wellness diaries

Interview with Kelly Janke, M.S., researcher of NF children and learning issues

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:02:00 +0000

NF not only causes issues in terms of tumors on the body and other medical ills, but also learning issues. Please read the following interview with Department of Psychology's Kelly Janke, M.S., of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to learn more about learning issues and NF children.

1. Discuss some of the learning issues that you have seen with NF children in school.

Children with NF-1 are more likely to have learning difficulties than their siblings or same-age classmates who do not have NF-1. The rates of learning disabilities range from 30%-65%. Difficulties have been seen in all academic areas including word decoding (sounding out words), reading comprehension, math calculation, math problem solving, and spelling. We really see a lot of variability in the learning profiles of children with NF1.

2. I understand you’re doing a study on NF kids and their siblings, could you discuss that a bit further?

For our study, we recruit children with NF-1 and their siblings between the ages of three and six, and plan to follow them annually up until the age of 10 if possible. The goal of the study is to examine the cognitive and behavioral characteristics of NF-1 in young children to determine if we can see early signs of learning and attention problems. We are also hoping to learn more about the development of cognitive skills over time, and determine if this development differs from their siblings or other typically developing children.

3. What are some of the preliminary results you are finding?

We have found that learning and attention problems can in fact be identified in the preschool age range. There is no clear pattern to these difficulties. For example, some children have difficulty with verbal tasks (e.g., naming pictures, following directions), but do well on spatial tasks such as building with blocks. For other children, the opposite pattern is seen. Regardless of the pattern, most children with NF-1 have some difficulty in at least one area, although it may be mild. It is important that these difficulties can be identified at this young age because that allows interventions to be put in place earlier and prevents more pronounced learning and attention problems.

4. Discuss some of the medical drug studies that are being done.

Our research lab is not involved in medical drug studies, but please see http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/neurofibromatosis/neurofibromatosis.htm for more information.

5. Have you found NF families having issues with the school in regards to learning issues?

The success that families have in getting services needed is variable based on the school system and the severity of difficulties the child has. NF-1 is associated with more mild difficulties compared to some other genetic disorders; however, children may qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) under the Other Health Impairment category. This category is used when children have an identifiable medical condition (like NF-1), and have learning difficulties associated with the condition that require extra support in school. Children with NF-1 who are also diagnosed with ADHD may also qualify for a 504 plan. Generally, a 504 plan is used instead of an IEP when supports in the classroom alone (without additional special education supports like therapies) can help children succeed. Sometimes the learning or attention difficulties seen for children with NF-1 are a bit subtle. Parents may see them clearly, while schools see only mild differences from peers. In those cases, it can be challenging to show the school that the child needs extra supports.

6. Name some ways that parents can help their NF children who may have some learning issues.

Parents can help their children be successful by getting them a comprehensive assessment at an early age. These assessments are used to identify strengths and weaknesses so appropriate interventions can be put in place. This can help families get the services needed at school and direct parents about how to give their children extra practice with academic-related tasks at home. For example, if their children are having difficulty with early learning skills, it will be important for families to spend time playing rhyming games and reading together, and to talk about numbers and math-related concepts in everyday contexts. Parents can also help their children improve their attention and learn strategies to complete tasks by building up the amount of time their child can spend working in a structured setting.

7. Are parents reluctant to tell the teaching staff NF kids may have learning issues, if so why?

Some parents choose to not tell teaching staff about their child's NF-1 diagnosis to ensure that (s)he is not treated differently than other children. However, awareness of the diagnosis and the types of interventions that may help children with NF-1 is necessary if these children are going to get the services needed. We have found that most of the time, parents find it helpful for teachers to know that their child has NF-1.

8. Can NF kids also have attention issues such as ADD or ADHD in addition to any issues with NF, if so how often does this happen?

ADHD with or without hyperactivity is very common in the NF-1 population, with rates ranging from 30-60 %. For some, there are milder attention problems or organizational difficulties that don't reach the level for diagnosis, but nevertheless have some effect on the child's ability to do their best at school.

9. Name some of the behavioral issues that NF kids might have.

Given that attention problems are so common in NF-1, children with a diagnosis of both NF-1 and ADHD may be at risk for social difficulties. It will be important for parents to teach their children socials skills if any difficulties are noticed, and to give their children opportunities to practice these skills in social situations.

10. Explain the psychological issues that NF kids with learning issues have.

It is possible that children with NF-1 may experience anxiety or self-consciousness related to their physical symptoms and learning problems. There is not currently a lot of research looking at how common feelings of anxiety or withdrawal are in children with NF-1.

