A Culinary Connection- A Chef's Advice on Kids Eating Healthy

In keeping with the theme of eating healthy, eating together, let's look at an interview with the chef for our annual family Wellness Retreat, Linda Ott.
Linda cooks nutritious meals for us and naturally, she enjoys cooking as a hobby when not helping others make good dietary choices. Let's look at what she had to say in our December 2011 interview with Linda on how to involve your children and family into cooking.

 Here is an excerpt:

Q) How can parents get their children to integrate healthy food into their diets?

A) Healthy eating should start at birth. The more you expose them to healthy foods, the more likely they will choose to eat healthy. Remember, kids are watching what you eat as well--set the right example. There is a lot of comfort food, it’s truly a mindset of choosing and I think that if you talk to anyone in the healthcare industry there are things a person can do. I think that people aren’t going to change the way they eat, until they are ready to change their eating habits.

Q) What has worked for you to get your children to eat healthy?

A) I raised them the same. My first child was raised on a vegetarian diet until about three when she came to Wisconsin. My 15-year-old has always been an easy-to-please kind of eater. She will try anything and enjoys healthy food--not to say that she doesn't enjoy junk food but if I stock my kitchen with good food, she will choose to eat good food.
My 6-year-old, on the other hand, is my picky eater. As with most kids, her tastes are constantly changing--one week she loves carrots and the next week she won't touch them! We grow a lot of our own veggies in the summer and that seems to help to get her to try the veggies after she has worked so hard to grow them. She also loves to cook with me and here again, if she is involved, she will try it. She has her days, some days I make Mac’ n Cheese but she also eats broccoli. I sometimes have to pick my battles. During the summer she is more likely to eat vegetables because she could see how they grow. I also find that she is more willing to try new things if they are simple--not a lot of sauces or seasoning and she prefers to eat one food at a time so no casseroles for her. I find that when I cook with my daughter she is more willing to try it later.

Q) In closing, what are some tips or even advice to give to people who are trying to eat and cook healthier?

A) The web has made searching for recipes so much easier than scouting through countless cookbooks. From what I have read I have learned that fresh is best, but frozen is the best second choice. When I do my own freezing I do them in servings of four and when it’s for a family or yourself then fresh is the best idea to go.
Take baby steps; don't try to overhaul your diet overnight. Start by adding a new fruit or vegetable each week or every other day. Try practicing Meatless Monday. Whip up a new flavored smoothie each week.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Whole Food Plant-Based diet challenge results

The seven day whole foods plant-based challenge is over; let’s see how the interns did. Here at LTF, we like to have people to come out of their comfort zones and try something new! They all wrote about their experiences and how they were able to do it. Some of them found the whole foods plant-based challenge easy, while others found it difficult. In the end however, they all felt renewed and more aware of the importance of a healthy diet.

Boyd

As apart of The Littlest Tumor Foundation’s healthy New Year campaign, the interns and I had to go vegan for a week. As a frequent meat eater, I never thought I would be able to go vegan for the seven days. When my week started, the biggest problem I faced was finding food that I would actually enjoy while meeting the vegan standards. After roaming Wal-Mart for a good hour, I finally had a basket full of food and was ready to start my adventure.

The main food that I ate, and did not even realize was vegan, was whole grain spaghetti. Since I frequently work out, spaghetti and other vegetable dishes gave me the carbohydrates and protein I needed to sustain my energy levels. Another difficulty I faced was finding a dish that was vegan when I went out to eat. Two days in, I got extremely hungry and I was not at home to eat the meals I had made. Not knowing what to eat I caved, and ate a meal containing meat. I felt bad afterwards and told myself that I was going to commit to this challenge no matter what. All in all, the seven whole foods plant-based challenge was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I learned how to cook a few healthy and delicious dishes that I will never forget, and at the end of the week I was feeling pretty good.

Kimberly

Journal diary of Vegan Efforts by Kimberly Klessig

Sunday, January 22^nd

I am a Master’s intern for the Littlest Tumor Foundation, and was given a challenge: 7 day plant-based, whole food challenge! I have always been a healthy eater in the past, but was excited to be given this challenge. On the other hand, I was a little uncertain about this specific kind diet. So I began by doing research and was AMAZED to find out what I/we as a society consume on a regular basis. All of the processed food and added ingredients makes our food mixed with all un-natural ingredients. Since today was my first day to start the challenge, I decided first to go do some grocery shopping. I did some research online of recipes and when I went to the store bought a lot of veggies and fruits! My food intake today consisted of a lot of veggies, a veggie burger and a sweet potato.

Saturday, January 28^th

I meet up with some friends for supper tonight. I ended up having a veggie burger. Once again I needed to ask the server for special cooking instructions. One of my friends is a vegetarian (she has ever since her senior year in college). She and I discussed her reasons as to why and she expressed her feelings as to “It just makes me feel better, I feel happy and healthy”. Her positivity was inspiring!

Sunday, January 29th

Today was the last day of the challenge. I have learned a lot in this journey to a new diet! I over all was pleasantly surprised to find I had more energy, felt like I was able to find many options to cook and felt full and not overly stuffed like I sometimes would in eating dairy and meat food options. This challenge opened my eyes to a new way of eating and encourages my efforts to continue this healthy way of eating!

