tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83747858878621569772024-02-22T08:41:18.152-08:00breathing and butterfood, eating, restaurants, crafting, breathing. cf. two lung transplants. 30. boston. ny. natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.comBlogger394125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-8810214483697595022019-10-27T07:46:00.000-07:002019-10-27T07:47:55.280-07:00Paperless Post<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of you know I am obsessed with personalized stationary; I always send a hand written card for any occasion. I have boxes and boxes of stationary. I love nothing more than to design an invite for a party, and everyone expects my holiday card each year! Recently I came across <a href="https://www.paperlesspost.com/" target="_blank">Paperless Post </a>where you can send a personalized invite but through email - the best of both worlds! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They have a great selection, I mocked up a few invites for my annual Christmas party and it was a seamless experience. They have a great selection, both printed and electronic. They also have partnered with many famous designers including: Kate Spade, Jonathan Adler, Sugar Paper and Oscar de la Renta to name just a few. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The great thing about sending an electronic invite is you can easily obtain an RSVP - which is hard with a paper invite, and frustrating when people do not RSVP in a timely manner. Here they can easily click yes or no! I find this to be a great feature. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc54-UMwANHsl-oG-BQmyuJz3hDVtLYQH_sB0Xmx_Uhrb3j_4kWKMoUNslLGbq5QuOTCS1EZlC_kCe5UVGB341faIh4djR9EGIRUKO1FhEO9eyClB3gmonuhAW8MkSape5zMU1mMJu5GE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-10-26+at+6.42.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="583" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc54-UMwANHsl-oG-BQmyuJz3hDVtLYQH_sB0Xmx_Uhrb3j_4kWKMoUNslLGbq5QuOTCS1EZlC_kCe5UVGB341faIh4djR9EGIRUKO1FhEO9eyClB3gmonuhAW8MkSape5zMU1mMJu5GE/s640/Screen+Shot+2019-10-26+at+6.42.54+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would highly recommend using <a href="https://www.paperlesspost.com/" target="_blank">Paperless Post</a>, especially with all its great designs! </span></div>
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<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-69011103708962480922019-01-11T16:13:00.000-08:002019-01-12T08:02:35.054-08:00French Onion SoupSoup season is here! This is a recipe I have tinkered with for awhile and think this is super easy and flavorful!<br />
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<b>All you need is:</b><br />
<b>a stick of butter </b><br />
<b>4 or 5 Vidalia onions</b><br />
<b>4 cloves of garlic</b><br />
<b>2 bay leaves</b><br />
<b>some thyme</b><br />
<b>1 cup of red wine</b><br />
<b>3 tablespoons of flour</b><br />
<b>1.5 to 2 quarts of beef broth</b><br />
<b>Gruyere cheese</b><br />
<b>bread</b><br />
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<b>First melt the butter.</b> Then add chopped up onions, diced garlic, bay leaves, sprinkle some thyme with salt and pepper. Let caramelize for about 30 minutes.<br />
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Add one cup of red wine (wine you would drink) and boil for about 10 minutes until it is reduced. Remove bay leaves.<br />
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Then add 3 tablespoons of flour and stir (turn down the heat so it won't burn) so the onions dry up a little bit.<br />
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Lastly add 1.5 to 2 quarts of beef broth, I like <a href="https://shop.pacificfoods.com/beef-broth" target="_blank">Pacific </a>beef broth, and let is simmer for 40 or so minutes, until it is the flavor and thickness you like!<br />
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Broil some cheese on some bread, place it on top of the soup, and add some shredded cheese into the soup! Sprinkle <a href="https://www.mccormick.com/frenchs/products/crispy-fried-veggies/original-crispy-fried-onions" target="_blank">French's Original Onions</a> on top! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIRNuTt7y2Hvj4zyniRD4lMQqVEDTedXtycnPdthGfHVaTDLlVPT9kVIIW9SBslRWXluGz8GH4ej6aDFc9wqdz8CX1cW1AKqlNOi01CJBHwIbjMbiSsKekXMWx1PRvV-uLN9ympBEcxQ/s1600/IMG_1194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIRNuTt7y2Hvj4zyniRD4lMQqVEDTedXtycnPdthGfHVaTDLlVPT9kVIIW9SBslRWXluGz8GH4ej6aDFc9wqdz8CX1cW1AKqlNOi01CJBHwIbjMbiSsKekXMWx1PRvV-uLN9ympBEcxQ/s640/IMG_1194.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Melt butter, add sliced up onions, chopped up garlic, bay leaves and thyme. Add salt and pepper. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM4HEMItfeVxMmmbSpPXO9v1Eu0xPRGpimGfgngFwQGQjKumi6tGJHgKtrvjny-kNooW2Uo1U7y1c4mHrbZ2V8eO27pRHIc-e08fbX7_sXOs9zrMNMc7-zn0COR8VdRYrHN2Jr9oYsV0/s1600/IMG_1195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM4HEMItfeVxMmmbSpPXO9v1Eu0xPRGpimGfgngFwQGQjKumi6tGJHgKtrvjny-kNooW2Uo1U7y1c4mHrbZ2V8eO27pRHIc-e08fbX7_sXOs9zrMNMc7-zn0COR8VdRYrHN2Jr9oYsV0/s640/IMG_1195.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cook until caramelized - it should take around 30 minutes. Don't let them burn!</span> </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt6gFUqllSHiRh0_mWF6I4R1gEcCqUc70Bs9qi_97F-zIYKZ7Cj4H8IpcVt0-n-Hgjc7-7jNqyNCn9E6WjArOTxlJV3KoLgyxmwPHTOf_AmkjjYf2SnFPpxo3rShFYW_-c4lSsCFzIa4/s1600/IMG_1198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt6gFUqllSHiRh0_mWF6I4R1gEcCqUc70Bs9qi_97F-zIYKZ7Cj4H8IpcVt0-n-Hgjc7-7jNqyNCn9E6WjArOTxlJV3KoLgyxmwPHTOf_AmkjjYf2SnFPpxo3rShFYW_-c4lSsCFzIa4/s640/IMG_1198.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1fU9DVskhpoXwSB6wrFYD6NSepknO9IAttUkIR_yzO_qgpZFBwHO1YFM2GvGzOLuyhcFpzJVE4_NmOkyNqhbExLgcEv8dg8q4CI-Yq4ZTf2rZ69C8AFyBn1zjttWlg0cPYSWe5hWPf8/s1600/IMG_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1fU9DVskhpoXwSB6wrFYD6NSepknO9IAttUkIR_yzO_qgpZFBwHO1YFM2GvGzOLuyhcFpzJVE4_NmOkyNqhbExLgcEv8dg8q4CI-Yq4ZTf2rZ69C8AFyBn1zjttWlg0cPYSWe5hWPf8/s640/IMG_1200.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Add one cup of red wine and boil until the onions become dry - maybe 10 minutes. Remove bay leaves.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJC6lzl2R0XaI9sviZh-jH3FPAbBoZKD5EvdybmdCp4FImaMrgr-koBChla0ZUhcVJ-flTl0hzb3eqEu9L22gHSbS-wBQPDi4hrXwnz4M4hiTA0JpyfIEnUPWD7-gbrWVsldUY0GlYiM8/s1600/IMG_1201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJC6lzl2R0XaI9sviZh-jH3FPAbBoZKD5EvdybmdCp4FImaMrgr-koBChla0ZUhcVJ-flTl0hzb3eqEu9L22gHSbS-wBQPDi4hrXwnz4M4hiTA0JpyfIEnUPWD7-gbrWVsldUY0GlYiM8/s640/IMG_1201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Add 3 tablespoons of flour and stir to dry the onions a bit.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91ctPtkC9WVnzK6eq03ZFwTglps5KnxaFMe0hwk8EhdL9-R6fvzQjPprZQbUp53V7AEt9qKcLa0JWQiMAeOPh4CyRn4iN4rfjiLCbOJXOluyuG3_9kaPSY6ZChrtcOH4B6u1mZa8Zrak/s1600/IMG_1205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91ctPtkC9WVnzK6eq03ZFwTglps5KnxaFMe0hwk8EhdL9-R6fvzQjPprZQbUp53V7AEt9qKcLa0JWQiMAeOPh4CyRn4iN4rfjiLCbOJXOluyuG3_9kaPSY6ZChrtcOH4B6u1mZa8Zrak/s640/IMG_1205.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Simmer for around 40 minutes</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinCP9t-FeA-l80AfPrKCm69cSfMRW3XIK3x0r9kjq-cZlidY4E1nYCqFKPng0jc2MKYxf1emGCoGyjF5wZq-T5iHAzA8XsmPYjmyXQlYhGcM1emHNmEIwTQXCB5houKgQBunNTrIDHEI/s1600/IMG_1207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinCP9t-FeA-l80AfPrKCm69cSfMRW3XIK3x0r9kjq-cZlidY4E1nYCqFKPng0jc2MKYxf1emGCoGyjF5wZq-T5iHAzA8XsmPYjmyXQlYhGcM1emHNmEIwTQXCB5houKgQBunNTrIDHEI/s640/IMG_1207.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Broil some bread with cheese on it to top and add some grated cheese to the soup. Top with French's onions. </span></td></tr>
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<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-71065575749592654072018-11-09T08:23:00.000-08:002018-11-09T10:02:38.046-08:00Transplant Video <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thank you to the <a href="http://transplantforum.org/" target="_blank">The Transplant Forum</a> for putting this video together!</div>
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natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-35929954915639131152018-03-15T07:58:00.001-07:002018-03-15T08:05:21.909-07:00Chicken and Gnocchi This is kind of a twist on chicken pot pie and chicken and dumplings. I posted it on Instagram and it seemed like a lot of you wanted the recipe. Plus it's SUPER easy. It takes about 25 minutes. <br />
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<b>First, cook one medium chicken breast in the oven - then shred it with two forks. Or use leftover rotisserie chicken. </b><br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
<b>2 tablespoons of butter</b><br />
<b>some garlic minced, I used half a clove </b><br />
<b>3 small carrots, peeled and cut up</b><br />
<b>3 celery stalks, cut up</b><br />
<b>Peas</b><br />
<b>2 tablespoons of flour</b><br />
<b>2 cups of chicken broth</b><br />
<b>1/2 cup of milk</b><br />
<b>*I also used a few splashes of heavy cream!</b><br />
<b>Salt/Pepper to taste</b><br />
<b>Shredded Chicken.</b><br />
<b>Fresh made gnocchi (that I bought at Whole Foods) </b><br />
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Here is the thing about this recipe, you can sub whatever veggies you really want. I didn't use onion, but you can. I didn't use potatoes, since I used gnocchi) but you could. I didn't use corn but you can - really make it whatever you like.<br />
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<b>First</b> in a small sauce pan saute all your veggies in the butter. Saute them until they are as tender as YOU like them. I like veggies a little more al dente so I did about SEVEN minutes on medium high heat, while stirring.<br />
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<b>Second</b> add your flour and stir to coat quickly - do not let the flour burn. <i>Start to boil some water if you are going to add gnocchi </i><br />
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<b>Third </b>add the chicken broth, milk, cream if you have it, and salt and pepper. Turn the heat down and let it simmer, it will thicken pretty quickly. <b>Fourth</b> add the chicken. <br />
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<b>Now</b> you can add your gnocchi. And you are done! Add more salt and pepper as needed.<br />
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Delicious.<br />
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<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-17575621696731151132017-06-07T07:10:00.000-07:002017-06-09T08:06:12.536-07:00Mutations and Mom<style>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Today I have an appointment
