...not something you'd choose, but could stomach if you had to.
About Habanero Brownies
When mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last February, we knew our family was entering unfamiliar territory. As chemo began, the three of us (daughters) realized this was not going to be easy for mom and we wanted to somehow help. Although we lived in different parts of the country, we wanted to be one support system. That’s when everything started falling in place. Holiday gatherings always ended up in the kitchen, so tying in food (and the cute little aprons we all had) seemed like a good start. We decided to pick a theme for each evening before chemo, and celebrate that theme in each of our homes with each of our families. Then the next day while mom was having chemo, the three of us would post stories and reflections from that night. Mom would have something to look forward to on those days, rather than dreading every treatment. So where did habanero brownies fit in?
Cancer… chemo… is a terrible thing to experience. Habaneros are the culinary equivalent. They are displayed with warnings and disclaimers, and are incredibly painful to swallow. We wanted to do everything possible to counteract the “habaneros” in mom’s life. We asked ourselves what it would take to be able to eat habaneros. The answer was unanimous: BROWNIES. The inviting pleasure of brownies is undeniable, and chocolate calms the discomfort of spicy food. So like moist, decadent brownies, we formed this blog to sweeten mom’s journey and soothe her discomfort with the biggest dose of daughterly love we could serve up. # 
Three Wise Men and One Awesome Discovery
March 9th, 2010 by KathiB
Could the three men who visited Jesus at His birth have been wiser than we first knew? Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrhh have been discovered to be more valuable than originally thought. Most recognize the value of gold. But only recently has the medical community recognized that frankincense and myrhh have some pretty significant medicinal properties.
In the 1990’s, Egypt discovered that myrhh (also known as mirazid or commiphora) was successful in treating children for parasites. Further studies have continued to support this finding and myrhh is now a mainstream option.
Not too long ago, clinical studies confirmeded that an extract of frankincense (also known as boswellia serrata or salai or shallaki) is helpful in the treatment of osteoarthritis (especially in the knees). Now scientists are buzzing about the possibility that frankincense could help in the treatment of various forms of cancer. Rather than try to summarize medical articles and get something wrong, some significant articles are provided below so you can begin forming your own opinion.
Related Myrhh Articles:
Myrhh shown to be a parasitologic cure
John Hokins recognizes Myrhh in treatment of liver parasites
Related Frankincense Articles:
double-blind study showed boswellia serrata improved osteoarthritis
Vegan diet and frankincense extract studied as treatment for brain cancer
Frankincense a potential treatment option for bladder cancer
Scientists observe signs that frankincense may stop cancer from spreading
Sara’s Story
March 2nd, 2010 by SaraI was asked to write an article on my experience in overcoming cancer. I sat here thinking about how to write this, what to say and it hit me, I am not so sure what I have to say is entirely positive or motivational as I realized upon thinking I still harbor so many frustrations from my ordeals with illness. I came to realize that sometimes when the body heals, the mind doesn’t always follow suit.
My ordeal began much before I was actually aware about what was wrong with me. I had a mole on my right thigh since birth that seemed harmless, was looked at by multiple dermatologists, and although it was strange looking, it was deemed to be nothing serious. At the same time, I was also experiencing many injuries to the right knee that were both painful, and at times somewhat disabling; including a shattering of the kneecap in a freak injury a few years prior to this moles removal. I never made the connection that perhaps the two could be related in any way. I believed the dermatologists to be correct and instead of removing this mole in a cosmetic procedure, I had a tattoo wrapped decoratively around it as I wanted to do something to make this eyesore at least cute in an affordable way. Removal was MUCH too expensive as it was cosmetic and no insurance would cover that. In the early 2000’s my mole started to act strange, I noticed under my tattoo the border was changing and the mole started to bleed and become very painful. I went to a new dermatologist to get it checked out. The new dermatologist deemed this mole was indeed cancerous and suggested immediate removal as it was there entirely too long as is.
The surgery to remove my mole was pretty intense as this was a deep-rooted sucker and to get it all out I had to lose some of my quad muscle. I was devastated because I already seemed to have so many problems with that leg knee-wise and I feared that this would possibly worsen my leg, but yet I had no choice, as it was a dangerous mole, so it had to go. I had no idea what I was in for in the long run in terms of recovery, possible regrowth and whatever else came with this type if situation. I did however make a promise to myself that I would not only come out of this OK, but I would also do better than that, I would do all that I could to rebuild strength to my right leg and push to train to be a runner.
