Christmas is a time to do good. Have you been good this year? No? Why not today?
There are people, who are not happy because Santa is coming along. People, who miss their families, because they must stay in hospital during the holidays. People, who cry because they fear they could lose their lives or their family members might. Girls and boys who must bear needles being stuck into their little bodies. Mom’s and dad’s who suffer from the byeeffects of their therapy…
And there are people like you who can help to prevent this from happening.
In 2008, my mother became ill. She had leukemia. She wasn’t at home all December. We cried.
2009 was a horrible new year, full of fear and worries. But Mum got home at last.
2010 was a good year, although it was difficult. But in December Mum felt very bad. She went to hospital again. Another Christmas without her.
2011 was the worst year of my life. I cried all New Year’s Eve. Suddenly everything began to change. It got worse and worse. On Easter Monday, I heard Mum’s voice for the last time. One month later, she died.
This is a too short summary of a long story. I do not wish that to anyone. And people should try to prevent this. Because science is still looking for ways to treat ill people with leukemia more effectively, easily and faster. Also psychological treatment for patients and their families & friends is an important aspect in cancer therapy.
So if you want that there are less people like my brother and me, who must spend their holidays without their mommy, please help. A donation to the José Carreras Leukemia Foundation is a way to do this.
In Germany you can watch the José Carreras Gala on ARD tonight (8.15 p.m.). But no matter what country you come from, you can support this foundation.
Rest in peace, Mum
I was in Erfurt yesterday, I was in Erfurt today. Well, not bad, because I missed my zombie zero lesson on Tuesday and my lessons today :). The following pictures will give you an impression of the beautiful Christmas market there.
Two weeks ago, I gave a dinner for my family and my boyfriend + his parents = my other family. My very very favourite part of it was peparing the dessert. This is my own creation, no adaption, no changing of known recipe, so look forward to something completely new.
It was inspired by the idea of making a mango tiramisu, but as I did not want to use raw eggs or alcohol in my dessert, I made my completely own thing.
Mango Cream Cups
For about 6 cups you will need:
200 g (7 oz) hazelnut cookies
4 tbsp butter/margarine
250 g (9 oz) mascarpone
250 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp powdered sugar
1/2 ripe mango, peeled
3 tbsp orange juice
2 tbsp chopped hazelnuts
Crumble the cookies in a bowl. Melt the butter and add it to the cookie crumbs. Mix everything up. Cover 6 muffin molds with pieces of plastic wrap. Press the crumbs into the molds, so they form a cup. You need to press them very well to the ground and then go on with the walls. Place the muffin mold in the fridge.
Beat the heavy cream until it is stiff. Stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla. In another bowl, stir the mascarpone until the mass is creamy. Add the mascarpone to the heavy cream and combine carefully with a whisk. Set aside.
Cut the mango into thin slices. Set aside. Roast the chopped hazelnuts in a pan without oil until they turn light brown.
Now put a mango slice on the bottom of a cookie crumb cup and pour 1 tsp of orange juice on top. Then place cream on top (the cup should be almost full). Layer again mango and juice. Do this with all cups. With an icing bag, pipe a cream layer like frosting. Decorate with roasted hazelnuts.