11. How and in what ways do the NF learning disorder differ and can they be confused for other disorders?

There is not yet enough research looking at whether the learning problems that children with NF-1 experience are very different from the learning problems of other children with learning disabilities but do not have NF-1. Learning problems in NF-1 are currently assessed in the same way that they would be for other children.

12. Explain some ways that NF kids with learning issues are helped. Are there special programs for them to help them succeed?

Children with NF-1 often have fine-motor difficulties and some have language difficulties. Depending on their pattern of strength and weakness, they may benefit from physical, occupational, and/or speech/language therapy services. Participation in extracurricular activities can give them opportunities to practice social skills. It may also be beneficial to attend NF-1 camps or find a local group to provide social support and show children with NF-1 that they are not alone. Local groups can be found at http://www.nfnetwork.org/

A Little Letter

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:04:00 +0000

Did you know there is NF research on the national level? The United States Department of Defense (DOD) has a sponsored Research Program on NF since 1996. Since then, great advancements for people with NF have been made such as: cell lines, pathways, as well as gene discoveries and replication. We need your help in the continued funding of NF research by the DOD. Please go to the petition on our website to sign electronically! Your help is much appreciated.

www.littlesttumorfoundation.com

Whole Food Plant-Based diet challenge results

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:16:00 +0000

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

Boyd

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

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

Kimberly

Journal diary of Vegan Efforts by Kimberly Klessig

Sunday, January 22^nd

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

Saturday, January 28^th

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

Sunday, January 29th

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

Emily

The Beginning of My Vegantales

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cut Preservatives and Preserve Life

The Price of Health in Our Society:

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

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

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

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

Mardy

Whole Foods Plant-based diet challenge day #1

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

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

Whole Foods Plant-based diet challenge Day#5

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

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

Cancer Survivor Hollye Harrington Jacobs Shares Story

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:22:00 +0000

Since the time of my breast cancer diagnosis, we have talked openly with our five year-old daughter. While the personal nature of this circumstance made the conversations emotionally challenging, my professional experience as an adult and pediatric hospice nurse gave me both the tools and confidence to ensure that we gave her the developmentally appropriate answers.

Right after my treatment finished, our daughter has been revisiting a lot of the original questions as well as asking some new ones. For example, the other day while driving to school, Finally Five asked, “Do you think that your cancer will come back?” GULP.

So, I thought I’d take this opportunity to share with you her questions and our answers. These questions tend to be typical of most children affected by a cancer diagnosis.

What is cancer?
The body is made up of cells. Cells make our bodies work. They are so tiny that you need a microscope to see them.
Cancer cells don’t look or act like normal cells. They don’t allow our normal, healthy cells to work properly. They can grow very fast and spread. Cancer cells may group together to form a tumor.
There are many different types of cancer. Cancer can grow anywhere in the body.
Finally Five wanted to know if a person could get cancer in your eyes, on your skin and in your legs.
There is an iPad application called 3D4medical that has an image of a breast cancer cell. It is an ominous looking beast of a cell. This was really helpful for Finally Five to envision what was in my body and to then understand the sense of urgency (& drastic measures!) to get it out.

Is cancer contagious?
Cancer is not something that you can catch from someone else like you can a cold or the flu.
You can be close to the person who has cancer and not worry about catching it.

Did I cause cancer?
No. Nothing that anyone does, says or thinks can cause cancer in someone else. Ever.
Though they will rarely ask the question out loud, YES, children wonder whether they caused cancer. It’s sad, but true. If this question isn’t addressed, children can carry this fear (that they had some hand in causing cancer) with them into adulthood.

Why do people get cancer?
Most of the time, no one knows why someone gets cancer. It’s hard to not have all of the answers, but the truth is we don’t.

What causes cancer?
There is still a lot we don’t know about how cancer begins and what causes it?
Sometimes cancer can be caused by some chemicals, air pollution (smoke), certain viruses and other things inside and outside the body.

Do children get cancer?
Yes, unfortunately children do get cancer. It is rare for children to get cancer. More adults get cancer than children.

