Yesterday I felt the need for some good, simple whole foods. I made roasted potatoes, pressure-cooked spinach, baked squash, and brown rice with mushrooms.
Spinach
one tablespoon olive oil
a shake/teaspoon each of: cumin, coriander, nutmeg
three garlic cloves, grated
two pounds fresh spinach [two bags]
one cup water
place all in pressure cooker and cook ten minutes, releasing pressure naturally
Roasted Potatoes
5 or 6 red potatoes, eyed and quartered [sounds like a torture]
one tablespoon olive oil
two slices of onion, chopped
three or four garlic cloves, grated
one 4 oz package tomato pizza sauce
a quarter cup water
place into casserole and toss thoroughly
bake 400 degrees about one hour
halve and seed delicata squash , bake 400 degrees about 30 minutes
My daughter remarked that she was thinking that if her mother were a "twigatarian", she would find a way to make the twigs delicious.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Mr. Dunnfore Rides Again
"Good evening, my name is Arlene, welcome to Homeland. I have to ask you an uncomfortable question. In the unfortunate event, God forbid, that I come in and find that your heart has stopped beating, do you wish me to attempt to revive you with chest compressions? Often during this process, it is not comfortable. People's ribs are broken, and often the paramedics will be called; there will be lights and sirens and they will shove a tube down your throat so you can breathe . . . "
Obtaining a "code status" as soon as possible after a new resident is admitted has become a priority at Homeland, after this was neglected, in one case, for twenty-four or more hours. The difficult consequences which ensued resulted from the fact that the "default" situation is that, with no stated preference, all residents have a "full code" status and all attempts must be made to resuscitate them, no matter their level of viability to begin with. In my view, this is a sad state of affairs. Some time in the last century, with the availability of CPR, people have lost sight of the possibility of a natural death and no longer view it as a desirable thing. Death, more than ever before, has become the enemy.
I spent an excruciating hour on the phone yesterday at work listening to a family member of a newly admitted resident ask me at least a dozen questions related to every detail of Mr. Dunnfore's prospective care at Homeland, and comparing his idea of this prospective stay with what he did or didn't enjoy at Madigan Army Medical Center. Both the resident and his family seem extremely angry about his pain and his multiple myeloma.
One of his principle objections was to my approach when I asked the resident to clarify his advance directives, his code status. He said that someone had come in and sat on the bed with a clipboard and asked about CPR. I said, "That was me." He thought my approach, according to the resident who had phoned him, was "rude." Not only death, but now the nurse, had become the enemy.
I apologized that the resident found my questions offensive, but said that I needed to be clear about what it means to have people pounding on your chest, and that I try to paint a picture of what that experience might entail. I pointed out that many people have a rosy picture of what this process is like, and believe that it is usually successful, which it is not, even in the best of hands. The family member's reply was that, given a choice between this scenario and death, most people would probably pick the CPR. I stated that, in my experience, no, most people would not.
So I awoke reflecting on how I might change my approach to this challenging subject. Stay tuned.
Obtaining a "code status" as soon as possible after a new resident is admitted has become a priority at Homeland, after this was neglected, in one case, for twenty-four or more hours. The difficult consequences which ensued resulted from the fact that the "default" situation is that, with no stated preference, all residents have a "full code" status and all attempts must be made to resuscitate them, no matter their level of viability to begin with. In my view, this is a sad state of affairs. Some time in the last century, with the availability of CPR, people have lost sight of the possibility of a natural death and no longer view it as a desirable thing. Death, more than ever before, has become the enemy.
I spent an excruciating hour on the phone yesterday at work listening to a family member of a newly admitted resident ask me at least a dozen questions related to every detail of Mr. Dunnfore's prospective care at Homeland, and comparing his idea of this prospective stay with what he did or didn't enjoy at Madigan Army Medical Center. Both the resident and his family seem extremely angry about his pain and his multiple myeloma.
