A while back I wrote about my desire to create new posts on the Hacking Salt blog and social channels. Though it took me more time than I initially expected, I’m now ready to bring Chris’s passion, information, recipes, and tips back to the Hacking Salt community.
In case you’re not familiar with the backstory, Chris started this blog after receiving his LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) pump that stabilized his health until he received his first heart transplant. He shared a hospital room with a fellow heart surgery patient and was alarmed when he heard a phone conversation his roommate had with the kitchen as he attempted to order a low sodium dinner from a standard hospital menu. His frustration grew as request after request was denied due to ‘dietary restrictions’ that were flagged, but no suggestions or options were provided by the operator.
By the end of the call, his hospital neighbor found that a bowl of oatmeal was the only option he could order that met his restrictions. After overhearing this conversation a curtain away, Chris spoke up and helped him create a tastier multi-course dinner with a few low sodium swaps/hacks. His roommate’s gratitude was the spark and reinforcement that Chris needed to start the Hacking Salt blog.
Chris was not a trained chef or dietitian, just a creative guy that loved food and cooking and was highly motivated to improve his health and wanted some company along the way. After connecting with so many others living the LoSo (low sodium) life on social channels, it was a natural next step to jump into blogging so he could share his recipes & tips with his newfound community and beyond.
My goal with this relaunch is to help you rediscover some of our favorite recipes, introduce you to some of the recipes from his cookbook that are not yet on the blog, and to have some of our chef friends and LoSo smarties create new recipes and share information to keep conversations going and kitchen tables filled with delicious LoSo options.
I hope you check back often – together, we’ll continue to honor Chris’s memory by keeping his vision alive.
-Mary
I love you, Mary!! Always grateful and looking forward to sharing and growing again!!
Thanks Tammy! Here we go! — Mary
I’m so excited! I use so many of Chris’ recipes, including the Thanksgiving dishes, and I couldn’t have walked this LOSO journey nearly as well without all the information. My blessings to you and your family as you continue this journey. Here’s to Chris and his vision and memory.
Thanks Georgenne – We use the Thanksgiving turkey glaze throughout the year!
I can’t tell you how excited I am ! I have used this site constantly in hopes of helping my meat and potato loving husband with great salt free foods! His BP is down and OFF ALL BP meds! You continuing this work is such an honor to your husband. While we ALL grieve the loss, please know that your efforts (as hard as it may be!) are so needed!
I personally think you will blow this up! We are all invested and stand behind you.
You go girl!!! And thanks again!
Thanks for the note Teri – I really appreciate the feedback and the support! I am so happy to hear of the milestones your husband has reached by following this LoSo journey – having you as support makes it a fun family affair. Please let me know if there is a recipe you’d like to see hacked – I’m talking to my chef friends that are going to creating original recipes and there are plenty of ideas I’ll be sharing from his cookbook in the coming months!
Mary
Thank you, Mary for your continuing the work. For those of us who need the help to live in this “salty” life, your information is much appreciated!!!
“Salty life” indeed – glad to be in it together! — Mary
I’d subscribed to this blog some time ago, then was bummed out to see how long it had been since anything was updated. Got an email about this new post just now and am happy to see it moving forward! Best of luck!
Thanks Riley!
So happy to see this, Mary! I think of Chris often as I live the low sodium life, and I’m glad that his legacy will continue. Hope you and your family are doing well!
Thanks Tomoko!
Thank you and god bless you Mary for continuing on this journey.
Thanks Carol!
So glad you are taking up the challenge. Look forward to it!
Bless you for continuing this again. My husband has liver cancer and is awaiting a transplant. He had to become sodium restricted about 7 months ago. I found Chris’ recipes first thing and immediately ordered his cookbook. Use it regularly.
Wonderful to hear Cathy!
Thank you so much! I just recommended this site again to someone starting his LoSo journey.
Thanks Mary!
Thank you so very much, this was one of the best blogs every with information!!!!! trying to eat out was awful, but thanks to Chris he made life much more bearable and tasty !! I was able to go out with friends and family and eat a meal and enjoy their company 🙂 I cant wait to go on this journey with you !!! again thanks so much 🙂
Joyce- one of the goals of this relaunch is to update a few of the restaurant meal guides. Is there one that you’d like to see revisited?
Can’t wait to follow! Congratulations to you!
Thanks Kathy!
Joyce- one of the goals of this relaunch is to update a few of the restaurant meal guides. Is there one that you’d like to see revisited?
Thank you so much, Mary. Chris provided so much inspiration and hope to me when I started this lo-so journey six years ago after heart surgery and a heart failure diagnosis. Best to you and your family.
Thanks Cindy! Glad that you found our community!
I contracted a virus in 2018 that slowly attacked my heart without me or my MD ever knowing it until I ended up in the hospital in 2018 in heart failure. I’ve since regained “normal” heart function but my lo-so journey continues. I found Hacking Salt when I was released from the hospital and suddenly I no longer felt alone and overwhelmed. Thank you for continuing this!!
Glad to hear your heart function has normalized Cindy. You can join the ongoing conversation in our Facebook community group. Just answer a few questions to say Hi to me and there is always someone to chat with! https://www.facebook.com/groups/HackingSalt
Thank you for being here! Thanks
To what Chris started, and the info I’ve found online from him – my disease is more manageable and my life has less pain in it. Living low-sodium can be ridiculously difficult, but people
Like Chris, and you, have made it a little less frustrating. Best wishes for the new year!
I have been so thankful for this site and the cookbook I ordered. We moved my parents in with us in October 2019. Dad has had heart problems for several years and he had made some adjustments to his diet but this November of 2020 we found ourselves bouncing in and out of ER with CHF 3 time in 2 weeks. I have made it my goal to switch to cooking extremely low sodium for us all. Your site has helped me find flavorful options.