Cooking for the Soul: The F*ck Off Cholesterol Edition

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, cooking, FASD, fitness, gratitude, ParentingTags:, , , , , , , ,

When my family doctor asked to meet about my bloodwork, I knew I had to start taking cholesterol meds.

He let me know last summer that my cholesterol was high and we tried to lower it through changes to nutrition.

I’m a fairly healthy person – eat, sleep and exercise mostly well – so I’m blaming this on genes. My Ma and her siblings all had/have high cholesterol.

The call was scheduled during a recent work day. I brought in two big bags of chips for my colleagues and I to open after he delivered the news. 😂

If I have to start on pills – which he confirmed – I might as well put them to good use! 😆

Your Health Matters as a Special Needs Caregiver

Parenting is hard – even more so when supporting a child with a disability such as FASD.

The recent back-to-back deaths of my Ma, sister and dear friend made me confront my own mortality and the fragility of life.

In the rare moments I let my mind wander into darker thoughts, I think about the sad scenario of not living long enough to be there for T when he needs me most.

So I do take my family’s health very seriously.

But alas, this is a light-hearted post!

Cooking is one of my self care therapies and in light of my recent medical change, I’m making an even bigger effort to eat better.

I’m discovering just how refreshing and fun salads can be!

Who Knew Salads Would Be So Fun!

This mango caprese salad turned out well.

I chopped and tossed the ingredients instead of laying them flat on a plate as it’s usually done.

I blended Greek, Korean, Mexican and Indian flavours with this gochujang salmon topped on garlic naan with guacamole spread and served with cucumber dill feta salad.

This strawberry jalapeño salsa was inspired by an Instagram reel I randomly scrolled across.

It provided a sweet and spicy kick with the fried (with olive oil) tilapia.

As someone who grew up in the Philippines, mango is now a treat.

Served and tossed in this salsa with red pepper, red onion, cucumber and cilantro.

Guacamole was such a treat for me growing up and who knew it was so easy to make. So it’s like jam now. 😆

This time, accompanying an open face garlic naan sandwich topped with smoked salmon and egg.

Finding Healthier Versions of Comfort Foods

I made this healthier version of mapo tofu, substituting ground pork with chopped mushroom.

Yah, I’m going back to ground pork next time, cholesterol be damned. 😆

I made this Taiwanese fried chicken, garnished with fried basil, using an Air Fryer instead of frying it in oil.

It turned out great! So it’s a keeper.

I’m sneaking in this roasted butternut squash boat topped with chopped Italian sausage, onions and dried cranberries because it turned out well and my in laws enjoyed it when I made it for them.

Sausage is not the leanest meat but sometimes, you gotta enjoy life! No point living till 100 if all you’re eating is grass.

A Salad Surprise for T!

I’ve written numerous times about our selective eater T.

It is undoubtedly due to sensory issues – things smell and taste differently to neurodiverse people, especially kids still exploring their palette.

He eats a lot of carbs and fruit – and yes, junk – and gets protein through eggs, yogurt, milk, hotdogs, meatballs and McDonald’s burgers. 😝

One recent win was T trying and loving my homemade protein-rich Hong Kong Tomato Beef, which I now make every two weeks, and enough so he can pack leftovers for his school lunch with rice.

This week, we received a surprise.

His CYW texted us this photo and let us know T tried a plate of salad, provided to kids as part of the school’s morning nutrition program.

Well, what wonderful news! The salad consisted of peppers, cucumbers, romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, celery, feta cheese and dressed with salt and olive oil.

We will take this win and add it to T’s slowly expanding repertoire of nutritious meal ideas.

Kindly ignore the fruit roll up in the photo. 😝

38 thoughts on “Cooking for the Soul: The F*ck Off Cholesterol Edition”

  2. I didn’t expect this post to make me laugh, but first of all the title–obviously–and then the very last line with that caption: Kindly ignore the fruit roll up in the photo. LOLOL!

    I’m sorry about your diagnosis, but seriously, all of that food looks amazing. I’m the black sheep in my family in that I don’t like cooking, whereas they all treat it as an art like you do. If I had to get exploratory and make fancy stuff like you, I’d be screwed. I’d probably be one of those people eating grass. –another LOL. 🙂

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    1. Thanks Betsy! Glad I made you laugh. It’s better medicine than cholesterol meds. 😆 Fruit roll up counts as fruit, right? 🤣

      The diagnosis is a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things and I’m thankful it was caught early on and that there’s a plan in place to address it. 🙏

      I can’t do Jiu Jitsi. We all have our own strengths. 😊🙏

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      1. Sometimes I don’t know if I can do Jiu-Jitsu either. 😛

        I’m glad you have a good attitude about your situation. Glad you caught it early and meds can’t be too bad, right? The eating would be the hard part, but you’re already doing great. Your whole family will be healthier thanks to you, I’m sure.

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  5. Love this “light-hearted post” and your photos and recipes. In January 2023, I started the NOOM program, which has become like a religion to me. In the process, I’ve also lost 33 pounds (can’t seem to take off the last 6 pounds!) and became an “accidental” pescatarian on April 9, 2023. I can’t even begin to tell you how many ways my life has changed for the positive. I hope we are treated to some future recipes, Ab. I love “the open face garlic naan sandwich topped with smoked salmon and egg” combo idea. I plan to try it over the weekend! TY!