One of his principle objections was to my approach when I asked the resident to clarify his advance directives, his code status. He said that someone had come in and sat on the bed with a clipboard and asked about CPR. I said, "That was me." He thought my approach, according to the resident who had phoned him, was "rude." Not only death, but now the nurse, had become the enemy.
I apologized that the resident found my questions offensive, but said that I needed to be clear about what it means to have people pounding on your chest, and that I try to paint a picture of what that experience might entail. I pointed out that many people have a rosy picture of what this process is like, and believe that it is usually successful, which it is not, even in the best of hands. The family member's reply was that, given a choice between this scenario and death, most people would probably pick the CPR. I stated that, in my experience, no, most people would not.
So I awoke reflecting on how I might change my approach to this challenging subject. Stay tuned.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Reflecting the Infinite Power of Brahman
This weekend Baha'is approached people in their homes on the Hilltop and in the Salishan housing development, and made a lot of friends, a lot of contacts with people interested in developing the spiritual life in their community through children's classes, junior youth animators, study circles.
I stayed on the "prayer team", exhausted from four thirteen + hour days in a row, up until 1 AM and up again at 7 or 8. Prayers take an effort also. I'm a strong believer in the power of prayer. Saturday there was deepening all morning, then people forming teams, and I stayed behind praying; Corinne and Karen joined me later.
Sunday morning I showed up at the house and only Bonita was there; probably most other people were at the devotional meeting across town. We were talking and the phone rang: it was George, looking for someone to accompany our dear friend Dr. Pattabi Raman who was going to be speaking at the Temple Beth El. The last time I was at the Temple Beth El was a few days after 9/11, when I decided to do what I call a "prayer pilgrimage."
Because I am too shy to openly teach people about the Baha'i Faith very often, a decade or more ago I finally started driving all around Tacoma early in the morning while it is still dark and I was less conspicuous in my car. I would drive from South, to East, to North and to the West, stopping in the parking lots of churches, of the Cambodian Buddhist Temple, the parking lot of the meeting place at Salishan, Tacopid, the Indian Health service on the Puyallup Reservation, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Muslum Mosque, and at Temple Beth El; reciting prayers at each location. I remember observing that after 9/11 some misguided soul had spray painted the parking lot at Temple Beth El with a hateful message.
When George explained the situation, I hopped into my car and drove to Temple Beth El and caught up with Dr. Raman in the office. We set up the classroom, set up the overhead projector, and connected with Abby, one of the moms/teachers. In came five high school students to hear two talks: one on Hinduism, and one on the Baha'i Faith. Pattabi is a born and practiced instructor and his presentations are both simple and brilliant, cutting to the heart of the matter.
My favorite take-home learning was when he talked about the principle of Brahman, unlimited spiritual power throughout the universe, and its relationship to Atman, the soul of humans. He held up a student's notebook. "If this is a mirror, it reflects not just the nose, the eye, the hair, the ear. It reflects your entire face. If this mirror becomes broken in several pieces, each piece does not just reflect a portion--it still reflects your entire face. Every person reflects the light of the Brahman. Every person reflects this infinite power. And every person, because each reflects this light, is part of the whole human family."
I stayed on the "prayer team", exhausted from four thirteen + hour days in a row, up until 1 AM and up again at 7 or 8. Prayers take an effort also. I'm a strong believer in the power of prayer. Saturday there was deepening all morning, then people forming teams, and I stayed behind praying; Corinne and Karen joined me later.
Sunday morning I showed up at the house and only Bonita was there; probably most other people were at the devotional meeting across town. We were talking and the phone rang: it was George, looking for someone to accompany our dear friend Dr. Pattabi Raman who was going to be speaking at the Temple Beth El. The last time I was at the Temple Beth El was a few days after 9/11, when I decided to do what I call a "prayer pilgrimage."
