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No Noodle Chow Mein

Another trip to site for work recently meant another set of dinner instructions for Woody.  The response to the email:

‘I’m a guinea pig again aren’t I?’

‘Maybe’ was my reply.

He knows me well.

With a fridge full of veggies including a Wombok that was begging to be used noodle-less Chow Mein was the order of the day because it is easy and I had a hankering for something flavoured with Chinese 5 Spice.  It was a hit with the kids.  Mr S gobbled it up and gave it lots of thumbs up.  He didn’t even look sideways at the green vegetables and tucked right in.

I always include plenty of veggies in our meals.  I don’t go out of my way to ‘hide’ them nor do I make a big deal out of them.  Over the years there is often a lack of consistency to which veggies the kids will and won’t eat but that is true for food in general.  However if it is cooked well and the flavours are appealing then I definitely have more hits than misses in terms of what gets eaten.

I had planned this for what I thought was pork mince but it turned out to be turkey mince.  Chicken mince or even beef will work well here too.  Feel free to vary your vegetables depending on what you have on hand.  The big pile of shredded cabbage fills the dish out without having to muck around with cooking noodles separately and the cabbage does a great job of soaking up the flavour.

Chow Mein – Serves 4-6

There is 500g pork mince in the fridge, top shelf in the bowl (turns out it was actually turkey, even better).

Half fill the little sink with cold water.

Cut the wombok in half and put it in the water with

1 red capsicum &

2 big carrots or 4 of the small ones

The bag of snow peas (about 150g)

Other stuff you need:

Get a tin of water chestnuts from the IGA if you aren’t too late picking up the kids.

About half of the fresh ginger that is in the fridge + 2 of the chillies

Coconut Oil, there is a new jar in the pantry

Chinese 5 Spice Powder

Light Soy Sauce

Sesame Oil

What to do next

Peel the carrots and put them through the spirooli

Top & tail the snow peas and cut them cross ways in to 1cm-ish pieces.  You do not need a ruler for this step.

Dice the capsicum.

Drain the water chestnuts (if using)

Remove the base from the cabbage and chop it crossways

Peel and grate the ginger and finely slice the chillies (I don’t know how hot they are so exercise caution)

Aim for dinner at 7 so you will need to start cooking at about 6.50

Heat 1 Tbs Coconut Oil in the wok.

Throw in the ginger and chilli and cook them quickly until fragrant then add the pork with 2 tsp Chinese 5 spice (don’t go overboard here).

When the pork is starting to brown throw in the carrot and diced capsicum.

Cook for another minute or two and add the snow peas and water chestnuts when the pork is nearly done.

Finish by adding the cabbage with ½ cup water and 3Tbs Soy to taste + 2 tsp sesame oil.

Serve it in the big bowls with chopsticks with some kecap manis drizzled over.

Tatum xx

The Mammogram Myth

As a follow up to 20 questions with my sister Sam about everything breast exam I wanted to take things a bit further and ask her some questions about the dreaded mammogram.  If you the post about breast self exam you can find it here.

From what I hear the mammogram brings fear to women like the prostate check used to for men, so let's unveil some of the mystery that surrounds mammograms.  Here's what Sam had to say :)

First timers usually come into the mammogram room looking absolutely terrified, and, of course you would.  There are so many horror stories circulating out there that it just scares people off. The truth is it's not that bad, I know, I've been in the machine.

For starters, does it really feel like having your boobs slammed in a fridge door?

Has anyone actually ever slammed their boobs in a fridge door??? I'm thinking no, because it would hurt. A lot. People, however, have actually had mammograms, and guess what? They survived.

I'm not going to lie, a mammogram is uncomfortable, it is an unnatural position for your breast to be in, it should not, however, be painful.  If it is, tell your tech, they should stop applying pressure.  If you are prone to tenderness just prior to or during your period, I would suggest going at a different time of the month because that is going to increase your level of discomfort.

So on a scale of 1-10, where 5 is a pap smear…how does it rate in terms of discomfort?

I'd say 5, lets face it neither of them are a walk in the park, but at the end of the day they are just things that have to be done.

What actually happens when you have a mammogram?

A Mammo consists of four pictures, two on each breast.  The first position is a straight up and down squash, the second is a more side ways squash.  The idea is to compress the breast tissue so that

a) you can keep it nice and still for it's photo and

b) spread out the breast tissue to make sure nothing is hiding in amongst it.

