About me

PROFILE:
I have been writing poetry and stories since I was a child, and a love of reading was instilled in me from an early age. I am passionate about writing, and hope you enjoy the books I have written. Whilst most of you sleep soundly in your beds, like many Parkinson’s patients, insomnia dictates, so during those hours that sleep eludes me, the house is tranquil and quiet, an atmosphere perfect to immerse myself in writing. My life has been a series of strange events, which have without doubt contributed to my creativity. To publish anything is to bear one’s soul to the world. It is to stand naked and let everyone see who you really are. I have poured my heart and soul out on paper and I hope to share this journey, immersing you in a story, capturing your attention and firing the imagination. Through my writing and public speaking I hope to bring greater awareness to the general public about living with chronic disease.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Food for Thought

With the colder weather upon us, soups are a simple, quick and nutritious meal, you can literally utilise anything that happens to be in your fridge, and throw it into a pot. It's not necessary to tediously chop vegetables finely, especially if you lack dexterity in your hands, for when cooked the soup can be puréed. A complete meal in one saucepan, (limiting washing up, after all, who likes washing up?) I love soup. Once cooked, whizzed up, the thick warming consistency is perfect and easy to swallow for any Parkinson's patient experiencing problems with swallowing. Now that I have no sense of smell, I tend to need stronger flavours to entice me to eat, so I use turmeric, cumin, ginger and various other spices which make the soup more appetizing. A minestrone soup can be very wholesome, adding pasta a few minutes before serving. Using lentils and barley in a soup is another way of making this one pot meal a filling and good solution for lunch or supper, which can be reheated quickly in the microwave in single portions, if you find yourself alone. When you experience a loss of appetite it's not only important to ensure you are getting the proper nourishment your body needs, but helpful having simple food available that needs little preparation or fussing over.
Here is a favourite recipe from a favourite cousin (I'm sure she wont mind sharing it with you!).
Carrot & Orange Soup
(serves 4 - 6 people)
2 Tbsp. oil
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
900g carrots, peeled and chopped
1 litre light vegetable stock
1/2 Tsp. nutmeg
1/2 Tsp. paprika
1 - 2 Tbsp. fresh coriander chopped
Rind and juice of 1 large orange
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Garnish with extra coriander leaves and thin orange slices

Heat the oil in a pan, add the onions, then cover the pan and sweat them for 2 - 3 minutes. Peel and chop carrots and add to pan. Cover and sweat vegetables for a further 10 minutes. Next add the stock, spices, coriander and the rind and juice of an orange. Bring to the boil and simmer for 40 minutes. Let the soup cool, then liquidize well; season to taste and then return to pan and re-heat gently. Serve with extra coriander leaves and a shin slice of orange.

Simply delicious - try it!

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