Because I am too shy to openly teach people about the Baha'i Faith very often, a decade or more ago I finally started driving all around Tacoma early in the morning while it is still dark and I was less conspicuous in my car. I would drive from South, to East, to North and to the West, stopping in the parking lots of churches, of the Cambodian Buddhist Temple, the parking lot of the meeting place at Salishan, Tacopid, the Indian Health service on the Puyallup Reservation, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Muslum Mosque, and at Temple Beth El; reciting prayers at each location. I remember observing that after 9/11 some misguided soul had spray painted the parking lot at Temple Beth El with a hateful message.
When George explained the situation, I hopped into my car and drove to Temple Beth El and caught up with Dr. Raman in the office. We set up the classroom, set up the overhead projector, and connected with Abby, one of the moms/teachers. In came five high school students to hear two talks: one on Hinduism, and one on the Baha'i Faith. Pattabi is a born and practiced instructor and his presentations are both simple and brilliant, cutting to the heart of the matter.
My favorite take-home learning was when he talked about the principle of Brahman, unlimited spiritual power throughout the universe, and its relationship to Atman, the soul of humans. He held up a student's notebook. "If this is a mirror, it reflects not just the nose, the eye, the hair, the ear. It reflects your entire face. If this mirror becomes broken in several pieces, each piece does not just reflect a portion--it still reflects your entire face. Every person reflects the light of the Brahman. Every person reflects this infinite power. And every person, because each reflects this light, is part of the whole human family."
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday
Whenever I get to tired of looking at the same entries I have to blog again.
Sunday was busy, but I went to the Tai-Li market for fried tofu; Fred Meyer for various foods; and the local vegetable stand which is open this time of year, too. I came home and rested a little, then make two types of soup for a teaching event two weekends in a row in Tacoma. I made Stealth Soup, which is a blended mixture of baked squash, cooked red lentils, the usual seasonings, and soy milk; and Bean Soup made with white beans and vegetables in the pressure cooker. I am hoping at some time next weekend, in between the teaching, to make tamales to share. I'm thinking of some with black beans and corn, and some with spinach and mushrooms. It's just a question of having the right blend of time, focus, and the energy to do it.
Halfway through my four twelve-hour days marathon. Six days a pay period won't pay the bills.
Sunday was busy, but I went to the Tai-Li market for fried tofu; Fred Meyer for various foods; and the local vegetable stand which is open this time of year, too. I came home and rested a little, then make two types of soup for a teaching event two weekends in a row in Tacoma. I made Stealth Soup, which is a blended mixture of baked squash, cooked red lentils, the usual seasonings, and soy milk; and Bean Soup made with white beans and vegetables in the pressure cooker. I am hoping at some time next weekend, in between the teaching, to make tamales to share. I'm thinking of some with black beans and corn, and some with spinach and mushrooms. It's just a question of having the right blend of time, focus, and the energy to do it.
Halfway through my four twelve-hour days marathon. Six days a pay period won't pay the bills.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
What's On My Heart?
I may as well say it. I'm compulsive eating, so I haven't been very strict with following a whole foods plant diet. Part of it was feeling challenged by the directness and the level of commitment of participants in the eCornell "Plant Based Nutrition" course I took, as well as the level of strictness advised by such educators as Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, who assists clients to reverse their heart disease with diet, and views heart disease as having your house on fire: if you want to put it out, get serious with your diet and don't fool around. Also, when I embarked on this journey, my aim was just to avoid having a heart attack or stroke. But part of the course studied weight loss through a whole foods plant diet; focusing on weight loss methods hooked me into the crazy thoughts I get in that regard, instead of just doggedly continuing on the course.
