Young adult cancer support groups

I never thought I'd be that person. 

When I got diagnosed my logic behind it was "well I'm very close to my family and I have great friend, support groups are for people that don't have that", right? SO WRONG! 

My first experience with this whole thing was when I was told there was a free retreat offered to young aldults batteling cancer and their supporter. I though "Hey, why not, a chance to get away from the routine and maybe meet some new people."

I never thought I would actually get attached to this community of people that really get what's happening. A group of people that's 100% there for you even without knowing a thing about who you are but at the same time knowing more than your closest friends! 

There are some things that are just so hard to explain to friends and family but with this group of people, words are often not even nessesary, and what a feeling that is. What a relief. A relief that you didn't know you could feel.

This post is to thank all these amazing people and encourage anyone in my shoes or that knows anyone in my shoes to give these communities a shot (Hope and Cope, CanSupport...) even if it might feel awkward at first! 

My top fancy Montreal brunchs part 1

The MTL brunch scene is in constant growth these days! And with my lack of anything to do, I get to tell you all about my favorited brunch stops. today we lean towards the fancier side of of my favorite meal of the day!! 

In no particular order:

1. Week-end brunch at La Bête a Pain on Fleury O. 

In this situation, all the points go to food and quality/ ingredients and flavor combinations. Because to be totally honest we waited well over an hour to be seated (they don't take reservations for small groups), which to anyone that knows me well is pretty much the worst thing that you can do to a hungry Donna. Then with no real instructions we take our seat and it takes a few moments before someone actually tells us we need to order at the counter and get our own plates. This was very confusing to us considering how fairly elaborate and high quality the food is. ALL THIS BEING SAID, you know it's good food when after this, I still walked out one really happy camper! Definitely worth a try if you haven't already! This place is mainly a bakery that offers sandwiches and a few other goodies during the week, but for a mind blowing brunch you will probably never forget: give this place a shot!!

2. Le Passé composé on Roy E.

I've been there a few times and tried a few different items, none of them leaving me disappointed. 

Their omelettes, while leaving a bit to be desired on presentation (colour) have great strong flavours! And come with well seasoned potatoes and fruit you actually want to eat! 

Their elaborate eggs Benedict selection takes you on the most confusion and friustracting decision making journey of your life! With mind blowing favor combinations that leave you starring at the page so long you start questioning your ability to read! 

The eggs Benedict left me dreaming and talking about it for a few days I must say! With a sauce I can't even explain and a beautiful peice of seared foie gras right on top of a perfectly poached egg! Please try this if you want to experience a foodgasm! 

 

And finally what they called a BLT, is nothing like you could imagine (sorry for the blurry pictures) artisinal bacon atop a home made brioche and again topped with a beautifully over sized fried panko breaded half globe of mozzarella, all this surronded by a pesto dressed frisée and cherry tomato salad. Mind blown. 

3. Régine Café on Beaubien E. 

And last but not least, the more commonly known but thankfully not over rated (in my opinion) Régine! I must admit I do try to avoid this place simply because of the annoyingly constant lineup! But if it wasn't worth it I would never do it! My most recent order was a delicious croissant breakfast sandwich that came with a generous amount of pesto bechamel sauce on the side... Donna loves extra sauce! And a side of well seasoned scoop of mashed potatoes... Donna loves well seasoned potatoes! ;)

Their smoothies and coffee also hit the spot pretty hard!

That's if for now. More reviews coming your way soon! :) 

Incredibly yummy surprisingly easy

This is really the best breakfast I've ever made, felt like I was at a really fancy brunch place in downtown Montreal 

This is enough for 2 portions 

So here it is!

For the pancakes: 

Dry:

1 cup of all unbleached all purposeflour

3 tsp of baking powder 

2 tsp of salt 

1 tsp of pepper 

2 tsp of dries parsley 

1 1/2 tsp of dried thyme 

Wet: 

1 organic egg

1 cup of milk 

1/2 cup of grated cheese of your preference (I used mozzarella)

1 tbsp of butter

Filling:

1 teaspoon of olive oil

10 asparagus 

4 slices of ham (I used capicollo)

1 tsp of dijonaise 

2 Slices potobello mushrooms

2 organic eggs 

Instructions:

1. In a bowl whisk together dry ingredients, and wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Then thoroughly combine the wet and dry ingredients and set aside.

2. In a large frying pan, warm up the Olivier oil over medium heat and cook the asparagus and mushrooms. Season to taste with salt and pepper. When they start to soften and become slightly brown about 4 to 5 minutes, add in the ham for the last minute. Take them off the heat and set aside in a plate. 

The following instructions are for one portion: 

3. Butter the same pan that was just used, and pour in 3 medium sized pancakes (slightly larger then a fried egg)

Cook for about 3 minutes on each side. 

4. Layering- first layer of pancake topped the dijonaise, 2 slices of ham and the half the asparagus. Cover with a second pancake and half the mushrooms and finish off with the third pancake topped with an egg cooked to your preference (I suggest sunny side up or poached) 

- repeat point 3 & 4 for portion #2 

Hope you enjoy it, I know I did!! 