at the cystic fibrosis clinic in the hospital where I had my lung transplant. I
haven’t been to a CF clinic in at least ten years. And previous to transplant I
only had one CF doctor my entire life, from my diagnosis to his death. Dr.
Thomas Doland at Yale. He died shortly after my transplant. And I never saw a
need to find anyone else. I belonged to my transplant team at that point. The
interesting thing about having a lung transplant is that, for me at least, you
sort of leave the CF camp and move to the transplant camp. Of course, I still
have CF, and of course it still affects so many things, but my lungs no longer
have CF, so it kind of eliminates the need to be followed continuously by a CF
doctor I guess. Instead of seeing a CF doctor, I see my transplant doctor and a
million other specialists—sinus ENT, ear ENT, cardiologist, several
endocrinologist, kidney specialist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease and
many more I can’t even think about. The roster is long—each doctor taking care
of their specific organ. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But now my ear has really
brought CF to the forefront again. There are several reasons I can’t get rid of
this infection, but there is only one reason I got the infection to begin with,
and that is cystic fibrosis. The pesky dumb aggressive little bacteria that is
in my ear is pretty much a bacteria you can only grow if you have CF, a healthy
person could lather in it; it wouldn’t do any harm. It’s the same bacteria that
ate away at my CF lungs time and time again. And it’s the same bacteria that
like to wreak havoc in my sinuses, and then found its way into my ear. But the
point being CF has again found a way to rule my world, even though transplant
is supposed to somewhat alleviate that from being the case, and trust me it
did, I’ve been on IV medications, a rotation of three different antibiotics and
one antifungal since December 19<sup>th</sup>. I’m over it. And like all my
ENTs like to say: we can’t transplant your _____ fill in the blank with ENT
things. We have all done everything we can but we need a forever solution. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since my transplant there
have been a lot of advancement in medications that target the actual problem
with CF—we can’t transport fluids and sodium properly in and out of our cells.
This is something your body needs to do to be a normal functioning healthy
person. There are two medications available now that try and correct the actual
defect in the protein that causes the problem. My lungs don’t have CF so in
essence I wouldn’t really benefit from a cure for CF, I now need a cure for
transplant rejection—this is now my terminal disease. I hope this makes sense.
So back to the ear problem that has led me here! These two medications Kalydeco
and Orkambi COULD help my ear! So a few weeks ago my genius sinus surgeon told
me he has seen big improvements in the sinuses of CF patients on these
medications. I told him I didn’t even know what my mutations were. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So here I am a mixed jumble
of emotions. I know I have a genetic disease. But it’s a different thing to
actually find out specifically what mutations I have in my gene. I am entering
back into a world that I haven’t been to in so long, even though I suppose it’s
been there in the background the entire time. There are a lot of mutations and
a big chance I don't have the right one, of course I’m scared of disappointment
here. But this is the way medicine is headed and it’s thrilling to be honest,
even if it doesn’t exactly mean a cure for my own lungs and me. The drug
pipeline is exciting (<a href="https://www.cff.org/trials/pipeline">https://www.cff.org/trials/pipeline</a>)
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There is more to it though
and I’ve been trying to understand why I am SO emotional about this experience.
And it’s because I got these CF mutations from my parents—neither of them alive
anymore, neither of them with me. My mom should be with me for this. She should
be sitting with me in the exam room like she always was before she died. I’ve
never even seen a CF doctor without her and this is bringing it all back,
everything we went through together my entire life. And it’s a visceral punch
to my stomach. At the end of the day this loss is always circling me. The
progression of life, these sorts of milestones, will always make the big losses
slowly burn again, the ache roaring back. But I have to keep going and I have
to keep facing these things and luckily I don't do it alone. </span>natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-52988515392713677672017-05-14T08:40:00.000-07:002017-05-14T08:51:42.495-07:00Dear Mom<style>
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</style><span style="font-family: "arial";">Dear Mom, </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Mother’s Day is the hardest
day of the year for me. It’s the biggest reminder of how desperately I wish you
were here. I miss you every day but I guess today is different because I get to
glimpse purposefully inside so many other daughters being with their moms and
I don’t get to do that anymore. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I remember so vividly the
gift I gave you on your last Mother’s Day—it was a picture of me as a kid,
maybe 3, in a bathing suit and laughing by our pool. I was so happy in the
photo, that was why I picked it—just a kid being happy, not a kid being sick.
And on the photo in black sharpie I wrote I love you. You kept it on your
nightstand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I wish I had gotten to know
you as an adult. I wish we had been able to grow together as I became me. I’m a
different person than when you died. Your death made me a different
person—kind, generous, more selfless and less selfish. It also made me more
timid and more fearful. It changed completely who I was. I wish I were this
person when you were alive. I was in my early 20’s, self-absorbed, and maybe even
bitter because of my illness. I’m sure I didn’t listen to anything you said or
treat you the best. I’m sure I said things I didn’t mean. I'm sorry. But no matter what I
couldn’t function normally without you—you were my first call of the day and my
last call of the night and several calls in between. And I still can’t
functional normally without you. So much so that I mostly stopped talking on
the phone after you died. I can’t stand that the other person on the end of the
line is never going to be you again. I still scroll through the last text
messages you sent me—the last communication we ever had over technology. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I can’t believe the things
I’m experiencing without you. It hurts my heart that I went to South Africa
without you. Or that I spent the day on the Shark Tank set without you, because
Robert would have loved you. As everyone did. He would have made a deal with
you for something! You were dynamic, intoxicating, strong, powerful, smart and
beautiful. You never took no for an answer and you were easy to admire. You lit up any room you were in. You
were everything I hoped I would turn out to be. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Saying that I miss you just
doesn’t seem right because it is so much more than that. I feel so incomplete
without you. My heartbreaks for the things I never saw you accomplish, I’m
always thinking how food has taken off so much now and you would be running
circles around todays best restaurateurs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Since I was little our thing always was saying to
one another "I love you to the moon and back". And mom today I love you to heaven
and back. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pbD1PYAvS1eKnf0KUF6ePjA96USQisAUE6BorbPMiulwYp6ovJQf6v0pvSPRHnC3wwwUKy42q5qwW7AVuOi148r7-yPrlsnLj2c0V6NTjsbdUhPqG05wt79fORFqlCO316sgHcqEOEo/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pbD1PYAvS1eKnf0KUF6ePjA96USQisAUE6BorbPMiulwYp6ovJQf6v0pvSPRHnC3wwwUKy42q5qwW7AVuOi148r7-yPrlsnLj2c0V6NTjsbdUhPqG05wt79fORFqlCO316sgHcqEOEo/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" width="226" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"> </span>
natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-2867160198610493712017-04-20T10:48:00.002-07:002017-04-20T11:35:23.497-07:00loss and adapting <div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Prince William inspired me to write on this
blog again. Please read this quote for context: </span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The prince, 34, who was 15 when his mother Princess Diana died in Paris, said: “The shock is the
biggest thing, and I still feel it 20 years later about my mother.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“People
think shock can’t last that long, but it does. It’s such an
unbelievably big moment in your life and it never leaves you, you just
learn to deal with it.”</span></span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’ve written a few posts in the past few weeks but they are bone
stabbing kind of deep. I don’t think they are ready for the Internet yet. But I
think this is medium deep, haha! So it seems more appropriate. I watched this
interview today with Prince William talking about the death of his mother—I bet
we all remember this day. It made me realize more people experience the same
losses as our own than we probably care to understand. It’s easy to think we
are the only one that may have gone through a particular thing. But loss is
universal, and the loss of a parent at a young age does actually happen to lots
of other people. And it also does happen to other chronically ill people. I’m
not the only person with CF to lose their mom to cancer. The thing is it’s all
tragic of course, but it’s a punch in the gut on top of 100 other punches. What
else can you do besides take it? </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But the loss of a parent, especially a mother,
is unlike anything else. It’s not like losing anyone else in your life. I came
into this world attached to only one person, by an umbilical cord, by months
together, by experiences in the past and promises of the future, and I felt it all violently ripped away from me when she wasn’t here anymore. (I am not
diminishing people raised by someone other than their birth mom.) </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think people assume I lost my mom so many
years ago it must be behind me. And it's not. I don't talk about it with too
many people but I'm still gutted by it every day. There are so many things that
happen every day that compound her loss, from tiny to monumental, from crisis
to joy. I've just learned to live my life with this gaping hole. And it's okay.