In conjunction with all this challenge was the external challenge of too many potlucks with animal foods and people bringing in a lot of animal foods and cakes and candies to Homeland where I work. The condition that tipped the balance was the tremendous pressure and stress I sometimes feel at work, which makes me much more vulnerable to making poor choices. As a coda, I also feel pressure because as soon as I committed to the whole foods plant diet in April, I started blogging about it, which makes me feel on stage. Then I have a dilemma. Although a blogger is hardly a public figure, once I've taken a stand I worry about sharing every indiscretion because I don't know whether I will A] lose credibility &/or B] cause people to become discouraged in their own efforts to achieve maximum health. Anyway, there it is.
My plan is to enlist a counselor to assist me to get past all my persistent and clever mind games. I'm not giving up.
In conjunction with all this challenge was the external challenge of too many potlucks with animal foods and people bringing in a lot of animal foods and cakes and candies to Homeland where I work. The condition that tipped the balance was the tremendous pressure and stress I sometimes feel at work, which makes me much more vulnerable to making poor choices. As a coda, I also feel pressure because as soon as I committed to the whole foods plant diet in April, I started blogging about it, which makes me feel on stage. Then I have a dilemma. Although a blogger is hardly a public figure, once I've taken a stand I worry about sharing every indiscretion because I don't know whether I will A] lose credibility &/or B] cause people to become discouraged in their own efforts to achieve maximum health. Anyway, there it is.
My plan is to enlist a counselor to assist me to get past all my persistent and clever mind games. I'm not giving up.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Purple Potato Salad: Et All
Beet & Potato Salad With Black Beans
3 large beets: remove tops and roots, wash
4 medium red potatoes: wash and remove eyes
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
2 carrots: chop finely
4 to 5 mushrooms: clean and slice
1/2 cup black olives: slice in thirds
1/2 onion: chopped
2 cloves garlic: grated
1 inch turmeric root: grated
1 slice ginger root: grated
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves: cleaned and removed from stems
one sprig fresh basil leaves: cleaned and removed from stems
1 T vegenaise
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Cut off tops and roots of beets; scrub. Scrub and eye potatoes. Place in pressure cooker on steamer rack with 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon dill and 1 teaspoon cumin. Cook in pressure cooker 20 minutes and let cool naturally until pressure is released. Meanwhile, chop carrots and onion, clean cilantro and basil and remove leaves, discarding stems. Slice olives. Clean and slice mushrooms. Place all in salad bowl with black beans; grate in ginger, garlic and turmeric root. Stir. When potatoes and beets are done, remove from cooker with tongs and hold with fork to dice; add to bowl. Stir in vegenaise, olive oil and vinegar. Salt to taste.
Serve salad with whole wheat toast and cooked beet greens; wash and chop greens, cutting stems into one inch lengths and chopping greens. Cook in about 1/2 cup water about 15 minutes while beets and potatoes cook.
3 large beets: remove tops and roots, wash
4 medium red potatoes: wash and remove eyes
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
2 carrots: chop finely
4 to 5 mushrooms: clean and slice
1/2 cup black olives: slice in thirds
1/2 onion: chopped
2 cloves garlic: grated
1 inch turmeric root: grated
1 slice ginger root: grated
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves: cleaned and removed from stems
one sprig fresh basil leaves: cleaned and removed from stems
1 T vegenaise
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Cut off tops and roots of beets; scrub. Scrub and eye potatoes. Place in pressure cooker on steamer rack with 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon dill and 1 teaspoon cumin. Cook in pressure cooker 20 minutes and let cool naturally until pressure is released. Meanwhile, chop carrots and onion, clean cilantro and basil and remove leaves, discarding stems. Slice olives. Clean and slice mushrooms. Place all in salad bowl with black beans; grate in ginger, garlic and turmeric root. Stir. When potatoes and beets are done, remove from cooker with tongs and hold with fork to dice; add to bowl. Stir in vegenaise, olive oil and vinegar. Salt to taste.
