“Where did that come from?”

“Where did that come from?”  This is usually my first thought when I read something insightful that I have just written.  It’s as if some thoughts go directly from my subconscious to my fingers typing away at the computer.  Putting my thoughts down with pen on paper gives me too much time to edit myself and that’s why I prefer to journal directly into the computer.  There is a transformation at work in me when it comes to capturing the true essence of people and events in my life.  I have been hesitant to write about real situations since there has been so much pain in life but I am beginning to realize that other people in similar situations may need to hear the undistorted truth.

 

Life is not a rose garden where everything is beautiful all the time.  Being able to honestly reveal events will perhaps hurt for the moment, but bring a healing long term that could not have been found any other way.  We isolate ourselves when we allow others to see only our accomplishments.

Product Suggestion: Boost

When illness strikes and keeping a healthy weight is a challenge, adding a nutritional supplement to your diet may be the answer.  My son, Joe, always struggled maintaining a healthy daily caloric intake since chewing and swallowing were such difficulties.  He began drinking one 8 oz. bottle of Boost early in the morning and then another a few hours after dinner.  After sampling different brands of nutritional supplements, Joe chose Boost because the consistency was easiest for him to swallow.  Each person may need to experiment with several brands to choose which is best for their individual situation.

 

Joe’s physician wrote a prescription for Boost as part of his medical regime and insurance paid for the product, along with having it delivered to our home on a monthly basis.

 

Several hints to success adding a dietary nutritional supplement into your diet:

• Chill before serving.   (You can pour it over ice and serve but Joe always said it was best chilled from the refrigerator.)
• Experiment using Boost in recipes as a replacement for milk, such as in smoothies or over your morning cereal.
• Boost may be used in pancakes or soup preparation.

 

Check out the Boost website at www.boost.com for a $2.00 manufacturer’s coupon and for recipes.

 

Here are links to other supplements:

http://ensure.com/

http://pediasure.com/

http://glucerna.com/

http://www.carnationbreakfastessentials.com

http://www.slim-fast.com/

 

 

 

 

To my heroes…

Happy Memorial Day

to those who have served our country.

Thank you for your sacrifice!

And a special thank you to my father (photo on the left), William Frank Custer, and my father-in-law (deceased) (photo on the right), Wilmer John Button.

Learning To Be Myself

Wow! Did Judy Garland know me when she said, “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”  (For those of you too young to remember Judy Garland, she was Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz”.)

When I married and became the mother of three children, life became everyday chaos.  Laundry, cooking, and cleaning took most of my day.   When my youngest son was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, everything changed.   My husband and I were no longer satisfied to just sit in church and learn about the Lord.  We wanted to truly know Him and began our faith walk with Him.  We chose to become Sunday school teachers and worked our way into other areas of ministry, which we loved!

By the time our son (Joe) was eight years old, his illness had progressed and he was fully bedridden.    We were no longer able to attend church services and, therefore, resigned from our leadership positions in ministry.  I must emphasize that at no time did we resign as Christians.

Even though I have never been disappointed for choosing to be by my son’s side during his illness, I did go through a time of feeling like stomping my feet and screaming, “This isn’t fair.”   But, as we all know, life isn’t always fair.  One night while in prayer I said, “God, I can’t do this anymore.  I can’t watch my son in pain.” And God’s response to me was, “You have two choices.  I can take Joey home (to heaven) with me or he can stay with you.”  I was quick to answer that I would choose to keep my son with me.  From that day forward, I learned that I really did have the ability to live this life caring for my son.  Of course, the strength came from leaning on the Lord.

When I got over my little temper tantrum (which my son never saw), I started to examine my life and glimpse blessings in everyday places.  I was blessed to be at home with my son and not be required to hire a nurse to care for him.

Through this process, I also learned I had been living a life of deception.  I always thought I had to present a vision to the world of how I could be a wife and mother, as well as a caregiver to a critically ill child while never losing the smile on my face.  I would always tell everyone “No, I don’t need any help.  I’m just fine.”

I realized I was being a second-rate version of Wonder Woman and now I understand I want to be a first rate version of myself who can speak the truth.

“And, yes, sometimes I do need your help.  Thanks for asking.”

Memories of Mom’s Cooking

Dad and Mom

What food do you associate with your mom?    My mother passed away in 2002 and my father still comments that he misses her potato salad.   I use mayonnaise to moisten my potato salad but my mother mixed together a dressing of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, celery seed, salt and pepper to pour over the cooked potatoes.  Another difference in our recipes is she always cooked her potatoes in their skins the day before beginning to prepare the salad.  I peel and cube my potatoes before cooking them.   I’ve tried to imitate her recipe and my daughter has come close, but Dad insists it’s just not the same.