When should women start having mammograms, and how often?  Are there some people who should start having them earlier than others?

Breastscreen send all ladies a letter when they turn 50 inviting them for their first mammogram (woohoo! A free boob squash for your birthday!), they will continue to invite you every second year until you are 70 after that you have to book yourself in.

At 40 you can ring up breast screen yourself and start booking yourself in for mammograms they are still free they just won't invite you, you have to remember for yourself, and that is what I would be doing.  If you have a family history 35 is a reasonable age for your first mammo.

What are you actually looking at when you perform a mammogram?  How early would a mammogram typically ‘see’ a lump before you would feel it?

The radiologist is basically looking for a disruption in the breast tissue that shouldn't be there.  They can be seen much sooner than they can be felt MOST of the time. There are exceptions, and it really does depend on the type of breast cancer. Unfortunately, Breast Cancer can be missed on a mammogram.

The stats on breast cancer are fairly high in term of how many women it affects, what are the main risk factors or are we all equally prone?

Genetic predisposition is certainly a large risk factor, however in terms of other risk factors there is much research still going on in this area, much like any other cancer.

If a lump is found, what happens next?

Next we work out what the lump is. Usually this will mean extra mammogram views (though extra views don't necessarily mean that we have discovered something nasty with in your breast! Don't freak out if the tech comes back for more pictures, it could well mean we took a crappy picture, or that we just need to prove that something isn't there.) Next on to ultrasound, if the lump is visable with ultra sound and we are still not able to determine exactly what it is then you will have a biopsy.

More great information from Sam.  I hope that you have found these posts as informative as I have. 

Given that breasts are Sam's area of speciality as a radiographer feel free to ask her any other questions you might have about breast self exam, mammograms or breast ultrasound here or send me an email and I can pass it on to her!

Tatum xx

Lumps, Bumps & Feeling Yourself Up

Once upon a time I actually had a bit of a rack.  Then I started running again, combine that with weight training and a clean up of what I was eating and these days I am flat chested at best.

A combined six years of breastfeeding + four pregnancies definitely took their toll on my puppies too.  However, it doesn't make it any less important that I undertake regular breast self exam.  In reality all the changes to my body have sent my hormones a little haywire so it is possibly more important than ever before that I am diligent.

The last week has been a reminder to me about how important it is that we ladies take ourselves off to our doctor when we are concerned about something.  I thought it would be a good time to share a couple of posts I put together a few years ago together with my sister Sam.

To be honest I was kind of clueless in the area of breast self exam.  I always get my GP to check them out when I have my bi-annual pap smear and feel them regularly myself however I'm not completely sure I'm doing it the right way.

I had a few questions I felt too embarrased to ask anyone until it occured to me that my sister Sam is actually an expert in the area so I asked her if she would be kind enough to answer a few questions for me here :)

Sam is mum to two gorgeous girls and her husband Luke is lucky enough to be my brother in law ;)  Sam is a radiographer with postgraduate qualification in breast ultrasound.  When she's not mumming, wifeing, running or radiographing she's probably sewing something lovely for her business Verri Charmed.

A funny thing about Radiography, is that you often get asked mid procedure “Is this what you do all day?”  I used to feel a little annoyed whenever I was asked as it felt a bit demeaning, like my job was not at all interesting or difficult, after 10 years in this profession I no longer feel that way.  In fact, now that I am primarily a Breast sonographer/ mammographer, I really do understand why I am asked this question with such incredulousness.  But, now I answer with pride, “Yes, yes, I do indeed look at boobs all day long.....”.

How often should we self examine?

Doing a self breast examination once a month is a good start, though while some suggest picking a certain date, like the first of the month, it's actually best to avoid mid menstral cycle.  In other words, do it after your period.  The reason is that your breasts tend to be at their most lumpy and tender just prior to and during your period, which is all completely normal, but it makes it much harder to self examine.

When should we start?

NOW. Trust me when I say that onset of breast cancer in one's 20's was not limited to the beautiful Belinda Emmett.

How do you go about it?

The shower is a good place, considering you are usually already nude (right?). Put your right arm up above your head make your left hand flat and firmly, using circular motions examine the right breast one area at a time (it maybe best to think of it as a clock face, 12 o'clock being the area directly above your nipple) making sure you cover the breast in it's entirity. 