Who will take care of me?
There are lots of people who will help me take care of you when I’m feeling sick. When I’m finished with my cancer treatment, I will be strong again. When I’m getting my treatment, I’ll be around as much as I possibly can and we will do different things when I’m sick, like watch Silver Lining movies and read books.
Another reason to process information about cancer with parents is that children learn about cancer from other sources, e.g., school, television, the Internet, their classmates, and listening to other people talk. Some of this information is correct but a lot of it is not. Not knowing what is really going on or how to cope with information about cancer can be terrifying to a child.
So, doesn’t it just make more sense to hear the information at home?
Talking about cancer does not have to be traumatic. If anything, NOT talking about it is ultimately more traumatic. In the past, misplaced embarrassment about cancer has allowed misunderstandings and fears about the illness to grow. Remember: there are always professionals who are willing and able to help when parents feel overwhelmed by talking with children (Silver Lining). Engaging professional help when coping with cancer is a sign of strength and resourcefulness.

Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.
~Thomas Jefferson
Go to the following sites to learn more about Hollye:
www.TheSilverPen.com
hollye@thesilverpen.com
twitter.com/hollyejacobs

Interview with Rosie's mom

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:11:00 +0000

Please tell me about your family’s NF journey.

Rosie was born with café au lait spots and we didn’t think anything of it; I thought they were just birthmarks. At her six-month check up the doctor counted five spots on her body and mentioned neurofibromatosis,but said not to worry unless she had 6 or more. I took her home and found eight. I called him back and said, “now what?” the doctor then referred us to the NF Clinic at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Rosie had her first NF clinic visit at 10 months old.

But it wasn’t until her third birthday that she was officially diagnosed with NF1;waiting for the official diagnoses and seeing the disorders indicators come out in her made for a very frustrating two years. Just after her diagnoses, she began randomly throwing up and was also very lethargic. Her pediatrician wanted to treat her for acid reflux, then it was “maybe she just can’t shake a virus”. But I knew in my gut something was really wrong, so I contacted the NF specialist and asked if he had seen this type of thing before. He wanted her in for an MRI that same day. The MRI revealed that she had an inoperable brain tumor and acquired obstructive hydrocephalus. It was the most devastating news I have ever received. We were faced with our child having brain surgery and placing a shunt in her brain to work as a drain for the excess fluid; it all happened so fast.

To date, Rosie has had thirteen surgeries, five of those brain surgeries due to shunt malfunctions. The other surgeries were due to other complications. NF caused the brain tumor, but the brain tumor’s location has caused all of Rosie’s other medical issues. For example: she has growth issues. At one point she was growing at a rate of 11 inches a year. It’s called Pituitary Gigantism. With Rosie, the growth hormone is on full-blast. She is the height of a nine-year-old despite being only seven. I remember when I had to buy her new shoes every month or so--it was crazy. I have to give her injections everyday to try and control the growth hormone. Since 2009, the growth hormone suppressant is working, but now I can see she’s going through another growth spurt, so we don’t know if it's working now, or needs another adjustment.

We’re running out of options with what can be done for her. With her it’s trial and error with treatment because of her particular diagnosis of NF; she has a very rare and complex case. We live day-to-day and try to make the best of it. She’s definitely a very special kid with what she’s going through. The toughest question she’s asked me was, “Am I gonna die?” Talk about heart wrenching, but we don’t lie to her, “everyone dies Rosie”, I can remember saying, “but most people just die when they’re older, like Nana.” She has seen too many kids loss their battles.

This year, her New Year’s resolution is to live to be 10. She is staying strong and living for the moment. She’s a positive kid; loving, caring and compassionate. She’ll comfort other kids in the hospital who are going through a hard time. No matter how long she’s here, she is leaving her mark on this world.

Rosie enjoys spreading joy, sunshine and hope every where she goes. She has spoken at two different high schools about blood drives and as a result they had a record number of kids sign up to donate blood;the impact she’s had is amazing. She’s also providing toys for family BINGO night for the Littlest Tumor Foundation’s Wellness Retreat. She’s raised over $300,000 for her causes and she’s collected thousands of toys for Rosie’s Toy Box. Rosie will talk to anybody and promoting her Toy Box (www.Research4Rosie.com) anywhere. She’s always busy doing something. Rosie has plans for the year for all the different things she wants to do. She even has a little rap that she has to introduce herself. She’s learned to take a challenging situation in her life and turn it into a positive one for everyone around her.

What type of neurofibromatosis does she have?

The short answer NF1. The long answer, Rosie has a very complex and extremely rare case; a combination of medical diagnoses. Her case has never been seen before or since her diagnosis. That’s the weird thing about NF, every case is so unique. It’s the same, but very different, the way NF manifests itself in each individual; it’s a mystery, so unpredictable.

Because Rosie has a very distinct set of syndromes, conditions and disorders that come together to make a very unusual case of NF. The “norms” that doctors have seen with other NF kids are atypical for Rosie. She is often times teaching her doctors, just how to treat her NF and brain tumor.