Emily

The Beginning of My Vegantales

This past fall I was offered an internship at the Littlest Tumor Foundation (LTF) based out of Appleton, WI. I had never heard of LTF but I was excited nonetheless. Little did I know my boss, Tracy, is a woman on a mission. She has me performing the regular intern tasks such as thank you cards, cleaning up, and printing labels as well as giving me the opportunity to expand my portfolio and resume. What Tracy has also given me, whether intentional or not, is a whole new perspective of the food I eat everyday. Tracy’s son Sami was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF) a couple years ago. NF is a disease that allows nerve cells in a person’s body to turn into tumors because their tumor suppressor no longer functions correctly. Studies have shown that the growth of these tumors can be halted and even prevented by eating a plant-based diet, also known as vegan.

To educate myself on this disease and vegan lifestyle I was given a few videos to watch: Crazy Sexy Cancer, Forks Over Knives and True Life: I have NF. All of these movies were powerful in their own way but Crazy Sexy Cancer affected me the most. I cried, laughed, cried again, and then felt happy all in a two hour time frame; what I failed to realize at first is that I was also educated. What was I eating every day? Would I really feel better eating a vegan diet? How would those around me react?

One day I decided to answer these burning questions. Monday, December 5, 2011 was the day I started my vegan trial run. I no longer would eat meat, eggs, or dairy products. Basically, anything that comes from an animal is off limits. I would eat veggies, fruit, smoothies packed full of protein and nuts as my diet. I also would take a multivitamin and an iron supplement. The iron supplement is because I am anemic but the multivitamin is to make up for my lack of Vitamin B12. I knew from the beginning that it would be a learning process. I knew that I would mess up, learn about myself and those around me, and test my mental endurance. Here is my story on the transition from a cheese-loving, meat-eating college student to a vegan.

Contrary to what you may think, I am not trying the Vegan lifestyle because of animals. I am not an animal activist; I am doing this for one reason- my health. I will not be a Vegan in every sense of the word- only in my eating habits. Prior to this change, I considered myself a healthy eater. I always got wheat bread, low fat foods, I ate fruits when I could and I gave myself a few “cheat” meals throughout the week. I also exercised like nobody’s business- I run in half marathons and train for them quite vigorously. No matter how “healthy” I was eating, I was still always tired. I would fall asleep studying or feel really awful at random times. I thought it was the life of a normal college student, and maybe it is, but I didn’t like it. I wanted to feel healthier, I wanted to have more energy, and I wanted to control what I was eating. That is why I decided to eat a plant-based diet.

I may not keep this Vegan lifestyle forever or even an extended period of time but I am going to give it a try. The hardest thing for me has been reactions from my family and friends. After telling Tracy, my boss at Littlest Tumor Foundation, that I was trying the Vegan lifestyle she warned me that I would receive some wrath from those around me- she was right. When I first told my boyfriend, Brandon, he didn’t like it one bit. He was worried- worried I wouldn’t eat right, worried I would be unhappy, and worried I would impose it on him. He got plain upset that I was choosing to try Vegan. After a few minutes of banter, we finally came to the conclusion that he wasn’t mad I was going Vegan, he just didn’t understand it. Since I was new (and still am new) I didn’t have all the answers to his questions. What can you eat? What about protein? How can you not eat meat or dairy? Are you getting all the vitamins you need? What about eating out? What about the organic food- that’s expensive right? And the underlying thought- If you expect me to do this, you’re crazy!

My grandmother was also hesitant to the idea when I told her. “That costs way more money,” she said. I knew this would be an issue with a lot of people so I thought long and hard about it. If I have money to spend on jewelry, clothes, hair products, and shoes, I should have the money to invest in my health. What better to sacrifice for than your own physical well-being? I told her yes, Vegan is a more expensive lifestyle but if I am going to invest in something, shouldn’t it be my health?

I know I will be faced with questions and concerns as this comes out to more of my family and friends. I really haven’t told many people, primarily because I don’t want their negativity. Brandon, shortly after our talk, supported my change. He encourages me to keep with it and asks me questions as he is genuinely interested. Not knowing what is in food is something people have become accustomed to- so the fact that I look at labels, ask what is in foods, or opt not to eat something because I don’t know its contents is something totally new to Brandon. I hope that the rest of my family and friends accept this change as well as he has. I guess that is partially why I am writing this blog: to help my family and friends understand, to educate others, and give myself some time for self-reflection.

Cut Preservatives and Preserve Life

The Price of Health in Our Society:

Shopping vegan has completely changed my perspective on the health of society. Every time I go to the store I find myself leaving upset. Why? Well, the selection of vegan foods is very small compared to the non-vegan foods. It is so upsetting to look at cereal and pay up to three times as much for a healthy option. Everything in the organic section is extremely expensive when compared to the regular foods. Also the convenience factor is just not there for vegans. It is possible for me to spend less money on a meal buying vegan but this usually means I have to spend way more time preparing these meals. When I was learning to cook for this new lifestyle, I basically lived in the kitchen as these recipes take time. Of course, they got faster as I learned but they were still much slower than a regular meal. There are very few grab-and-go options for vegans which is a definite struggle in this face-paced world.

This link (click here) shows how much cheaper unhealthy food is compared to healthier options. This is not a vegan comparison but this is the point I am trying to make about how society molds us into buying unhealthy foods.

