New Beginnings Involve Hope

I have not written in this blog for awhile.  This was a vegan cooking blog for non-cooks like me. The original name of this blog was the perfect disaster and I have decided to return to that title as I feel it represents my life -  A disaster peppered with many blessings, hope, and a higher purpose.  

I very rarely post about this online, but the truth is I have been chronically ill for almost 14 years. I now know the original cause is from black mold and a broken furnace vent blowing exhaust into my home. There are many other factors that have played a part, which I will mention later.

You may see me going on many adventures and going out dancing. I may suffer daily but I do not let that stop me.  Working full time and choosing to hike may mean my house is a mess. Cleaning my house to the level that I truly want means not having any other energy left.

The purpose of this blog is NOT to focus on the illness that is currently hanging around, nor to get sympathy. My hope is that through trying different aspects of healing, perhaps I can help others too.  I do believe I can completely recover. 

I also want to highlight the dangers of mold, which is often dismissed in western medicine. Through  lack of knowledge, I made MANY mistakes in dealing with the mold in my house. I have paid a high price for those mistakes, with my body and my finances.

This blog will explore many areas including nutrition, natural wellness, healing from toxins, emotional and spiritual wellness, and of course, the dangers of mold.

I am now on a wellness journey as western medicine has not been able to help me with most of my illness. Most doctors do not believe in mold illness. Apart from my biologic injection for eosinophilic asthma and sinusitis (Nucala) which literally saved my life, I am still suffering many ailments. My hope is that through trying different aspects of healing, perhaps I can help others too.

I had two other mold exposures at work due to several roof leaks during construction. The mold at work was found and remediated a week before the pandemic. My lungs greatly improved for a few weeks during lockdown.  Then things got significantly worse. In my initial fear of the pandemic, I used bleach to clean my kitchen.  I got so bad that I could barely breathe, or walk,  and my non-stop cough returned with a vengeance.  While I know the bleach was very unwise and played some part, my respirologist strongly suspects I might have had the original 2020 version of Covid. We will never truly know as I was too afraid to go to the hospital and steroids at home kept me alive.

I also had a bad reaction to the covid vaccine.  Many toxins, compiled with previous trauma and stress all played a part.

I made so many mistakes in getting rid of the mold in my house and have learned so much that I hope I can save others from what happened to me (and to my pets that all became ill from the mold and furnace vent).

First things first.  If you suspect mold, please hire a professional and read reviews.  I strongly recommend you look up We Inspect. They are not in Canada but they give out SO much information on how to remediate the right way and what companies do wrong in mold testing and remediation. You can follow the on Instagram @moldfinders.

There were major mistakes that have kept me ill for years. The first company who removed the mold found my furnace pipe broken and blowing exhaust and moisture, but they refused to remove my ceiling or take down any walls.  I hired a contracting company who gutted my basement but left the debris in my garage for a week or so.  I did not know this, but mold spreads!  Only last summer did I find there was a huge amount of black mold in my garage shelves. These shelves were built by the previous owner and extremely high up. I did not see the mold.  I spent a lot of time last summer ripping out shelves and cleaning and throwing out most of what was in my garage. Please never store anything moldy in your garage. Nothing is worth being sick. Throw it out.

The second mistake was not really inspecting when the company gutted my basement and put up new insulation.   Just this Christmas break, I realized that I was so much more angry and confused in my basement.   My gut said to rip out the insulation. I looked on Homestars to find someone reputable.

Upon inspection, he immediately found a gap between my pipes that was letting in moisture. When he came to do the job and fix the gap, he found a significant amount of black mold and a a few dead creatures, sadly.

It was removed and it was treated. I followed @moldfinders advice to get things done correctly. 

I am going to be trying many things to heal and detox. I am viewing this as a discovery adventure.  This blog will not be doom and gloom, I promise!

The Spirutual Wisdom of Paddleboarding

  Since my journey of a love-based life began, I have had amazing successes and spectacular failures.

Why can we all take several great leaps toward success, only to fall backward shortly after? 

