Turkish Breakfast, including menemen
Too many cancer patients die of malnutrition. I understand now how it happens, between the pain and the havoc cancer and its treatments wreak on the digestive system. Cachexia keeps our bodies from using the nutrition we work hard to intake. In many ways, that’s what was going to get me. Not now. I’m eating, digesting, and enjoying!
Food has always been an expression of love for me. Cooking. Sharing. Creating. Cooking with my children and husband. Reading food science for fun (what chemist doesn’t?). It’s fair to say I have a cookbook addiction, which food blogs now satisfy as well. My taste memory is one of my superpowers. If you’ve made me a good meal, you can be sure I remember it clearly and fondly. Thank you! From grandmothers who cooked whole food (one southern, one Middle Eastern), to travel experiences (e.g., taking notes in the kitchen as an exchange student in Spain; cooking classes in Tuscany, Vietnam, the Netherlands), to giving and receiving healing foods during times of trouble or illness. food can transport and bring us together. I’ve considered careers in food but always came back to food as life rather than a livelihood. Food is a tangible way to nourish and empathize.
Love of food contributes not just to health but to my will to live. So it was devastating to have mounting food sensitivities then not be able to eat at all without pain. Thankfully, I’m in a good place now. I have always tried to walk the line between taste and health, which is not always easy given the changing landscape of nutrition science. For people with advanced cancers, there is mounting evidence that low-carbohydrate, veggie strong ketogenic eating heals. That may sound constraining. It’s not really. I’ve healed issues for myself and my family in different ways at different times, but clean eating is always the foundation. Testing shows gluten-free makes sense for me, but that’s not so difficult anymore. So it’s wonderful to see our food system cleaning up its act. Healthy food is a human right, not to mention an economic issue, and should be easy and available. Junk food makers should have to pay the downstream costs of their devastating impact on our healthcare system and lives.
When we decided to come to Turkey, one of the draws I mentioned was breakfast. You foodies understand. I mean, just look at the spread they put out every morning in the restaurant downstairs at our apartment (click the video below). I wonder how you’d build your plate?
Family dinners are sacred, and going out to dinner with my honey is one of my purest pleasures in life. How lucky we are to linger over a good meal and great conversation, sharing our lives, hopes, and dreams. Solving problems. Finding solace in company in times of trouble. Dinner with friends too. It’s all good.
Istanbul is twice the size of New York City. Not only is there beautiful Middle Eastern food that feels like home to me, but you can find pretty much anything you desire. John and I are door-dashing like teenagers over here. As I get more stamina, we have a kitchen and will cook more. We got out again in Istanbul! More recommendations have poured in. This time, we tried Sunset Grill & Bar. Here go you Foodies…
We both started with the Garden Salad, a fresh, crunchy composition that engaged all the taste buds with beetroot, avocado, pine nuts, coriander, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and pomegranate syrup sauce.
We shared a beautiful bowl of umami in the form of tuna sashimi (maguro and toro).
Then, I had Baked Black Cod Marinated in Miso Sauce. A pretty perfect rendition of this classic, with fresh, buttery fish. John had Mixed Seafood Sautéed With Lemon Peels And Basil with baked red pepper, shallot and Kalamata olives. Super fresh and tangy.
We shared a side of Asian Spinach, and I tasted John’s Wild Mushroom Risotto, rich with truffle oil, thyme, and parmesan. The latter tasted much better than the picture looks, especially if you love truffles. And I do!
I enjoyed a beautiful decaf cappuccino and some fresh pomegranate seeds* (look Dad! I’m getting pomegranates here!!), along with a little taste of John’s pumpkin cheesecake with raspberry and mango sauce.
Did I mention the view? That’s Asia over there, right across the Bosphorus. We are standing in Europe. Pretty cool, eh?
Following 10 days off, I start another 10-day treatment cycle tomorrow. The upside? The powerful insulin potentiated therapy (IPT) benefits from HIGH CARB meals on chemo days. It really helps to dream about and plan what I’ll have. Pomegranate juice. Homemade rosehip tea (below).
Gluten-free granola. Fruit. Potstickers. Lentil soup. Anything with rice, especially dolma and maki. Gluten-free pizza and pasta and gnocchi! French fries with mayo!!! Gluten-free tarts and German chocolate cake. Yes! All of this is available here. And don’t worry, I’ve learned how to hack a keto version of everything now, so I won’t be deprived later either. But, it’s still nice to have an upside to chemo days…in addition to knowing cancer cells are dying.