As you can see, the amount we must spend to buy healthy foods vastly surpasses the amount we spend on unhealthy foods. How can any person, especially in this economy- and with a family- justify spending 2-3 times the amount they could spend. Society is so short-sighted that health is put on the back burner and the amount of money saved is most important. Also, many people can't afford to buy organic foods which forces them to pack their bodies with preservatives. The majority of people feel entitled to cheap foods and products which means that they feel anything “overpriced” is, simply, not worth it. Food venders take advantage of this entitlement and continue to push the limits. They add more and more unhealthy chemicals in order to make products cheaper and, along the way, unhealthier. Someone needs to put their foot down and demand higher standards. I’d say we deserve it.
These “overpriced” foods are what fuel our bodies and give us energy. The amount of preservatives and other chemicals in the cheaper foods is sickening, literally. Think about it, look at our society- the world as a whole is bigger than ever. We are doing less and eating more. We are slow, we are tired and we are, in all honesty, killing ourselves. Disease rates are extremely high, which we try to fix with medications. If we could just go back to the roots of the problem- unhealthy eating- I bet we could fix a lot, not all, but a lot of health problems in people.

Bottom line:
Now I am not here to persuade anyone to take on the Vegan lifestyle. It is a commitment that has to come from your heart- I’m still not 100% there. I just want to make you think about what you are putting in your body. Yes, chips taste great- my personal favorites are Nacho Cheese Doritos- but what do they do for your body? They fill your body with empty calories and little nutrition. Am I saying never eat chips? Absolutely not! I am saying that people need to opt for an apple more times than they do for chips. And the same thinking goes for any other food. I have recently started to read a book called "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan. His introduction says it all: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Simple, sweet and to the point. He also said that a little meat and dairy products won't kill anyone, but it should be seen as a side dish instead of a main course. It seems so simple, but yet we all struggle so much.

Mardy

Whole Foods Plant-based diet challenge day #1

So today begins the whole foods plant-based diet challenge with the Littlest Tumor Foundation, for which I am an intern. I looked at my fridge and not much was vegan or could be made vegan. Therefore I had to go and buy $55 worth of whole foods plant-based diet. Okay, so it sounds easy, right? Well, seeing that we are based out of Wisconsin, it's not. Dairy is in many things even my much beloved tortilla chips, so this next week is going to be interesting. I don't stand in any opposition to this, other than the fact that I generally don't have time to do my own cooking. I have two internships and a job that I am at, so the time I have to make all these dishes is greatly diminished. I know this week will go well though, because I do actually like to cook. Today I'm eating pasta with mushrooms, green onions, olives, red pepper relish and pico de gallo (of course!).

The only thing that I wasn't happy about was the fact that I had to give up cookies- many of which have either egg or dairy-based products in them.

Whole Foods Plant-based diet challenge Day#5

It's been five days since I've eaten meat last, but last night I had a BIG issue- going out to eat. So the story goes like this, I offered to take two of my friends, Dane and Jordan, to Wal-Mart for their weekly grocery shopping. In the end, we all tried to figure out what we were going to do later. Then someone mentioned that we should eat out after, my other friend and I agreed. Then it came to cross my mind...what about this challenge? I wondered if I would give into temptation and eat something with meat in it, being that I was used to eating meat at a burger joint. Oddly enough, one of my other friends, Jordan, actually had been a vegan and vegetarian in the past but now he had returned to eating meat. Then I asked my other friend, Dane, who works there, if there had been something like a veggie burger at all and he responded there was.
I was delighted. I had did find the veggie burger on the menu and I mentally rejoiced. I didn't know if the dijon mustard was vegan or not; I was too chicken to ask, Then the three of us went on about how Jordan had connections in all parts of Oshkosh. He was also discussed how he had many jobs ranging from paranormal investigator and to being a worker with the forest department. After about 15 minutes later, we got our food. My veggie burger was really good along with the endless steak fries. The steak fries weren't probably a good idea, but they were tasty none-the-less; I drank water instead of soda to make up for the steak fry indulgence. I am glad they had the veggie burger on the menu, that's something McDonald's needs to do. YUM!

As you have seen, the interns had both easy and difficult times trying the whole foods plant-based diet. Yet in the end, they all left with a more developed conscience on both diet and eating. While the blog posts progressed, one can see how the interns began to understand the importance of making healthy choices and the after effects of them. In the end, the interns walked away with a feeling of accomplishment during the whole foods plant-based diet challenge.

Neurofibromatosis intern

Hello all,
My name is Mardy Wiesman, a recent spring 2011 graduate from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. I had gone to college for a journalism degree with an emphasis in advertising and religious studies minor. I enjoy writing and my dream job someday will to be a copywriter. I have recently started at the Littlest Tumor Foundation (LTF) in late November 2011. Here, I am going to be in charge of the blog and contacting fellow bloggers on the net to join the LTF blog.
Prior to my internship here, I had no idea what neurofibromatosis (NF) was at the time. I sometimes would watch The Learning Channel (TLC) from time to time and there were a handful of specials on the disorder from time to time, although I forgot the disorder’s name over the course of time. After reading the book “Understanding Neurofibromatosis: 2nd Edition An Introduction for Patients and Parents” by James Tonsgard, Ph.D., for LTF, I was able to connect the disorder with the documentary specials I had watched years before. One of the points of both the book and the documentaries was the mentioning of café-au-lait or coffee mixed with milk-colored spots that were present on those who were afflicted with NF.
Then it came back to me. I remembered how some people would have these spots on their body and that would be all they would be afflicted with. Then I remembered how other people would get a more severe case of NF and have neurofibroma or tumors all over their bodies. Yet at the same time, NF is a common, yet relatively unheard of disorder. Here at LTF we are spreading the word on NF by means of social media such as blogging and Facebook, but also through events and campaigns. Together we can find a cure for children with NF before they reach adulthood. Join LTF today and soon we will find a treatment because, “Tumors in children, we do not like them!”