This week, after almost a season of watching my group of friends paddleboard (while I trailed behind in my inflatable kayak), I finally took paddleboarding lessons. Legs shaking, with both fear and excitement, I managed to stand on my paddleboard and began to paddle a bit. That is when I was taught one of the basic techniques: Focus on where you want to go.

When you stare at something, you start heading that way - whether you want to or not. I was intent on heading out onto the lake but when I was observing the rocks by the lighthouse, that is where my board went.

What would happen if, instead of just rushing into the start of the day, we took time to pause and intentionally choose where we want to "go" that day?  If we purposely focused on the direction of love, kindness, non-judgment, and compassion, how would things be different?

When we see we are heading towards the "rocks", we stop and re-center our focus. 

 Neighbour screaming outside on his phone for the third time this week while you are trying to work? (this is my personal struggle right now) Frustration, anger, indignation!! Doesn't he care that people are working from home during a pandemic?!!  Why is he always yelling?!!  What a jerk! I should yell at him to shut up!!  

No, wait, Melanie, you are heading for the rocks!! STOP. Re-center to compassion; the poor man has mental health issues. It must be a really difficult experience for him.  I notice I am instantly calmer

A simple practice but it is definitely not easy. This leads me to a second technique I learned in paddleboarding: face your wave head-on. 

I was starting to feel much more confident on my board and I was moving out into the lake when a jet skier started whizzing around, creating waves that threatened my newly-achieved balance. Luckily, the instructor was right beside me and told me to ride right into the wave, facing it head-on.  Riding parallel may seem like the easier choice when you are fighting the waves but, if you don't want to fall, you need to face the challenge head-on with a clear intention.

It's easy to be distracted when learning something new and fall back to old habits. I had successfully made it almost through the hour and a half lesson without falling when I started chatting with the instructor about dogs (my personal "SQUIRREL"!!!) and I stopped paying attention to what I was doing and I fell, crashing hard on to the paddleboard. Now, that got my attention. Oops.

Did I give up and stay down? No, of course, I got right back up and tried again. When making a change, it's crucial to be kind to ourselves and accept that failure IS going to happen. It is especially important to get up right away before we lose our confidence that we can do it. If you are like me and think too much about it, you will start to assume that you can't. This is exactly what I had been telling myself about paddleboarding when my friend suggested I join them. I have terrible balance, I will not be able to do it.  Yet, I was wrong.  We can be wrong about our ability to change how we act, how we feel.  

We are all capable of more. It's just practice.

So, what is my verdict on paddleboarding?  I bought a board!

Why Importance is Irrelevant

"You think that animals are more important than people",  her tone was accusing as she leaned aggressively towards me, clearly ready for a heated argument.

Four of us had traveled to Ottawa on vacation and we were sitting in a Mexican Restaurant when another member of our group had taken interest in my vegetarian diet by asking a few questions. I had just started to speak when the verbal assault began. She went on and on about how people are much more important than animals and how dare I put them before people?

I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't say much, being too stunned and confused about what instigated her anger. I had simply answered the question, "what are you going to eat?"  No efforts were made to convince anyone to join my way of eating.

That confrontation was over 6 years ago and I still regret my lack of response. As a person who shared my faith, I believe her argument demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding a much larger issue:  importance is irrelevant.

As the scripture says: "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." Dominion is not about dominance, but servant-based leadership.  It's not about who is more important, who is inferior, has more status, etc.  It's about value. Wait. What??!! Is this not a contradiction? No; let me explain.  Every person, every creature, is infinitely loved and valued by the Creator. This value is not based on who you happen to be or what you have or have not accomplished. You are loved and valued simply because you are.

While I was pondering these thoughts on the drive home, the birth of Prince George was announced to great fanfare and excitement. All for a child who had done nothing, except to be born. The coincidence did not go unnoticed.  Lucky for him, he was born to a rich and famous family. Thousands of babies, far less "important" than the prince were also born that day; many who were unexpected (or unwanted) children living in poverty. Like Prince George, she or he had also done nothing to deserve their circumstance, except to be born. However, doesn't that baby also need and deserve love, care, and attention? He/she needs it more.

When we re-focus on love instead of importance, miracles can and do happen because love does not have a finite supply. When you love and care for the least important in society, love flows upward.

