An Amazing Year

A year ago this month my life changed. 


The last twelve months have been an experience I never could have imagined: renewed health, new friends, a new lifestyle, and I am inspired daily by what God has given me.

Monica, Matthew, me and Katherine

This weekend was a wonderful end to an amazing year. It began with a trip to Matthew Kenney OKC for a four course meal with my two dear friends. Check out my album for pictures of the evening. The event launched his new book, Everyday Raw Express. It is filled with wonderful recipes that I can't wait to make. Today I picked one that took no time at all and I had all the ingredients just waiting to be put together: carrots, yellow and red cherry tomatoes and basil. Using a spiralizer, the carrots almost look like orange spaghetti. The dressing for this salad is so good I could drink it!!

Recipe from Everyday Raw Express

 Saturday I got my first produce bag from Natural Farms food co-op. I am very impressed with the quantity and quality, and loved their store. The cucumbers and mango just had to join each other in the same bowl and a wonderful salad was born in my kitchen. Cucumbers, mango, and red peppers, dressed with a mixture of pineapple juice, honey, oil, peach balsamic vinegar, salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper. After being refrigerated a few hours it was fabulous!

Saturday also found us at Hahn Appliance looking for a new dishwasher. They were having an amazing sale and not only did we get a new dishwasher, we got a refrigerator too. It is the kind with the two upper french doors and the freezer draw on the bottom. Way more room for fruits and veggies! I can't wait for it's arrival on Thursday!

We ended the day with Mass and a lovely dinner with friends we have not seen in some time. It was such a nice day the heat wasn't even a factor (could I be getting use to this 100 degree plus weather??)

Today was a great day too. A leisurely start on the patio, time with my Mom, and even some playtime in the kitchen.

And so, this amazing year ends and a new one begins. I am so grateful to the people who have made a difference in my life this last year: Dr. Malloy for opening the door, myself for having the courage to pass through it, and all I have met along the way who truly have inspired and changed me. Life is good, it is sooooooooo good. I thank God for the gifts he has blessed me with this year.

In honor of my one year anniversary I made a purchase to help me bounce right into my second year. 

 I can't wait for it to arrive! 

More on that soon!

The Bacon is Ready

I can hear you now, "Kathy eat bacon???" Well, this bacon is just amazing, and it didn't come from a pig. It is from eggplant. A great marinade, sliced eggplant, a dehydrator, and bacon happens!

This is after approximately 48 hours at 105 degrees in the dehydrator.

And lots of snacking as it dehydrated!

It looks like bacon, doesn't it!

With some veggies and hummus it was outstanding!

I think this batch won't last long! 

Farmer's Market here I come for more eggplant!

Hello my blog. I have missed you!

Time has just flown by these last two months. I am glad things are slowing down and I can get to the simple things I enjoy.

Today started out with Mass. A perfect beginning. A quick stop at Whole Foods and home by ten.  By eleven, outside watering and chores were done and I was free to play in the kitchen! Actually the big task was to clean the refrigerator.

So all the things I bought at the Farmer's market were just staring at me. I cut up the watermelon and after eating a good amount of it, I stored it for eating and juicing.  Did you know the rind is actually very good for us?

Next came the eggplant. Spelled bacon to me.  Slice, marinate and in the dehydrator it went. It is a recipe from Matthew Kenney's book, Everyday Raw. (great link!)

Friday, the 29th, is his book signing party at his restaurant, Matthew Kenney OKC, and I am looking forward to the road trip with Monica and Katherine Rose. His new book is called, Everyday Raw Express.




Here's a few pictures to show you what came next.  I call it my Sweet Summer Slaw! See how cleaning out the refrigerator can be so delicious!

Shredded red cabbage, green cabbage, zucchini, and carrots. Raisins and chopped pineapple. 

Great colors. Dressing: pineapple juice, honey, peach balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Lunch: Stacked Sweet Summer Slaw ready to eat! Delicious!

The best part of playing in the kitchen was making a fantastic recipe by Raw Intentions called Brownie Banana Split. Denise does a class at Whole Foods regularly and this is one of the items she made last Friday.  It is an amazing dessert. Thanks Denise. You are amazing too!

In a little tart pan, the brownie is ready to get dressed.

First comes the sweet creme.

Here are all the toppings: pineapple, strawberries, banana and walnuts.

So pretty!

We had dessert for dinner!!!

Of course, after all that creativity, comes this:

Wish I had someone to clean up after me!

It is all cleaned up now.  

I really enjoyed my day.  

And it feels good to blog again.  

Now I am going to do something else I haven't done in a long time, knit!

RAWking in the kitchen is good for me!

Celebrations Galore!

I have had so very much going in my life these last few weeks. In addition to some major yard projects, work, daily routines, and lots of festivities I am ready for a little bit of down time.

In a ten day period, we celebrated:

• my husband's birthday, 
• our 41st wedding anniversary,
• attended the Reception and Awards ceremony for the Tulsa graduates of St. Gregory's University,
• Baccalaureate Mass in Shawnee,
• my husband's graduation from St. Gregory's
• and Mother's Day!