Neurofibromatosis and Green Juice

Posted on November 29, 2011 at 11:40pm

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I was moved this week when I read an article written by my friend's sister. I wanted to use my blog this week to share it with you for two main reasons.

First, I wanted to give some publicity to the rare condition of Neurofibromatosis as it is something that many of us know nothing about. Briefly, it affects 1 in 3,000 children and causes tumors to grow anywhere in the body including the brain and spine and can cause a series of other significant health issues. They range from serious skeletal abnormalities, to endocrine issues, to difficult-to-treat cancers. Much is not understood.

Tracy Wirtanen, the author of the article I read, and my friend's sister, is the mother of an 8-year-old boy, Sami, who is diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis. You can read her blog here, where she wrote as a guest on Kriss Carr's website crazysexylife.com and you can find out more information about Neurofibromatosis at the website of the foundation she created at www.littlesttumorfoundation.com

Secondly, in her article, Tracy talks about the changes she and her family have chosen to make with regard to their nutrition, both for Sami and the other members of her family. She talks about the fact that Sami drinks green juice every day, and loves it, he even asks for it! I bring this up, because it highlights something that can get forgotten when we talk about juicing. This stuff is really good for you, at a cellular level. There is a real theraputic benefit in drinking vegetable and fruit juice. Our bodies can use the nutrients provided by the juice to both prevent future tumour growth, and help the body deal heal itself.

Yes, juice is a great vehicle to boost health and vitality, and help us to clean our systems when we have overindulged, but there is a more serious side to its benefits as well. If incorporating it into your diet will allow your body to battle cancer tumours, or give your body the tools it needs to prevent them developing in the first place, then what an incredible gift you can give to yourself, and your children every day! The gift of good health!

For those of you with juicers, then try the following Green Juice recipe, packed full of antioxidants, chlorophyll and good health.

Green Delight

3 kale stalks

1/4 pineapple (not peeled)

1 apple

1/2 piece ginger (not peeled)

1 stick celery

1/2 lime (not peeled)

Pack the kale into the juicer chute, and put the apple on top, then whizz every thing through the juicer. If you want to add some extra nutrients, then add a spoonful of spirulina to the juice and blend it with some ice.

Please do click on the link to both Tracy's article and her foundations website, she is doing terrific work to educate us about this potentially devastating disease.

If nothing else, give Tracy, Sami and her family a thought or a prayer over the coming weeks, and if you are lucky enough, be thankful for you and your families good health.

Happy Juicing,

Jx

http://millburn.patch.com/blog_posts/neurofibromatosis-and-green-juice

Spork Foods Interview

Spork Foods: Jenny Engel and Heather Goldberg

Q1

You two have become famous as vegan sisters who teach how to make fun and

delicious vegan food. How did you get started on this cooking path, and why did

you start Spork Foods?

A:

Jenny: I became a vegan in college with the connections I made about the

environment and food choices. Initially, it really began out of immediate necessity,

as at that time there were not a lot of vegan food products out there and it

prompted me to begin cooking and loving it. We always really wanted a sister

business and so as we came to the same realizations about food on separate

paths, it ultimately led to Spork. We love empowering people to cook and

eat fun and easy foods and the best way we know how is through classes.

Heather: It began with a bit of empowering people to take their health into their

own hands and impact animal suffering.

Q2

What do you love about vegan cooking?

A:

Heather: A lot! It makes us feel good that we make three choices a day about

what we put in our body. It impacts the earth, animals, and our health.

Jenny: It is a fun challenge to make tasty food. I am able to be creative and make

healthier options.

Q3

What are the top three most popular dishes/recipes from your book or cooking

classes?

A:

1. Mac-n-Cheese: It was 4 years in the making. It is a go-to recipe that is a great

comfort food in fall and winter.

2. Crunchy Peanut Butter Bonbons: They make people happy.

3. Seitan Wellington: It is designed for the holidays made vegan style.

Q4

Because we focus on children, in your opinions, what are the must-have

ingredients for a healthy family vegan pantry?

A:

1. Nutritional yeast: Sprinkle on popcorn and salads for good flavor.

2. Miso makes soup fast, is immune boosting, fights infection, and there are

probiotics in it. It is a staple in our pantry.

3. Fruits and vegetables, of course!

4. Kids love quinoa with chopped veggies.

5. Tortillas are great to wrap around everything, especially butternut squash

enchiladas.

Q5

What effect has vegan eating had on your lifestyle? What are the health benefits

of being a vegan?

A:

Heather: I lost 20 pounds without trying or knowing it and have stayed at my

ideal weight. I had high cholesterol and it is now perfect.

Jenny: I have a lot of energy that comes from eating good food. It is really amazing

energy and I sleep so well at night. I also no longer feel guilt about foods I eat. It

changed our lives. We are able to live out our dream with a purpose. I feel very

lucky being able to do what we love.