How is Rosie’s spirit through all this? I’ve heard she’s got a super-upbeat shiny personality.

She’s an amazing kid; very inspiring! She’s very charismatic and can strike up a conversation with almost anyone. I certainly can’t take all the credit for it, it’s God given. But it also has to do with the way we’ve handled all her medical issues, how we approach it. She knows she can trust us, that we are honest with her, we don’t dumb things down. We tell her in words she’ll understand and not sugar-coat things, she knows what she’s facing and she comes to terms with it on her level. I remember when Rosie was really little she was taking a bath and tried washing off a brown spot on her leg; I told her it was one of her NF spots. Later I had given her a brown-and-white spotted dog and Rosie said the dog had NF too. We told her from day one, that she had NF, how it made her special; that God made her that way and she should be proud of who she is, it’s apart of her, it doesn’t define her. I think that lots of kids have parents who want to hide it; I think it makes them feel ashamed, like it’s something they shouldn’t talk about or share.

Discuss how her sibling supports her.

Bella is very supportive of her sister, but it’s really tough on her too. She goes through a gamut of emotions with her sister’s conditions Being jealous of the attention Rosie gets, then feeling guilty for feeling jealous because she understands that Rosie has to have our attention at times, feeling angry because she got stuck with a sister with NF and cancer, but at the same time knowing Rosie didn't choose this life either. They share all the usual sibling rivalry like any other family. But she’s there for Rosie 100% and she chooses to be apart of everything, and she does have a choice, I think that’s important. When Rosie has a surgery, Bella is right there sitting on the hospital bed with Rosie, talking to her or watching TV with her before she has to go in. As for her personality, she’s a little quieter and isn’t nuts about the limelight, but she’s learned to speak her mind by listening and watching her little sister. Bella is a stronger person because of what she’s gone through with Rosie; she’s empathetic and very loving.

What are some ways your family has raised awareness for Rosie?

I publicly speak and raise awareness in anyway I can. We’ve educated family, friends, neighbors, other parents and classmates--our community really--about NF. At one time, some of the kids and even parents at Rosie's school worried that Rosie's NF was contagious. I’ve also learned that sometimes people don’t even know they have NF or weren’t told about it until later in life. Some pediatricians don’t even know about it. At least ours knew about the café au lait spots and had enough knowledge of its existence to refer us on to Children's. There have been nurses who have “heard about it” but have never come into contact with people who have had NF, while other nurses don’t even know about it. We take that opportunity to teach them; Rosie will lift up her shirt and say, "see" so they recognized it the next time they see it on another child We’ve even tried to get on Oprah and now we are pushing to meet Ellen DeGeneras. We have been incredibly blessed with all the people who have supported us; without all of their love and support we just wouldn't be able to reach as many people as we do. Both the girls were also adopted by teams through Friends of Jaycln Foundation. Rosie has two teams at North Central College in Naperville and Bella has one here in Palatine, the FREMD girls swimming and diving team. They love it! Rosie tells me everyday to live for the now, in the moment, to have hope, love and humor in our lives to say how you feel today and don't wait for tomorrow. She is a blessing in my life

What are some words of advice that you have for other families who have children with NF?

To be honest with their children and not make them feel different in a negative way. To help their child to be proud of who they are. They should surround themselves with knowledge, because knowledge is power; make a difference, get involved. We could sit around feeling sorry for ourselves, feel bad that NF has touched our lives or we could get off the couch and go do something about it. The best advice I can give to a parent of a child with NF is to be honest with your kids. I’ve met people who don’t know what to tell their children about NF. Get the support of others around you. Connect with other families who are going through what you are, who really "get it", who understand. There is this one family, whom I have never met in person, in Minnesota where they too have to cope with a loved one having NF. We support each other.

Rosie reminds us all to live life to the fullest. There’s this one commercial on TV and there is this woman standing on top of a mountain and Rosie said, “That’s the way we need to live mom.” – Overcoming everything and staying positive through whatever live throws at you.

Check out: www.Research4Rosie.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaS7RMn_LXI Join: www.carepages.com/carepages/Rosiespage

Friend Rosie on Facebook! "RosieRose"

Follow Rosie on Twitter! "RockStarRosie1"

E-mail: RosiesToyBox@gmail.com

Falafel- Good and Good for you!