Loving and caring about the well-being of animals absolutely does not mean that there is not enough to go around to care about people in need. In fact, those who care for the "least of these" often have great concern for the well being of people.

Animals are the ministry that God has put on my heart since I was a small child. Animals matter to God and they matter to me. So do people.

When You Don't Know Jack

Barbeque Jackfruit

This past year, Beyond Meat has risen to mainstream popularity and has set off the creation of numerous copy cat plant-based products.  While it is exciting to see more meat-free options, especially if you care about animal welfare or the environment, these highly processed mock meats are essentially junk food that should be eaten as an occasional treat.

Why not consider a plant-based option that is actually a plant? Jackfruit is a fruit that, in cooked form, has the texture of chicken or pulled pork. You can find jackfruit in a can at many health food stores. However, if you have access to an Asian grocery store, you can buy it at a much cheaper price.

Below is a great make your own barbeque sauce. As I am aiming for a low-salt and low-sugar diet, I used Club House Salt-free barbeque chicken spice and tomato sauce to substitute for less
BBQ sauce.


Ingredients
2 20-ounce cans young green jackfruit in brine
1 tbs oil
1/2 onion, finely sliced
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp freshly-ground black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 c vegetable broth
1 cup BBQ sauce, divided
 black pepper, to taste


Instructions
Drain and rinse the jackfruit. Cut out the dense inner core and discard. Transfer remaining fruit to a
large bowl and toss with brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and chili powder.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onion and saute until translucent, about
5 minutes. Add jackfruit and cook, stirring, until jackfruit is beginning to brown, about 3-4 minutes.
Add vegetable broth and 3/4 cup BBQ sauce. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes or
until the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally using the spoon to break apart the jackfruit chunks as
they soften.

Season to taste. Shred the jackfruit with two forks and top with additional BBQ sauce, if desired.

Getting Crusty Without Flour

Anyone who has a social media account can tell you that low carb diets are on trend right now.  But, as demonstrated by the comeback of overalls, just because something is trendy, it doesn't mean you should do it.  (I was guilty the first time around; I'm not making that mistake again!)

While cutting back or quitting certain carbs like bread and potato chips is always a wise choice, you are missing out on nutritional superstars when you avoid beans and legumes. Beans and legumes may be high carbohydrate but they also come with a very low glycemic load, are full of fiber and nutrients. They are also gifted with an almost magical substance called resistant starch which not only lowers your blood sugar after one meal but creates a "second meal effect" that impacts your glycemic response to your NEXT meal.**

As someone who has blood sugar issues, legumes have become a necessity in my life. Whether or not you subscribe to the low carb diet, refined foods such as flour are a detriment to our health and our waistline.   So, take your power and ditch the flour!  Clearly, I am not above using cheesy taglines -especially when it comes to bringing to light the true power that we have over our health with the right food choices.

However, I do love and miss pizza...dearly. I did take a stab at making a cauliflower crust but found the recipe to be very time consuming and messy. Imagine my disappointment when the only pizza delivery I received for my effort was a soggy, stinky mess.

Since my passion for pizza still burns bright, perhaps taking just one more risk of having my heart broken was worth it.  This time it was with red lentils and it did not disappoint. I was impressed by the quick and easy recipe but most of all, the crispy, bread-like crust. It also had a pretty red-orange colour; a delicious delight on a cold, winter night. It was so good that I used the leftover crust as a pita in my lunch the next day.


Vegan Red Lentil Pizza Crust

• 3/4 c . red lentils , soaked 1-2 hours
• 1/2 c . water
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 t . dried basil
• 1/2 t . oregano
• 1/4 t . sea salt
• 1/2 t . baking powder

Instructions

1. Rinse and drain soaked lentils.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Blend or process all of the ingredients until very smooth. Add a splash more water, if needed, for blending.
4. Line one large or two small baking sheets and lightly spray them with oil
5. Pour the batter onto the sheet(s).
6. Spread out until it is about 1/8-1/4 inch thick.
7. Bake for 20 minutes.
8. Top with sauce, cheese, veggies, etc.
9. Bake another 5-10 minutes.
10. Cool a bit, slice, and enjoy!