Q6

What is your all-time favorite recipe you have created?

A:

Fettuccine Alfredo! We crave it on a weekly basis. It is creamy from cashews and

has a satisfying quality.

Q7

What does the future hold for Spork Foods?

A:

We are working on refining the Spork online classes. We want to get the word

out to the world. We have tons of content already with 19 classes. We want to

expand our website. We have many tricks up our sleeves.

A Journal of Cookery

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

Brussel Sprouts

My kids love brussel sprouts. It is the go-to vegetable in our house, when all else fails (nutrition-wise). So I am happy they are in season! I normally just cut them in half, brown them with a bit of butter and finished them with a bit of stock till softened in a skillet (s&p, of course). But I happened upon this recipe and liked the idea of beans and brussel sprouts together. Adapted from an old Bon Appetit magazine (brussel sprouts from Farmer's Daughter http://farmersdaughter.farmvisit.com/):

Brussel Sprouts with Cannellini Beans

3/4 cup dry cannellini beans (or 1 can of cannellini)

1 cup vegetable stock

2 lbs brussel sprouts

4 cloves of garlic, chopped

2 tbsp butter (plus an additional tbsp for finishing)

1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan

Salt and pepper

Soak beans overnight...drain, rinse and cover with cold water (about 2 inches higher than the beans). Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer 1 hour (add a couple cloves of garlic for flavor...salt when there is about 15 minutes left to go). (Skip this step, if using canned.) Melt 2 tbsp butter and toss w/brussel sprouts...roast in oven at 450 for 15 minutes. In a skillet, saute garlic in remaining butter and then add stock and brussel sprouts for 5 minutes...then beans, salt, and pepper. Place in serving dish and add cheese.

(Am going to use this opportunity to plug my favorite beans,

Rancho Gordo, www.ranchogordo.com)

*Sidenote...I ended up cutting the brussel sprouts in half at the end, and would recommend cutting them in half before roasting in the oven.

Interning for a Solution

Hello!

My name is Kayla Guns and I am the Littlest Tumor’s intern. Before this summer I had no idea what Neurofibromatosis was and defiantly didn’t know how to spell it. But it didn’t take long to learn that this disorder had huge impacts on families and the people who live with it, especially children. Our motto is “tumors in children, we do not like them,” which I think sums up LTF in a nutshell. The Littlest tumor Foundation is truly inspiring, the people involved work so hard to promote awareness and generate the funds needed for researching a cure. The fundraisers and events that LTF puts on are always fun and allow for people suffering with NF a chance to forget their worries and spend a day with their families. Also I am impressed with the determination of LTF to become a national even global presence in the NF community. As a small non-profit, I didn’t think LTF had much of a voice outside of the Fox Cities but as the summer progresses I’ve learned that LTF is already known nationally and we’ve even had a sponsored event in Africa! I am excited to continue working with LTF this summer and see what else we can accomplish for NF. Here at LTF we are asking people to give a little, because every little bit helps. “What’s your little?”

Americorps Blogs

My Soulution

It is hard to believe that the beginning of August is right around the corner already at the Littlest Tumor Foundation. My journey at the foundation thus far, has been a remarkable experience. Too often individuals disregard lessons learned along their life path. With the pull of the universe embedded in technology and the business of schedules, people rarely take the time to give a ‘little’, reflect a ‘little’, laugh a ‘little’ or volunteer a ‘little’. In finding a solution, I have learned that it takes a ‘little’ heart and soul.

Over these past summer months, putting my soul into creating awareness, promoting wellness, and developing research, has made the solution come alive in my heart. Being able to work with children who have Neurofibromatosis has been extremely rewarding. Courage and bravery in their smiles, and positive energy it their attitudes, has taught me that the fight is always worth it. Now, more than ever, I strive to be a part of the solution. Creating awareness has been a major part of my solution, as well as pushing myself to eat my greens and practice moments of wellness. It is the ‘little’ things that can go a long way and create a big impact. I often ask myself, “what is my little?” What can I personally do today to make a difference tomorrow? When I start asking myself these ‘little’ questions, the solution becomes achievable!

Emily Wagner

23 Year Old Female, Single and Seeking a Solution

This week wraps up out 30-day Awareness Campaign and the theme is Solution. According to Dictionary.com, there are three definitions of a solution.

1. The act of solving a problem, question, etc.: The situation is approaching solution.

2. The state of being solved: a problem capable of solution.

3. A particular instance or method of solving; an explanation or answer: The solution is as good as any other.

So what I have been doing to be a part of the solution? Well the answer is not simple because the problem of NF has not yet been solved but I feel my work and dedication to the cause and the Littlest Tumor Foundation have aided in the solution.

Being a part of the solution means stepping outside of one’s comfort zone, doing something daring and exciting, reading and research, creating activities and events for awareness raising, having an open mind and devotion. A solution is not always easy to come by but there are so many things to learn along the way.

During my short time with the Littlest Tumor Foundation, I have worked daily with Emily, the best coworker one could ask for. I have also learned a great deal and have been part of a multitude of work for the purpose of finding a solution, including: an expanded knowledge of social media, how to organize an entirely free three day retreat, created a month long campaign, have been featured on the radio and in the newspaper, have met celebrities who are also dedicated to finding a solution for those charities they support, written countless letters to media outlets including news broadcasting stations, magazines and newspapers, created a quarterly newsletter for our foundation and attended community meetings and events. Emily and I have worked tirelessly to be part of the solution and continue to give our talents, skills and vigorous passion to find that solution.