Serve salad with whole wheat toast and cooked beet greens; wash and chop greens, cutting stems into one inch lengths and chopping greens. Cook in about 1/2 cup water about 15 minutes while beets and potatoes cook.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Carlos
I first spoke with Carlos about three weeks ago when my internet connection went on the fritz. Turned out later it had happened to everybody in the neighborhood, but while I was on the phone with them I discovered that months ago, when I asked to have the landline and cable disconnected because I never use them, it had never been done. They switched me to Carlos. I turned on the Evil Twin and accused them of neglecting to disconnect the relevant services to make more money. Carlos was apologetic in his soft Latin tones. Instead of putting me on hold, he allowed "dead air time," as he made sure the disconnect order went through, every minute or so saying, "just another minute, almost done . . . " in a cajoling tone, obviously hoping to deflect any further displays of temper.
Next I heard from Carlos when he called me for Penguin Windows. He kept talking about a dividend, and I was sure they just wanted me to spend more money, which I haven't got any more of. Finally he said, "we'll call you after the holidays."
Then I was at work and picked up the phone to receive a report from the nurse on a resident we were about to admit from Tacoma General Hospital. "Hi, this is Carlos . . . " At one point he mentioned the plan to send the resident over with the indwelling catheter still in place. I asked what the diagnoses was for the catheter. In a voice intended for idiots he patiently explained that "she isn't ambulatory." I started to hit my forehead.
Carlos called me again from Comcast the other day, seeking to know why I asked to disconnect the landline and cable service. I explained that my cell phone is my primary phone and I don't need a landline; that I work evening hours and there is nothing to watch in the daytime, even if I had the time. He said, okay, but "we could probably make you a really good deal . . . " and as he is talking I say, "This is me saying I'm going to hang up now. Goodbye," as I hear his voice running on and on.
He's a busy guy.
Next I heard from Carlos when he called me for Penguin Windows. He kept talking about a dividend, and I was sure they just wanted me to spend more money, which I haven't got any more of. Finally he said, "we'll call you after the holidays."
Then I was at work and picked up the phone to receive a report from the nurse on a resident we were about to admit from Tacoma General Hospital. "Hi, this is Carlos . . . " At one point he mentioned the plan to send the resident over with the indwelling catheter still in place. I asked what the diagnoses was for the catheter. In a voice intended for idiots he patiently explained that "she isn't ambulatory." I started to hit my forehead.
Carlos called me again from Comcast the other day, seeking to know why I asked to disconnect the landline and cable service. I explained that my cell phone is my primary phone and I don't need a landline; that I work evening hours and there is nothing to watch in the daytime, even if I had the time. He said, okay, but "we could probably make you a really good deal . . . " and as he is talking I say, "This is me saying I'm going to hang up now. Goodbye," as I hear his voice running on and on.
He's a busy guy.
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Last Three Years: Retrospective
14,000 things to do and what do I do? I spend most of the day creating a text diary based on entries on my wall calendars from 2006 to 2009. At first I felt sort of sweet about 2006 and 2007, then very sad, and in 2008 and 2009 very sad and discouraged and resigned. But there were some triumphs, too.
Today I bought a new alarm clock. Last week I got one that had huge numbers and released way to many BTU's of light into the room at night. So I bought a different one I'm very happy with that has numbers with a delightful color of blue. I've been listening to 98.1 KING FM for the last two or three hours as I finished this silly typing project. I haven't had a radio hooked up in here since June when the Penguin windows were put in.
I never use an alarm. I loathe the sound, the disruption. At night I ask myself/ask God to wake me by such and such a time and it happens. It helps that I'm a light sleeper.
Today I bought a new alarm clock. Last week I got one that had huge numbers and released way to many BTU's of light into the room at night. So I bought a different one I'm very happy with that has numbers with a delightful color of blue. I've been listening to 98.1 KING FM for the last two or three hours as I finished this silly typing project. I haven't had a radio hooked up in here since June when the Penguin windows were put in.
I never use an alarm. I loathe the sound, the disruption. At night I ask myself/ask God to wake me by such and such a time and it happens. It helps that I'm a light sleeper.
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