You learn to adapt. That's what life is mostly about—adapting to anything that
comes at you. The only real way to survive in almost any capacity is to adapt.
And adapting doesn’t mean that things can go back to the way they used to be.
It just means learning to move forward in a new way, in a new vehicle, or on a
new path. And if you are lucky enough you have people that will follow along
side of you. </span></span></div>
natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-57750006076693353212016-02-08T13:06:00.000-08:002016-02-08T13:06:18.168-08:00breathing spaceneed some breathing space<br />
off to napa I go...<br />
but aren't these pictures from the friday snow fall amazing?<br />
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<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-31115591344194455712016-01-18T09:20:00.000-08:002016-01-28T07:33:40.513-08:00To doing everything you want in 2016...I was able to cross many things off of my "to do" list last year; I hope that you guys did too! But if not 2016 is a new year to do the things you want to do! A few months ago I saw an article about how you could go swimming with wild pigs in the Bahamas. I knew right away I needed to go do this! I love animals and any interaction I can get with them. This seemed so cool! I've been getting so much better as I get older at just doing things I really want to do. I don't really go back and forth about things like I used to. It's become a great habit to just say to myself: I want to do it, I am going to do it! And then actually do it! So I booked plane tickets, hotel accommodations, and the pig excursion, without any hesitation.<br />
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When the time came a few months later to actually go I was thrilled with my decision. The day with the pigs was awesome. It wasn't like some magical religious experience. It was just really truly an awesome experience. The pigs were amazing. We were brought out about 60 miles from our hotel to an island were only wild pigs exist. It was so cool to watch them swim. Pigs don't normally swim but out of necessity to get food a 400 lb pig can teach itself to swim. This is a lesson any of us can learn. When you need to survive, you will learn how to survive. Here is hoping you all do everything that your heart desires in 2016! <br />
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<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-69717952585974769312015-08-26T12:46:00.005-07:002015-08-26T12:53:55.604-07:00Texas - Food & FaithI have been pretty quiet here on the blog. It might be the battle with constant infections or just laziness. Either way I am sorry! I wanted to bring you guys a travel blog with plenty of food. I had the opportunity to bring an important friend of mine to see Joel Osteen (a favorite of hers) which was an all around amazing experience! We got to sneak in great food too on our weekend away! It was my first time in Texas and boy was it hot there...But great!<br />
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<a href="http://www.vicandanthonys.com/" target="_blank">Vic & Anthon'y Steakhouse</a> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Lump Crab Cake Ever</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What an amazing steak! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck Fat Potatoes </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creamed Corn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most amazing bread pudding ever. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch by the pool</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.reefhouston.com/menu/" target="_blank">REEF</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Y10db_ogl2mryq4AwQBMCSivW06XrNZC1_21EhHZhyxaoO-gP6vXTq-wHryuylsXH0aNlktObO2RJMK8kKaycs7xohjd0RvatZr0aAHOww9WtoRk4Lw5JNvhrTnT8yNU5lGcPHjzM98/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Y10db_ogl2mryq4AwQBMCSivW06XrNZC1_21EhHZhyxaoO-gP6vXTq-wHryuylsXH0aNlktObO2RJMK8kKaycs7xohjd0RvatZr0aAHOww9WtoRk4Lw5JNvhrTnT8yNU5lGcPHjzM98/s400/IMG_0551.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasted Corn Ravioli </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YSfNPcA6IQtK1maSIX731Snhwx7UyQh6boPVKxNyYrGKHSwKYEeEIvAKy3mKBEEUz8zhpcmkdUzppUTSFW08BqSW8QYs8VPqttayEcxz1rOTPpfKNopRA7rXMJARrHk9te-gSfK4aLs/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YSfNPcA6IQtK1maSIX731Snhwx7UyQh6boPVKxNyYrGKHSwKYEeEIvAKy3mKBEEUz8zhpcmkdUzppUTSFW08BqSW8QYs8VPqttayEcxz1rOTPpfKNopRA7rXMJARrHk9te-gSfK4aLs/s400/IMG_0552.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another crab cake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnPPQEaxAKR5GTH2rx_DkjHV-ipzZlHMJHano8cP97mZexwPpxfJMDpCEnYMt3_LRd9XgMvSeLxKuw9VnS5r54Si4JDRNQcbHu4I3Q_-GXhFp6Sjl6IbbYTLRZwL0FiqrCEFz3Dh-rw4/s1600/IMG_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnPPQEaxAKR5GTH2rx_DkjHV-ipzZlHMJHano8cP97mZexwPpxfJMDpCEnYMt3_LRd9XgMvSeLxKuw9VnS5r54Si4JDRNQcbHu4I3Q_-GXhFp6Sjl6IbbYTLRZwL0FiqrCEFz3Dh-rw4/s400/IMG_0554.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Scallops </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_NZ7aC2GvC_RnOP3ab_d5YZOiGYI2i9X5wu4CNN8acAq86kGfxT8ee-WqWtr7d4N70aHVP5os68mZ0JUrv_pTnEIqe_fVrSElJcHe4-7Gi160fNB8G-JHpVOZCjZpQokU0w2xbEV9Kc/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_NZ7aC2GvC_RnOP3ab_d5YZOiGYI2i9X5wu4CNN8acAq86kGfxT8ee-WqWtr7d4N70aHVP5os68mZ0JUrv_pTnEIqe_fVrSElJcHe4-7Gi160fNB8G-JHpVOZCjZpQokU0w2xbEV9Kc/s400/IMG_0556.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried Mac + Cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mtRckikaOGHp8WQ3w3y_1RJPy06KwNTLOjJusgLpUXPzlOim3kAdSju3Cqu7Ey0vPOU1v-uzkv9UsW66_CcTOzUG_lwr2V7eG0YvaNy5vJ7g08IAWZLZywAnfrSEo_cfYX4A5U-KB3w/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mtRckikaOGHp8WQ3w3y_1RJPy06KwNTLOjJusgLpUXPzlOim3kAdSju3Cqu7Ey0vPOU1v-uzkv9UsW66_CcTOzUG_lwr2V7eG0YvaNy5vJ7g08IAWZLZywAnfrSEo_cfYX4A5U-KB3w/s400/IMG_0557.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pistachio Cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9xYpSMXToAr2XQiVWN23tdtr1ygXP3cqhpC3JMUtPL9sn0lIkla_QaTDBsSpmKNmiWDO7zEH7z5tqvF162PfSN_cEzR0-lkDRNGAtI_r-uEypHpnU2Jpbf7mpBOC6kcYHjXyJxtE3FI/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9xYpSMXToAr2XQiVWN23tdtr1ygXP3cqhpC3JMUtPL9sn0lIkla_QaTDBsSpmKNmiWDO7zEH7z5tqvF162PfSN_cEzR0-lkDRNGAtI_r-uEypHpnU2Jpbf7mpBOC6kcYHjXyJxtE3FI/s400/IMG_0559.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach Cobbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICTB0Nj5hSAJFZH6Embsutk4vc01JAc6B-LDx83YTgrMylyY2cBvmughQ75JueW6z0t-8dMgQgfrkAB_q2u5hE159Z4Zqx1cj3bpyb2uI23SYAWmuPrK9ab_QvkiU3gJ_G9frN49x0gU/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICTB0Nj5hSAJFZH6Embsutk4vc01JAc6B-LDx83YTgrMylyY2cBvmughQ75JueW6z0t-8dMgQgfrkAB_q2u5hE159Z4Zqx1cj3bpyb2uI23SYAWmuPrK9ab_QvkiU3gJ_G9frN49x0gU/s400/IMG_0561.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love room service</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACp4Rm7a86teDrfB8c82WgsNuF7Z6PQmUfI_opqdfePuFRZECpQ-HTV03DIjLHxaaCsSTJ9sj89U9bz9h_f5bX908CmQAe7LwXZ1Brx13frECazoM90xV5d4KuKe4w8rXwiy_Yc3bVJY/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACp4Rm7a86teDrfB8c82WgsNuF7Z6PQmUfI_opqdfePuFRZECpQ-HTV03DIjLHxaaCsSTJ9sj89U9bz9h_f5bX908CmQAe7LwXZ1Brx13frECazoM90xV5d4KuKe4w8rXwiy_Yc3bVJY/s400/IMG_0569.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A private tour. Us on the Lakewood stage! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCseHYttOno8Qtcg_dE7xywMrkX5P3z7wNrqV3inuIixjDItF2l4Y6yiVSgBH9RbXciviITzHAqGQNEEZ7fCzw6lT8JqZjXXaVKGot-izXBaDZ4gHQi_Alt_hrgSWEYNxoUT5SAdB2hH4/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCseHYttOno8Qtcg_dE7xywMrkX5P3z7wNrqV3inuIixjDItF2l4Y6yiVSgBH9RbXciviITzHAqGQNEEZ7fCzw6lT8JqZjXXaVKGot-izXBaDZ4gHQi_Alt_hrgSWEYNxoUT5SAdB2hH4/s400/IMG_0570.