Mood:
brightNow Playing: Day 2807-Next GP Chapter... Turning Lemons Into Lemonade :)
Can you believe it?! We only have a few more weeks before the autumn season officially begins!
YAY
YYY!
This means lots of big, super comfy clothes, colorful fall leaves, everything pumpkin and even a change in how we eat. Super colorful and very healthy fall comfort foods!
Ahhhhh...the sights, smells and tastes of autumn are already in the air...
In our house. Quick, healthy, delicious fall recipes are already beginning to stir up on the stove! Forget Gastroparesis! This gal always loves to cook up a new healthy dish or two! Fall means a time to get creative in what Eric eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fall for this gal means mixing it up on what I create with my own daily protein shakes and homemade frozen yogurt.
These are two new recipes that are super colorful and very healthy during the cool, crisp days of autumn. Both are really easy to make and most definitely leave the house smelling OH-SO-GOOD! I love veggies and what better way than to incorporate some pumpkin and sunflower seeds! Baked kale salad bowl with sweet potatoes, broccoli and rice for lunch.
And...
A multi-veggie extravaganza for dinner garnished with raisins, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, virgin olive oil and a healthy dash of pepper! 40 minutes in the oven on 375 degrees is really all it takes! 2 days worth of food for Eric...2 days cooking break for little ole me! Who says you can't cook with Gastroparesis? Of course you can still cook silly! And yes, you can also sample your very own creative dishes. It's really all about portion control. 'Tiny' tastes. Just make sure you follow it up with lots of clear fluids. A clear carbonated soda will also do! What can't go down, gravity will always be there to lend a helping hand!
As for the liquid part of GP dieting...
A HUGE BLOGTASTIC round of applause for this new product!
AQUA HYDRATE ph9+
2x more electrolytes than normal electrolyte-enhanced waters and advanced alkaline supercharged ph9+! This means less acidity and less stomach upset! Talking about staying hydrated for all the upcoming fall festivities! Talking about one super clean tasting water too!
I have not only been drinking my Aqua Hydrate straight from the new super-sized jug. But it has also been a great way to add more electrolytes to my daily protein shakes and other healthy drinks!
BLOGTASTIC PRODUCT! It's a GP patient MUST! In fact...I recommend AQUA HYDRATE for anyone looking for a healthy energy boost! An energy boost for the upcoming Autumn season!
hug me
celebratory
Our very first signs of fall!
It's not only in the air with super cool temperatures. But as well through out our yard. They might not have turned out to be the typical mammoth sunflowers. But since planting them late this season, at least they were able to bloom. A most b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l yellow sunflower bloom!
It just wouldn't be fall without the very first sign of viruses in the air too! So looks like this homemade bean recipe will have to wait until tomorrow for Eric. Down for the count with a stomach virus means he is on my liquid diet for a change. I plan on doing what it takes to dodge this one! Masks and lots of Lysol for the taking! 
not sure
Another low body temperature reading at home that once again followed us to the hospital. Another very uncomfortable surgical team that led to another surgery...canceled. Where is the video that should easily go with such a crazy theme? Going on the fifth attempt come next week. Crazy isn't the word for it! But soon to come will be videos to go along with this blog. 
1 in 5 million deal with the same failed production of vital chemicals and hormones controlled by the kidneys and brain. This is what happens when radiation therapy and chemotherapy fail. When tumors are left to grow back and spread uncontrollably. If there were such a thing as the medical lottery. I would be a billionaire a million times over. But instead I have become a pro at my own demise. Who gets tired of being sick? This gal does and rightfully so! I have yet to encounter such a race against the clock within my own body. I have also yet to encounter such a fine tuned testing and surgery that relies on my very own body. A 97.5 or better body temperature. A much more normal blood pressure. All because my body can no longer regulate itself. When you surpass life expectancy of progressive medical issues. You can expect to deal with the unexpected. What isn't very normal. Not even to your own surgical team. 
Our veterinarian here in town is very happy with his post-surgical recovery. We were told that Big LOVE might always have a bit of an issue with his tail due to the rope that was tightly tied around it. Over the past week we have come across another unfortunate new finding that has slowly come to light due to the abuse he suffered. Mr. Big LOVE has a hard time getting to sleep with the twitching that he experiences due to focal seizures. Our local veterinarian with a heart of gold for all rescued fur children believes that the neurological issues, along with many broken teeth could be from head trauma that he most likely suffered by the hands of the abuser. 
It honestly just breaks my heart. It makes Eric livid as hell to imagine a person or persons that were so violent and abusive towards another living, breathing life. I firmly believe that we crossed paths with this little guy with a HUGE HEART for a reason. I also believe that the good Lord places those within our path for a reason. A very good reason! To be rescued and saved. To be cared for and loved for unconditionally by our entire little family. Even kitty sitter Snoreo that instantly bonded and keeps him company in front of his temporary giant crate when we have to step out of the house for a bit during the day.
ANIMALS OF HURRICANE HARVEY 
lucky
We are most definitely lucky to have such an exceptionally loving, yet quite unique kind of family. Snoreo has instantly taken over as kitty sitter while mommy and daddy are resting. It was too darn cute walking in to see Snoreo sleeping in front of Big LOVE's temporary napping headquarters. Actually...Snoreo's giant size cage which is big enough to provide all the safe, sound, comforts for a special kitty's transition into his new home. Our home. Thankfully we have yet to find time for our garage sale as we still come across hidden gems of our very own! Heeheeheeheehee! I knew there was a reason for saving what is now Big LOVE's new toys, super comfy cat tree, heated kitty house with plush pillow, window perch for lazy afternoon bird watching and an extra large recliner to unwind from a busy kitty day!
While still repairing, repainting and redecorating our home. We have 1 last bedroom to complete which is now Mr. Big LOVE's temporary retreat so we can s-l-o-w-l-y introduce him to his new siblings and furrever home. So far? It has been amazing how everyone instantly bonds with him. Big LOVE's heart knows no boundaries! He has not once hissed at anyone or anything. All Mr. Big LOVE knows how to do is purr and give kisses to everyone. Including Mittens kitty through the temporary baby gate that separates his next move to total house freedom. It's amazing to watch his true loving personality slowly start to shine through after living such a tragic life of a very scared cat that once lived under anything outdoors that could possibly provide him safety from any further abuse. Upon closer veterinarian examination, we were told that Big LOVE had lived his first year as a very abused kitty. It was first evident to myself and Eric upon seeing a rope tied around his tail. We were also told that he appeared to suffer repetitive physical abuse which left him with fractured and some permanently broken teeth. 
During that late afternoon playtime at our local dog park. We had just picked up a few odds and ends at the store prior to stopping by so Snoreo could get some of his energy out at the park. This malnourished, very sickly looking grey cat with a rope tied around his tail instantly had my heart. NO way was I not going to at least offer some food and water. So...while Eric was playing with Snoreo. This gal sprung into Mother Wild action! Heeheeheeheehee! Now I know where Eric gets my nickname! 
At first, it was impossible to get anywhere close enough to the grey cat in hopes of cutting the rope off it's tail. In fact, it took a few weeks in order to get close enough to realize the grey cat was a male tabby. As the days and weeks went by...I slowly gained his trust as he remained to have my heart. Actually OUR hearts! Eric fell in love with him too! Who could not fall in love with such a sweetheart that now goes by the name of Mr. Big LOVE
