When Edward Gray awoke from a coma in the fall of 2007, “The only thing that didn’t wake up were his kidneys,” said his wife, Chris Gray, 61.
That’s when the Snohomish couple learned that Edward, 68, had end-stage kidney failure.
Soon after his diagnosis, Edward Gray began dialysis three times a week at Northwest Kidney Centers, where the couple later finished training for home-based dialysis.
They’ve learned to rethink almost every aspect of their lives, including strict dietary guidelines about sodium, potassium and phosphorus.
While researching healthy recipes for her husband, Chris Gray, a former junior high school librarian, realized that his favorite food, potatoes, were loaded with potassium.
So she decided to mash only half the potatoes and replace the other half with cauliflower.
It worked and tasted good, so good that the kidney-friendly recipe won third place in Northwest Kidney Centers’ healthy recipe contest this year.
Free copies of a kidney-friendly cookbook will feature the recipe at the Northwest Kidney Centers’ Kidney Health Fest for African-American Families, a free event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Van Asselt Elementary School, 8311 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle.
Events will include free health testing including private advice from a doctor, free lunch by Seattle celebrity chefs, live entertainment, expert speakers, exhibits from community health agencies, prizes and kids’ activities.
According to the kidney centers, one in seven adult Americans has kidney disease, but most don’t know it.
Learn more about the kidney centers’ and the festival at nwkidney.org or call 206-292-2771.
Mashed cauliflower potatoes
1 medium red potato (about 8 ounces) cut in 1-inch chunks
8 ounces cauliflower florets
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons margarine
Pepper to taste
Combine potato, cauliflower, onion, parsley and garlic powder in a medium saucepan with enough water to cover.
Bring to a boil on high. Reduce heat to simmer. Cook about 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Drain well. Mash with a potato masher. Add margarine and mash until smooth. Add pepper to taste. Makes 4 servings.
Tip: Try adding 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese or garlic.
Nutritional information per serving: Calories: 83; fat: 6g; sodium: 67g; carbohydrates: 7g; fiber: 4g; protein: 2mg; potassium: 282mg; phosphorus: 5 mg.
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