Don't leave out your arm pit, check for lumps up there too. Then switch to the other side.

Boobs are pretty lumpy things anyway, how do you tell the difference between the lumps that are supposed to be there and the ones that aren’t?

I often hear from patients “Oh I don't self examine, I leave it up to the GP, my boobs are so lumpy I can't tell what is what”.  Yep, boobs are lumpy suckers, that is how they are made.  There are two kinds of tissue in the breast glandular tissue, the active stuff that does all the work, it's the tough fibrous stuff, and then we have a nice smooth fatty layer coating over the top.

In some parts of the breast we have more of the glandular stuff than other parts with less fat on top and that's why they feel lumpy.  That's why it's so important to check regularly, it gives you (the owner of the boobs) time to work out which lumps are always there, then if something new crops up, you will recognise it.  GP's are awesome but it's really hard for them to know if something is new for you if they haven't examined you for a year.

What do lumps typically feel like?

This is a hard one, lumps can feel all sorts of different ways.  As you'd expect, in my job I am directed to feel many different lumps, and more often than not I can tell what something is going to be before I start imaging.  BUT, there are times when I'm surprised, and that's what makes it hard.

A benign (non-cancerous lump) is more like to feel smooth and round and be a little mobile with in your breast.  A nasty lump will general feel harder, grittier and will not be mobile.  However, ANY new lump should ALWAYS be checked. It's not silly, it's smart and thorough.

Do lumps have any pain associated with them or are there any external changes to look for?

The most common benign lumps are cysts and they often do have some tenderness associated with them, cancer, however doesn't usually present with any tenderness. At times when cancer is present there can be a slight tethered or dimpled appearance to the skin associated with the region.  Or, if there is nipple involvement the nipple may become inverted (though that can just be a normal occurance too!).

How much does family history play a part?

If you have a family history you should be extra vigilant with your checking. You can even start your mammograms at 35 if you have a young family history.  Unfortuanately I see so many people who have or have had breast cancer that have no family history what so ever, someone always has to be the first.

Should we be checking anywhere else at the same time?

Don't forget those arm pits!!! You are looking for smooth round lumps there..

Anything else that you would like to tell us or any resources you might like to share?

Men are not exempt from breast cancer, they should check too, especially if they have a family history.

Boobs are tricky things and breast cancer can present in so many different ways that checking is just not an exact science, but if you are vigilant, you will have the best chance of catching it early.

Thankyou so much Sam for sharing with me.

I hope that you have all gotten as much from this as I have!  As a follow up I have asked Sam to unveil some of the mystery surrounding the mammogram.

Tatum xx

Creating Kindness

I have been turning this subject around in my head for some time, brewing my words.  After reading this post from Fat Mum Slim last night I knew that the time had come to get my words out.

If there is one quality that I try to instil in my children it is kindness.  With kindness comes compassion towards others and strength from being kind to one’s self.

A few months ago another parent approached me to talk about the friendship between our daughters.  I felt cornered; I believe that what happens in the schoolyard, in the majority of situations, should not be sorted out between parents.  I have seen friendships come to a sticky end that way.

I had learned, a few days earlier, that my own daughter was desperately unhappy with the way her friends had been treating her at school.  She described some of the things that had been happening and my heart broke for her.

So, when the other parent approached me I had a feeling about what she might have to say.  I know my daughter well and I know how she can react when she is upset, when she is frustrated and feeling hurt.  She is one of those ‘wise beyond her years’ types, very creative and quite introspective but is also an interesting mix of self-confidence and insecurity.  She doesn’t cope well in situations she doesn’t understand.

In the circumstances the best I could offer the other parent was that when my daughter gets really upset she needs reassurance and that giving her a hug is the quickest and best way to calm her down.  I proposed that the girls just needed to be kind to one another.  I walked away from the conversation when the suggestion was made that I should perhaps check if my daughter needed medication for her temper.  Ironic considering that what became vividly clear was that it was my daughter being bullied, she was not the source of the bullying.

The more I have thought about the conversation in the months since, the more it has bothered me that my suggestion of the girls just needing to be kind to one another wasn’t enough.  When did counselling, rulemaking and a pecking order become more important than the simple act of kindness?  I am saddened and perplexed by it.  I want more than that for my children.

