This make-ahead pesto spaghetti squash recipe is perfect for an easy, healthy dinner that is packed with nutrients, fiber and flavor. It’s a great low-carb alternative to pasta and is a favorite meal in our household. See below.
In honor of those whose lives have been personally touched by breast cancer and have faced the battle ‘with courage’
Amongst the squawks and squabbles of our two little girls in the background, my childhood friend Caitlin and I attempted to tackle the standard catching up on life conversation. It was a first for us, getting together with our kiddos in tow. Both of our toddlers proved to enjoy crashing the conversation with their antics. As it was also the first time our sweet girls had met, they jumped straight into the dynamic toddler gymnastics of figuring out the uncertainties of engaging, and sharing both toys and territory. If you have toddlers, I’m sure you are familiar with this introduction process – it doesn’t always go so smoothly at first! Despite having to bounce my attention from helping my daughter with her toddler initiations to catching up with Caitlin, I couldn’t have been more thankful to be there sharing time together. I was thrilled it worked out to get together at her home in the darling little town of Carlton, right in the heart of Oregon wine country, about an hour outside of Portland.
Caitlin’s hair was pinned back adorably, but shorter than I had seen in person as it was growing back after finishing her chemo treatments. This last July, she had just celebrated her one year “chemoversary” with a big party, having “kicked cancer in the butt.” Despite the arduous journey she had been on in the last two and a half years in battling breast cancer, her smile was radiant, and she looked like the same beautiful Caitlin I had always known, inside and out.
Diagnosed with breast cancer at 30 years old, her situation was not only unique in how youthful she was when receiving the hard news, it was also layered with another obstacle. She was pregnant.
Caitlin had gone in for an initial appointment upon finding a lump in her left breast and they had asked her the routine questions regarding the possibility of pregnancy. A pregnancy test later confirmed the news. Upon walking away from the first few pathology appointments with her mom and husband, she felt overwhelmed and emotional. Both Caitlin and her baby were in the hands of an amazing team of doctors, but even that could not quell the natural feelings of fear, apprehension, worry and stress over what might lie ahead. She went in for a biopsy with only local anesthesia and minimal pain meds as being fully sedated could pose risk within the first trimester of pregnancy.
When the biopsy results came back, it was a hard pill to swallow. The cancer was considered grade 3 and invasive. It’s hard for me to even begin to imagine the depth of what she must have been feeling. Pregnancy is such vulnerable time in a woman’s life, but to mix that with the vulnerability that also comes with a cancer diagnosis in the same week? It is simply hard to fathom. It was a harsh contradiction as her body harbored cells that were multiplying by the day to form a beautiful little being, while also hosting a siege of cells of another kind, multiplying and growing in a way that threatened not only one life, but two.
Caitlin kept loved ones up to date through the website CaringBridge, where she posted about the ups and downs of her procedures, treatments and recovery. She shared with courageous transparency about her journey which was characterized by many things, but especially, the theme of waiting. Waiting for results, for the next chemo appointment, waiting for the next ultrasound to check on the health of the baby. Waiting to see if the cancer had spread or diminished. Furthermore, it was characterized by waiting on a God who continued to show up for her, time and time again in various ways as she sought prayer, peace and comfort in His arms. Through the pain, fear, apprehensions and anxieties that overwhelmed her at times, I continue to be inspired by her ability to focus on gratitude, thankfulness, and simple joys. Caitlin was incredibly real about the hard stuff, but she did not let it steal her spirit or perspective. She chose to be defined by resilience, not cancer.
In one of her CaringBridge posts, Caitlin wrote, “I still find it hard to say the word cancer out loud. I don’t think it’s denial, but rather the fact that I do not want it to define who I am. Instead, I have chosen to let cancer refine who I am…People often use the phrase, ‘God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.’ I had a long-time friend tell me at the beginning of this journey that God does allow us to take on more than we can handle. I couldn’t agree more. If we could handle it, then we wouldn’t need God, and when life and our circumstances are too much, the best place to go for help and ‘get it handled’ is Him. We can take things that suck and are hard to handle like cancer, be angry and stay that way, or we can let ourselves be refined and bettered by them.”
Under careful supervision of her team of doctors, Caitlin continued chemo until 35 weeks of pregnancy. In May, 2015, she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl, Lilian Cait. It was a joyful, long-awaited event in the thick of a year threaded by so much pain, uncertainty and struggle. From being safely cocooned in the womb, unaware of the gravity of the battle being fought around her, to entering the world, vibrant and healthy, it’s hard not to see the miracle in sweet Lilian’s birth. I’m completely in awe of the incredible advancements within the medical field combined with the extraordinary capabilities of the human body in the measures it takes to protect the tiny life growing inside it.
While having much to celebrate in the birth of Lilian, the journey was far from over. After only one month of recovery after childbirth, Caitlin started the next round of chemo. Not only was she facing the same internal battles that every woman faces after childbirth, along with the transition to becoming a mother of two, she was also facing another struggle. She was grieving the loss of her hair for the second time, which to her was like a “constant visual reminder” of the reality of her life at that time. Furthermore, she endured several surgeries that left her sore, in a state of recovery, and with deep sadness at the inability to comfort and hold her girls in the weeks following. Still, her attitude in all of it remained steady and positive.
I continue to be moved by the authenticity in which she spoke of the hardships she endured while at the same time, handling them with a tremendous amount of humility and grace. “The truth is, my faith is stronger,” Caitlin wrote. “Through all the exhaustion, pain and sadness, I have also felt peace and joy. My perspective has been altered, and I pray it will always stay that way. God continually shows me that He is right there with me through each person who has generously helped our family and all the experiences each step of the way. I know it isn’t just by chance.”