In time, I healed, was told that I would be OK, all of the mole and its roots were successfully removed, but I had a slight hitch to my gait due to the loss of muscle and the size of the cut. Here came the determination. I started slowly to stretch, muscle build and work on flexibility so that I could regain full range motion, painlessly on my right leg. After weeks and weeks of work, I started to go hiking up the mountains near where I had lived. It hurt but I pushed and pushed to be able to complete the 3 mile loop trail every other day after work. In time, I noticed that the pain was lessening, and my leg was looking pretty good compared to how funky it looked with that chunk of muscle missing. Almost like someone took a bite out of my upper leg.
It has been about 8 years since this happened, and since I have successfully achieved my goal of becoming a runner. I have been running marathons and 5k races, placing very high for my not only my age, but for a woman who was told I would maybe not be without a funky gait for the rest of my life. A miraculous twist of fate is that since this happened, my injuries to that knee seem to have subsided!
I know this sounds inspirational, and wonderful, but there is a dark side to this story. Since going through all I had, and being under a lot of stress due to the nature of recovery from a bout with cancer, I developed Lupus. This disease does run in my family, and the stress allowed it to come to the surface for me. Due to the medical records that now branded me with both a bout with cancer and a diagnosis of Lupus I lost my health insurance and have not been able to get insurance since. So although I did prevail with my health for the most part, I wound up in a position where I now cannot get medical care if my life depended on it at this point.
I am sure this is a scary reality for a lot of people who face various diseases, and it is something that I hope will soon be addressed. It is not comforting to know in the back of your mind that if anything recurs or flares up, there is no more help to be had.
Bold Women Wear Pink
February 25th, 2010 by KathiB
For Christmas, my husband decided to convert his father’s vinyl records to digital files that can be played on an ipod. My husband’s brother had given their father an ipod the previous Christmas, so it seemed like a good idea. I priced around for a converting table that wouldn’t break the bank and finally found one on Overstock.com. When it arrived, we had all kinds of problems. The software cd didn’t read, the unit didn’t project sound as it played, and we couldn’t figure out how to use it… that is, until my youngest son assisted us. Read the full post »
Gratitude
February 25th, 2010 by DebiBI can’t believe it has been one full year from Mom’s original diagnosis of breast cancer. A year ago it felt like our world was crashing in, now I feel like dancing! As I reflect back over the wide assortment of emotions that flooded over me this past year, I recall emotions of disbelief, fear, concern, anxiety, irritation, helplessness, sadness, hopefulness, faithfulness, and gratitude. As I recount this rollercoaster of feelings, I find that it is gratitude that is most prevalent for many reasons. Read the full post »
Pray for Those Traveling to Haiti
February 23rd, 2010 by KathiB
So many Americans are dropping their regular commitments and rushing to Haiti to help those people in need. This week, our church pulled together a group of men who will be helping to build beds for displaced orphans. More people have volunteered to go on future trips when the orphanage is to be built. These people have heard God speak and they have listened. Read the full post »
Are You Missing Something - Proper Breast Exam
February 22nd, 2010 by KathiBBreast cancer is a serious issue, so while this video may offend some people by the display of a bare-chested woman, it’s important to hear the message. Breast exams are important and they should be done properly. Read the full post »
Not Goodbye, but See Ya Later
January 6th, 2010 by KathiBEvery time our families get together, SOMEONE leaves something behind… it’s usually my little sis. If it’s not a swim suit, it’s a handful of crayons or winter clothes. It isn’t always her, though. After Christmas, my boys left several shirts, my husband left the camera bag (although I still think someone hid it!), and I almost left my shoes again. Leaving stuff behind is our way of saying “see ya later” rather than “goodbye.” Every item left behind is another chance for us to get together again. “I can mail it to you,” my sister will offer. The reply goes something like, “No. That isn’t necessary. I’ll get it the next time I come.” After all, what fun would mailing it be?! Read the full post »
Experimental drug kills breast cancer stem cells
December 15th, 2009 by KathiBBy Julie Steenhuysen
CHICAGO (Reuters) - An experimental drug was effective at killing breast cancer stem cells — a kind of master cancer cell that resists chemotherapy, U.S. researchers said on Friday.
Studies in animals and women with advanced breast cancer showed the experimental compound MK-0752, under development by Merck & Co Inc , was able to kill off cancer stem cells that linger in the breast after chemotherapy… (click here to read full article)