If you follow my facebook page you probably saw the snippet I shared from The Body Image Movement on Sunday. 

It read: You cannot hang out with negative people and expect to live a positive life.

These words are so true and a philosophy I have lived my life by for many years.  Being positive and being kind are closely related in my book.  More so, I find that negative people tend to be unkind, both to others and themselves.  The negativity and unkindness towards others can be so draining and I no longer tolerate it in my life for long before a take a step back from its source. 

I am so grateful to have lots of amazing, kind people in my life.  Over the years I have chosen to surround myself with them and am drawn to people who exude a largely positive outlook on life.

I love how kind people are genuinely interested in, enjoy celebrating and helping others.  I love that they are good at understanding that everyone is different and are happy to accept people for all that they are.  I love that they are happy to just listen without judgement or need to be heard.  I love that they rejoice in themselves and focus on their own achievements rather than comparing themselves to others.  I love all the energy and life that kind, positive people bring in to my life.

In the course of the last few months these are things I have sought to teach all my children.  Not just to be kind to others but to seek out the people who are kind to them and their sensibilities.  To find the people who make them feel good to be around and treat them with respect.  Because, like a ripple effect, kindness creates kindness.

Tatum xx

Vegetable Lasagne

 When I have things on my mind I tend to retreat in to myself by doing one of two things.  I run or I cook.  I had a couple of close friends on my mind all weekend and went a little bit bananas in the kitchen.  Needless to say my freezer is now well stocked with meals ready to pull out on nights when things haven’t gone quite according to plan.

This lasagne started out being planned as the usual combination of Bolognese and cheese sauce but I decided I didn’t want the heaviness that often comes with cheese sauce so I planned to use ricotta instead.  But, I had a spinach pie planned too so I thought I might just make extra of that mix and include it in the lasagne.  Then, I thought why bother with meat at all and just threw in some red lentils instead.

I was rewarded with a ‘Mum, this is the best dinner ever.  Thank you, I love you’ from the little man.  Woody raised an eyebrow or two at the fact it was a meatless affair but agreed that it was delicious.  Miss J, being her ever contrary self, declared she wasn’t going to eat it and demolished a slice of the spinach pie instead.  It didn’t seem right to fight that battle.

The list of ingredients is long here but there is nothing complicated and it is mostly vegetables, the vegetable mix is completely versatile try switching the carrot for pumpkin and zucchini for broccoli for example.  You need a nice big bunch of spinach, it is in season so it can be found for about $3

Veggie Lasagne – Serves 8

 

Ingredients

3 cloves garlic
1 Tbs olive oil
4 carrots
2 onions
2 large zucchini
2 red capsicum
800g tinned chopped tomatoes (or equivalent)
150g washed red lentils
1 Tbs Italian herbs
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 Tbs Soy Sauce
1 tsp chilli flakes
1 bunch English spinach washed and chopped (use most of the stalk, just trim the daggy ends)
500g ricotta
100g feta (I use got but anything goes)
150g grated mozzarella
2 eggs
2 Tbs fresh basil pesto
1 packet fresh lasagne sheets
2 Tbs pine nuts (optional)

Method

Wash/Peel/Dice the onions, zucchini, carrots and capsicum into roughly equal pieces.

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or saucepan and add the veggies and garlic, cook until everything starts to soften.

Throw in the tomatoes + 1 tin of water, herbs, chilli, vinegar, soy sauce and lentils and leave to bubble until the lentils are squishy.

Put the chopped spinach into a large saucepan and put on low heat with the lid on.  You want to steam the spinach so it is starting to wilt but not so that it is disintegrating, the green should still be fairly bright not sludgy.

Tip the spinach into a colander to drain off some of the water.  Leave it to cool while the sauce finishes cooking.

Mix half the ricotta and all the feta and mozzarella with the spinach, pesto and eggs in a large bowl.

In a big lasagne dish layer about 1/3 sauce followed by lasagne sheets then 1/2 spinach and cheese followed by lasagne sheets and so on finishing with a final layer of the tomato and vegetable on top.

Spread the remaining ricotta over the top and sprinkle with the pine nuts.

Bake in the oven at 180C for about 45 minutes.

I cannot tell you how good it was.  I am looking forward to enjoying a piece for my lunch tomorrow.

What do you do for therapy when you need a bit of time alone in your head?

Tatum xx