Before we get into food, I’m going way off topic to report back on my colonoscopy. I’ll talk more about the prep day (aka my “mini-reading retreat”) tomorrow but for now I’ll just say that everything was fine! I had my first colonoscopy six years ago, and this was my second. It was completely clear and the doctor said I don’t have to come back for TEN YEARS. Best news ever.
My dad had colon cancer when he was 50, but made a complete recovery and lived into his 80s. And my sister had colon cancer in 2020, but she is also completely fine now. So I guess you could say I have a family history of highly curable colon cancer, ha. In all seriousness- early detection is key. I won’t sugarcoat it- the prep is not fun, but it’s WORTH IT.
And, in a “seamless” transition to the actual TOPIC, here’s the meal I ate when I got home, after a 24+ hour fast:
Sometimes I have pumpkin oatmeal (oats with pumpkin puree and spices) but this was just my current favorite- oats, soymilk, a scoop of vanilla protein powder and peanut butter. But it’s a “fall favorite” because it’s in my pumpkin bowl!
Last week I made chili, which feels very fall-ish. Our favorite recipe is the Ultimate Vegan Chili from Nora Cooks. It’s so good, and even Angie likes it.
Now I’m going to be honest. In previous years, I’ve cooked way, way more. When I went back through my cameral roll I felt a little guilty about the things I used to make, but don’t anymore. This was one of our favorites that I used to make every fall, Pumpkin Baked Ziti from Veganomicon.
I even set the table and made it look nice! Wow, I’ve really slacked off. Here’s another football dinner, back when Paul was at Baylor and we watched every game:
And, a super fancy charcuterie board. Again, this is while he was at Baylor, and when he came home for Thanksgiving I made everything extra special.
This was super special because we ordered gourmet vegan cheese from Sri Mu. It was pretty expensive, but really made it feel like a special occasion.
I’m really glad I took this trip down memory lane, because now I’m inspired to cook a LITTLE more this fall. I still refuse to make dinner every night (obviously) but I could make a few special things. Starting with nachos this weekend, heh heh.
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19 Responses
That’s great news about the colonoscopy, congratulations!
Those waffles look really good, and now I kind of want charcuterie and or nachos.
I think you should have waffles, charcuterie AND nachos!
Hooray for the all-clear, Jenny! Ten years until the next one is great news. I got 7.5 years, so you’ve got an extra 2.5 years on me! 😂
Did they give you anything to eat or drink afterwards? I got a tea and a giant pretzel with butter, and it was the most delicious thing ever! After all that fasting, that first bite was pure heaven. So I can completely understand why your oatmeal tasted like absolute heaven too!
They offered me water or juice afterwards, or crackers- you got a GIANT PRETZEL???! To be honest though, I wasn’t that hungry immediately. I just took some water, and was happy to wait till I got home for my oatmeal.
great to hear about successful colonoscopy!
I love pumpkin with oats too. oatmeal is my staple breakfast, freshly made though. I tried making batches, it doesn’t taste the same.
I always make my oatmeal fresh as well. I did think about batching it- but now that you’ve said that, I’ll just continue to make it fresh. It’s not that hard!
Congrats on getting an “all clear” for 10 years! I’m with you that colonoscopy prep is not fun, but (I assume) way more fun than the alternative.
Cooking used to be so fun! Right now it’s just not my jam, and that’s OK. Once I get back from the trip that I’m starting today I will be making chili ASAP. It’s such a fun fall food. Actually it’s a fun year round food.
I agree- chili is good any time. I also feel like it’s a good “football dinner” so I’ll make it into the winter. I don’t make it much in the summer though!
I do love pumpkin foods. tG for Trader Joe’s.
I used to cook a lot more. I’ve gotten lazy.
Your meals look delicious.
Thank you Darlene! And, it’s a travesty that I haven’t gotten to TJs yet. It’s just far enough away from me to make it inconvenient, and every time I want to go, something else comes up. I MIGHT get there today though!
