Monday, October 21, 2013

Health stuff

So, I realize that I sort of glossed over the phrase "health issues" kind of fast. I'm not into personal oversharing on this blog, but I'd like to get more specific here in case it helps anyone else. 

In September I had a laparoscopic myomectomy to remove benign uterine fibroids. Very minor procedure, went great, I was up and around in 24 hours and running again in 3 days, my doctor was great.  So why do I want to share?  

Because I think too many women my age don't take the symptoms of these things seriously enough or complain soon enough. I can't tell you how many peers I mentioned this to who said "it happens, it's just your age" "menopause sure stinks". But no, you can (and should) do better. If you experience changes in how your body behaves - major back pain, passing lots of clots, bleeding through multiple sanitary products - talk to a doctor. If you get a well intentioned brush off, get a referral and see another doctor. Fibroids are common and rarely life threatening, but some aren't benign or it could be something far more serious, like endometrial or cervical cancer. Time can mean a lot if you're dealing with cancer and even if it's just fibroids, anemia is no joke for someone facing menopause. 

So people, here's my PSA: floss, go to doctor, be an informed patient, and listen to your body. Going into your 40's/50's does mean its normal to feel like the victim in a Wes Craven film two weeks a month. 

Long time

Well, I have projects to post, but what with one thing and another (2 jobs, some health issues) I kind of got waylaid. 
So, until I can get some snaps of my Xmas knitting , here's my recipe of the week - "meatloaf that people who don't like meatloaf will like" (I should explain I was a horrible eater as a kid and feared mixed foods like meatloaf, soup etc. I don't remember my poor mother trying to  feed me meatloaf, but I'm sure I would have been a total pain about it):

Loaf:
1 shallot minced
2 gloves garlic minced
1 tab butter
1 teas ea salt and pepper 
1 lb 90% lean ground beef
1 cup panko
6-7 crushed ritz/club crackers
1 tab sour cream
1/2 can tomato paste
1 egg
1 teas worstershire sauce
Glaze:
1/4 cup Marsala 
3 tab ketchup
1/2 can tomato paste
1 teas worstershire sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar (you can cut this down or out if you're not cooking for kids)
Equipment:
Sheet pan
Parchment paper

Preheat oven 375

Sauté first 3 ingredients for 3-5 minutes at medium low
Mix all remaining ingredients with sautéed shallot mixture, form into a loaf about 2-3 in deep on parchment covered sheet pan. 
Bake for 35 min. Meanwhile ...
Simmer all glaze ingredients together on medium low heat for 20 min, stirring intermittently, then turn off heat and allow to sit.
Remove loaf from oven, spread with glaze, return to oven for 10-15 minutes. 
Rest 5 minutes before cutting. Internal temp should hit 160 degrees.