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivufYpHT8_qIdFU8ERIRB2DcbWXQ0jH6Vf3nN_2F7XUIESXzPBSuePZTzdkAf7BQX-YPy5xzgsjsjkqL3FasIZ0R63gtI0m-Fuq6b2tvWlAppU1hXUuApTF3ba23Haa5iWEFOQ0yfJHBQ/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivufYpHT8_qIdFU8ERIRB2DcbWXQ0jH6Vf3nN_2F7XUIESXzPBSuePZTzdkAf7BQX-YPy5xzgsjsjkqL3FasIZ0R63gtI0m-Fuq6b2tvWlAppU1hXUuApTF3ba23Haa5iWEFOQ0yfJHBQ/s400/IMG_0576.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobster tail bigger than my fist!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYeUm9ddY6JlhH_uysPhlZl4QWhnRan6-8XN0DRtpv5dY1cNilxFHOgvJsc1TZGMpQ2edDwJVe8cwHlO1lQ65SBHS_HYG4S44ivAcSgXQM03dJiAy5krumIJh6y6nkk8jPHu0ZwuUfro/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYeUm9ddY6JlhH_uysPhlZl4QWhnRan6-8XN0DRtpv5dY1cNilxFHOgvJsc1TZGMpQ2edDwJVe8cwHlO1lQ65SBHS_HYG4S44ivAcSgXQM03dJiAy5krumIJh6y6nkk8jPHu0ZwuUfro/s400/IMG_0583.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPqOJOcj5nfGEsYUbHZ_EWKowQI0XZ348EPwAN5JaWkk-5eR0ntvWdnH9GgI3LbK8Sq11BLOKMel-g75_ot_TJnz2vlAtDS5FNRizv9nlM7UbwfCAdmVis5uE3tJKkH7iwK6oF1_cQ34/s1600/IMG_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPqOJOcj5nfGEsYUbHZ_EWKowQI0XZ348EPwAN5JaWkk-5eR0ntvWdnH9GgI3LbK8Sq11BLOKMel-g75_ot_TJnz2vlAtDS5FNRizv9nlM7UbwfCAdmVis5uE3tJKkH7iwK6oF1_cQ34/s400/IMG_0585.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel was so nice!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5W3-3AgWqoclBseD1PddJE6R_V-IeE0_uHJ88k10rKJXzkFBeSW4HpDbMV8yf7wcn9UDGZZs7yUJSukJZKrZyP5m8-88sUIpCXcO_8-fnCHsyov3e6LIkZapHMsJYwS1lz6RY3yZKRYo/s1600/IMG_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5W3-3AgWqoclBseD1PddJE6R_V-IeE0_uHJ88k10rKJXzkFBeSW4HpDbMV8yf7wcn9UDGZZs7yUJSukJZKrZyP5m8-88sUIpCXcO_8-fnCHsyov3e6LIkZapHMsJYwS1lz6RY3yZKRYo/s400/IMG_0590.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy_r106CYVv_VVptjG4QA28VIK0exQZsL7aXJJgrZlsaioBc3WWUynrXzD9i5EPFIza0f6uh-XvZNU6LwfFcDU27YNlSPfEuIz1FhJcr0Pq2sRvbUwQd2zI1jSsL3esNhKKbxJ29WnSo/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy_r106CYVv_VVptjG4QA28VIK0exQZsL7aXJJgrZlsaioBc3WWUynrXzD9i5EPFIza0f6uh-XvZNU6LwfFcDU27YNlSPfEuIz1FhJcr0Pq2sRvbUwQd2zI1jSsL3esNhKKbxJ29WnSo/s400/IMG_0597.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel from 1st Row</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<a href="https://www.haymerchant.com/" target="_blank">The Hay Merchant</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiBsVdVX02fyNajZvdFm3rc3Kw1ZdaIYUNttuDJonyuS40MePnkqEWrsRNbIBYYZIhW7bAUAv13erinMrD82yI5bCB9UHkVuRF2YFDSu7chqIKojCLCHOQEYdNvtYq6Gggmr6GJ6BLaM/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiBsVdVX02fyNajZvdFm3rc3Kw1ZdaIYUNttuDJonyuS40MePnkqEWrsRNbIBYYZIhW7bAUAv13erinMrD82yI5bCB9UHkVuRF2YFDSu7chqIKojCLCHOQEYdNvtYq6Gggmr6GJ6BLaM/s400/IMG_0610.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PB&J chicken wings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-j35GJhyphenhypheniBpY5x6HI14Pf4EKD6VE8sueewtBrhPmWWd9on6HSycnqwYS5IcplH69n8v_v5BluuMHVXWyZMzs9E-mh45RsNe2Bu04L9wV8cWaISnaROi6to5OBrjA9kuPOLo44hAuUtA/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-j35GJhyphenhypheniBpY5x6HI14Pf4EKD6VE8sueewtBrhPmWWd9on6HSycnqwYS5IcplH69n8v_v5BluuMHVXWyZMzs9E-mh45RsNe2Bu04L9wV8cWaISnaROi6to5OBrjA9kuPOLo44hAuUtA/s400/IMG_0611.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great burger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZVRgxfKIvZz2gdbKx6Lz1FgEyffelK8hFt3YaKuLg6JbttT9LJyndInqINxCTUz_9KHOSTLuSh_L-WA09SMd6pBY4yTVHniT-P7nNF1bf-Zlj4HpAQfMf9qzADaTsW0RTsvOYCybnW8/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZVRgxfKIvZz2gdbKx6Lz1FgEyffelK8hFt3YaKuLg6JbttT9LJyndInqINxCTUz_9KHOSTLuSh_L-WA09SMd6pBY4yTVHniT-P7nNF1bf-Zlj4HpAQfMf9qzADaTsW0RTsvOYCybnW8/s400/IMG_0612.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried French Toast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0jKULKrm-I-yE5jJfqP-V6VVsmcTpYtXCbZ_C8qSnO0eQ2NPN-CnoTDNV_1AZPcgvkybLbdXaLovvbZmlm23vu-PCrZPieV4pvvKtjDAmgVVThI1JjFpqO3axbVnzvdsaDqzSeIEALQ/s1600/IMG_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0jKULKrm-I-yE5jJfqP-V6VVsmcTpYtXCbZ_C8qSnO0eQ2NPN-CnoTDNV_1AZPcgvkybLbdXaLovvbZmlm23vu-PCrZPieV4pvvKtjDAmgVVThI1JjFpqO3axbVnzvdsaDqzSeIEALQ/s400/IMG_0613.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3yP2JSQVOwlG9SamBMFHTnCZ5Cbcmil0YmGwo22MJJAsfWVAyShtCyiXO9YbUCZDqZ0qIzoojJWzD5Chr8dSjq8rpqf2QItTNnnksNuv1mtFRdDq1ke7Tg_Hat_BeDZoqe0iPLLaHmM/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3yP2JSQVOwlG9SamBMFHTnCZ5Cbcmil0YmGwo22MJJAsfWVAyShtCyiXO9YbUCZDqZ0qIzoojJWzD5Chr8dSjq8rpqf2QItTNnnksNuv1mtFRdDq1ke7Tg_Hat_BeDZoqe0iPLLaHmM/s400/IMG_0614.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamed pork buns</td></tr>
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<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-48921051515582220692015-08-26T11:43:00.001-07:002015-08-26T11:43:19.787-07:00natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-84901658671258589982015-03-30T09:51:00.003-07:002015-03-30T09:53:00.308-07:00Glamour MagazineAn essay I wrote was featured in the digital edition of Glamour Magazine! Please take a minute to read it and let me know what you think! Thanks!<br />
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<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-32930215565835097592015-01-12T14:17:00.001-08:002015-01-12T14:20:15.381-08:00Lego Exhibit!IVs are done for now (we are leaving my picc line in) so I got out to see <a href="http://www.bostonbricks.com/" target="_blank">The Art of the Brick</a> in Boston. It was SO very awesome! Here are some pictures. All of these things are made out of Legos. Some of them needed up to 20,000+ legos to complete. The dinosaur took an entire summer. <br />
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<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-30703382745751992722014-11-12T14:29:00.004-08:002014-11-12T14:29:25.356-08:00Thank you first lungsToday in 2003 I got the call for my first lung transplant. I never could have imagined what it was like to breathe like a normal person. Those lungs were seriously perfection. I can't even explain it to most of you because most of you who read this breathe like that every day on your own. Well that was how those lungs made me feel. Normal. They allowed my mom to see me live life and not struggle to breathe for the first time in 18 years. I thank my first donor family so much for that. It was a true miracle. For years I got to be pretty much a normal person. Don't take normality for granted. I am so sorry to I had to say good bye to those lungs, but they allowed me to live so much life. I am thankful every day. And I think if them and my first donor family often. And all of those people that supported me and helped me to get there. And mostly I think of my mom today and our journey together. natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-2431234096439996332014-10-13T14:30:00.000-07:002014-10-13T14:30:40.944-07:00pumpkinsFall is my absolute favorite. Not only has it always been the easiest air for me to breath, but I love the changing leaves, everything apple, especially cider and it is the official start of the holiday season to me. I have always loved to decorate pumpkins. The past few years I have gone non traditional with gold leaf and metallic spray paint. This year I wanted to make pumpkins that I could use every year. I purchased craft pumpkins and had the idea to paint them and embellish them. I scoped out the Martha Stewart craft paints and the paper embellishment aisle at Michaels and decided what would pair well together. I came up with three combinations: black/white, gray/glass, white/red:<br />