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:54:00 +0000

The first time I had falafel was in fall 2008 at the Caspian Kitchen, a now defunct restaurant, near the UW-Oshkosh college campus. The cook offered me falafel on pita bread instead of the usual gyros and I accepted. Prior to this, I had never had falafel in my life. As I ate it I thought about how good it tasted and how much could be learned from it. I vaguely knew about falafel, such as the fact that it is generally eaten throughout the Near and Middle East. With the closing of the Caspian Kitchen in 2009 that was my last encounter with this tasty and healthy dish. Fast forward to November 2011 with the Littlest Tumor Foundation.

As many of you know, LTF not only strives to find a treatment for the disorder neurofibromatosis, but also stresses a whole food plant-based diet. I was thinking that out of one of the days of the week, I would try to at least of one vegan dish. Yet, I was curious as to what the “main” dish would be. I was sick of eating noodles and vegetable soup, and I remembered that we had pre-made falafel mix at the Oshkosh Pick ’n Save because I had seen a box while facing groceries one day. I had considered driving to Appleton’s Gyros Kabob for falafel, but that I didn’t know the exactly location and I figured I’d have a good learning experience making it myself. For that week’s shopping, I went down to Pick ’n Save to get some falafel to be the “main dish” for the following lunches and dinners. I found the box of falafel and now I could make my own falafel.

Falafel proved to be a very good break from animal-based foods. I found that mixing the water and falafel mix very fun. Instead of mixing it with a spoon, I used my fingers and mashed it together like dough. I felt like a kid again. This was also the first time that I had done any pan-frying in my life as well. I also enjoyed rolling the mix into balls, because it reminded me of making cookies. For those who are concerned with the frying of falafel, a person can bake them in the oven 40 minutes at 425 and being flipped every 10 minutes as well. One of the most amazing things about falafel mix is that you can CLEARLY READ all of the ingredients on the box. There are no large words at all with twenty-something letters that only a professor can read. Falafel also is not only vegan but also kosher as well and it also is a great source of iron, fiber, low in fat without saturated or trans-fat. Who ever knew something so delicious could also be so good! As soon as I was done cooking it, I couldn’t wait to try it. I put some hummus (instead of tzatziki sauce) on pita bread along with some lettuce, onion and tomato, and topped it off with the falafel I had made. It was phenomenal. At long last, I experienced the same wonderful taste that I had from three years prior! I was so grateful to have found it once again.

I would highly recommend falafel to anyone looking for a great and healthy alternative to a meat-based sandwich and also to those who maybe are considering becoming vegetarian or even vegan. Perhaps, falafel could bring a family together. It could easily be made with children for the part with the mixing of the water and mix. But we can leave the frying (or baking) to the parents! Falafel is a terrific and healthy food that can be easily made by anyone and a great addition to anyone’s diet.

Q & A with Catherine founder of Weelicious

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:44:00 +0000

Q1: Your website Weelicious, has become a go-to for easy, fast, nutritious meals and recipes for may families. What inspired you to get started on this cooking path?

A: I wanted to inspire my kids to be great eaters. I have always been fascinated how some children love good food--- why some are great eaters and some are picky. The idea of how much impact do you as a parent have on your children’s eating.

Q2: What do you love about cooking?

A: Beginning, middle and end. I love finding the produce at farmer’s markets that have fresh seasonal produce. I love cooking it and finally feeding my family.

Q3: What is the most popular dish people love from your website?

A: Oh so many-- Raspberry Cream Cheese Tart, Kale Chips, Cinnamon Roasted Chick Peas, Crock-pot Mexican Lasagna.

Q4: What is your all-time favorite recipe?

A: Parchment Fish. Cut pieces of parchment and your ready to go. You can throw in anything vegetables, fish, shrimp, tofu (for vegans), sauces and bake. It is great for a dinner party as everyone has a hand-in-creating what the are eating.

Q5: What is you son Kenya’s favorite hands-on dish to make?

A: Anything and everything. My children will eat anything when they help-out. Pick it at the farmer’s market or from a garden and chances sky rocket of them eating it. My son will actually say this pizza needs kale. Have them stuff the blender for smoothies. Really just get them involved.

Q6: Any tips on how we should stock the refrigerator and pantry?

A: Fruits in season, bananas, avocados, chicken, make pancakes or waffles and double, pasta rice beans, oatmeal, parmesan cheese.

Q7: Because we love green juice at the Littlest Tumor Foundation, what is a great smoothie you like for kids.

A: Get the kids to make. Super Juice-- kale, water, agave and lemon. It gives super-powers.

Q8: Daily recipe posts, weekly video clips, and much more on Weelicious. What is in the future for Weelicious?