One last encouraging story. I walked to the nearby organic grocery store with John the other day and shopped. Getting around is still such an effort, but my body is getting stronger now that I can eat and move. I love going to grocery stores in other countries, finding local treasures like fresh pistachios, rich yogurt, and pomegranate juice.
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” – Bob Marley
Continued thanks for all of the ways you love on our family, including the beautiful food past, present, and future. It helps us be strong in every way.
*My dad once mailed me (yes, mailed me) pomegranate seeds in Boston because he wasn’t sure I could buy them there. It took two tries, but I enjoyed them. As my Southern grandma, Minna, said at the time, “That’s good, hard lovin’!” #ChaldeanFoodies
Special thanks to Erdem Can, Ogeday Karahan, and Michael Goldberg & Asli Kurul Turkmen for restaurant recommendations; Suleyman and Nevriye for the rosehip tea; and EVERYONE who has nourished our family at home, especially Kathryn Edelman and Heather Weingart for organizing meals for Grant. Thanks also to Ed Weinfurtner for sharing the Bob Marley quote. Finally, thanks and love to John LeMay for his photographic skills and partnership in this whole adventure.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful post, Jackie. I hope to be dining with you again soon! Here’s to many more wonderful meals. Love to you and John and the kiddos.
I dream of that too! Xoxo
I love that Bob Marley quote. I admire your courage and am wishing you great strength as you tackle the next treatment cycle. So glad you have been able to enjoy some of Turkey’s incredible food. Your posts make me want to go there some day. Stay strong ❤️
Thank you, Hallie. Xoxo
Jackie-I’m keeping you in mind as the next treatment round begins. Thank you for continuing to post your discoveries, pleasures and moments of bliss. You’re reassuring me as I sit here wondering and praying and hoping you’ll achieve remission. I stand with you and your commitments to gluten free, no carb, no corn, “keto eating” and to avoiding polluted, engineered, processed and otherwise “not-even-food-grade-items” sold in the corrupted U.S.. My own children and I have been healed by carefully identifying food sensitivities. It’s constant and conscientius record keeping but worth the time to understand and eat food in the right amounts, the frequency and in which combinations of foods keep us feeling our best. If only every cancer patient were encouraged to add this discipline to their treatment, How wonderful for you to find pleasure in food again in Turkey!! I’m delighted for you and sending you good thoughts and deep love to you!
Couldn’t agree more. Love back to you!
Oh my goodness Jackie I’m just getting my day going on this side of the world and I’m starving after reading your incredible post! I am so happy to hear you are in good hands and to know your appetite is coming back is the best blessing ever. Prayers surround you from this part of the world during your next treatment. Give John a big hug for me !
Fr Brian
🙏😘❤️
The Vietnamese cooking class! And then cooking the food again in your home with friends. Lovely memories. You are the best cook. So glad to read this update. Love to you and John!
I LOVED that class and the whole time in Vietnam with you and Michael!❤️❤️❤️ Your food has always been amazing too 🙏
Thank you for sharing Jackie..You definitely made me hungry. Keep getting stronger and keep putting up a good fight. Your spirit fighters are ready with you. Much love to you and John.
Much love back to you and yours, Dan!
Jackie,
Reading about food, reading about you., and reading about you and food, makes me feel triply warm. Much love to you both.
L
❤️❤️❤️
Love City Farm :). I love the pictures feels like I’m back in Turkey.
Everything is as you said it would be. Wonderful🙏
This post made me hungry! And I am so glad that you are hungry and able to eat. All steps getting you back to health. I LOVE your posts! Stay positive and all my prayers are coming your way.
Thank you, Cathy! I hope you are well. Namaste 🙏❤️
Jackie, what a beautiful, delicious start to my day it is to read your marvelous post. That breakfast buffet!! And the view! So glad you are savoring these moments, in the midst of trying times. Sending you love and healing thoughts!
Nice spending virtual breakfast with you, Samara! Xo
Jackie,
Beautiful words. So terrific to know you are growing stronger and able to eat the delicious foods in Istanbul.
Thank you for sharing this remarkable journey. No I’m adding an amazing meal to the Tequila we will share.
Jo
Wonderful! Yes!
Thank you for sharing Jackie, between your writing skills and John’s photography, you guys may have a new food –
centric career after you beat this thing . Sending love and prayers.
🙂
thanks, Diane!
xo
So much to savor in this latest piece. Istanbul sounds wonderfully healing. You are a warrior. Sending love…
😘😘😘
Chaldean foodies is real! My dad always says, some people eat to live, but he lives to eat.
Oh, I have food memories of him from the grocery store days! He introduced me to Jay’s hot potato chips among other things!
