Fix-It and Forget-It Pink Cookbook (2 page)

Food is usually more than food

When I cook, I'm not thinking fuel. I'm usually hungry, so I'm imagining flavor and often the prospect of eating with someone else.

Food can settle us down, bring us together, strengthen our friendships, distract us from our fears, underline hope, remind us that we are not alone.

Funny how often food came up when I was talking to the fiercely courageous people whom we feature in the front section of this
Cookbook
. In fact, for many of them, fixing food was a burden—until—some good souls stepped in and brought them meals. This food took care of an immediate need, but it quietly whispered another message from those who brought it—”We're with you.”

Why this partnership?

Nearly all of us know someone who's had breast cancer. We are incensed and fearful. And then we want to act. The Avon Foundation has moved right into the neediest of places, providing funds so that women who've been diagnosed have support while they go through treatment. They fund education about breast health, access to care programs, and efforts to accelerate research. Avon Foundation programs raise money for these critical projects—but they also create a powerful community.

Fix-It and Forget-It PINK Cookbook
brings two communities together—those who want to feed their families good food at home, and those who want passionately to support those with breast cancer and to eradicate the disease.

You join these two sister causes when you buy and use this book.

We at Good Books are giving $1.00 to the Avon Foundation for every copy of this book that sells.

We've put together 700 great slow cooker recipes—for ordinary times, and for those special occasions when you want to especially celebrate life. Let's multiply the good!

— Phyllis Pellman Good

Eloise Caggiano: Program Director for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, and Survivor

Makes 8 servings • Ideal Slow-Cooker Size: 6-qt.

Prep. Time: 10 minutes • Cooking Time: 6 hours

3- to 4-lb. beef rump roast

salt to taste

pepper to taste

1 large yellow onion, cut in 8 wedges

1 cup beef stock

1 tsp. Kitchen Bouquet Seasoning

20 gingersnaps, finely crushed

1. Season roast with salt and pepper. Place in slow cooker.
   
2. Scatter onion wedges over top of beef.
   
3. Spoon beef stock into cooker, being careful not to wash the seasoning or onion pieces off the beef.
   
4. Cover and cook on High for 6 hours.
   
5. Remove roast from cooker and keep warm on a platter covered with a tent of foil.
   
6. Add Kitchen Bouquet to liquid in cooker. Stir in gingersnap crumbs, until thickened.
   
7. Slice meat and top with sauce for serving.
   

“This isn't fancy, but I remember it well from my childhood. Dinner-time was important in our family—a time to spend together with no TV or other distractions, and my mom worked hard to make a lovely home-cooked dinner for us each and every night. I, of course, tortured her with my ridiculously picky eating habits, but bless her, she always made sure there was something good for me to eat.”

PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER, AND SURVIVOR

I was healthy and active and 33 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went alone to the surgeon for my biopsy results, assuming I'd get good news.

She told me that I had breast cancer, and when I left her office that day, I literally did not know what to do in that minute. My parents were on a flight, and I couldn't reach them. So I went to work, which seemed like a weird thing to do, but I didn't want to go home and sit there alone.

I was so surprised by how many decisions were left up to me. It was tough, because I felt fine, but I knew that whatever surgery and treatment options I chose would make me feel bad. I didn't feel equipped to make such life-changing and life-saving decisions.

On the day I was diagnosed, my surgeon gave me a “Cancer 101” organizer. It was a binder that included the many steps I would need to go through, plus a calendar, a guide for tracking insurance, a glossary, and much more. It kept me organized and gave me a real sense of empowerment.

Eloise speaks to a crowd of walkers as financial expert and Avon supporter, Suze Orman, looks on.

I tried to keep as much normalcy in my life as I could, since so much felt out of my control. I had five surgeries, so I was out of work briefly for each of them. Otherwise, going to work helped keep me going. And I still went to the gym, even though I needed to alter my workouts to suit my surgeries and chemo side-effects. Mentally, it helped to stay active. Physically, I think I healed faster.

A friend lined up other friends to accompany me to each chemo treatment. She took care of all the details and always prepared whoever was meeting me, telling them what to bring, and warning them that I'd likely fall asleep on them at some point! It was so comforting to have someone with me each time.

I would have preferred not to have breast cancer, but I've certainly learned a lot. The experience brought me closer to a lot of people. I've learned to open up more. I'm by nature a private person, but I made a choice to let people in. I'm so glad I did because I don't think I could have gotten through this on my own.

I even found a new job! After my breast cancer battle, I wanted to find a more rewarding career. As Program Director for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, my job now gives me the chance to put my breast cancer experience to good use.

“I wished for a little cancer angel on my shoulder to help me. I was so afraid of making a wrong decision.”

Noelle Krejci: Survivor, and Avon Walker

Noelle Krejci is a 2-year survivor, and Avon Walker. She's done 8 Walks and has spoken at both opening and closing ceremonies. Noelle is a nurse.

Makes 6 servings • Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 6-7 hours • Ideal slow-cooker size: 4½- to 5-qt.

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

salt to taste

pepper to taste

garlic powder to taste

2 10½-oz. cans cream of chicken soup

1 10½-oz. can cheese soup

1. Spray slow cooker with low-fat cooking spray.
   
2. Season each piece of chicken to your liking, and then place in slow cooker.
   
3. Whisk soups together in bowl until smooth.
   
4. Pour over chicken pieces, covering them as well as possible with the sauce.
   
5. Cover. Cook on Low for 6-7 hours, or until chicken is tender but not dry.
   

“Here's a quick and easy recipe that our entire family loves!”

SURVIVOR, AND AVON WALKER

I did the entire Avon Santa Barbara Walk 11 days after my mastectomy. I hadn't trained; it was a tough year. But I am very determined!

Oddly enough, about six years before I was diagnosed, a girlfriend and I decided that we wanted to see if we could do an Avon Walk physically. I ended up doing it alone because she had to have knee surgery, but it was such a good experience that I said, “I'm going to do this forever.”

I had started out walking alone because I knew no one, but I came upon a woman who was about 65 years old. I learned she was going through chemo—and still walking—and she became my inspiration.

During those first years I walked alone, hooked by the moving stories I heard and the spirit of the event. Now I have a team that I've put together. They're amazing people whom I've met along the way.

A girlfriend who I grew up with in Texas is part of my team. My best friend is on the team. When I went in for my double­mastectomy, my nurse that day said, “I'm doing the Avon Walk.” She told me she was going alone. I said, “No, you're not.” So now she's on my team.