A: Two books! One next summer --it will have 30% content of philosophy on how kids become great eaters. The second will be in 2013 a school lunch cookbook.

We at the Littlest Tumor Foundation cannot wait!

Healthy miracles with My Culinary Angel Linda Ott

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:16:00 +0000

Q) Tell me about yourself i.e. hobbies, activities, parenting…ect.

A) My hobbies include gardening, sewing, cooking (of course!), reading, and traveling both in and out of state, biking, swimming and playing with my two daughters. I have always loved cooking and that is my first love even before I decided to cook for a living. When I’m not cooking for a client, you can usually find me in my kitchen cooking up a special treat for a bunch of teenagers or my own family.

Q) Tell me about the type of cooking services that you provide to people.

A) The mainstay of my business is cooking for people on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. Most of my current clientele reached out for me because they were struggling with a new diet i.e. diabetes, low cholesterol, low fat, etc. I also do fun cooking parties where people cook with me and then enjoy the fruits of their labors and cooking classes for children. And from time to time, I do dinner parties for small gatherings in my clients’ homes. Some of the people I cook for are overwhelmed because of they have to give up eating something or have to start eating new foods due to what a dietician said. After just a few cooking sessions, they see there is a new world--a new set of foods for them to choose from. I know I have succeeded when I receive wonderful comments about the new foods I have introduced to my clients. Sometimes I help them go through their kitchen cupboards, and help them clear out the unhealthy food choices based upon what the dietician has told them. Other times, I meet the clients at the grocery store and help them learn to shop for healthier choices. It’s just overwhelming for them to adjust to their new lifestyles, but at the end of the day, I find it very rewarding to help them.

Q) What are you areas of expertise in the cooking field and why you chose them?

A) I enjoy cooking healthy meals & surprising my clients with delicious and nutritious meal options--eating healthy doesn't have to be boring! I do a lot of research on the recipes I make. The web has truly made it simple to do this with the recipes. I have subscribed to various newsletters that help me with menu planning for specific dietary needs.

Q) Where you were you taught about this type of cooking? What motivation you to start this?

A) I learned most of my cooking skills from my first mentor at a private resort in upstate New York. William Schwartau took a chance and hired me. He taught me to make some interesting dishes such as beef tongue and ox tail soup! I went to college and learned learned to perfect my cooking and menu planning skills. After college, I went to work for Marriott. I have worked in every hotel department and have always come back to my love of food either working in restaurants or catering. After 31 years of moving around for a company and working 60-80 hours a week 365 days a year, I decided to take my skills and become self-employed. I started My Culinary Angel, LLC about a year ago.

Q) What types of dishes do you cook for others and at home?

A) I am pretty fortunate that I can follow any recipe and have success. Usually with a new recipe I’ll follow it the first time and the second time, I’ll put my own personal touch on it. At home I love to experiment--when I cook for my family I don’t often use recipes.

Q) Do you suggest people by local or homegrown food or going and buying food? Explain.

A) If you have the space and the time in your schedule, growing your own food is not only healthy, but very rewarding. I grow my own herbs during the spring and summer, and during fall and winter I move them from outdoors and into my basement; it kind of becomes a jungle. Local farmers markets and food co-ops are also a great option. When I can, I always buy organic to avoid pesticides.

Q) I understand that you cooked for the Littlest Tumor Foundation retreats, why did you choose to help them?

A) After Tracy called me to meet with her, I looked up her info on the web. She gave me a run down about cooking for her Family Wellness Retreat in Door County. I had already decided before I met with her that I would donate my time for her retreat. I have been blessed with two very healthy children. I jumped at the chance to help these families have a great weekend in a special place.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Littlest Tumor Foundation thanks Linda Ott for this interview on how people can change their and their families’ lives by using healthier and tasty cooking options. If you are interested in her services or contacting her, Ms. Ott can be reached at:

My Culinary Angel LLC
A Personal Chef Service
(920) 904-1684
lindaott@hotmail.com
or check out her website at:

My Culinary Angel

Neurofibromatosis intern

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:33:00 +0000

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

Neurofibromatosis and Green Juice

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:26:00 +0000

Neurofibromatosis and Green Juice

Posted on November 29, 2011 at 11:40pm

&nbps;1 Comment

Add your photos

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

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

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

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

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

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

Green Delight

3 kale stalks

1/4 pineapple (not peeled)

1 apple

1/2 piece ginger (not peeled)

1 stick celery

1/2 lime (not peeled)

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

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

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

Happy Juicing,

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

Spork Foods Interview

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:29:00 +0000

Spork Foods: Jenny Engel and Heather Goldberg

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

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

you start Spork Foods?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

own hands and impact animal suffering.