Here Comes the Sun gala

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the gala organized by a friend I made when I got diagnosed. Jen is quite the inspiration to me and many others. She had been batteling leukaemia for 6 long years and she is now officially cancer free after her stem cell transplant. 

At this event benefiting the LLSC organized my her and her family, an impressive 21000$ was raised! 

I have to admit I got emotional when they called to the front all the nurses that were there for her along with her doctor. I was just so overwhelmed. To think that my two years seem like forever and she has been fighting from 14 to 20 and it's finally over! And with all that she founds the strength and motivation to raise money for the cause. Amazing! 

Other than the obvious wonderful feeling I got from being surrounded with people well aware of the cause and what many of us are going through, I had a wonderful time. It was nice to dress up for a change and be proudly bald! The event was wonderfully organized and if this becomes and annual thing I will most definitely be attending every year! 

Mediterranean quinoa bowl

This is amazingly easy to make, filling and yummy!

 

So here is what you will need.

For 3 normal people, or 2 people like my boyfriend and I 😜

For the sauce: 

3 red peppers

1/4 cup olive oil

Juice of half a lemon 

1 tbsp sunflower seeds (or wtv seed or nut you'd like) 

Salt to taste

For bowl:

*the quantities are just to help, the proportions are what ever you would prefer!*

2 cups Cooked Quinoa (I cooked mine in organic chicken broth) 

1 Large Cucumber 

1/2 cup Chopped Parsley

1/4 cup Finely Diced Red Onion

1/2 cup Kalmata Olives

1/2 cup Fetta

1 cup Chickpeas 

1 half Avocado 

Lemon juice

Olive oil

Vinegar 

Dry parsley

Salt & pepper 

To make the sauce:

1. Set the oven on High broil and put in the peppers, turn them every 4 minutes until all the sides are pretty black (don't worry) 

2. Let them cool down completely, cut out the core, pull the skin off (it should peel off very easily) and throw that away

3. Blend together the peppers, olive oil, lemon juice, seeds and salt.

To put together the bowl: 

Assemble as you wish but here are a few things I did

1. Cut up the fetta in small cubes, sprinkled dry parsley and small drizzle of olive oil on them

2. Squirt lemon juice on the chickpeas

3. Mixed fresh parsley, onions and cucumbers with a bit of olive oil, vinegar and salt.

Then combine everything in the bowl and add the sauce from heaven :) 

Half way through the hardest part

The next few days marks one midway point in in my treatment. Not THE midway point, unfortunately. 

For those of you who are unfamiliar: there are 4 phases to my treatment (leukemia is a stubborn and very annoying cancer) 

Phase one was the month and a half I spent at the hotpital. 

Phase 2 was 3 weeks of very uncomfortable spiral taps. 

Phase 3 is the 6 month part called the "intensification phase" and let me tell you; intensification is an understatement. This is the phase I'm half way done. 

Phase 4 is the longest (18 months) but I've been told it gets easier during this phase. But let's not get to excited, I still will have to undergo chemo therapy every week but in smaller doses. Also my hair should start growing back, which should help with the mental image of my self always looking sick. 

Hopefully I will be able to go back to work part time. Feel like I'm moving forward in my life instead of glueing my face to Netflix. 

This post may not be light harded and food oriented, but it's an update. I guess it's good to point out these small milestones that help me remember I'm moving forward. 

P.s. This is a painting of me that my dear sister in law gave me for Christmas/my birthday. Little reminder that I will go back to that brightness one day! 

Slow cooked Korean beef

Been a months since I had the energy to do much, especially cook or do anything fun! But here's a little update!

I got a crock pot for Christmas, among other amazing gifts! (Next post) 

Used it for the first time last night! Pretty easy recipe based on one I saw on Pinterest :) 

Here it goes: 

Serves 4 to 5

Prep: 10 mins

Cooking: 8h30

Sauce Ingredients: 

- 1 cup low sodium beef stock

- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce

- 1/2 cup brown sugar 

- 4 cloves of garlic (minced) 

- 1 tbsp sesame oil

- 1 tbsp rice vinegar 

- 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger

- 2 tsp sriracha (or to taste) 

- 1 tsp onion powder

- 1 tsp white pepper

- 1/3 cup of water 

- 2 tbsp corn starch 

Rest of ingredients: 

- around 3 pounds boneless chuck beef (shoulder) cut into 1.5" cubes 

- bunch of broccoli (as your preference) 

- 1.5 cups brown wild rice (cooked according to packaging towards the end of the cooking process) 

- sesame seeds for garnish (that I forgot!) 

Instructions: 

1. Whisk together beef stock, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, sriracha, onion powder, white pepper

2. Place beef in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over, stir and cover. Put on low for 7 to 8 hours. I personally put it on low for 3 hours and then on high for 1 hour. 

3. Stir water and cornstarch together and then stir in beef. Cover and leave on high for another 30 mins. 

At this point I was making the rice.

4. 15 mins before the end, I put broccoli in the microwave with a wet paper towel on top for a minute and a half, and then add in the crock pot. 

That's it. Easy peasy!