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<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-68980429349631640052014-09-18T14:04:00.000-07:002014-09-18T14:18:42.002-07:00A health update<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Last time I updated you all I had some lung rejection going on, which very thankfully has been cleared up! Best news ever! This of course made me nervous - so far with these second lungs I have been rejection free and this prompted a lot of memories and fears, naturally! What prompted the lung biopsy was chest/back pain and a low grade fever. This started a month ago. We have been searching for a diagnosis which has included a lot of time in NY, a lot of time at my local hospital with many many scans and test, and even an emergency gallbladder surgery (when on a nuclear scan searching for a reason for my pain it showed my gallbladder was not working.) No one really was sure that removing the gallbladder would stop the pain and fevers I am feeling. Sadly it did not. It's been a drag feeling unwell for this long. It messed with your mental state to have a fever every day and all over chest pain with no answers. It also is even harder because it's chest related, which is in the area of my precious lungs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I've been home a lot this month not doing a great deal. I will feel fine, then the fever hits me and all my joints hurt. My chest almost constantly (breast bone, and under my breasts, radiating all over my chest) feels like it is there is something bearing down on my lungs, the pain moves, the compression moves around but is always there, it's very strange. It's a feeling that signals a lot of worry to me. It is worse when I lay down, so it keeps me up too. I'm mentioning all these symptoms in case anyone reading this goes: AHA! I know what this is! I've had several echos, ekgs, ct scans, abdominal scans, ultrasounds, blood work....all clean, so Monday I will get a PET scan to check for a hidden infection or PTLD. I google a million times what might be going on and I have to believe there is an infection in my lungs, heart, or chest bones that is causing this and hopefully one of those things comes up on the PET scan and we have an answer! And then can find the right treatment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Soon I hope to be posting about food, restaurants and some awesome vacation (this thought is keeping me sane.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thanks for listening! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Oh I should mention I am a finalist in a challenge to meet Martha Stewart (I have deeply admired her forever!) I worked really hard for a month submitting countless recipes. It gave me a mission while I wasn't really feeling great, which was good for me. If you have the time please go vote (voting is every day until October first.) Please register and after you do it takes one second to vote every day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://mondelez.promo.eprize.com/triscuit/"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">https://mondelez.promo.eprize.com/triscuit/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is what my entry looks like</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC9gnYKLLT46wb0LLQPqwc7ilmeAbZtueUawQ8smu6nWCpRM6dhC8XHcHxhfZeF3KgZ3IsrjhTl6hUl3-ue5nE-w3TjUaCOROcljB7NWJpQdc9YO2DPWyl0GiSF-uqXu41m8lIpgFgg8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-15+at+3.37.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC9gnYKLLT46wb0LLQPqwc7ilmeAbZtueUawQ8smu6nWCpRM6dhC8XHcHxhfZeF3KgZ3IsrjhTl6hUl3-ue5nE-w3TjUaCOROcljB7NWJpQdc9YO2DPWyl0GiSF-uqXu41m8lIpgFgg8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-15+at+3.37.59+PM.png" height="272" width="640" /></a></div>
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natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-89665443369219601462014-08-13T11:23:00.000-07:002014-08-14T16:11:59.173-07:00Oh hey, remember that time I met Mario Batali<style>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">People keep telling me I
should blog about this story. Although I do write this blog and am on all
social media, I am very private. I know! This started really as a way to keep
people connected when I was really sick and it was too hard for me to talk on
the phone and I was even too tired to text so many people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Most people know I don’t
play the lung card, ever. I actually never even tell people I’ve had two
transplants or have cystic fibrosis. It’s not that I am ashamed of it, but I
hate being the center of attention! It’s my biggest fear! Oh yes, wait I am
working on a memoir. Well, everyone contradicts themselves sometimes! The only
time I ever played the lung card is when I met Michael Jackson through Make A Wish.
And that took me years! I tried every other way possible (for 8 years) to meet
the most famous person on the planet. And I, nor anyone that had any degree of
separation from Michael Jackson could make it happen. Everyone tried. Michael
was my bright light when I couldn’t breathe. I can’t explain it to someone that
has not been through it, but sometimes family and friends who love you more
than life cannot lift your sprits as much as someone you don’t even know.
Michael helped keep me alive. Finally as my last resort when I was 18 I reached
out to Make A Wish and asked to spend the day with Michael at his Neverland
Ranch. They even pushed me to pick something else but I did not give up. I
don’t share that experience a lot, but everyone that knows me knows how special
and life saving it was for me. Once in a while just the presence of someone can
help heal your insides. I needed that day. I needed his brightness. And I am so
lucky to have experienced him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I don’t seek out to meet
famous people. Michael was special. Michael is special. It’s true I have an
unexplainable thing for Martha Stewart – not the prim and proper, but the funny
unexpected Martha. I also have a really easily explainable thing for Mario Batali
and his food. I spend a lot of time in Manhattan – this is where I’ve had both
of my lung transplants and my team is there, so I’ve eaten at all of his
restaurants. All of you know how much I love food and how happy it makes me. All
of you know I was raised by a restaurateur who passed away 7 years ago. And
food is one of those things that didn’t die with her. I eat the best food I can
in order to still have food experiences that transcend losing her. I can go on
and on about Mario’s pasta, I can tell you any dish I’ve ever had at any of his
restaurants. I liked him before he was The Chew famous. I knew who he was way
back in the day from being raised in food culture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mario is big on twitter. And
back when my lungs were turning two, I wanted to do something really special to
celebrate. Since my second transplant I’ve done as much as I can to experience
everything I can. Life is infinitesimal. I’m generally not afraid to ask for
anything. The worst anyone can ever tell you is no, or ignore you, that is
worse actually. So I set out on what I called the Mario Mission to meet him at
one of his restaurants to celebrate my lungs turning two. Someone asked me how
I was going to celebrate and I replied: Mario Batali is going to cook for me.