Please join us to keep the movement going. You can do so by writing your politicians, getting involved in an organization such as the Littlest Tumor Foundation, attending events and benefits put on for NF and for children, just taking some time to read up on the most recent research and scientific/medical breakthroughs, etc. Do what you’re able. Anything will do. We are happy to have anyone and everyone on board for the solution.

“The important thing about a problem is not its solution, but the strength we gain in finding the solution” --Unknown

Yours truly, Bailey Murph

Kristi Hopkins NF author blogs for us!!

Reason I wrote the book.


For years I lived my life hiding and denying the symptoms of Neurofibromatosis. When a doctor finally "officially" diagnosed me, in 2007, hiding was no longer an option.


It was time to face NF head on! At first facing NF was met with anger and frustration and I was becoming just like my mother.


One day, after a particularly negative blog post, my husband asked me a question, that changed my perspective forever. "Kris, I love you, and that's a great blog post....But, what if you change the way you look at NF....Why not start inspiring people to do more than just survive NF?"


That day, 'Thriving with NF' was born, and became the start of a life-long process, that I try to live up to every single day.


After a year of sharing my stories on my blog, my husband and I talked about how neat it would be, if we turned all those stories, into a book.


We worked for a year. It wasn't easy to understand that people would really want to read about my life. I kept fighting my husband and he fought back...


I never realized how many stories I had. I never realized that my attitude switch would go on to touch so many people.


Now "Thriving with NF" has become a way of life. A bar that is set, that I try to reach every single day. Some days I do better than others, but the important thing is, is that I try!

Bailey NF young teen blogs for us!!!

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  When I found out that I had a tumor that needed chemotherapy, I felt like I was in a dream. "This isn't happening to me", I thought.
  
  I saw the shock in my mother's eyes, then I realized how serious it was.
  
  This wasn't just a simple NF tumor. This wasn't something to just watch. This was something that needed treatment, FAST!
  
  I honestly felt like they were talking about some other kid. I mean, I didn't have any symptoms. I didn't "feel" like I had a tumor in my head.
  
  Ever since my mom was diagnosed with NF, I have watched her attitude and how she deals with all this stuff. I made up my mind that I wanted to be exactly like her.
  
  Sure, I am scared...But I have decided to live my life the best I can. And to make all my decisions be ones that show someone who is looking at the bright side of things.
  
  Chemo isn't easy, Life isn't easy, but a better attitude makes it much MUCH better.
  
  I am glad to be like my mom. She helps so many people realize that living with NF doesn't have to be so horrible. I hope that I can do that for people too.
  
  Bailey Archer

Oh Veggies!!

Oh veggies!

Today marks the end of the 7-Day Vegetarian Challenge. At first I was unsure if I’d be able to pull through but I did it. I never realized how often I ate meat with my meals. I am generally not a big red meat eater, but chicken is one of my staple foods. This week, my staple became trail mix, not a bad substitute but definitely not chicken.

So how did I do it? The internet (and the support of my roommate)! In my search for delicious and nutritious foods, I visited a ton of websites, including: FoodNetwork.com, food.com, recipes.com, etc. Needless to say, the internet was ultimately my savior. Throughout the week, I called myself an ovo-lacto vegetarian, meaning I did not cut out eggs or milk. I think that would have been too much of shock to my system because, believe me, I felt different. I’ll list some of my symptoms I experience below.

Symptoms of vegetarianism:

No energy: I had heard that this was possible and it is completely true. Your body will initially have a rough time adjusting and you may feel fatigued, but it’s supposed to get better after a week or two. For this reason, I chose trail mix to munch on. In order to get through this slump, you have to find something to substitute for the lack of protein and iron that you’d normally get with meat.

Stress: What do I make? If I make this or that am I still following the rules? These were questions I was bombarded with daily, but was able to overcome. Again, it was the internet that saved me, and the help of a vegetarian friend that has to work around a meat-eating spouse. I learned to really use my resources to lessen the stress of going vegetarian.

No time: The time issue was something I had to combat every day. I’m on the go every second of the day and found that I really had to think about what I was going to eat before I headed out in the morning. Being vegetarian takes a little extra time management in the beginning, but its doable.

Crankiness: I was totally cranky this week. I had the urge to just go pick something up at the end of a long day of work and found that I couldn’t, or if I did I had to be very selective and conscious about what I was choosing. The crankiness was of course accompanied by the lack of energy and stress but was something that can also managed with the proper planning.

Overall, the week was difficult and at this point, I have realized I am in no way ready to be a full-fledged vegetarian. Despite the difficulties of the week, it helped me to realize what I do put into my body and the ability to take steps toward a healthier me. What I do know, is that I will attempt to eat less meat in the future. I’m thinking I’m going to go towards the poultry route. I’ve learned a lot from this experience and although I cannot manage a strictly vegetarian diet at this point, I vow to make steps to lessen my meat and processed food intake.

Yours truly, Bailey

Meditation Mindfulness and Diagnosis

Meditation methods have existed within every faith tradition and outside of faith traditions as a practical means to connect to inner strengths and to a bigger picture of life. As the people at the Littlest Tumor Foundation know very well through their impressive work, going through a loved one’s diagnosis, treatment, the family’s feelings of isolation and uncertainty and all manner of challenges, is a time when connection to resiliency, inner resourcefulness, and to one another is of vital importance.