“Cancer sucks, don’t get me wrong, and yes it has made me angry and sad,” she stated towards the end of her treatment. “It has made me tired and self-conscious. It has been one of the hardest things in my life. But the last year has also been one of the best. I have seen generosity poured over myself and my family in ways I couldn’t ever have imagined. My shelves are filled with cards of prayers and well wishes. Because of cancer, I have been able to spend quality time with family and friends as I am forced to just sit and receive chemo. I have learned to let people help me and also to ask for help. I have experienced a peace and joy that is not explainable other than that it’s from God. I have seen my marriage be strengthened and I know I am blessed to have such a loyal and hardworking husband. Because of cancer, I have a new appreciation and outlook for others who are going through something life-altering or traumatic, and I hope to be able to use my experience in being a support for them…I know that perspective is huge and this experience so far, has helped to remind me of how much I have to be thankful for…I am blessed to carry with me for the rest of my life, the things I have learned through cancer.”
Caitlin’s journey is beyond inspirational, leaving us with much to take away from her approach towards life. There is immeasurable value in being raw and honest about “the suck” in situations while at the same time, embracing the power of perspective. There is a strength that lies in finding hope and joy in the midst of turmoil, and seeking peace and comfort in a God who lovingly catches every tear we cry. There is resilience in choosing to let painful obstacles in life re-fine us versus de-fine us. There is freedom in allowing others to care for us when in our humanness, we need their help. And there is always a way to harness our experiences and pour back into others with the unique things we learn from the path with which we have been entrusted.
In starting a program called With Courage, Caitlin has been able to set a dream in motion of helping other women battling breast cancer. With Courage provides these women with a tote bag containing resources, gift cards, and items she found helpful during her own treatment and recovery. With Courage provides loving support and offers a beacon of hope to those in need. If you would like to learn more about the mission of With Courage, or are interested in ways to support the cause, please contact Caitlin Sticka at csticka@hopeonthehill.org.
Caitlin and Ryan Sticka with their two girls, Kenley and Lilian.
Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Campari Tomatoes & Chicken Recipe
Healthy eating was of prime importance to Caitlin in practicing self care while she was both pregnant and enduring cancer treatment. Healthy, clean eating continues to be an essential in her life in caring for her body, with spaghetti squash being one of her favorites. Caitlin, this recipe is for you!
Ingredients:
1 medium spaghetti squash (2-3 lbs)
1/4 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese (time-saver: use pre-grated parmesan)
2-3 Tbsp pesto per cup of cooked squash
Campari tomatoes, diced or sliced (or substitute any other highly sweet, juicy tomato)
Rotisserie chicken (time-saver: this is an easy option that saves the time of cooking it yourself!)
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 tsp fresh garlic, minced (time-saver: use jarred minced garlic)
Fresh Basil
Instructions:
*Note: I plan for this recipe a day ahead of time when I know I’ll be home for a few hours. Baking the squash is exceptionally easy as the oven does the work, but it does take some time. After it’s baked, I discard the seeds, scoop out the contents and stick them in the fridge to pull out the next day for dinner.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Wash the squash, and poke 8-10 holes throughout with a knife to allow steam to escape as it cooks to keep it from exploding in your oven.
- Place in a casserole dish with a tiny bit of water in the bottom to help it steam, and keep it from sticking to the bottom of the dish. Place in a preheated oven and set the timer for 1 hr. Turn the squash halfway through. Larger squashes may take a bit more time to tenderize and cook through.
- Cook the squash until the skin is soft and gives way easily to the pressure of the knife. Allow it to cool enough to handle, then cut open the squash lengthwise. The inside of the squash should be tender, without the strands being crunchy in texture. If it needs more time, stick it back in the oven, open-faced and continue to cook till soft.
- Wait until cool, then scoop out and discard the seeds. Scoop out the remaining contents, shred with a fork, and put in container and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Heat 1 tbsp butter over medium heat and add minced garlic, cooking for less than a minute until barely browned.
- Add squash, spices, and mix together, cooking over medium to medium-low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally.
- Dice or slice the tomatoes for garnish, and chop basil lengthwise into small strips.
- Add in remaining tbsp of butter, parmesan cheese, and pesto and mix through.
- Garnish with tomatoes, freshly grated parmesan and basil.
- Serve with hot, rotisserie chicken – mix in with the squash, or serve separately. I tossed mine in a little bit of extra pesto before adding to my dish!
A little extra info about spaghetti squash…
Spaghetti squash is a yummy winter vegetable that is somewhat sweet, earthy and mild in flavor by itself, but when doctored up, it easily creates a meal high on the flavor scale. It is also a great substitute for pasta as it is low carb, and pulls apart in way that resembles noodles. Plain, cooked spaghetti squash clocks in at about 40 calories per cup, allowing room for other yummy calories to “fancy it up!” With one cup of spaghetti squash, adding 1 tsp butter, 2 tbsp of pesto and 1 tbsp of parmesan cheese equates to about 170-200 calories (give or take a few, depending on the brand of pesto). It’s a deliciously filling way to get your veggies, fiber, antioxidants, and a good dose of vitamins C, A and B. Spaghetti squash will keep in the fridge up to a week, making it the perfect make-ahead meal requiring little effort. It works wonderfully for those busy weeks where you need a quick, healthy dinner.