My Enchiladas

Being a CF girl, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen... being creative, I like to throw things together... this is probably the best invention I've done so far!

Enchiladas a la Daydee :)

4 chicken breasts
2 large cans enchilada sauce
2 small cans "mexican salsa" or pico de gallo, or diced fresh tomatoes, onion, pepper
1 packet enchilada spices
1 large tub sour cream
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup milk

Boil chicken breasts in water until cooked through, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.

While chicken is cooling, heat the enchilada sauce, spices, milk, and salsa in a large pot. Heat over medium heat, but don't let it boil hard.

When chicken is cool enough to handle, shred into bite sized pieces.

Add chicken and sour cream to sauce. If difficult to stir, add more milk. Bring to a simmer on low to medium low heat. It's ready to eat at this point, but gets better as it simmers.

I eat over rice, but others use chips to dip into it, plain, or with tortilla shells.

Great Strides

(A repost of the letter sent out to my donors today)

To Everyone Who Donated to Great Strides,

Thank you so much! I have been so touched by the friends, family, and strangers who have donated. When I set my goal at $1,000 before starting my fundraising, I doubted I would be able to make my goal. Soon however, I found donations rolling in quickly. I optimistically upped my goal to $1,500, thinking that I would be amazed if I got there. After a very generous donation, the $1,500 goal was left in the dust. I pushed my goal up to $2,500, and I'm proud to say this week I hit it. With my teammates bringing in nearly an additional $500, we were the top team in the Eugene walk yesterday, with nearly 40% of the total funds raised coming directly from my team.

CFF is a passionate cause for me. Because of the research they have funded, I've lived long enough to see the standard of care for a CF patient go up. In my lifetime, the life expectancy of a CF patient has nearly doubled. 37 years may not sound like much, but it is a huge leap from the 18-21 years that was average when I was diagnosed... and the Kindergarten life expectancy of someone born with CF before 1970. We still have a long way to go, but through donations like yours, awareness that I know has been generated, and working together, we are getting there.

Again thank you. You do not know how much your donation meant to me. The pride I feel when I know how many people are willing to stand beside me and fight for a cure.

Until CF stands for Cure Found,

Talana

Walk Update

So it's been a bit since I've posted about my CF walk...

Well....

I raised over $2,500!!!!

Hurray!!!!!

There is still time left to donate, walk day is Saturday :)

Long Absence!

Alright, so I never intended to not post this long, but I've been out living life!

Since I last posted:

* I had a small bout of depression when I realized how much my health has slipped in three years time. I have always had small bouts like this where I fall into depression suddenly, then snap out just as suddenly. I'm back to normal me.

* I've decided that Elton John, Billy Joel, and Eric Clapton have a conspiracy to dislocate a finger of mine as I've been working on learning Circle of Life, Written in the Stars, Piano Man, and Wonderful Tonight on the piano. Hard but rewarding work. I've always thought of Piano Man as one piece I wanted to learn but never thought I would be good enough. I guess I am!

* Went back to the diabetes doctors. Since I had several high, but not starling high blood sugars, they decided that I would be fine without insulin, but I needed some form of management. So I was placed on Januvia, and newer pill designed for Type II diabetes. It has seemed to lower my blood sugars which is a super good thing.

* Went to CF clinic. My lung function was marginally down and my weight was the same. Lynn and I agree that with the combination of the weather changes, allergies, and a slight cold, my lungs took a beating, but were also doing surprisingly well. We decided that I probably would not need oral antibiotics, but she wants me to come back in a month to make sure that I am still remaining well.

* I shook Obama's hand! I've been interested in and inspired by him since his 2004 speech. He embodies much of my ideals in politics. I went and saw him his last swing through Eugene. I almost didn't go this time, but a strong voice in the back of my head told me to go. I was having trouble breathing when I arrived and I knew that walking the several blocks to the end of the line would be very painful. I spoke to some volunteers and staffers, and they allowed me to wait at the gate and cut to the front of the line... and I was right in front, 15 ft away from him while he spoke... then he came and shook hands.



* Otherwise, all is good. I should be posting pictures soon of my garden :) I have done a lot of work and have been rewarded with all of my veggie seeds sprouting and beginning to grow.