When I was diagnosed with cancer in June 2004 I was far from home. Bryan and I had just spent 6 weeks walking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago . On our last night in Santiago de Compostela we went out for dinner ( I ate Jamon Iberico ) with a group of friends we had made on our walk. After dinner we decided it would be a good idea to walk past the cathedral one more time, stop off in a bar for one last glass of Cava before going our separate ways in the morning. In front of the cathedral is a spot marked on the ground where if you lay down on your back with your head toward the cathedral you get a perfect shot of the cathedral. Thinking this was a good idea I lay down, took my perfect photo and as I got up a sharp pain shot through my right side. Appendicitis everyone said. We continued on to the bar and sat drinking and reminiscing until early in the morning, all the time I had this dull ache in my side. The next day we headed in to Portugal for a couple of days on the way to Madrid where we planned to spend a week before returning home to New Zealand. I thought I should see a doctor before getting on a plane in case it was appendicitis. We arrived in the village of Ponte de Lima , found a delightful little room above a restaurant for a couple of nights, then went looking for a doctor. The next thing the local doctor had me in the back of an ambulance and I found myself speeding off to Viana do Castelo which had a bigger hospital and surgeons. Within 24 hours I'd had life saving surgery. A few days later I was given the news I had cancer. On that day my whole life changed.
Back in Auckland and undergoing chemotherapy, a friend who works for Nike, brought around a Lance Armstrong book for me to read. That year I watched the Tour de France for the first time, and watched Lance win his 6th Tour. The following year I didn't care if I woke the rest of the family, (in the southern hemisphere it plays live on TV in the middle of the night), as I jumped up and down screaming for Lance and his seventh Tour win. For many of us diagnosed with cancer, Lance has become a hero in our own fight to overcome the disease.
Today I'm still fighting the disease and I hope one day to be given the "all clear" from my oncologist.
I thank you all for supporting A Taste Of Yellow. This event was my own little thank you to Lance for the strength he has given me over the past three years. I couldn't have done it without you....and to those of you supporting family members or friends - they can't do it without you either.
Here is my round up of the delicious yellow inspired food created by the greatest bunch of bloggers in the world - all 143 149 of you. Many of you shared stories, both heart breaking and heart warming. I thank you for the hope you have given me. I hope those people fighting cancer themselves or are supporting a loved one will also gain hope from your stories. I decided against mentioning every cancer story in the round up as I'd like you to visit the entries to find them.
Elise at Simply Recipes was the first food blogger I met when she visited Auckland not long after I began blogging. This Lime Mango Sorbet is just one of her many brilliant family recipes.
Sam at Becks and Posh , another special blogger friend, brings us an English Baked Custard Tart. Sam has adapted a recipe for a custard tart served at the Queen's 80th birthday.
Ivonne at Cream Puffs In Venice ,who you will remember kindly allowed me to use her Lemon Meringue Pie photo to announce the A Taste Of Yellow event , has created another beautiful photo with her Lemony Lemon Bars with Raspberry Coulis .
Brett at In Praise of Sardines writes of the special bond he and I share in our love of sardines. I'm so pleased to have his contribution of Pasta with Coriander Carrot Puree made with sweet yellow carrots. I'm hoping someday to visit San Francisco and dine at at Brett's soon to be opened restaurant Olallie.
I've been following the adventures of Joey at 80 Breakfasts for as long as I've been blogging. I'm pleased she has joined A Taste of Yellow with her contribution Huevos Estrellados .
Helen at Tartelette has been one of my on line best friends ever since I was the lucky recipient of her Blog By Mail parcel. Her entry All Mango - All Yellow is a work of art and combines the Ultimate Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Custard, Mango Filling, Mango Sorbet and Spring Roll Rings.
Valeria, originally from Jakarta but now living in Auckland New Zealand made mini Passion Fruit Cake with orange and golden kiwi sauces. You'll find the recipe in Indonesian here at rdroege . For English please email me for a copy.
Sweet loving Peabody from Culinary Concoctions shares her Mother's cancer survival story and tempts us with a Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie with Hot Fudge Sauce .
Morven a New Zealand blogger from Food Art and Random Thoughts wanted to use up 6 egg yolks before going on vacation and thought a yellow cake would be the answer. Not happy with the results she offered us a Potato and Lentil Curry served with Poppadums and Raita.
Wino-Sapien Ed is from my home town Perth and has made Mar Hor , which is Thai for Galloping Horses. Ed know what I like in wine and has paired this with sweet pink mosacto.
Arfi at Homemades lives about 2 hours drive into the country from me and I've been lucky to be treated to some of her wonderful meals on the patio overlooking the hills. Today she has made Pineapple Upside Down Cake .