And they laughed. Oh, those small dreamers! I reached out on twitter because
that is his big platform and I told myself I would tweet him (also known as
annoy him) for 30 days before I would give it a rest. Well, on the 4<sup>th</sup>
or 5<sup>th</sup> day he tweeted me back and told me to come on in! He would
meet me! I have a pretty relaxed personality, very rarely do I get worked up
either way, but the excitement in my house that day was high! We arranged a day
and which restaurant I would come to and what time and he “would be there!” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My drive to Manhattan was
anxiety ridden to say the least. My friend, Aly, who as you guys following on a
regular basis know, lives in Manhattan. She met me at my hotel and we had a pre
drink – you know nothing eases your nerves like a mini bar vodka. And maybe we
had a few more pre drinks at a bar near Babbo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I didn’t really know if he
would show up. Not because I think he doesn’t follow through, but because I am
familiar with how busy he MUST be. He must have a hundred things to do in any
given day and I am just some person he doesn’t know that wants to celebrate my life
by eating at Babbo and maybe having a face-to-face conversation. Wanting to
meet Mario is not about aspiring to be Mario, wanting to cook, open a
restaurant, or any of the reasons many might want to meet him. I wanted to meet
Mario because Mario knows food. Mario, from what I can see observing on the
outside, experiences life to the max and appreciates food to the max. I was
taught something similar from my mom, who lived life to the fullest (cliché
sorry) even with a sick child like me. We always loved life even when it was
not easy. My mom allowed me to experience so many amazing things: many that
included the greatest food and wine. I think Mario lives along the same vein. I
think that is pretty cool. And I wanted to meet someone who shares the same
life philosophy and also happens to be a rockstar in the kitchen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When we walked in and I said
my name to the hostess I knew immediately the staff knew who I was and that
Mario was coming. I could feel it in the way they talked to me. They sat us at
a special table in the back, where other people might not notice Mario or
bother him. They were extra attentive. Now I was nervous! So we did what anyone
would do and ordered a bottle of wine ASAP. The staff was so nice to us. We
ordered our food and special goodies started coming out. I think at this point
I was likely sweating from anxiety. Aly can talk to a wall, but I had this
sneaking suspicion when he came to our table Aly was going to be silent for the
first time ever. And yes this did happen! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am going to make a long
story short and say after our appetizers arrived Mario came over to our table
and introduced himself. He chatted momentarily with us before leaving to let us
eat our food and then seemed to get pulled away to one of the many other things
he had to do that night. I can’t tell you the power of someone saying they are
going to show up and then they do. There are a lot of people in real life that
don’t do that. And here a very famous busy guy, that didn’t know me and said he
would stop by to say hello via twitter did. Saying you are going to do
something and doing it is very powerful. People can say what they want about
Mario Batali but he did a very upstanding thing for me that puts and keeps him
in a special category of ultra cool people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In the end, sometimes a
little outside inspiration can be life changing. Sadly it’s not always the
biggest people in your life that can push you forward during a bad time or a
hard day. But it is so important to find what that is for you (even those
without a crazy disease) and to ask for help however you can. Most of the time
people are willing to be helpful and even make your dreams come true! You would
be surprised! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And thanks again Mario! </span></div>
natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-90463926847896621362014-08-12T07:23:00.001-07:002014-08-13T11:24:02.176-07:00oh, rejection always hurts!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wanted to update you guys on my chest/back pain and consequent lung biopsy last week. I have some airway rejection going on inside my lungs. And I thank my body for sending off an alert sign to me so that we had a reason to go in and do a biopsy. I am starting treatment today of high dose prednisone (a medication I take everyday and will forever, but at a much much much higher dose than usual.) This should take care of the inflammation/rejection. Yes, of course this freaks me out. I haven't had an episode of rejection with these lungs yet and was hoping for a long long course of none of this, considering chronic rejection destroyed my last lungs. This is not chronic, but yes every case of any rejection makes chronic more plausible. However, this is a very very low grade and should be just a page in a very long book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So here is to my first day on 60 mg of prednisone, which will make me a crazy person for the rest of the month!</span>natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-69422602223698121182014-08-11T09:30:00.005-07:002014-08-11T09:32:58.382-07:00beauty and essex<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">as you all know last Thursday I had a lung biopsy. I had to go into Manhattan the night before because my surgery time was early. It's always really nice to make a fun night, with a good meal and a fun hotel, before hospital procedures. My friend Aly had mentioned to me on several occasions that she had to take my to this restaurant in the lower east side called <a href="http://beautyandessex.com/" target="_blank">beauty and essex</a> because they have mini food, and I have a big affinity for any tiny food item. But it's hard to get a reservation and sadly it had eluded me. But Wednesday night when I was looking at opentable, they had many openings!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">here is everything I ate, and I recommend any of you in NYC to go for a fun night out! It's a secret restaurant in back of a little store, so don't be alarmed when you walk in and think "where is the restaurant?" just walk through the door and you'll enter in a very cool huge space filled with people and lovely food!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdaTerCAQPexTcMyLK78UU2a-K-w-sCcKGpT52MgVvkjIPmIgeq6oQH2HZqIGSeCwFIr2vUbSiw2gPfMCBih-YzeuIf7xdtPocfkwPzbQnL8DBPzQsgaCH_VvIXifX-uJYQ0LZdMBhs4/s1600/foodtray.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdaTerCAQPexTcMyLK78UU2a-K-w-sCcKGpT52MgVvkjIPmIgeq6oQH2HZqIGSeCwFIr2vUbSiw2gPfMCBih-YzeuIf7xdtPocfkwPzbQnL8DBPzQsgaCH_VvIXifX-uJYQ0LZdMBhs4/s1600/foodtray.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Love a good snack tray in a hotel room!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc3EEXo5_5974q5VWtdca0bnzHE9Q8D9S2125oCP3bQ2VMLhxqGfFC1U_Hw7KBDPtfeef3l-xSMSGX5KGJNLmvtRvwTMoW6fCJ47QG6o1EGYFOsWcL7xVHlP8mYULFa9Y2EQoj-JgwW8/s1600/essex3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc3EEXo5_5974q5VWtdca0bnzHE9Q8D9S2125oCP3bQ2VMLhxqGfFC1U_Hw7KBDPtfeef3l-xSMSGX5KGJNLmvtRvwTMoW6fCJ47QG6o1EGYFOsWcL7xVHlP8mYULFa9Y2EQoj-JgwW8/s1600/essex3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">taco wonton</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaZbZEOcOynKYeEC4a3aLQRXXi-ZClniyFyYG8QT0p3LZq1eueJwlm40JBVK0h37gs0ukdi1UCci-X-o0mdeMC2HgHtnqfZTdXml351KvqVgqj5jnyWBl-LJgz2awI_zT9FU_4EaLqLk/s1600/essex4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaZbZEOcOynKYeEC4a3aLQRXXi-ZClniyFyYG8QT0p3LZq1eueJwlm40JBVK0h37gs0ukdi1UCci-X-o0mdeMC2HgHtnqfZTdXml351KvqVgqj5jnyWBl-LJgz2awI_zT9FU_4EaLqLk/s1600/essex4.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">crispy onions, roast beef on pretzel bread</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwV5Ao5qY6gyta7CDs463qJX1ov7SA2ei522boXd0aXXvPLsg_RMvLqkR082DwE6XWcOJTlAwZK8LD0tvuAm1gOoiYLkAzM9DDLh5brT4ku6DVzNU_BeOQ3Sj7wEQLhvSKmpXsOoXev5s/s1600/essex5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwV5Ao5qY6gyta7CDs463qJX1ov7SA2ei522boXd0aXXvPLsg_RMvLqkR082DwE6XWcOJTlAwZK8LD0tvuAm1gOoiYLkAzM9DDLh5brT4ku6DVzNU_BeOQ3Sj7wEQLhvSKmpXsOoXev5s/s1600/essex5.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">tomato soup with a cheese dumping - amazing</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqA4hv0ORKRF2j2fcCDTC4qqO3OB0_LpVwn-UpdDIL8utbgUx9DCAiwSIp5OHHbje4GDCIj2gFjLwLMj_T09-sMAEU3zSb3cZdeX7IUz6B8Rw1C7xDu4gJTZnB071tOKT6c3p5kaXLUc/s1600/essex6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqA4hv0ORKRF2j2fcCDTC4qqO3OB0_LpVwn-UpdDIL8utbgUx9DCAiwSIp5OHHbje4GDCIj2gFjLwLMj_T09-sMAEU3zSb3cZdeX7IUz6B8Rw1C7xDu4gJTZnB071tOKT6c3p5kaXLUc/s1600/essex6.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">tempura fried lobster</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">tomato confit with quail eggs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJuwKtk4pwUVybM7tVI1Zpt_QVieoDm6q5ubt_9dY6cVk1sMFRHwX2Vw2HpZ8utbUezvdasHF7VKcUisWja3ZuEDa0nWIuJ2ht6E7TNXJU2hfyFf6qyStKh4uPx1Cqga81sX7qRwmn44/s1600/essex.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJuwKtk4pwUVybM7tVI1Zpt_QVieoDm6q5ubt_9dY6cVk1sMFRHwX2Vw2HpZ8utbUezvdasHF7VKcUisWja3ZuEDa0nWIuJ2ht6E7TNXJU2hfyFf6qyStKh4uPx1Cqga81sX7qRwmn44/s1600/essex.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">cucumber soup</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr9pDtILPjTVAPqZ13gIMKQSLp8F55PsZZbYWxxVoPfcGY3bxid3czW_YX7mVRLhVAuPLriQheiEJI-J1MJUDi0rb_U1fW-hSA7UGhYiG7OgcS_Sfej4KmIVWZVAEepLu2fgWFtKnS3o/s1600/essex8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr9pDtILPjTVAPqZ13gIMKQSLp8F55PsZZbYWxxVoPfcGY3bxid3czW_YX7mVRLhVAuPLriQheiEJI-J1MJUDi0rb_U1fW-hSA7UGhYiG7OgcS_Sfej4KmIVWZVAEepLu2fgWFtKnS3o/s1600/essex8.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">devil layer cake with milk ice cream</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VS4So3CAX4m5jiRo0FtPi5Bi9ZEgGfNvYOKXrA112Sri3TN_lB7EWX4hUHkA3nBMNXKzwrHiR_owdwC93A9DCn5G-QWsgTdBh5FlL6zXsik_6BTf43X9Yq0eZJL8scJjDJIx0KKlLHs/s1600/essex7.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the most amazing nutella donuts</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-41531928886453730922014-08-05T07:39:00.002-07:002014-08-05T07:39:28.428-07:00a hiccup<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As you guys know I was supposed to be having much needed and long awaited sinus surgery tomorrow. Well I had to postpone it. Big bummer. I've been having some chest and back pain that got really severe on Sunday. ER trip included. My chest x-ray, EKG, and CT scan ruled out any heart problems, or blood clots. But since it's in the lung area I have to go Thursday for a lung biopsy. I had one scheduled for next week anyway as a yearly thing, but it's wise to do it sooner and make sure there is not any rejection or infection going on. And this totally puts the sinuses to the side now. I've been health issue free for about a year now, so this kind of knocks you back to reality that anything can go wrong at anytime--which is the scary harsh reality of chronic illness. I should at least have rejection results on Friday, and I will be sure to keep you guys in the loop! Thanks in advance for your positive thoughts! </span></span>natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-9780557665287155162014-07-29T17:06:00.002-07:002014-07-29T17:27:19.839-07:00july clinic visit<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I had a check up with my
transplant team in Manhattan yesterday. I go about every three months now. Most
people would find this exciting, but it’s also kind of nerve wracking. I like
to be checked out a little more often. But it is nice too! Be careful what you
wish for, I know! </span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">What can I report to you?
