Yesterday I wrote about going through some of life’s tougher moments. One of those moments was a major one — truly life changing.
*Fair warning: I am about to use these words: breast, cancer, breasts, self-exam and self-check. If any of those words make you uncomfortable, consider staying with me anyway — this matters.
Three weeks ago Val found a lump in her breast. She called the doctor and scheduled an appointment. The doctors expressed concern and ordered a biopsy. The biopsy confirmed cancer, and within ten days she was in surgery to have the lump removed.
Soapbox moment and a little background: It is vitally important to do a monthly breast self-exam. Val’s vigilance is exactly why. If you don’t know how to perform a self-check, consult reputable sources such as the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (womenshealth.gov), or well-known medical websites for step-by-step guidance. Neither Val nor I relish doctor visits — we both have our share of apprehension — but Val performed her monthly check, sought care immediately, and because they detected the tumor early, her prognosis is very positive. If you love someone, or someone loves you, please make monthly breast self-exams a habit.
A quick note for my male readers: Encourage the women in your life to do self-exams. If you’re unsure how to explain it, just tell them this post mattered to you — that’s enough to start the conversation.
Val, true to her nature, kept us laughing instead of panicking while we waited for results and recovery updates. She’s found ways to make light of a hard situation, turning down social events with “I can’t — I have cancer,” and joking about a possible mastectomy with, “Tell ’em to take them both off! I’ll wear button-down shirts!” Her humor has helped all of us cope while she heals.
To honor Val and her journey I’m starting “Think Pink Thursdays.” Think Pink Thursdays is my small way of raising awareness about early detection. I’ll feature pink foods and drinks here each Thursday. If you create a pink recipe or photo in Val’s honor, I’d love to see it and will gladly share it here.
Val’s own words about her absence from the blog: “If anyone asks why I haven’t posted in so long, just tell them I couldn’t. I was too busy with my cancer!”
Think pink.
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Now, on to something bright and refreshing: a Watermelon Mojito Slushy — the perfect start for Think Pink Thursdays. Watermelon is naturally pink and pairs beautifully with lime, mint, and rum. This drink is light, cooling, and wonderfully simple.
Begin by preparing frozen watermelon cubes. Choose a seedless watermelon to avoid tedious seeding. With a large knife, halve the watermelon so it stands securely on the cutting board. Lay it flat-side down and cut into quarters or eighths depending on size. Remove the pink flesh from the rind with a paring knife. Cut the flesh into roughly 2–3 inch cubes and lay them on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Freeze until firm, several hours or overnight.
Frozen watermelon cubes are a fantastic ingredient to keep on hand: they chill drinks without diluting them as they melt, and they work well in iced tea, seltzer, sodas, and cocktails.
This slushy is especially good with a Jalapeño Mojito Simple Syrup, which adds a subtle minty, slightly spicy layer. If you don’t have that, use plain simple syrup and muddle a few fresh mint leaves, or muddle mint directly with the rum for a more pronounced mint flavor.
Think Pink Watermelon Mojito Slushies
Ingredients:
- About 4 cups frozen seedless watermelon cubes (enough to fill your blender to the “MAX” line)
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/3 cup jalapeño-mint simple syrup (or plain simple syrup muddled with mint)
- 1 cup golden rum
- Seltzer water, if needed, to thin the slushy
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender, secure the lid, and blend on high until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of seltzer and pulse until you reach the desired consistency. Pour into chilled glasses and serve immediately. Recipe yields roughly 1–4 servings depending on glass size and appetite for refreshment.
Enjoy this bright, pink drink and please remember to do monthly self-checks — for yourself and for the people you love. Think Pink Thursdays will continue with more pink recipes and stories in support of early detection and recovery.