While I haven’t shared much of my dad, this month is all about Men’s Health Issues with the Lennox Movember Movement. My father has always been in life in one way or another. My parents were married for almost 50 years before my dad died. He was a very hard working man and worked many hours and even though he was mostly at work, I was still very much closer to him than I was to my own mother. He could make me laugh even when I wasn’t in the mood to laugh and he was by far my biggest supporter. I remember when I decided that I was going to join the military, being the only daughter my mom had, she tried to talk me out of it. My dad on the other told me, “If that is what you want to do I will support you” and he did. I would call him on an almost daily basis and we would talk about the good old days, of me growing up and the fun we used to have. He was also my mechanic on the phone. Now when ever something goes wrong with my car, my first thought is always to call my dad, then reality hits, he’s no longer around to give me advice.
My dad died of prostrate cancer 3 years ago and this photo is the last picture taken of us together. The anniversary of his death was 4 days ago and it still hurts to this day. Prostate cancer is a health issue that is rampant in men but for my dad he could have lived just a bit longer. Why do I say that? Well first of all he refused to go to the doctor. My mother would nag and nag about it but his philosophy was, if it’s not broken, why fix it. My father wasn’t a believer in preventative medicine unlike my mother. You know the men who think that they’re invincible, well that was my dad. It wasn’t until the cancer started making him physically ill that he decided that it was time to see the doctor and even when given the option of surgery, he said “if it’s my time to go, then it’s my time”.
Now my dad is like most men, they hate doctors, and this November, Lennox-Movember wants to bring awareness to men’s health issues. This November, Movember aims to increase early cancer detection, diagnosis and effective treatments, and ultimately reduce the number of preventable deaths. Besides annual check-ups, the Movember Foundation encourages men to be aware of family history of cancer and to adopt a healthier lifestyle. For every content share/RT on the Lennox Facebook page and Lennox Twitter page during the month of November, Lennox pledges to donate $2 to men’s health issues. On Instagram, for every like or comment, Lennox pledges to donate $2 as well. So I encourage you to engage with all their posts to generate funds for a worthy cause.
I have been sharing because as someone who has lost someone due to one of the issues affecting men, I have to do my part. I also want to share with you our Mustache Pops that we made just for Movember.
Mustache Pops
Ingredients
Wilton white candy melts
Wilton’s light cocoa candy melts
Lorann Cherry flavoring
Brown sprinkle
6″ lollipop sticks
Plastic Mustache chocolate mold
Directions
In two separate microwave safe bowls, melt 1/2 of each bag of candy melts, on 50% power for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.
Place a pinch of the brown sprinkles in a couple of the mustache molds.
Now place your sticks in the stick slot of the mold, making sure they are pushed all the way to the top of the mustache.
Now that your chocolate is melted, add a teaspoon of cherry flavoring to both the white and milk chocolate and mix (if the chocolate becomes chunky, you can always add in a teaspoon of crisco and microwave another 30 seconds).
Using a measuring spoon, begin scooping the melted chocolate into the molds until full.
Twist your lollipop sticks to ensure all sides are covered
Set in the fridge for 20 minutes, pop out and enjoy!
Let’s discuss: What are you doing this month to ensure the men in your lives live healthier happy lives?