What do you love about vegan cooking?

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

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

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

healthier options.

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

classes?

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

comfort food in fall and winter.

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

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

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

ingredients for a healthy family vegan pantry?

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

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

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

3. Fruits and vegetables, of course!

4. Kids love quinoa with chopped veggies.

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

enchiladas.

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

of being a vegan?

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

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

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

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

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

lucky being able to do what we love.

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

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

has a satisfying quality.

What does the future hold for Spork Foods?

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

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

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

A Journal of Cookery

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:59:00 +0000

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

Brussel Sprouts

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

Brussel Sprouts with Cannellini Beans

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

1 cup vegetable stock

2 lbs brussel sprouts

4 cloves of garlic, chopped

2 tbsp butter (plus an additional tbsp for finishing)

1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan

Salt and pepper

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

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

Rancho Gordo, www.ranchogordo.com)

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

The Power of Family Fitness

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:07:00 +0000

The Power of Family Fitness

Often times, when we think about being active we think of it as something we have to “squeeze in” when our kids are sleeping, at a friend’s house, or at school. Have you ever thought about how great it would be to include your family in your pursuit to exercise more regularly? Exercising as a family will improve the health of your entire family, make exercise more fun, and at the same time help family members develop stronger connections.

Some simple tips to get you started.

You may start out by simply focusing on educating the entire family about the benefits of being active and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Put up a healthy living bulletin board in your kitchen, with resources about the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle, this will help get your point across, without having to bombard your family with statistics and facts related to living healthy. Example: post a story about a young person who had trouble focusing at school but started exercising and saw an amazing difference. You are only limited by your creativity!

Here are a few other ideas to get your family focused on fitness:

Have a family member pick an exercise at the beginning of the week and make that your family activity for the week. Then train throughout the week with the goal of improving by the weekend. Keep the focus on the fact that everyone is improving. Rotate who gets to pick the activity each week.

Hold a family fitness night each week. Each week select a different family member to design the family workout that you will all do together. This ensures that everyone gets to do something they enjoy, and your workout will never become dull.

Join a fitness facility. You will be surprised how motivated your entire family will become when you all head out for a workout after dinner each night or take a class together. You can also purchase small pieces of equipment to keep around the house (jump ropes, resistance bands, stability balls and dumbbells) to keep you from missing your workout on even the busiest of school nights.

Never underestimate the power of going for a walk. It is a great mode of activity and also naturally encourages conversation.

Set some family goals. Example: Set a target of being activity 3 nights per week, and build from there.

Most importantly, make the process fun. You’ll be teaching your children about discipline, goal setting, and the importance of not only health, but also family connection.

Interning for a Solution

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:49:00 +0000

Hello!

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

Americorps Blogs

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:46:00 +0000

My Soulution

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

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

Emily Wagner

23 Year Old Female, Single and Seeking a Solution

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yours truly, Bailey Murph

Kristi Hopkins NF author blogs for us!!

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:45:00 +0000

Reason I wrote the book.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bailey NF young teen blogs for us!!!

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:03:00 +0000

When I found out that I had a tumor that needed chemotherapy, I felt like I was in a dream. "This isn't happening to me", I thought.

I saw the shock in my mother's eyes, then I realized how serious it was.

This wasn't just a simple NF tumor. This wasn't something to just watch. This was something that needed treatment, FAST!

I honestly felt like they were talking about some other kid. I mean, I didn't have any symptoms. I didn't "feel" like I had a tumor in my head.

Ever since my mom was diagnosed with NF, I have watched her attitude and how she deals with all this stuff. I made up my mind that I wanted to be exactly like her.

Sure, I am scared...But I have decided to live my life the best I can. And to make all my decisions be ones that show someone who is looking at the bright side of things.

Chemo isn't easy, Life isn't easy, but a better attitude makes it much MUCH better.

I am glad to be like my mom. She helps so many people realize that living with NF doesn't have to be so horrible. I hope that I can do that for people too.

Bailey Archer

Oh Veggies!!

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:39:00 +0000

Oh veggies!

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

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

Symptoms of vegetarianism:

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

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

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

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

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

Yours truly, Bailey

Meditation Mindfulness and Diagnosis

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:15:00 +0000

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

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

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

Basic beginning Meditation Instruction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Littles Light of Mine

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 20:52:00 +0000

This Little Light of Mine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

O what is laughter?