I started practicing meditation in 1971 to try to enhance just those connections. The practices I learned, and now teach around the world, are based on: deepening concentration, so we don’t feel so scattered and fragmented and can be more in the moment instead of in the past or in future projections; strengthening mindfulness, so we have greater awareness and clarity about our experience; and increasing compassion towards ourselves and others, so that we have a new way of viewing ourselves and one another.

Here’s a way to begin, if you are moved to try:

Basic beginning Meditation Instruction

1) Start with just fifteen or twenty minutes, once or twice a day. While a relatively quiet place is useful for settling our minds down, there is no way to completely control our environment. Try to reach agreement with your family members or others who may disturb you while meditating that this is your time and to please wait until you are done. However, interruptions will happen. Don't let them upset you or throw you off balance.

2) Meditation begins with the belief that each of us has the capacity to understand ourselves more fully, to care more deeply both for ourselves and for others. It works to free us of habitual reactions that cause us great unhappiness, such as harsh self-judgment, and to develop greater wisdom and compassion. Meditation gives anybody who pursues it an opportunity to look within for a sense of abundance, depth and connection to life.

2) Sit in any position that is comfortable to you, chairs are fine, just try to sit upright. Your arms can be anywhere that feel natural to you. You can sit with either your eyes open or closed…you can experiment with both. If your eyes are open, instead of looking around, find a spot in front of you and rest your gaze. If at any given time you can’t do sitting practice you can lie down, or do walking meditation. If you have a physical limitation and can’t walk, e.g. you are in a wheelchair, you can do wheeling meditation. There also is no need for special paraphernalia. Feel free to change position when you need to.

3) Start by just feeling your breath as it enters and leaves your nostrils. You don’t need to adjust the breath to make it deeper or finer: simply feel it as it is and as it changes. Rest your attention lightly on these sensations. If images or sounds or emotions or other sensations in the body arise, and you can still be aware of the breath, let these other experiences flow on by -- you don’t have to follow them, or fight them.

4) Sometimes these experiences are much stronger than our awareness of the breath, and we realize perhaps only after some time that we have been distracted. Know that your mind WILL wander, just notice where it went and then gently bring it back to the breath -- every time, over and over. You will think and feel many things, both emotionally and physically, while you meditate. It is all ok. Just quietly bring yourself back to the breath.

5). It is ok if you fall asleep at first. Make sure you get enough sleep at night if you can, and avoid meditating during your lowest-energy times of the day (right after meals, etc.). Eventually, the urge to sleep will pass.

6) If you don't feel at ease meditating alone, find a meditation group that you feel comfortable with. Friends and family members may want to practice with you, which can be very supportive if everyone has the same understanding about the time frame involved.

7) Above all, have patience with and compassion for yourself. Each of us faces our own challenges in meditation, but the rewards are well worth it if we are kind to ourselves and keep on going!

This Littles Light of Mine

This Little Light of Mine

Greetings, my name is Sue Ansari. I am a registered nurse, laughter yoga teacher, raw food chef, wellness coach, holistic health counselor and a cancer survivor. Yes, it is so important when dealing with this diagnosis to do and be all things healthy – stay away from all processed foods, heap on the organic fresh fruits and veggies, drink plenty of water, exercise, but how often has your doc given you a script for laughter?

Laughter effortlessly accomplishes deep breathing, increases endorphin production, decreases pain, decreases stress and simply makes the “medicine” of the day go down so much easier. You don’t need to laugh for a reason, just throw your head back and laugh for NO reason….the benefits will be the same and you will feel better, promise!

I appreciate the Littlest Tumor Foundation asking me to contribute to their wellness blog and offer my hope and support for the work they are doing. I would like to share with you something I wrote recently for another blog that will hopefully help you understand the healing power of laughter.

“A couple of days ago, I received an email from a self-help cancer site. It was well-written, well-intended, but it seemed to be missing something. The article was about restoring joy that often in a post-cancer state can be very challenging.

It suggested that one concentrate and focus on those many positive items we all have in our lives - home, family, friends, the beauty of Nature, music, etc. - and thus, be filled with feelings of joy. At least for me, the joy I feel thinking those thoughts doesn't stick with me for long.

Luckily, I have been bitten with an infectious Indian laughter bug known as the "HohoHaha Syndrome" which can literally move you from motion to emotion. What does this mean in less scientific terms? Hmmmmmm, let me see, how can I explain?

There are many beautiful candles in my home - not only are they fragrant, but several are also embedded with a variety of gorgeous flowers. I can look at them, appreciate them, but only when I light them, do I receive the FULL benefit of their candle beings.

All of my life, I have been surrounded not only with beauty, but also with wonderful friends and family who have added so much to my life; however, my "fire" needed to be lit before my true brilliance and joy could be realized. For me, being infected with the "laughter bug" accomplished that.

Laughter has forced me to tell my body to laugh (the motion) which eventually, over a protracted period of time, fired up my inner candle, thus releasing my joy (the emotion). The strange thing about this syndrome is that it infects in a powerful, insidious way. I must tell you, during the entire incubation period, my personal life was a huge mess - there was very little to laugh about, let alone feel happy about; however, as the “laughter bug" kept biting me, I laughed....and laughed....and laughed. The more I laughed, the better I felt and the better I felt, the more I laughed! What a fantastic, positive vicious cycle!

