Eat To Live

I love to eat. 
One of the things that made me sad when I was just diagnosed was the impression I had with chemotherapy. I would hear cancer patients complaining about losing their appetite - about food tasting like metal. 
Eating is just one of those pleasures in life that I didn't want to have any problems with. I enjoy it so much, especially the fellowship that it brings with family and friends.
Thank God I've never really had any problems with it. I am still that same person who eats with gusto! Thank God for modern medicine that helps me manage my treatments' side effects. 
Though I am aware of the limitations with food, I never went for those extreme diets, like fruits and veggies only. 
Like what I wrote as I began this blog, I don't claim to be an expert in anything, I am only an expert patient. So the things that I write here are based on the information I have gathered through reading, my doctor's advice and what makes me feel good and healthy.

I make sure even with a much healthier diet, I still have fun. It wouldn't be life-giving if eating becomes dull and boring.

I try my best to get the whole family to eat healthier. Much healthier. We loved almost every food that's unhealthy in the planet. Doritos, Mcdonalds, fried this and fried that...the list could go on and on.
My groceries are now mostly composed of fruits and veggies, meats that are fresh instead of processed, and healthier alternatives for snacks for those times we crave for something crunchy and a little salty, like nuts, Japanese seaweeds, and some Healthy Option treats.

Oh, I also love snacking on grilled, boiled, or baked "saging na saba", sweet corn, and baked or boiled sweet potatoes. 

Good thing the family is compliant, and much more aware of what is best. It's difficult at times, especially for the youngest, who's ten, and LOVES sweets, bacon and everything tasty but empty in nutrients. Again, she has a lot of life and energy in her that she. does. not. care. Meal times are still a little struggle with her. 

Good thing my husband enjoys the change and is loving to research on healthier recipes and getting busier in the kitchen. Here he is, 

 Excited to make his vegetable broth :)

Here are some of what we enjoy having these days,

 Grilled Salmon 

 Indian mangoes we picked from our garden

Chicken Parmesan that my eldest, Andi, made.                                            Not so healthy.

 Cucumber smoothie

 Grilled tuna with caramelized onions on steamed                                         greens

 Berries and lemon water

 Salad from Echo Cafe

 Salad from Pho Hoa

Tomato soup with pasta, dilis, and ashitaba                                                leaves

 Hummus and tabbouleh from Cafe Medditerranean

Fried asuhos with ampalaya and green mango                                              salad

 Breakfast taco

 Fresh oranges. Yum.

 Vegetable sandwich with almonds and white                                                 parmesan popcorn :)

 Grilled shrimps with spicy salsa

 Melon juice. What a summer treat!

 Salad with toast (olive oil and balsamic vinegar with                                    garlic and chili as spread) and fresh orange juice

 My new favorite. Spanish sardines wrapped in                                               lettuce and whole wheat pita bread

We still love cakes and ice cream, so we still get them sometimes. And when we have them, it feels like....heaven! 

 Green tea ice cream and red beans from Lugang                                           Cafe

Home made strawberry ice cream using coconut                                            milk and honey

 Pretty cupcakes from Vanilla Cupcake

 Affogato from Epic Cafe

 Green tea cheesecake from Cafe+

 And the famous Puto Bumbong from Via Mare 

I definitely do not include junk food in my grocery list anymore. We don't have them at home so when the girls get hungry, they have no choice but to munch on apples, or the other fruits that we have.

I love that my 14-year old, Toni, had a taste of one of those commercialized fruit drinks again, and found it too sweet. Another time, she thought she missed Cheetos so much that she got a bag. When she ate them, she said it made her want to vomit. She never had them again.

Check out these healthier, but fun recipes I've gathered from Pinterest. I love that site!

I now rarely eat beef or pork as they make me feel bloated and heavy. Most of the time, I go for what makes me feel good, clean, and light. Vegetables, fruits, fish, and a little bit of chicken do that for me.