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  6. Healthy eating can be delicious. My mouth is watering from many of the dishes you’ve made. But it can take time to make. And sometimes it’s nice to treat yourself with something that isn’t always the greatest (for me it’s cheese). I couldn’t help but laugh at your comment about what’s the point of living until you’re 100 if all you’re eating is grass!! So true!! And yay for T for enjoying some salad too!!

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    1. Thanks Linda. I forgot to share the watermelon feta mint salad. I recommend that one too!

      And yes, we gotta treat and indulge ourselves from time to time. All in moderation. 😊

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  7. Well doesn’t that suck! You eat mostly healthy and my goodness you do exercise! Genetics are so unfair but you eat pretty healthy already so you probably will adapt ok. That salad was picture perfect. Sometimes I wish I lived in a big city. We never can buy good produce or fruit in the stores. I put oranges on the grocery list and when my hubby brought them home, I put my finger through them. I hate shopping but I wish he would check them before he buys them!

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    1. Thanks Diane. Genetics are hard but I’m looking on the bright side, I’m glad I am tackling it head on while it’s starting rather than when it’s progressed to something worse down the road.

      I hear ya on the produce but I do feel you have such a wonderful life with your acreage and homegrown crops. It’s a trade off I guess!

      And I hear you on the oranges! Sometimes you should just do the groceries yourself! 😂

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  9. I understand the dark thoughts. Sometimes it consumed me when Jess and her siblings were young. Ok enough of that-

    I love your food photos!!! And wish I could taste it – but being vegetarian and avoiding spice eliminates almost all of it except that beautiful mango salad! Yum! What’s in it!
    glad you’re getting meds to power cholesterol- and that your sense of humor is accompanying your food choices!
    Bon Apetite! Or however you spell it!

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    1. Thanks Vickie! It’s hard not to let your brain wander into those territories, especially during the harder moments. But look at Jess now, in her 40s and doing well and cared for. 😊

      The mango salad turned out great and highlight recommend it!

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  10. After losing both of my parents, I do sometimes let my mind wander into darker thoughts, which usually ends with a stronger commitment to try to live a healthier lifestyle. But I totally agree with what you said that we still need to enjoy life. What’s the point of living up to 100 if we only eat grass? Yesss! I’m drooling over your photos, Ab. They all look so delicious and healthy, yet I’m reading this post on an empty stomach. I think I’ll have Vietnamese for lunch today. It’s good to know that T enjoyed the salad provided by the school — one more step in the right direction!

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    1. Thanks Bama! I hope you enjoyed your Vietnamese food. What did you end up having? We had pho the day before for lunch and it was so good! Yes, red meat is probably not the best for me, but whatever. 😝

      I can imagine how much more fragile life feels for you but you still have many many miles ahead in your journey and lots of the world to see and experience! 😊🙏

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      1. I had one of those bun salads, which not only was healthy but also tasted so delicious. Pho is always a good idea though, especially when it’s cold outside. Red meat is fine if you eat in moderation. 😊

        Thanks for the encouragement, Ab!

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  11. Ab, are you sure you wouldn’t like to our house and be our cook?!! OMG, all those food pics are beyond impressive. I’ve been taking cholesterol meds for 25+ years now. Also a genetic disposition, same as you. I find those little pills go very well with chips! 😏 P.S. My kids were picky eaters and they had no underlying excuse, they were just picky!! 😂

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  12. Wow, this is truly an eye opener, especially you sharing the importance of your health being a parent of a child with a disability. I too have had to make some changes w/nutrition to lower my A1C. Thanks for sharing Ab, hope the chips were good, lol!

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    1. Thanks Tammy. Getting older sucks. Haha. But glad to have caught this in its formative stage rather than further down the road. 🙏 Happy healthy journey to you too! And the chips were great!

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  13. All of the food looks amazing! I am in the same boat as you and my doctor told me that rather than making dietary changes (I already eat very healthy), I need to make sure to add a ton of fibre to my diet. The bad cholesterol binds with the fibre and is removed from the body with the undigestible fibre. I will let you know in a few months if it worked 🙂 I hope the meds combat the genes effectively!

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    1. Thanks Margie! I started Metamucil a year ago and also eat oatmeal for breakfast. Lots of fiber that I have to ensure a bathroom is nearby. 😂 If you haven’t considered it, ground flax and hemp seeds go well with the oatmeal but does up the fiber danger. 😆 Good luck with your own journey. I think we should start a support group.

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  14. Will you move in and cook for me Ab? I get the cholesterol thing. I have 2 kids who seem to have my genes but look more like their dad. The 3rd (oldest) is me in a younger version but got dad’s crappy genes- meaning cholesterol issues and holding onto weight no matter what she does. Proud of you for making changes and proud of T for trying new things. The oldest grand has been averse to ANYTHING green for years. Recently she sent me a text saying she is trying really hard to eat “green things”. I didn’t ask if she meant green gummy candy and M & M’s. Just told her good job 😉

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    1. Thanks Margie. Genes are so interesting and can sometimes be an inherited mess. 😝 Good luck to your oldest! I can understand how hard it is to deal with weight at times no matter how hard you try. The green M&Ms count as broccoli substitutes, don’t they?

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  17. The gochujang salmon dish looks fascinating! I’m a big fan of each individual element, but can’t imagine them together. Was it a winner? Everything else looks amazing!!

    While it can be tricky to change diets, there are really so many amazing dishes out there using fresh, unprocessed ingredients and it can be so much fun to experiment, discover great new recipes, and laugh at the flops. Good luck on the next leg of your health journey, Ab, and hopefully T will tag along to tray some of the new foods.

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