Hey there! It’s Slim!

You don’t want to miss my Top 6 food list at the end

So, Slim here. I wanted to give Curt some time off and try my hand at this Substacking stuff. Let’s start off with a question; how do you react when you get less than “phenomenal” news? I use the word phenomenal intentionally as that’s what Curt’s awesome Dr. said on Friday delivering the news that 1 (just one) of twenty lymph nodes tested postive for cancer. This wasn’t exactly the news Curt or I wanted, and yet there were some positives. Elrod was completely evicted and I am now clear of him. One out of twenty is a good ratio, and radiation treatment can improve the cure rate. Curt still has lots more questions and we know the journey will be complex – but we will continue.

Many of you know Curt married an amazing woman with a background in therapy. Some of her favorite sayings are “you have to feel it to move through it” or “just sit in the emotion,” and so many more. Curt is working hard to live these out!

Now getting unphenomenal news whilst healing from surgery and trying to learn to operate as a new tongue isn’t ideal – but what is ideal about a cancer diagnosis and journey??? Two things helped Curt with the initial impact of the news. First, he read a post on Substack (thanks Mellisa) by Parker Palmer. In this post, Palmer talks about a Outward Bound motto – “If you can’t get out of it, get into (through) it.” How appropriate was this! Secondly, Curt decided to take a walk and listen to a sermon by his good friend Lisa. This one God’s Yes had Curt crying in the streets. You should definitely check it out – particualary if you want to learn more about seeing God’s Yeses more than the nos. Finding cancer in one lymph node and having to go through the proper treatment is not fun. However, 1 of 20 – is a yes. Finding it now, a yes. Having great doctors, a yes! Honestly, the yes list can go on and on.

So here’s to all of us – feeling the tough stuff, finding the yeses, and getting through the things we can’t get out of!

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Oh yeah – since Curt gave me the platform I wanted to share a little something special.

Slim’s Top Six – Pureed Goodness

While I am working hard and starting to learn how to move things around in Curt’s mouth – I will always love a good puréed meal. They are so yummy and easy to eat! Here’s my Top Six.

1. The Fresh Market Chicken Pot Pie – This has been a reoccurring meal. We believe CPP is the prefect food to purée. The crust adds a delicate texture to the meal and when you return it to its original container you can eat it amongst company and some will never know. Just add a ¼ - ½ cup of chicken broth and blend.

2. Casey’s Burrito from Gordido’s in Brevard – Ok, I just had this yesterday and it was hard not to put it at #1. Curt ordered the jerk chicken and the burrito was enormous. Easily two meals – have I mentioned puréed foods go farther!!! This blended this up to the consistency of a good buffalo chicken dip and I can’t put into words the blissful collaboration of all the flavors. Thank you Curt!

3. War Eagle from Converse Deli – This is Curt’s favorite sandwich in Spartanburg – regular or blended! Curt added extra spicy piemento cheese to the blend and OH. MY. GOODNESS. It set the whole experience to another level of joy. The flavors meld nicely with a blend. I could argue that you get just the right amount of taste in every bite with a good puree.

4. CauliPower Pepperoni Pizza – Ok this probably isn’t #3 and don’t hate on the frozen pizza but if I didn’t put it here there would be 3 burritoesque meals together so I am using my writer's privilege. Again – pizza is great puréed - smells the same, tastes the same and it’s super easy. Make the pizza, add some broth and blend to the needed consistency. I have found consistency of the food matters for healing. First blend on this one didn’t get it smooth enough and I suffered because of that.

5. Willy Taco Burrito Bowl – I have talked about this one before – great flavors, I think the cheese dip helps bring it all together along with the pickled onions. Just a solid experience.

6. Taco Dog Regular Chicken Burrito. Curt has eaten out at Taco Dog more than any other restaurant in Spartanburg, hands down, so please don’t think hate on him for my placement #6. It’s a great burrito with fresh ingredients. Friendly staff and the food is always good! In hindsight I wish Curt had added some chipotle ranch to the blend, it would’ve added an extra kick to the flavor profiles.

So, I bet you are asking, What’s on my menu this week. Two things we are hoping to try this week are – Indian Food and a CheeseBurger!

Feel free to share in the comments foods you think would be good blended or any other advice. Thanks for reading. I am sure Curt will be back for the next post (and blame me for any typos not Curt!)