My mom’s baked beans have always received rave reviews from family and friends.  That is one recipe I follow exactly.  And by exactly, I mean there is no recipe.  Just a little of this and a dab of that.  Each time they taste a little different, but always delicious.

When you think of your mom, what favorite foods come to mind?   If you are fortunate to have your mom with you on Mother’s Day, give her a hug for me!

Happy Mother’s Day (a few days early)

ACS Survivor/Caregiver Dinner

A survivor is anyone who has ever heard the words “You have cancer.”

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

I was honored to volunteer at the Survivor/Caregiver Dinner and Celebration on Sunday, May 1, 2011.  Thank you to all the survivors and caregivers who attended.   This wonderful celebration gives the opportunity for us to stand together and strengthen each other during this difficult time.

Join a Relay Today!    Relay for Life events in Harford County:

Relay for Life of Fallston          May 14- May 15, 2011

Fallston High School

www.relayforlife.org/fallston

Relay for Life of South Harford          May 20- May 21, 2011

Patterson Mill High School

www.relayforlife.org/southharford

Relay for Life of Havre de Grace          June 10 – June 11, 2011

Havre de Grace High School

www.relayforlife.org/havredegrace

Be alert

Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42

According to Yahoo, the storms we’ve experienced on the East coast have killed over 200 in six states.

As I watched television this morning and waited for the possible tornado threat, I was reminded by God that we are to be alert and ready at all times.  We are to be prepared for the Lord’s return but we are also to be prepared to be used by God each and every day.  Now that the sun is beginning to peek through and the threat of the storm has passed, don’t forget to pray for the families who were devastated by this storm.

Easter Memories

Here I am with my parents and my brother and sister.  We were visiting my father’s mother, Granny, as we did most weekends.  But this Sunday was Easter (about 45 years ago)!   We were all dressed in our holiday clothing.  Remember the hats, gloves and purses?  I loved the traditions that were instilled in us.

Granny and my mother have since passed away, but our memories of them live on.

Fancy clothes, egg hunts, baskets filled with chocolates are all wonderful but let’s not forget the “reason for this season” — our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed day.

My Gift to You

As my gift to you, here is a recipe from my cookbook, “I Can Eat That!”

The following recipe is so special to me.  My five-year old grandson loves to help me prepare foods for mealtime and I wanted to find a recipe which would allow him to memorize the ingredient list plus the preparation instructions.  He is able to remember the four items in the order they are added to the mixing bowl – cottage cheese, orange jello powder, whipped topping, and mandarin oranges.  My grandson rushes to get the ingredients and places them on the table while I get the mixing bowl and rubber spatula.  Then he goes to work emptying each item into the bowl and mixing thoroughly.  The look of satisfaction on his face when he finishes is priceless.

Orange Jello Salad

3 cans mandarin oranges, drained

12 oz. small curd cottage cheese

8 oz. whipped topping

3 oz. pkg. orange jello (not prepared)

Thoroughly stir together jello powder and cottage cheese.  Add whipped topping and combine.  Finally stir in mandarin oranges.  Chill and serve.

The ingredients in this recipe may be increased or decreased and the salad stays pretty much the same.  One day by mistake, I bought cottage cheese with crushed pineapple in the container and the result was still delicious.    I also love to replace the oranges and orange jello with strawberries and strawberry jello.  Or use strawberries and sliced kiwi as the fruit with strawberry kiwi-jello.  The combinations are endless.

This salad must be tasty because the bowl is always scraped clean after the meal.    To me, that’s the true test!  If you make this salad to add to your Easter dinner, let me know how you like it.

Have a great day.

“I Can Eat That!” Cookbook

When my youngest son was beginning to develop chewing and swallowing difficulties, I searched my local library, book stores and online for ideas on foods to prepare for him.  Finally, I decided that I would prepare our family’s meal and put his portion in a blender to soften it.   When I saw how upset he was by the pulverized food on his plate, I determined to find a way to present his food in a more appetizing manner.  I began asking everyone if they had suggestions for foods which may be successful but found that, unless you are personally encountering this issue, most people don’t realize the hurdles of cooking for someone in this circumstance.   As my oldest son was recovering from a car crash, I needed to temporarily adjust his meals since he was unable to chew due to facial fractures.  I began creating a collection of recipes and as they proved successful, I added them to our menu.

“I Can Eat That!” offers a 250-recipe solution to the question, “What can I eat?”  My cookbook is packed with simple and delicious recipes.   Most of the recipes in this cookbook are simple, everyday comfort foods.  In the time of illness, simple-to-prepare nutritious and tasty meals outweigh gourmet recipes.   The book is written from my viewpoint, as mother, caregiver and home cook.   To order a copy of my cookbook, go to http://www.debbiebutton.com/purchase_cookbook

My greatest desire is to see others enjoy their mealtime.  That may be the high point in the day!    Tomorrow I will post a super simple recipe from my book.

Have a great day!