Yesterday I was in the city for a pediatric cancer event. Before the event, I decided to grab something to eat at my favorite restaurant, Candle Cafe. I had not eaten there since we were at Sloan Kettering with Whitney. It had been three years. While at Sloan, we sometimes brought homemade meals with us but when we could not or when we were inpatient, we ordered delivery from Candle Cafe. We would get organic green drinks for anyone on the pediatric floor that would dare to drink with us. We would order organic lunches for our nurses. We would spread the word about organic plant-based food! Candle Cafe nourished me and gave me nutritious organic meals when I was not home to make them myself. They helped me on my food and health journey. In the entire year we were at Sloan, I never walked into Candle Cafe. I was always by Whitney’s side. Yesterday, I walked in and sat down to have lunch…just me…and my Nini. I walked 40 blocks to get there…because I BELIEVE in food…I BELIEVE it cures disease and makes us feel well. As I sat and ate, I was immediately brought to the moments I shared with my family at Sloan. I remembered the feeling of sitting in the cold hospital chair eating my meal on the food tray quickly while Whitney slept briefly in between chemo doses. I can recall the smells of my surroundings, the feelings of hope and yet desperation as well as the unbelievable joy Paul and I felt with Whitney.
Candle Cafe, thank you for another nutritious meal and a moment with my angel. I still BELIEVE!…in food, in a cure, in life!
I started with an amazing mango, apple salad. My entree was a bbq tempeh sandwich with avocado, steamed kale and caramelized onions with a side of brussel sprouts.