Kristen at Dine and Dish , has a family member undergoing chemotherapy, supports LiveSTRONG Day with her Banana Bread adapted from the Mitford Series books.
Asha at Aroma Hope serves her Saffron Vanilla pudding in two ways. Firstly in a glass bowl and secondly in some cute little puff pastry shells.
This Carrot Sauce Spaghetti comes to us from Irma at Catatan Irma . Irma writes in Indonesian but has included an English translation for us.
From Cheryl at Gruel Omelet we have Banana Cream Cupcakes . Cheryl also has plans to walk in the Susan G Komen race for a Cure.
You will remember Chris at Mele Cotte who organised the very successful Combat Cancer event last month. She supports A Taste Of Yellow with Saffron Rice served with Almond Encrusted Tilapia.
These healthy and delicious Stuffed Yellow Peppers are from Elly at Says Opa: Diary of a Foodie . Elly also explains the health benefits of yellow food.
I love the colour of this Feta Cheese Ravioli with Yellow Pepper Sauce. Achilles from A La Grecque tells a remarkable family story that reminds us strength is required for many situations.
Francois at FX Cuisine documents the making of his Grandmother's Dandelion Syrup with a set of wonderful photos. I'm on the look out for dandelion flowers to try this.
Augustina is a new kid on the blog with PBJ On Rye . These wonderful looking Lemon Bars are her first ever blog event.
Chris at Ms Cellania is the mother of a famous blogger and her equally talented sister. I don't dare mention one with out the other. Regular readers of Chris' blog will be aware of their good natured sibling rivalry. Chris' Lemon Curd is the recipe to make if you want to keep yourself and friends pantries stocked up.
Quellia at All Things Edible is one of the daring Bakers and has made and iced this beautiful, beautiful Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Cream Frosting . She 's not happy with her roses . I think they are perfect.
Gilly lives in Auckland and has the blog So So Simple . We were introduced recently by a mutual friend and I'm so so pleased to have her join A Taste Of Yellow with Curried Parsnip and Apple Soup.
Patricia at Technicolour Kitchen has combined two of my favourite ingredients, lime and polenta, to bring us Lime Polenta Cake with a crunchy sugar topping.
From Brazil, Verena at Mangia Che Te Fa Bene has made a Tuna Velvet Quiche . I love the name in Portuguese - Veludo de Autum. Verena's blog is in Portuguese but I have the English translation so please email me for a copy.
Paul at Eatnz recently became the proud father of a little boy. Along with Bron , I'm happy to be counted as one of PJ's on line aunties. Paul found time to create a Chocolate Custard Thingy before the nights of interrupted sleep began.
Rachel at R Khooks Trop Gourmande celebrates the end of winter in Paris with a refreshing Simple Sunny Granita .
Candace An Italian Woman At the Table lives in Seattle far from Florida, but brings us the classic Florida dish Key Lime Pie .
Eunice at Lemon Almond gives us a little lesson in Chinese eggs to produce her Mothers all time comfort food, Steamed Eggs .
Sandi at the Whistlestop Café uses a bottle of Limoncello she bought on a recent trip to Italy to bake a delicious Limoncello Cheesecake.
These almond biscotti from Tuscany are perfect for dipping into your coffee or sweet wine. They are called Cantucci and were baked by Basia at Makagigi .
Smita at Smita Serves You Right celebrates the arrival of spring in Rochester, New York with her healthy Sprout Salad.
Audrey at Berry Simple reorganised her pantry and came across a jar of brandied apricots and minced fruit , put the two together, and came up with these tasty little sweet morsels - Fruit Stuffed Brandied Apricots.
Another delicious yellow cake using bananas and lemons comes from Victoria at Oooh! Cake with her Lemon Banana Cake with Honey Lemon Syrup.
Kitty in Brooklyn at My Husband Hates Veggies baked a cake from Jamie's Italy cook book called A Lemon and Pine Nut Cake or as Jamie calls it La Torta Della Giovane Sora - Young Sara's Cake.
Tamara is another new kid on the blog with her New Zealand blog Tantalising Your Tastebuds . She tantalised mine with her Yellow Passionfruit Cupcakes. I dare you not to sing along.
Stacy at Cooking is Medicine baked these Banana Muffins with the added dimension of a crunchy topping. They are presented on a beautiful plate inherited from her Grandmother.
Brilynn you all know at Jumbo Empanadas , and also a Daring Baker, baked a Dorie Greenspan Lemon Tart to which she added her own spin - a blackberry coulee. I love lemon tart.
