If you are reading this because you are helping someone you love through cancer, I ask you this:
How many times have you been in a meeting or in yoga (God forbid!) when you find yourself checking your cell phone every 6 minutes to see if the person taking your cancer patient to chemotherapy has tried to check in with you? You're finally giving yourself a break, you're back at work, or taking an hour to exercise and have some zen, but all you can think about is your cancer patient.
How many times have you been in a meeting or in yoga (God forbid!) when you find yourself checking your cell phone every 6 minutes to see if the person taking your cancer patient to chemotherapy has tried to check in with you? You're finally giving yourself a break, you're back at work, or taking an hour to exercise and have some zen, but all you can think about is your cancer patient.
These are the moments when I think....Self-Care is needed!
It is ok to take a moment only for yourself. In fact, it is more than ok; it is essential. One of my favorite quotes, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh from "Gift From the Sea" has resonated with me for more than 20 years:
When you take time out for yourself, you are able to be more helpful, more organized, more in touch. It will help the rest of your family as well; you can be more present for them. But most importantly, YOU deserve it. Make yourself healthy. And happy. Do what you love. The ripple effect of this will be noticed by all around you.
Here are my suggestions (and I promise they will only take 3 minutes!):
*All recipes unless attributed otherwise are (c) Christy Halvorson Ross.*
It is ok to take a moment only for yourself. In fact, it is more than ok; it is essential. One of my favorite quotes, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh from "Gift From the Sea" has resonated with me for more than 20 years:
"When one is out of touch with oneself, one cannot touch others."
When you take time out for yourself, you are able to be more helpful, more organized, more in touch. It will help the rest of your family as well; you can be more present for them. But most importantly, YOU deserve it. Make yourself healthy. And happy. Do what you love. The ripple effect of this will be noticed by all around you.
Here are my suggestions (and I promise they will only take 3 minutes!):
- Make a list of 15-30 minute activities that relax you and ground you (i.e. taking a walk, soaking in a bath, meditating, sipping tea by the fire...)
- Make a list of 1-2 hour activities you long for (going to a movie, taking a dance class, getting a massage, eating out with a friend...)
- Make a goal for yourself of accomplishing on short activity EVERY DAY for yourself, and one long one every weekend.
- Communicate with your family! Let them know you need the time off. When you are done, you will be more present for them.
This really can be served as a one-dish meal. Tonight we had it with raw veggies, too: avocado and sweet bell pepper.
Farro with Cauliflower, Hazelnuts, Mushrooms & Kale
1 cup Farro (a grain, similar to brown rice)
1/2 head of cauliflower
large handful of mushrooms (any kind)
3 kale leaves
1/2 cup hazelnuts
1/4 cup coconut flakes (unsweetened; larger flakes work best)
1/2 cup olive oil (divided between roasting and seasoning)
sea salt
1. Prepare farro: soak 1 cup of farro in water while you boil 1 1/2 cups water in a saucepan. Drain farro, and cook for 20 minutes, covering & turning to a simmer.
2. Prepare roasted veggies: On a baking sheet lined with parchment, put cauliflower, kale, mushrooms. Drizzle with olive oil and sea salt. Roast for 15-20 minutes in a 400 degree oven.
3. Toast on a small baking sheet chopped hazelnuts and large-flaked coconut.
4. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
5. Toss with a generous serving (at least 1/4 cup) olive oil and sea salt. Taste, adjust seasonings, and enjoy!
The toasted hazelnuts and coconut flakes.
The olive-oil drizzled roasted cauliflower, mushrooms and kale.
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