All were amazing events but without a doubt, the highlight was graduation.  I am just so proud of my husband for all of his accomplishments. To work full time, volunteer at the Air and Space Museum, Chair the Park and Recreation Board of our town, and graduate TOP in his class, is just remarkable.

This picture was taken during his valedictorian speech, and it was used for the press release of the graduation on St. Gregory's University's website and was also in the Shawnee News Star. 

My grandson videoed his speech, and while the video isn't perfect, the audio is, and I am so grateful to have a copy of it.  I have uploaded it to YouTube for our friends and family that could not attend, to hear it.  I thought it was perfect.

After graduation we spent some time with Brother George in his studio having our portraits made. We have so many great pictures I don't know how we will ever decide what to pick!  It was really fun.  Then we headed to Oklahoma City for a celebration dinner at 105degrees. This is probably my most favorite restaurant. From appetizers to dessert, it was fabulous!

May 7th was certainly a very special day in the Desruisseau family!

What's for supper?

. . . sometimes I really don't know.  Then I open the refrigerator and it just happens. A little of this and a little of that and before I know it, I am eating!

Check it out . . .

Bok choy leaves from the Farmer's Market rolled and sliced thinly

Fresh greens from Anner's - our local co-op

A tablespoon or two of hemp seeds

Lentils - cooked previously and chilled

Corn - organic defrosted frozen corn left over from the salsa recipe

Radish - from the Farmer's Market thinly sliced

Red onion - chopped

Basil, cinnamon basil, mint and parsley from the back yard

A handful of cilantro - chopped

Tomato - chopped

English cucumber - from the co-op - diced

Avocado diced

Orange - thinly sliced segments

Alfalfa sprouts

I was really delighted with the outcome of my dressing.  I zested the orange and juiced the half I didn't put in the salad. Then I added a big hunk of very ripe avocado and smashed it all together. It was like paste at that point. In went a little salt, pepper and olive oil, mixed it well and it was ready to toss with the salad.

It was just an amazing salad. 

Amazing enough I decided I better put it in my blog so when I forget what was in it, I can find it here and recreate it! I have no idea what the amounts were, but that doesn't matter because half the time I don't measure anyhow!

It is even pretty!

Nine Months

When we hear the term nine months we automatically think of it as the time it takes to have a baby; giving birth to a new life. It was nine months ago today, July 19th, 2010, that I changed my life. There were oh so many reasons to do so, and as a result, I do have new life. To some, what I have done seems pretty radical, drastic, and maybe even unrealistic, but living a life with pain, no energy, being sick of being sick, tired of being tired, and not being in control of my own life, to me is what is radical, drastic and unrealistic. My goal was to simply feel good.

I did a very simple thing actually.  I changed my diet. I decided to eat only whole plant based food. I eliminated all refine sugars, processed food, meat and fish. After a short time, it evolved to no dairy and a diet high in raw food. A green smoothie begins every day.

Here is what has happened:

• my cholesterol dropped by 117 points - no more cholesterol medication
• my fibromyalgia pain was so drastically reduced that I no longer need medication for it
• I take no medications
• energy, OMG, that has been one of the biggest changes - it's exists now!
• clarity and focus improved
• I can sleep through the night
• I have lost 24% of my body weight
• no more allergies
• I have almost all new clothes
• my kitchen is equipped with many new appliances needed for this lifestyle
• gadgets - oh how I love gadgets - and I have filled my kitchen with lots of them
• my cook books are on a high self, and have been replaced with new vegetarian and raw "un-cook" books
• I have many new friends who share this type of lifestyle
• and I FEEL good - better than I have in years

This is not a diet for me.  It is a lifestyle.

Why would I ever want to go back to the days of nine months ago. 

It is amazing what can happen in nine months!

Sand Springs Herbal Affair

This was my 17th year to attend the Herbal Affair.  It is one of the highlights of Spring for me.  It was cold and windy when I got there at 8:00 a.m., but the sun was out and the sky was a beautiful blue. I love to get there early - the event officially opens at 9:00 - and I enjoy walking and looking at all the plants, and fun  things that the vendors bring.  It is a nice time that gets spoiled when the masses arrive! It allows me to take lots of pictures and spend time visiting with various vendors.

There were two new ones this year that I found to be very interesting.  Marsha of Spirited Sister's Designs came for the first time from Shawnee, Oklahoma.  She had beautiful artwork painted on canvas that became wall art, rugs, and table runners.  I can't imagine walking on any of the pieces but she assured me that you could.  I wanted lots of what she had, but practiced control, and passed for now. (I did get her business card though.) Pictured is one of her pieces I especially liked.

Pat Cathey, of Pat's Flowers and Herbs, had a unique creation of concrete bird feeders, bird baths, and planter trays that were imprinted with large leaves. Each piece is one of a kind. Creative art! I did buy one that I put in my little planter fountain.  She also had water hyacinths, so I bought two for my fountain.

I bought lots of great plants. I am eager to get them in the ground, and even more eager to eat the fruits of my labor.  A fig, blueberry and thorn-less blackberry bush are among my favorites.  I also got a watermelon and cantaloupe plant.  Lots of herbs and vegetable plants came home with me too.

I took over 100 pictures.  I think the event is just beautiful.  It is a feel good time with the sights, the excitement and the smells.  Below is a slide show of some of my shots.