I’ve gained some weight. I know when they all say: YOU LOOK SO HEALTHY! That is
code for: you gained a few pounds Natasha! It’s okay…everyone I crossed passed
with also told me shoes were fantastic so it all evens out! ; ) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">My lungs are looking good.
My sinuses have been giving me problems all year and I finally go in for sinus
surgery next week, which is not something I am thrilled over. I know I’ll be in
pain. I’ll be at MGH, a hospital where I am not followed at, and no one really
“knows” me. But after the past month of unreal headaches I am looking forward
to it a little bit! Hopefully it resolves the insane head pain and I won’t be
counting a fifth sinus infection since they seem to be coming fast and furious
now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">My lung function is stable.
My kidneys are stable. All jump up and down good news! I don’t want any new
organs anytime soon; I’m pretty content with the ones I have. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I go in next Wednesday so
I’ll be reporting back soon, hopefully nice and drugged up! I can't be held responsible for any communication later next week!</span></div>
natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-71294046790285716052014-07-11T09:27:00.002-07:002014-07-11T09:27:38.933-07:00how and why
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I’ve focused a lot of my latest blog posts in the past year
on what I’ve been doing in life – mainly eating and traveling. It is easy to
forget that I’m only able to do those things because I’ve had two double lung
transplants. The mind has a way of hiding traumatic events deep inside—everyone
has as least one. But several times a day I think of the fact that I am
breathing through someone else’s lungs—a gift of life that two separate families
gave to me during their hardest moment. There are a lot of emotions that make
me think about this: sadness, happiness, pain, humility, fear, gratitude and so
on. It’s always good to have a center to bring you back to the world and mine just
happens to be that my lungs are not my own. It is a scary wonderful miracle of
a thing that helps me to move forward when I am stuck. Or helps me to be
thankful when I am not. I think there may be this perfection that when you beat
something (read: ANYTHING) that from the point of survival on you are always
joyful and happy and thankful. That is not so. I have hard days and easy days.
I have bright and dark—same as anyone. The point is there is always something
to bring you back to why you are here and why you are continuing to fight. I
heard this really great quote a few weeks ago: if you have a “why” you can get
through any “how”. And I believe that is the truth. Your how may not be waiting
for a lung transplant, but we all have something. And hopefully we all have a
why…. </div>
natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-48853172868972388162014-05-21T12:54:00.002-07:002014-05-21T12:55:34.849-07:00ricotta gnocchi<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have made a lot of potato gnocchi, but a few weeks ago I had some really amazing ricotta gnocchi in manhattan and wanted to try and replicate it at home. Honestly it is so much easier than potato gnocchi and I think even tastes better. Even for those of you that do not like ricotta, you would not even know it is made from it!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Serves around 4</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One 16-ounce container whole-milk ricotta</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span itemprop="ingredients">1 large egg</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span itemprop="ingredients">1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span itemprop="ingredients">1/2 teaspoon salt</span><span itemprop="ingredients"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span itemprop="ingredients">1 cup flour</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span itemprop="ingredients">Combine all of these things together until well incorporated. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. You want the consistency to me not wet, yet not dry when you take it out and roll it into your typical gnocchi "log." It should be somewhat wet, but if it is sticking to your hands at all add a little more flour. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span itemprop="ingredients">Once you roll the dough into a log and cut your sections freeze them on a plate for about 15 minutes before you boil them. When you boil them and they bob to the surface they are almost done, let then cook for another minute or so. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span itemprop="ingredients">Proceed to cook them in whatever sauce you desire in a saute pan. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmAS35bP7f4yduP0iKjA4uieOZFyfUALEV1iQ_0VyUGSWHuIIckU1YKjH_qzFbfPQZsuR2T_5HogbRNUrm2j1jIM6jywgKzEhJjGDEHjOjvgQQdbm-bUqCcnwKh9uP45H30wOmgQvEt4/s1600/ricottag2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmAS35bP7f4yduP0iKjA4uieOZFyfUALEV1iQ_0VyUGSWHuIIckU1YKjH_qzFbfPQZsuR2T_5HogbRNUrm2j1jIM6jywgKzEhJjGDEHjOjvgQQdbm-bUqCcnwKh9uP45H30wOmgQvEt4/s1600/ricottag2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhRXy-H_wplB8cmuV40vKIQ5f23wdVc0I4C1HxujXkdOotdRBKOnPn28QzIs6Nlk3RKDCQc_Is-sPRKfxU2hk11BU9HkBD50yFdAUM5QLHcqRRqYYaqHIFsooWxniV4A1SSMIqTb2e8A/s1600/ricottagnocchi1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhRXy-H_wplB8cmuV40vKIQ5f23wdVc0I4C1HxujXkdOotdRBKOnPn28QzIs6Nlk3RKDCQc_Is-sPRKfxU2hk11BU9HkBD50yFdAUM5QLHcqRRqYYaqHIFsooWxniV4A1SSMIqTb2e8A/s1600/ricottagnocchi1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNizYP11Lz3xEPKfCn1-2tD6lpsO_gnSu9276TUHFYbCSXLEI2lLujYCJ1BG_288hgbC4FC7So2vjEAIZX-ckc9ILUAI6qZC1D0qUNgRtO3p7skEYDGrQdGspk-OBCFf6ZR_O5xXuvYM/s1600/ricottag7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNizYP11Lz3xEPKfCn1-2tD6lpsO_gnSu9276TUHFYbCSXLEI2lLujYCJ1BG_288hgbC4FC7So2vjEAIZX-ckc9ILUAI6qZC1D0qUNgRtO3p7skEYDGrQdGspk-OBCFf6ZR_O5xXuvYM/s1600/ricottag7.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span itemprop="ingredients"> </span><br />