For info on second meal effect: : https://nutritionfacts.org/video/beans-and-the-second-meal-effect/

Blurred Limes

When it comes to cooking, I'm not exactly a fan of having to be detail-oriented. (feels too much like work).  I move with the ingredients as they move me. While it may be true that, on occasion, I have been known to just throw some things together and hope for the best, I prefer the term "Cuisine Improvisor".

But, seriously, why not experiment? Playing is fun! So should be cooking. If the entire recipe doesn't float your boat, don't be afraid to explore outside the recipe. Let the recipe inspire, not dictate.

For example, I find this yummy looking potato salad recipe.

 Roast potatoes just for a potato salad? Who am I kidding? How about boiling them and quickly grilling them on my non-stick grill? It gives the same kind of crunch.  Dill? Hmm.. not a fan, but parsley sounds nice.  Instead of lemon, I prefer lime and a bit of spice.

If you have always wanted to try something just a little bit different,  I hope I have encouraged you to go for it!! Blur the limes, uumm..lines of the recipe.

My substitutions refined this salad to my taste preferences, but you may enjoy it as it is.

Creamy Avocado -Potato Salad. (Recipe from Oh She Glows Cookbook)

4.5 to 5.5 cups  of yellow potatoes chopped into 1 cm cubes
3 tsp olive oil (I used less)
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt (I used Mrs. Dash)

1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup chopped green onions

Dressing:
1/2 cup avocado
2 tbsp minced fresh dill (I used parsley)
4 tsp fresh lemon juice ( I used lime)
1/4 tsp fine-grain sea salt. (I used a bit of cayenne)
Freshly ground pepper

Preheat the oven to 425F/220C. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper
spread potatoes in an even layer and drizzle with the oil. Season with half of the salt and pepper.

Roast potatoes for 15 min. Flip, then roast for 15-20 minutes more until golden and fork-tender.
Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the green onions.
(I boiled my potatoes then grilled for  a few minutes on my non-stick grill. As I don't like raw onions, I grilled them for a minute)

In a mini food processor (I used my nutri-bullet), combine avocado, dill, lemon juice, salt,pepper and 1/4 cup water and process until smooth.

Shoes Glorious Shoes

Vegan. A word that has been trending more and more in today's society, still has the power to invoke strong emotional responses, both-positive or negative: "for hipsters" "optimal health" or "weak and unhealthy". We hear opinions on both sides of the spectrum

However  mention "Vegan fashion"  and the images of cheap, ugly or thrift store may come to mind. I have even had vegan friends express exasperation of only buying second hand leather shoes so they don't have to wear poorly made "disposable fashion" which doesn't last and that is bad for the planet.

Fear not. I  bring you tidings of great joy . (Sorry, but this phrase is just too awesome to be resigned to the Christmas story).  Fashion and  compassion do not have to be mutually exclusive. Making the decision to include footwear as part of your cruelty-free lifestyle does not sentence you to a life of ugly or cheap looking feet; nor do you have limit your purchases from the few vegan brands out there.

Below are a few select samples from my expansive vegan collection. And, yes, I do have a lot, and own up to the fact that I am slightly addicted to shoes.  I may even qualify for shoeaholics anonymous,  (but would never, never check in)

Winter warmth: North face booties(from Sportcheck),filled with Primaloft-an amazing high tech, water-resistant down replacement, which is not only superior in warmth and lightness, compared to down, no animals were harmed in the making.   They are unbelievably warm and feel like walking around town in the biggest fluffiest slippers, only with out the stares of judgement.

Want some style in your life?  I found these high heeled booties at Winners. (where I get most of my shoes) These Tahari boots have lasted over 4 years; I just got them re-heeled but the faux leather has survived the harsh abuse I bring upon my footwear. You would be surprised how many well-made shoe brands use man made materials.

 These Steve Madden faux suede gems came to me at a DSW, but you can find Steve Madden anywhere. Read the label, though.  Steve Madden uses both man made and real leather in their designs. This is my favourite brand and I have about 4 pairs of Steve Maddens that have years and are still going strong.

These are just 3 samples of the possibilities. When you are shopping, just check the bottom or inside the boot to discover what they are made. These symbols are often used.