What is this precious love and laughter

Budding in our Hearts?

It is the glorious sound

Of a soul waking up!

- Hafiz...

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

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

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

Americorps goes Little

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 23:17:00 +0000

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

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

Engaging in a Cure!

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:16:00 +0000

Wednesday June 8, 2011

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

Run Kyle Run

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Mon, 30 May 2011 23:20:00 +0000

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

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

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

run little run

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:26:00 +0000

run little run

We have a running endurance team run little run and everyone can join us. I am an NF runner mom wanting to raise awareness about NF and our foundation. I am going to run as many 1/2 marathons as possible in our state of Wisconsin this year. Join me! We will add your story to ours.

Instep Icebreaker Indoor Marathon: #1

Ice Breaker: 1st half of the year. Well I will admit I was not trained for this race . It was slow going and I could tell by the peoples faces cheering they knew I was digging deep. The race is held at the Petit National Ice Center in Milwaukee. There were a few great things that stood out at this race-- One you were able to watch Olympic Speed Skaters train. It was truly amazing to watch them skate. Another great thing about this race is that it is green. You call out your number as you round the water station and someone gets your water bottle to you. Lastly, the volunteer and race staff were so encouraging on the course of many laps.

Catherine McCord of Weelicious contributes recipes Littlest Tumor Foundation

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:56:00 +0000

Coconut Rice

If I allowed them to, my kids could probably eat brown rice for three meals a day. It’s one of those foods the both of them have loved since they first started eating solids and, lucky for me, it’s as nutritious as it is tasty. But as easy as plain old steamed rice is to make, I wanted to try making something a little bit different that’s still simple to prepare.

I’ve used coconut milk before as an ingredient in my kids’ baby food purees like Sweet Potato Coconut Puree, but I never thought of adding it to rice until recently. The milk gives it a subtle coconut flavor and an almost creamy consistency that totally livens up the every day rice that we’re used to.

And if you find that you have some left over from dinner, you can try what I did with mine. Just add some vanilla rice milk and a touch of cinnamon and you’ve got a unique breakfast treat or a special spin on rice pudding for dessert! My guys ate it as both! When a recipe is as easy to make as this one is AND everyone is happy eating it no matter when I serve it, I realize that I better keep it stocked in the fridge at all times!

Coconut Rice (Serves 4)

1 14 oz Can Coconut Milk, unsweetened (low fat or regular)
1/4 Cup Water
1/4 Tsp Kosher Salt
1 Cup Brown Jasmine Rice

1. Place the coconut milk, water and salt in a medium size pot and bring to a boil.
2. Add the rice, stir until combine, bring back to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer.
3. Cook for 30 minutes, turn heat off and let sit covered for 10 minutes.
4. Serve.

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Carrot, Broccoli & Cheese Orzo

A dear friend of ours who is an amazing dad to twins (and a really good cook to boot) turned me on to the idea of this recipe. He’s always looking for new and interesting recipes to feed his kids and encourages them to be balanced eaters through the variety of food he exposes them to. He uses a lot of orzo, a rice-shaped pasta, which I’ve rediscovered my love for.

As much as I love to cook, being in the kitchen for more then 30 minutes isn’t always desirable or a possibility, so it’s essential for me to come up with quick and easy recipes that I can count on to satisfy my family. For this dish, I just toss the veggies in my food processor and pulse them into tiny pieces (which cuts down on the prep time having to chop everything) and then cook all the ingredients until the orzo and veggie mixture is soft and has a rich cheesy flavor.

My friend’s kids love his version of this dish and I was so happy to see Kenya and Chloe felt the same way about mine.

Carrot, Broccoli & Cheese Orzo (serves 4)

1 Small Garlic Clove
1 Small Shallot
1 Cup Baby Carrots
1 Cup Broccoli Florets
2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter or Olive Oil
1 Cup White or Whole Wheat Orzo
1/2 Tsp Salt
1 Cup Water
1 1/2 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1/3 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated

1. Place shallot and garlic in food processor and pulse to chop.
2. Add baby carrots and broccoli florets to the food processor and pulse, scraping down the sides half way until finely chopped.
3. In a large stock pot, heat 2 tbsp of butter or olive oil and sauté the chopped vegetables, raw orzo and salt for 4 minutes stirring continuously.
4. Add the water and broth to the pot and cook over medium heat for 10
minutes uncovered, or until the liquid starts to evaporate and the mixture thickens.
5. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir to combine.
6. Serve.

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