Tag Archives: Phoenix Arizona

Food Exploration: Vegan Food, Fighting Fatigue with Chef Jason Wyrick

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In the effort to broaden my horizons, as well as up the ante on my health and wellness, I attended a cooking class this afternoon.

This happened to be out of the ordinary for me, as I am rubbish at cooking or anything having to do with the kitchen. But, it’s a new year and a new me (maybe).  The class was offered by the Cancer Support Community- Arizona and was led by Chef, NY Times Bestselling Author and vegan genius, Jason Wyrick.

Over the years I have been an on and off again vegitarian and have always had an interesting and psychological relationship with food.  Nowadays, I often lack much of an appetite and when I do, it’s usually all of the terrible foods as opposed to the proper, nutritious meals that my stomach can handle due to my colon cancer.

Prior to today, I had zero knowledge of Chef Jason, or the benefits that a vegan diet can bring.  This class was specifically built around fighting fatigue and understanding on a high level how to retrain your palette to the different compounds within organic foods, as well as the antioxidants and super foods that are best to boost your energy.  Seemingly, all of the things that I am clueless about, yet happened to find incredibly interesting and eye opening after today’s course and the three recipes that Chef Jason shared.  Delectable and mouthwatering seems like a cheap shot, considering just how appetizing and healthy his recipes were.

Here are the vegan soup recipes that Chef Jason shared.  I hope you enjoy as much as I did!

Green Tea and Shiitake Noodles

  • IMG_56752 to 3 cups of brewed green tea
  • Salt to taste
  • A sprinkle of five spice (Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Fennel, Cloves and Sichuan Peppercorn)
  • 8 to 10 small shiitakes, sliced
  • 1 small package of ramen, udon noodles, or thick rice noodles
  • Cubed extra firm tofu
  • Keep brewed tea warm and add the slat, five spice, and sliced shiitakes
  • Bring to gentle simmer and add noodles, cubed tofu and cook noodles al dente.

Chilmole with Sweet Potatoes and Beans

  • IMG_56764 to 6 guajillo chiles, toasted and rehydrated
  • 3 cups of water
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • Salt
  • 1 sweet potato, cubed
  • 1/2 cup of masa harina
  • 1 and 1/2 cups of rinsed beans
  • 2 cups of spinach
  • Puree chiles and water, transferring to a pot
  • Add pinch of cinnamon and salt to taste
  • Bring to simmer then add sweet potato until al dente
  • Slowly whisk the masa in until the soup thickens
  • Add beans, spinach and serve

Avocado Roasted Garlic Soup

IMG_5673

  • 1/4 cup of roasted garlic cloves
  • 2 large avocados
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Juice of 1 orange
  • 1 and 1/2 cups of water
  • Puree all ingredients
  • Serve room temperature

Be sure to check out Chef Jason Wyrick and sign up for free recipes, videos and tips to a healthy vegan diet at www.thevegantaste.com!

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Love and yum,

Britt x

12.02.15: Night Before Surgery Video Update

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12.02.15 BKO.mp4 from Britt Ochoa on Vimeo.

Tomorrow is the big day and we’re feeling super optimistic and hopeful.  I’ve been in a considerable amount of pain over the last few days and have been pretty medicated, but each and every message has warmed my heart and touched my soul.  I will never be able to put into words just how much I (we) appreciate all of the ridiculous amounts of kindness, thoughts, prayers and so much more!  Knowing that we are not at this alone builds us up for the road that is in front of us.  Things may get worse before they get better, but I’m pretty relentless and I won’t leave this earth without putting up one hell of a fight.  After all, I am a Scorpio.

Always love,

Britt x

B.K.O. for #BSMHB – Donate a Photo:

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It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but what if I told you that YOUR photos could help a charity in need?  ‪#‎JohnsonandJohnson‬ have created an amazing app, making it possible for you to donate one picture per day, and they will contribute $1.00 to the trusted cause of your choice (list provided in app). What a better way to kick off the season of GIVING by being able to give everyday! Download @donateaphoto via the App Store. ‬

B.K.O. for #BSMHB

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Love,

Britt x

Cancer is SO Last Season!

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VOX

Cancer has opened my eyes to so many things over the past several months, but most of all it has taught me that people are genuinely good and the value of human kindness is immeasurable. I’ve been fortunate enough to make acquaintances with so many beautiful, kind and caring souls within the last year and with each fare, I have come to acknowledge and appreciate the practice of human kindness in this world.

Today I received a phone call in the middle of the day from Steve, which is not unusual, however he told me that we had somewhere to be at 5:30pm and to get myself together. Of course being impaired to any self-control or “secrets”, I was foaming at the mouth to know what was planned. All he was able to share with me was that someone reached out to him earlier in the morning and that there was a surprise waiting for me. As the afternoon went by, I was running through anything that it could be and whom was behind this so-called surprise.

Shortly after Steve arrived home from work, we left the house and soon after arrived at the destination. As we pulled up, I was completely puzzled as to why we were at the particular destination, but thought it was perhaps a stop on the way. He held my hand as we approached the door of VOX, a local store that is full of vintage and vintage inspired items, as well as home to my recent obsession. I had been to the store a handful of times since discovering it a few months prior. Each time I visit the store I love it more and more and drool over certain things that I MUST have. Being a bit of a spendy shopper, I have been trying to downsize my addiction in lieu of having to pay off medical bills and the bills of every day life.

As I walked into the store, Tricia handed me a bag, which had written on it, “Cancer is SO last season!” I couldn’t believe this was my surprise; I was so touched and shocked. I opened up the bag and removed the purple tissue to find a clear clutch that I had been lusting after for the last month or so. Tricia proceeded to congratulate me on my recent remission news and said how inspired she and the store were by my story and journey through cancer. This was hands down the utmost and ultimate gift and I will always remember the thoughtfulness every time I wear my new clutch.

It goes without saying that I am extremely thankful for such a kind act, but moreover I am resonated with the fact that in the end only kindness matters.

Thank you, Tricia and VOX for making me smile from ear to ear. I am a forever customer of your lovely shop.

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Love, Britt x

UNDY 5000 – Team Britt Ochoa!

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#ColonCancerAlliance #Undy5000 #Race #DTPHX #Phoenix #Findacure I #BSMHB #BeStillMyHeartBlog I www.BeStillMyHeartBlog.wordpress.com

Words cannot describe how appreciative I am for all of the donations and friends/family that have signed up for the UNDY 5000 on this upcoming Saturday, November 16th.  We are very close to our goal.  The walk is sponsored by the Colon Cancer Alliance and is a unique 5K taking place in Phoenix, AZ, where participants are encouraged to run/walk in boxers, in an effort to bring awareness to Colon Cancer.  The fundraising efforts are put towards Colon Cancer research and has reached over a million dollars in fundraising in 2013.

If you would like to participate and/or donate towards the cause, you may do so by going to:

UNDY 5000– Team Britt Ochoa

Thank you again for all of the support, you are all BRILLIANT!  Pics to come from Saturday’s event!

Love,

Britt x