The syndrome often leaves me feeling light-hearted, as well as, occasionally, a bit light-headed. I sleep deeper, have a much more laid-back attitude about life in general, often have an inexplicable desire to laugh out loud for absolutely NO reason and often do so while driving. I feel upbeat most of the time and rarely succumb to severe bouts of depression as was the case prior to my “infection”.

Now that my inner candle is burning brightly, “this little light of mine” allows me to see vividly the beauty all around me and it lights my way, so that I can share that joy with others. Some days I feel I would like to wrap my arms around the entire world and give it a good squeeze! Amazing what an “infection” such as this can do to a mind and body. Simply tell your body what to do and your mind will have no problem following!

O what is laughter?

What is this precious love and laughter

Budding in our Hearts?

It is the glorious sound

Of a soul waking up!

- Hafiz...

Sue Ansari RN and Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher was among the very first certified Laughter Yoga teachers in the US, training in 2005 with Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of Laughter Yoga, in Interlaken, Switzerland. He has twice recognized her as a “Laughter Ambassador” for her outstanding contribution to the Laughter Yoga movement. A cancer survivor herself, Sue is actively engaged locally and globally in presenting cancer/wellness retreats with Laughter Yoga at its heart. Presently, she is a part of the International Laughter Yoga team, assisting Dr. Kataria with his work and writing. Locally, she is on a mission to bring more laughter to the ailing city of Detroit, as well as to the medical community at large.

Laughter Yoga is a unique concept based on the principle of “acting happiness” – tell your body what to do and your mind will follow! Through a series of simple exercises and breathing techniques, Laughter Yoga will unlock the door of your heart and soul, thus releasing your Inner Joy, allowing you to re-acquaint yourself with the carefree, light-hearted child you once were.

HYPERLINK "http://www.laughteryoga-michigan.com" www.laughteryoga-michigan.com

Americorps goes Little

Hi there! My name is Bailey and I’m a recent college graduate. Upon my graduation, I set out on an adventure to find something new to fill the free time that was to come. Lucky for me, I found the Littlest Tumor Foundation. Before applying for my position through AmeriCorps, I had never heard of the organization before but was intrigued and continue to be everyday. Like my AmeriCorps and Littlest Tumor Foundation partner, Emily, I knew nothing about Neurofibromatosis (NF). According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “The Neurofibromatoses are genetic disorders that cause tumors to grow in the nervous system.” After learning about the diagnosis, I was dumbfounded that it was a new topic for me and for those around me. How could I not know about this?!? How do I learn more? And finally, what can I do?!? These questions seem simple enough to answer right? Well, I’ve been answering them, but its been a day to day to day process. There is always something to learn and people to educate, which is no small task but I’m willing to hit the ground running.

Littlest Tumor Foundation is a remarkable organization with a bright future. The foundational building blocks of the organization include: Awareness, Wellness and Volunteerism. Not only are these outstanding goals for a foundation, but for one’s personal life as well, especially the life of a recent college grad. I look forward to my work with the Littlest Tumor Foundation and helping the organization to accomplish these goals locally, nationally and internationally. I also hope to make my own changes and incorporate Awareness, Wellness and Volunteerism into my daily lifestyle and I hope others are willing to embark on a journey of self improvement that include these goals as well. My motto is, “Be the change you hope to see in the world.” Props to Ghandi for the brilliant quote. Join me and the Littlest Tumor Foundation to be that change and make a better world for children with tumors. Lets work together to cure NF!!

Engaging in a Cure!

Wednesday June 8, 2011

Wellness is a lifestyle that has the power to heal. As a new AmeriCorps member working with the Littlest Tumor Foundation, I believe this statement is absolutely true. Before I began working for this foundation, I knew very little about Neurofibromatosis, let alone had even heard of it. I decided to dive into researching the illness and learning all I could about individuals dealing with NF. Neurofibromatosis effects 1 out of 3,000 people, which is much more common than one would think. Even though I have only been working for the Littlest Tumor for a week, I am extremely excited to embark on an incredible journey in making NF preventable. As a recent 2011 graduate from UW-Stevens Point, I graduated with a double major in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication and International Studies. My career goals are centered on improving and inspiring lives by working at the root of an aggressively passionate non-profit organization. Through the foundation’s holistic approach and dedication, families and children are helped each and every day. The Littlest Tumor Foundation is the inspirational grassroots organization I was looking for and I am thrilled to be a part of the cure this summer.

Run Kyle Run

Two years ago when I was first asked to join the “run little run” team to be honest I just laughed, I am no way a runner but when my then nine-year-old son Kyle said he would like to join me I was inspired to give my all. On May 15, 2011 Kyle and I completed our third half marathon at the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon.

Although the entire course is beautiful, yet extremely windy that day, the final mile is the most exciting and not just because you are almost to the finish line. Once you hit the final mile you are led onto Lambeau Field, yes right on the field where the Super Bowl Champions the Green Bay Packers play their home games. It is such an amazing experience to feel how large the field actually is and to hear the cheers of the crowd as you exit the tunnel to finish line.

This was our second time running the Green Bay Marathon and I must say that although we do not have many races to compare this one to it was the one that inspired me to continue running and be sure it would not be my last.