I've been following the exploits of Beccy at Peppermint Tea ever since her big sister gave her a shout out. Beccy produced a wonderful Asparagus Custard and then set fire to her kitchen.
Jessica at Small Time Cooks in Fort Worth shares lovely memories of her Grandmother with us. Jessica's Wild Canary Cake is from her grandmother's recipe collection.
Sandra at Le Pétrin lives in Paris and naturally blogs in French. She has a nifty little button on her blog that will take you to a translation of her Sweet Saffron Buns .
Anh at Food Lovers Journey in Melbourne uses polenta in the pastry of her Empandillas which are based on a recipe from Momo in London.
Laureen with the delightfully named blog Eat And Be Happy recreates the first ever cake she made as a child - Pineapple Cheesecake .
From Cake Grrl in Sacramento we have a Pineapple - Coco- Banana- Nut Whoopie Pie . I've never had any sort of Whoopie Pie but I could easily eat a slice or two of this.
Neivedyam , meaning the sacred food offered to god , is the blog of Sharmi in the United States. These Banana Muffins with Fresh Fruit Salad are her offering to A Taste Of Yellow.
Susan, The Well Seasoned Cook , in New York has combined shortbread and lemon curd to give us a delicious looking Lemon Curd Shortbread.
I love corn bread and from Elle at Feeding My Enthusiasms we have a Very Corny Corn Bread and a wonderful story of her Mum Surviving cancer.
These Lemon Creme Supreme Cakes are from Christina at Wishing On Clovers and are cleverly photographed with a LiveStrong yellow wristband.
Richa in New Jersey with the blog As Dear As Salt has made Nylon-Khaman Dhokla Sandwich . This is Indian food at its brightest yellow.
This delicious looking Lemon Tea Bread uses lemon balm and lemon thyme and is from Lynne at Cafe Lynnylu .
Vanessa from What Geeks Eat , another Lance and Tour de France fan, has baked a delicious looking Pound Cake from Baking With Julia.
Meeta the monthly mingler at Whats For Lunch Honey has added chopped shallots and green peppercorns to the classic yellow Hollandaise Sauce .
Amanda at Little Foodie created an entire Taste of Yellow menu for the family dinner which included Toasty Stars and Roasty Sunshine Peppers, Yellow Pagetti Cream Sauce and Marzipan Muffins.
From Baking Soda at Bake My Day we have a Quince Jelly Butter with Coriander. Quince are a beautiful yellow when picked from the tree and when cooked have a pretty pink glow. Baking Soda remembers her Grandparents and Mother in law lost to cancer but celebrates the survival of her father and close friends.
Suganya at Tasty Palettes recreated a childhood memory by making this refreshing Mango Kulfi .
Caroline at Bibliocook lived in New Zealand until recently. Now she is back in her home country Ireland and has submitted Spiced Mushroom Pilau using the cancer fighting spice tumeric.
BronMarshall has become a very special on line friend I'm hoping to meet soon on a trip to the South Island. Bron's photos are always such a pleasure I had a hard time deciding which one to include in the round up. Here is just one of her Citrus Coconut Topped Custards with Almond Passionfruit Tuiles.
Mandira at Ahaar has created a dessert she has entitled Spring Chocolate Sundae. It's s full of fruit including mango.
Pepy at The Art of Science and Food honours her mother with her Bakwan Tuna an Indonesian fritter.
Brenda at Monstrous Appetites shares a Breakfast With Heart she enjoyed on a trip to Chiangmai.
Lemon Olive Oil Icecream with Lemon Rosemary Cornmeal Shortbread - how fabulous does that sound. Visit Lara at Cook and Eat for the recipes and some mouth watering photos.
Sushma at Sunkiran has made a Rava Payasam a comforting semolina dessert with a dash of saffron.
Alanna at A Veggie Venture makes a blender version of Hollandaise to bring us a spring classic Asparagus with Blender Hollandaise.
From The Cooker in California we have a Diwali snack Cornflakes Chivda she intends to share with her son's teacher.
Gattina at Kitchen Unplugged has been unwell with sinus but has made it to the kitchen to prepare some Spicy Parmigiana Crackers.
Stephanie at Elegant Sufficiency has made a Nigel Slater recipe - Little Lemon Polenta Cake to share with her father.
This Mango Pudding is from Sandeepa at Bong Mom's CookBook and she says this dessert is the sweetest, quickest, easiest thing that can happen to you.
Breadchick at Sour Dough remembers friends lost to cancer and bakes these cute little Mini Lemon and Chocolate Cheesecakes .
