of severe GERD (causing both gastritis and esophagitis) that caused GI bleeding. Additionally, she was diagnosed with cough syncope. The later means that when she would have a coughing fit (or experienced another trigger) due to the GERD or her recently diagnosed asthma she would pass out.

She came home with both a prescription for a proton pump inhibitor and advice to make both diet and lifestyle changes.

I cannot express my gratitude not only for such a simple solution (especially as more and more time went by Accolan & I were certain we were looking at something much more dire) but for all the support I received from friends and co-workers.

While we settle back into normal life please enjoy these marinades I whipped up today in an effort to make Reya’s new diet more tasty and enjoyable.

“Creamy” Asian Marinade for Chicken

3 TBSP low fat sour cream
1/2 cup honey
1/4 tsp ginger
2 tsp soy sauce

toss the ingredients in a food processor or your blender until an even consistency

Peach and Honey Marinade for Pork

1 15 oz can peaches in fruit juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp sesame oil

toss the ingredients in a food processor or your blender until an even consistency

Simple Marinade for London Broil

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 TBSP rosemary

whisk together

We had the london broil tonight and, frankly, it was fabulous. Served with microwaved “baked” potatoes and sauteed asparagus it was a much enjoyed meal after the last two weeks of take-out, hospital cafeteria, and fast food. Reya passed on it though, choosing instead to have a dinner of porridge (with skim milk and brown sugar), toast with preserves (and no butter), and thinly sliced apple.

The other meat will be grilled tomorrow and will be the basis of our meals for the week to come.

Blessings to you and yours

Jia

Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

As you know the bulk of our efforts these days toward a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, are focused on changing how we shop, and what we eat.

Homemade Chocolate Syrup
Makes 4 cups

1 cup cocoa powder
2 cups water
4 cups sugar
1 T honey
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Whisk the cocoa powder and water together in a saucepan until smooth.

Place pan over medium heat, add the sugar, and stir until completely disolved.

Bring to a boil and cook for a full 3 minutes, whisking all the time.

Be careful not only to avoid having the syrup boil over, but to avoid scorching.

Remove from heat, add the salt and the vanilla.

Mix well and allow to come to room temperature before pouring into a glass lidded jar (i.e. a mason jar) for storage.

Will keep in refrigerator for several months

Do not let the simplicity of the ingredients fool you. This chocolate syrup is deep and rich and satisfying. A little goes a long long way whether you’re using it to top your favorite ice cream or to stir into a cold glass of milk or into a iced coffee drink.

This is a great recipe because it can be whipped up in literally minutes, uses ingredients I always have in my pantry, costs pennies per serving, and allows my family to avoid high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors.

Enjoy

Jia

Like this recipe?  Try our chocolate cornstarch pudding.

Using this as a topping for ice cream? Try breaking up some of our spiced honey roasted nuts and make it a sundae.

Adapted from:

Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I am sorry for missing yesterday’s Meals on Monday feature. A routine follow-up at Reya’s pulmonary specialist led to an unplanned hospital admission.

We’ve been dealing with troubling symptomology for a while now – episodes of coughing up blood as well as passing out and other more vague complaints. We’ve ruled a number of things out, but there is more yet to test for. Its not a good feeling when the Doctors are as clueless as we are. It makes you wish Dr. Gregory House really existed, cantankerous nature and all.

As of right now she is in the hospital until at least Thursday. The next major test will be an endoscopy. There is also the possibility of an abdominal ultrasound, CT scans, and whatnot.

Her spirits are good, her biggest complaint being boredom. Insofar as the rest of us?

Accolan & I are stressed. In addition to the fears naturally related to having a sick child and not knowing what’s wrong, there is the added stress associated with my having a job that does not provide paid time off. So what was originally going to be a week with just enough work to cover my insurance premium has turned into a week in which I won’t be at work at all.

On top of which we have my father’s 70th birthday dinner this Saturday, and a friend of ours coming in for the weekend as a result. So the timing is bad, especially as I still have a house to clean.

But, it will be okay. No matter what.  I have my family.  I have good friends.  I have my faith.  We’ll get through.

Blessings

Jia

Much of the journey toward creating a simpler, more earth centered life relates to changing how and what we eat.  It means buying less processed foods.  It means making more from scratch, even things like baked beans & BBQ sauce.  It means eating more fruits and vegetables.  It means eating less flesh foods and relying more and more on vegetarian fare.

But, sometimes you want something to nibble on.  Something sweet and salty and flavorful.

Honey Roasted Cashews

• 1 lb. raw cashews
• 2.5 Tbsp. honey
• 1.5 Tbsp. maple syrup
• 1.5 Tbsp. butter
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 2 to 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar

In a pyrex measuring cup, heat honey, maple syrup, and butter together in 20 second intervals until an even syrupy consistency.

Add vanilla extract and 1/2 of the cinnamon, stir to blend, and pour over cashews in a heat-safe bowl.

Mix well to ensure all nuts are evenly coated.  Pour into a foil lined baking pan and bake at 350 for about 5 minutes.

Remove from oven, stir well to redistribute honey mixture, and return to oven to bake for an additional 8 minutes.

Remove from oven and immediately pour nuts into a heat-safe bowl.  Gradually add sugar, salt, pepper, and remaining cinnamon, stirring frequently until all nuts are well covered.

Continue to stir at intervals while nuts cool completely to avoid significant clumping. Move to a glass storage jar, like a mason jar.

Try to restrain yourself from eating them all in one sitting.

Adapted from: How to Make Honey-Roasted Cashews | eHow.com

While this does not quite fit the bill as a frugal snack item (raw cashews even from the bulk bin run almost $9 per pound) it is still cheaper than the same amount of a similar product at the supermarket.  Plus, it is certainly much more wholesome. And delicious? I can honestly say that our homemade honey roasted cashews have so much more depth of flavor than any similar product I’ve ever eaten.

I hope you and yours enjoy them as well.

Blessings

Jia

Image: m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net