Beautiful and inspirational. One of the great travesties of our health care system is the disconnect between food and wellness, or lack thereof. I enjoy your storytelling and admire your perspective advocacy. Wishing you health and well being.
Thank you so much! Wonderful to hear from you, Emily, and I hope you and your family are well
Keep on eating, keep on healing, and keep on sharing. You’ve got a lot of people thinking about and praying for you. And thanks for stopping short of discussing text book #2s!
This was not that kind of post 😂
But now that you mention it….
Jackie you made Sunset Grill & Bar sound good even to me! It’s so uplifting to hear you high energy and positivity, keep that frame of mind going! We miss you both!
Well that makes me feel great that it sounds good even to you! Love you guys
So awesome to hear!! Keep savoring all the little things! Especially delicious food. Will be thinking of you this week and all those little MF cancer cells. GOODBYE CANCER CELLS!!!!
Yep, Buh bye! Ty😘
Jackie,
Pip pip and Talley-Ho !!
So happy for you but you know … I think your friends are becoming my friends. I not only look forward to your updates but I truly enjoy their comments. When you and John get back here … let’s have a soirée!!! I would love to meet these beautiful people !!
Great minds, Mattie. I was literally just thinking the same thing. I sure do look forward to that and seeing you again my friend. XO
Let’s all have a party when Jackie is back in town!! I’ll come to wherever place she chooses!!
💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
Middle Eastern just seems so much healthier overall. I basically just completed first year college Biology with my daughter and loved the class. Genetics and gene expression fascinating and what amazes me is how much garbage processed food we put in our bodies and they still (mostly) work. Big food has folks like you studying dopamine in mouse brains to make us eat that crap. We literally poison ourselves daily but our bodies adapt. Sort of. You can’t put the wrong fuel in the vehicle and expect it to function long term. You look great, not like someone fighting major illness. Keep up the spirit and onward to next round!
Thank you! Biology is a topic I’ve been diving into more and more also… So fascinating the way we are designed, and so tragic the way we have ignored it. Until now!
Never had any desire to go to Turkey, but that is changing quickly! Thanks for the note and keep up the good work. Hi to John and still praying here.
Always great to hear from you, Roger. Yes, Turkey is a wonderful place!
Jackie,
Your journey is truly inspiring. Your strength and fight will help you make it through these trying times. CDP thinks of you often and prays for you and your family. Food does help heal so enjoy every bite!
Thank you, Joellen! It’s always wonderful to hear from you. I miss you guys and hope all is going well
Jackie, As you know, I have known you for all of your 53 years.. I can attest to YOU having been – and continue to be – a Brilliant, Determined, Focused, Loving and Beautiful young lady. (I don’t need to add Empathetic 🙂 I look forward to witnessing the future accomplishments you will conquer.
Your aunt Dee and I are delighted that you are not only making great medical progress but able to enjoy your stay (including great food) in Turkey with John.
YOU are an inspiration to others. Continue to be that inspiration – for years to come!!
You have a great family and support system behind you. I’ve always been very proud to brag about having you as my niece. Uncle Andy
Uncle Andy, I have such fond memories of all of the time we spent together. And you always did make time on your travels to take me out to breakfast in Boston or come visit in Cleveland. So much of my strength comes from the love of family and friends.Love you aunt Dee and the whole family very much!
Jackie, thank you for this beautiful, nurturing post. We share a passion for cookbooks! Biichemist-turned foodie-turned my favorite cookbook author Shirley Corriher says “Good food brings comfort in uncertain times.” Explaining her formulas for successful baking, she stresses the importance of “getting the ratios right.” Sounds like good advice for fighting cancer as well! Praying that you and your doctors in Istanbul are getting the ratios right! Sending love and light!
❤️🙏❤️🙏
Such a beautiful and inspiring post! Jackie, so happy to know that the change of pace and content of treatment and food and beautiful views are making a positive impact on your health. Your uncle always spoke about how you eat clean and healthy and the trend continues and it inspires us, readers. It helps me understand how important cultural trends in food are and how they have been formed and tested and tried for centuries before the era of processed foods, and quick-cooking and making food secondary in life got started. You have been pointing out that food is the main source of energy and if we keep the source clean, clean is what we reflect. Thank you for the same. Prayers for progressive healing and your safe and healthy return from Istanbul!
It’s always wonderful to hear from you, Rohini! Thank you for your encouragement
You look and sound great! Bring home recipes if you can!!!!! Peace, eap
Thanks Elaine!
Jackie,
You continue to inspire with your words, your courage and your amazing intellect, Bon Appetit!!
Ty😘🙏