That’s WONDERFUL news, Jenny. And such an important PSA!
I LOVE FALL FOOD. It’s so hearty and comforting. That said, I am so over cooking. Like do not want to cook a single thing again in my life. I am really struggling to have any enthusiasm for feeding people right now. I think it has really sunk in that this need to shop, prep, cook, eat, clean up, etc NEVER ENDS. I think the main reason I’m struggling is my kids have suddenly become pickier. Well… mostly just my teen daughter. And so it’s this mix of wanting to provide nutritious foods while also wanting to make sure she eats. ARGH. I wonder if I’m part of the problem because I tend to make a lot of the same meals over and over so maybe they got bored of them?? Anyway, it is what it is and I’m tired of cooking. BUT, I love eating.
That pumpkin bowl is the best. My kids and I love oatmeal. To this day it’s one of my daughter’s favourite comfort foods.
Elisabeth, I’m right there with you. I just reached a breaking point with cooking! Luckily I’m at a point in my life where I can actually get away with cooking very minimally. And yes- one thing that really wrecked it is that we just don’t all want to eat the same things anymore. My daughter doesn’t like most of my foods, and my husband still likes to eat things like bread and pasta-heavy meals, and I’ve gotten away from that. Making something we all love is almost impossible, and I’m certainly not going to make more than one dinner! We really struggled for a while, but have settled into a routine of me cooking maaybe once a week, my husband cooing once a week, and other than that it’s an every man for himself situation, combined with me being willing to throw tofu into the air fryer and rice into the rice cooker for anyone who wants it. It’s not great- but we’re getting by.
I’m so glad your colonoscopy went well, and ten years is the best anyone can hope for! I did not know you had it in your family. Rob’s dad had it as well, he had neglected his health to say the least and by the time they found the cancer, it was huge. So he went the rest of his life with the colostomy bag, but he did live for 15 years with it. It’s such a preventable/ curable cancer if caught early, so I am so glad your sister’s was caught! And, clearly, your dad’s. I did not know he lived until his 80s! That’s really great.
Those recipes look good!
So, that’s a perfect example of why you want to catch colon cancer early. I’m pretty sure living 15 years with a colostomy bag was better than the alternative, but probably not a lot of fun. The good news is, I’m sure Rob is very on top of his health, so he should be fine.
Yay for the colonoscopy going well! I’m sure it’s a relief not to have to do that again for a long time.
Nachos are always a fun dinner! This time of year, I like to use the fall leaf chips from Trader Joe’s to make them more festive. Since I live alone, I basically have to cook all my meals but I make a lot of the same things over and over and do lots of easy meals like pasta so it’s not exciting but it gets it done. I just don’t feel like making something elaborate after working 8 hours! I wish I had more time to cook actual recipes sometimes though.
Yes, I do LOTS of easy meals these days. Including Amy’s chili from a can, and sandwiches made with air-fried tofu. I’m REALLY hoping to get to Trader Joe’s today, and I will definitely get those leaf chips- I love them.
You have such pretty fall tablecloths and runners, Jenn! While we do mostly eat the lighter roasted veggies and either fish or chicken most nights, I do love the hearty chilis and soups of fall and winter. I’m waiting for the perfect fall evening to make turkey chili with plenty of “fixin’s.”
I’m happy your colonoscopy went well! It’s such a weight lifted off your shoulders. However, even if they gave me the all clear for ten years, I’d want more often than that. My mom had a colonoscopy two years before she received her diagnosis of decidedly NOT curable cancer. I’m pretty startled by all these “this is curable/treatable” comments in your comment section because my mother had a painful death and I have a colleague who is going through a colon cancer recurrence and he’s going to die a painful death, too. Maybe there are different kinds?
Moral of the story. Get your cancer screenings! Good job, Jenny, for leading by example.
Great news! So glad your colonoscopy went well, especially with your family history!
I love your pumpkin bowls and you need to get a lot of use out of them this time of year… 🙂 The pumpkin baked ziti look delicious!