<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-58375596481879789352014-05-14T11:19:00.003-07:002014-05-14T11:20:31.541-07:00the future of junk food pop up<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is a pop up series going on called: <a href="https://twitter.com/TFOJF" target="_blank">The Future of Junk Food</a> with chefs <a href="https://twitter.com/samuelmonsour" target="_blank">Samuel Monsour</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/markmoleary" target="_blank">Mark O'Leary</a>. I didn't happen to catch the first one, but was able to make it to the second (at <a href="http://exnecambridge.com/" target="_blank">East by Northeast</a>). The concept is to take the idea of junk food and elevate it with eclectic, local, better for you ingredients. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vsheyjl161tqQQwnsKpu-dRt9Xm-p9X3QLtNa7yelXPfHEfBlGZ_ZMUNIYJDWc-9No5JN1VaqXo1ipolSpZIVusj1glXauodAPXVoTh67q7IVq2SlaJVV01T9tzXKTm6xlv7o6eGt1g/s1600/junkfood1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vsheyjl161tqQQwnsKpu-dRt9Xm-p9X3QLtNa7yelXPfHEfBlGZ_ZMUNIYJDWc-9No5JN1VaqXo1ipolSpZIVusj1glXauodAPXVoTh67q7IVq2SlaJVV01T9tzXKTm6xlv7o6eGt1g/s1600/junkfood1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJxWNcGK56kljH75PZb2FQH7uznXO-88ikJRPIXyx9r5AhaPEcfbdmTd0fTMDMDphlFiL9jClQ7PbP2q6-RVfzgjDPgxDxhiPupH9U4ehnSZZtmLtzUCSBrFZgtccyokgDRedG_q0hKM/s1600/junkfood4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJxWNcGK56kljH75PZb2FQH7uznXO-88ikJRPIXyx9r5AhaPEcfbdmTd0fTMDMDphlFiL9jClQ7PbP2q6-RVfzgjDPgxDxhiPupH9U4ehnSZZtmLtzUCSBrFZgtccyokgDRedG_q0hKM/s1600/junkfood4.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Flamin' Hot Cheetos - Pig Ears, Uni, Lardo</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dBgOFa0C3mWYeN7s_s8lLnjinxNoUOyPW7BEhfjneDyjptmUHtuMsfAzKaEO21N8pbKYwPCaalvfwvEJhGehWJnQK3QU09HBTzSxsCbp4qs26iztjq54EcK3cCVV9xZPkdaCbpuxuC0/s1600/junkfood5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dBgOFa0C3mWYeN7s_s8lLnjinxNoUOyPW7BEhfjneDyjptmUHtuMsfAzKaEO21N8pbKYwPCaalvfwvEJhGehWJnQK3QU09HBTzSxsCbp4qs26iztjq54EcK3cCVV9xZPkdaCbpuxuC0/s1600/junkfood5.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cheese Sticks - Robiola, English Peas, Morels</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IcpG-u8AhWPSJMFnYuE8NbLXSOC-B7AC6IoTMWXkRKLfRpQgNnotfZD512i9bUw9oMoQr12XFvcoKL9YkiXyp0nP6F-mcwK_FTtC3l47ieS9vTjZ3WlWcwsc5aJJI6dMQmWg9vi-vMI/s1600/junkfood6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IcpG-u8AhWPSJMFnYuE8NbLXSOC-B7AC6IoTMWXkRKLfRpQgNnotfZD512i9bUw9oMoQr12XFvcoKL9YkiXyp0nP6F-mcwK_FTtC3l47ieS9vTjZ3WlWcwsc5aJJI6dMQmWg9vi-vMI/s1600/junkfood6.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Uncrustables - Pancetta, Sicilian Pistachio, Rhubarb</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rangoons - Soft Shell Crab, Apricot, Mascarpone</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chalupa - Beef Cheeks, Radish, Ramps</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fried Chicken Dinner - Favas, Black Truffle, Marjoram</span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv4jnYQdozuGS58WzFQaJ0R1_2w8IImYLSwLYVGYwh6kMsYBnstDCCmZTWH5JXKqYW9foppVQbkMiUS0DC1s6C9td4VGfSTci3wcu2sn2oo9Yr-wlxlqaTe5sxVX01iEDHMxdYil5kGE/s1600/junkfood11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv4jnYQdozuGS58WzFQaJ0R1_2w8IImYLSwLYVGYwh6kMsYBnstDCCmZTWH5JXKqYW9foppVQbkMiUS0DC1s6C9td4VGfSTci3wcu2sn2oo9Yr-wlxlqaTe5sxVX01iEDHMxdYil5kGE/s1600/junkfood11.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chipwich - Fois Gras, Black Garlic, Cocoa Nib</span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGz3D7FkSI44oQm_pE59L2G4Bi0dEG8XDaX0kEZiOqE0JCcWtuLKXcfv2xQKQhUO2MUyyRvZss-f6eNZ_hm_Ljqlc0kCjz8nqGvM2nYrxgRruOCSGdXSG_HfYHxaIaNXv9DjMcSSSZhF0/s1600/junkfood13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGz3D7FkSI44oQm_pE59L2G4Bi0dEG8XDaX0kEZiOqE0JCcWtuLKXcfv2xQKQhUO2MUyyRvZss-f6eNZ_hm_Ljqlc0kCjz8nqGvM2nYrxgRruOCSGdXSG_HfYHxaIaNXv9DjMcSSSZhF0/s1600/junkfood13.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374785887862156977.post-29003018854828964102014-05-12T13:17:00.002-07:002014-05-12T13:22:29.093-07:00mother's day<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">since my mom passed away I usually like to do something a little non traditional for mother's day - basically anything that doesn't remind me of it! This year my very long time friend Jess (who also lost her mom to breast cancer years before I did) decided to spend the day in Manhattan. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ0sWdhUIj0XqehdegBYLyOyeYQhrgEk_hsLZ99CDp9PDNNES8OdmB6OB6pNrXu1SUt6t-te8RvOhNQAOlrZn319MjWc-aFvpU-wypudIhCuA-eSd9RR1c2285TzDOa64nFrPOXj7GgI/s1600/nycjess1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ0sWdhUIj0XqehdegBYLyOyeYQhrgEk_hsLZ99CDp9PDNNES8OdmB6OB6pNrXu1SUt6t-te8RvOhNQAOlrZn319MjWc-aFvpU-wypudIhCuA-eSd9RR1c2285TzDOa64nFrPOXj7GgI/s1600/nycjess1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bolognese at <a href="http://www.dellanima.com/" target="_blank">dell'anima</a></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRRv0bXumbr9SBIWa6njgkUJpNJPUjjScqa3c0A1sgNij_9xQIsqFYMBrRYkdwVBffmMJqMlDJpxUGwL5SDGvrnU6OHUowyx1Dxjujtlstu1KPkt3mz4jiaB_u5whKv2wu28r5kbKQYo/s1600/nycjess3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRRv0bXumbr9SBIWa6njgkUJpNJPUjjScqa3c0A1sgNij_9xQIsqFYMBrRYkdwVBffmMJqMlDJpxUGwL5SDGvrnU6OHUowyx1Dxjujtlstu1KPkt3mz4jiaB_u5whKv2wu28r5kbKQYo/s1600/nycjess3.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://biggayicecream.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Big Gay Ice Cream</span></span></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdjlqp8UicmbhWQbm9FsnUnou6nHcnYn6yZt7l3A1F7uugnxHrP5tk5Nj4h9PwfIqMWZH5UsZgsvvKQE36eeY5f6C0o-J_u9anHyiCSUpAGWtw68nnt9dhNVbN_Vn2Ql7sf8rx2Lk1Hs/s1600/nycjess4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdjlqp8UicmbhWQbm9FsnUnou6nHcnYn6yZt7l3A1F7uugnxHrP5tk5Nj4h9PwfIqMWZH5UsZgsvvKQE36eeY5f6C0o-J_u9anHyiCSUpAGWtw68nnt9dhNVbN_Vn2Ql7sf8rx2Lk1Hs/s1600/nycjess4.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lyIzQycLG5gAhMZbIx7Ty_qB_aNv6Yq4G2fgfhMuXumDTNBLUmISIzDxHEuX5yq-NzSDrs3xl3CJeeJNNbq8d36tvdDfMn6pu42lJNl8GIyKUOC-21cj61oYFkB-RYxvLG0T5gnMgHw/s1600/nycjess10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lyIzQycLG5gAhMZbIx7Ty_qB_aNv6Yq4G2fgfhMuXumDTNBLUmISIzDxHEuX5yq-NzSDrs3xl3CJeeJNNbq8d36tvdDfMn6pu42lJNl8GIyKUOC-21cj61oYFkB-RYxvLG0T5gnMgHw/s1600/nycjess10.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These two pups meeting for the first time!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAiL5anqiaqD1n35wueug3hT_HVHJIeC04ix2uYsi9whimb1JZTEZztm8mJ5vOYx7UJodJugAE-vV49Z8MggllipOfqkCby_ROo29vLFywYVL3cjmyVhNJbNmXSOE5zA12gpgrrHoodI/s1600/nycjess7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAiL5anqiaqD1n35wueug3hT_HVHJIeC04ix2uYsi9whimb1JZTEZztm8mJ5vOYx7UJodJugAE-vV49Z8MggllipOfqkCby_ROo29vLFywYVL3cjmyVhNJbNmXSOE5zA12gpgrrHoodI/s1600/nycjess7.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love greenwhich village</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3-k05Dlyi9adNDiX1VeeQ1727mjHUUKKMxuN_ScCtWAYwsL6MyHf5yviL13ilTbnS1bJX7C2rJBPvS1DxebdZJp9zbNr_s44fvbEKotUw2p6dlyXEPLkeH463skgg5xUiwRmf6BSPW0/s1600/nycjess11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3-k05Dlyi9adNDiX1VeeQ1727mjHUUKKMxuN_ScCtWAYwsL6MyHf5yviL13ilTbnS1bJX7C2rJBPvS1DxebdZJp9zbNr_s44fvbEKotUw2p6dlyXEPLkeH463skgg5xUiwRmf6BSPW0/s1600/nycjess11.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Had to stop to bring home a cookie! </span></span></td></tr>
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<br />natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699032869015600714noreply@blogger.com0