Inne at Vanille and Chocolat enters her first blog event with a Banana Loaf topped with Nectarine Carpaccio and remembers a friend lost to cancer.
Our favourite Kitchen Wench , Elle, has used passionfruit to create her biscuits entitled Passion of the Yoyo's. They are filled with white chocolate and passionfruit ganache.
Reena at Spices of Kerala has made a traditional Kerala dish of Putta and Chana/Kadala Curry using chick peas.
These Saffron Pancakes are the breakfast of choice on a Sunday morning for Pille of Nami- Nami in Estonia.
Verrines are the latest thing on food blogs and this Tiramisu Mousse and Lemon Curd Verrine has been made by Rosa at Rosa'a Yummy Yums .
Paz in New York you all know from The Cooking Adventures of Paz has moved her blog home this week and made Arroz Amarillo Con Maiz or in English yellow rice with corn.
Everybody's favourite comfort food Macaroni and Cheese has been made by Mallow in the West at Sweet and Savory .
Kate at Apple Mint honours family members lost to cancer with her Mango Phirni .
Petroglifa at the Catalan blog Petroglifa a la cuina writes her first post in English to bring us Rossejat with Monkfish Praws and Saffron.
The Homesick Texan in New York learnt to bake by helping her Grandmother and has baked a favourite pie, a lemony, custardy delight called Chess Pie.
Myriam at Once Upon A Tart shares wise words of her experiences of cancer and has baked this gorgeous Lemon Ricotta Tart.
Mish Mash shares her family mango memories and has made this beautiful heart shaped Mango Sorbet with Mango Sauce .
Sass and Veracity has made a Lemon Berry Creme Gateau which looks a little like the Daring Bakers recent Martha Madness Gateau but be assured this is much more successful.
Eva in Basel, a town I've passed through by train, with the pretty blog The Golden Shrimp , has baked this Passionfruit Tart.
Deb, the Smitten Kitten , baked a Pineapple Upside Down Cake . Without the bright maraschino cherries it looks more like a work of art than a leaf of seventies wallpaper.
Sarah at Iwaruna.com has baked her own version of the the classic Kedgeree as eaten by the British colonists in India.
Valentina at Trembom in English shares a Brazilian recipe for Passion Fruit Cake in memory of her friend Andrea.
Ramya at Cascading Flavours has used the cancer fighting spice Tumeric to make a Tumeric Rice.
Cordelia a contributor to the website Torontoist and has a blog The Urban Nutritionist advocates the use of natural food colouring. She has used tumeric powder to create a yellow icing on her Mini Cupcakes .
Ari at Baking and Books, (two of my favourite things!) is a first time food blog event entrant with her Mendocino Frittata - another of my favourite things!
This delicious looking Banana Maple Tarte Tartin was baked by Gloria at Vers l'absurde . She recommends serving it with roasted banana icecream.
La Mia Cucina in Ohio shares her story of surviving cancer and bakes Danielles' Lemon Chocolate Chunk Cookies .
Ilingc in Melbourne at Feed Me I'm Hungry has a cancer story which shows how we look for humour when faced with cancer to help us cope. She has made a delicious looking Margarita Polenta Pizza .
This yummy looking Mango and Coconut Pudding is from Heather at Culinary Chase . Heather is fortunate to have two family members survive cancer.
Susan at Food Blogga in Southern California served up this bright and healthy Swordfish with Pineapple Mango Salsa after buying a case of mangoes at Costco.
From Gilly at Humble Pie in Canada who shares my love of the Tour de France and has contributed Eggs and Roasted Asparagus on Focaccia .
Tara at Should You Eat That? researched cancer fighting foods, reports her findings, and contributes her quick Curried Leek and Corn Soup.
Katie in Great Britain at Apple and Spice created this bright and colourful... and healthy Sunshine Smoothie using mango, pineapple and peach.
Y at Lemon Pi bakes a recipe from New Zealand food writer Julie Le Clerc - Lemon Sour Cream Cakes with Lemon Sugar .
As soon as I saw this Lemon and Ricotta Tart from Laura at Eat Drink Live I recognised it from the Delicious magazine. It's on my to bake list.
Who doesn't love Honeycomb ? From KJ in Australia at Cracking Good Egg these were then dipped in chocolate before eating.
A super spring dish from Ms Adventures in Italy is this Fresh Lemon Pasta with Spring Peas and Mint Sauce who also shares a cancer story.
Sig in Seattle at Live To Eat gives us a little lesson in the benefits of tumeric to keep us healthy and make us beautiful. She uses tumeric in her Sweet Corn Fried Rice .
Chronicles in Culinary Curiosity ha
