Fighting Cancer Through Diet

At some point in your life you will either know or meet someone who is going through or will go through cancer. I cannot say that I am surprised when I look at all the carcinogenic in the very air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. When I looked deeper into the chemicals we put on bodies with soaps, deodorants, perfumes and textiles I began to understand how important it is to take responsibility for our actions.

I have already gone through my 'viola' moment after surviving breast cancer while going through an incredibly painful and financially devastating divorce. When you get to the other side -- after facing adversity head on -- the truth begins to shine through the clouds. I realize there is so much I can do to fight / prevent my reoccurrence. Of course there is no guarantees in life, but the odds are in my favor that if I change my destructive behaviors (food, emotional weaknesses, co-dependence, fear, anger, self-pity, more attention to my health) that I would increase my odds of living a longer...more enjoyable life.

I try to read and <gather> as much data as I can regarding areas that interest me or I feel to have significant value for future application. Eating healthy is something I believe in and enjoy sharing with others. There is nothing you can do better for yourself than take care of your body. The complete body: physical, mental, spiritual. This particular installment is about taking care of the physical through diet, but please remember there are as many useful tools available to help the individual in finding a path to peace and contentment; however, if you are not convinced that taking care of your body is important - I suggest frequenting a nursing home and volunteering with people who are unable to get around.

I do not wish to scare anyone into working out or eating healthy, but I do want you aware that you have a choice whether to take care of yourself or not. When I was a child my father told me many times, "you must pay yourself first." I did not fully understand it at that age, nor did I realize that at some point I too would be saying the same thing! Take care of yourself first...pay yourself....so that the life you do have (and the years you have) can be lived fully and completely. This is an expert from a newsletter produced through Saint Thomas Health Services for a cancer fighting menu. Enjoy!!
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Cancer is among the leading causes of death in the United States. Proper meal planning can go a long way toward lowering your risk of developing several different types of cancer.

Numerous observational studies have demonstrated that eating foods rich in antioxidants, or taking a multivitamin daily, can decrease the risk of cancer by up to 37%, says Dr. Brian Lee, an oncologist at the Middle Tennessee Medical Center. These lifestyle choices also can reduce the risk of dying form other diseases. Take steps to fight cancer today. Check out this sample meal plan:


At Breakfast:
Start your cancer fight with a breakfast that includes who grains, which are rich in nutrients that may prevent colorectal cancer. Good choices include whole-grain cereal, toast, or waffles.

Then, add some fruit and vegetables which are rich in many nutrients that can help ward off oral, stomach, esophageal, colorectal, and lunch cancer. In fact, some experts believe that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables could prevent at least 20% of all cancers.

So, toss some fruit on your cereal, add vegetables to scrambled eggs, or drink 100% juice. Aim for five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. To fit all these in, you will need to start early--with breakfast.


For Lunch:
Preventing cancer is about what you don't eat, as well as what you do eat. So, limit the following foods, which have been linked to stomach and possibly other cancers:

*Fatty cuts of beef or other meat
*Lunchmeats and hot dogs that contain nitrates
*Grilled, salted, pickled, or smoked foods

Instead, think low fat and nutrient rich. For example, try a lean turkey sandwich on whole-grain break, some fruit, and a bowl of minestrone soup.

Snack Time:
Use snack time to add to your fruits and vegetable tally. Munch on an apple or carrot stick.

For Dinner:
Serve up some spaghetti with tomato sauce. Cooked tomato products may reduce the risk for prostrate cancer. On the side, have cruciferous vegetables--such as broccoli or cauliflower--which may lower the odds of colorectal cancer. Cooking vegetables? Steam, bake, or microwave them to help retain their cancer-fighting nutrients.

Still having trouble fitting in five or more daily servings of fruits or vegetables? For some more ideas, log on to theis website from the National Cancer Institute: http://5aday.gov/

Yoga - A Tool for Empowerment

This is part of a series I am publishing on self discovery and empowerment. If you think this topic or article is something that your readers would show interest to -- please feel free to use it. I believe my dilemmas are not that different from everyone else and that there is no shame in being human, nor any human who goes through "the human experience" perfect. I believe in the eyes of the "Creator" we are all but children in our evolutionary development. While Ego attempted to keep me from sharing out of fear, the stirring in my soul could not be ignored. I feel I have a responsibility to each of you.

This is my story... --blessings and peace--

In the midst of what felt like the horrific (destruction) fallout from war, I found myself trying to manage the emotional devastation from the loss of love and betrayal as well as the comprehend and respond to the diagnosis of advanced stage breast cancer. Just one year prior to my cancer diagnosis I began evaluating the immediate need for changes to my current lifestyle. At that time I was not aware that the small changes—adding exercise, yoga, changing my diet—might in part, actually contribute to my rescue in the near future. The specifics of my neglect of "self" will be discussed in depth at a later time, for now, I will just say that looking to people, events, objects, money, career, food, etc...as the source of my happiness, I contributed to my own personal destruction. In truth, when I look back, I believe the small changes were part of a grand design to supply the necessary intervention needed to save my very life. The pendulum was starting to swing back as I was making better choices for my life. It started out with simple efforts—incorporating exercise back into my life. I had a tendency to put my husband and children's' needs before my own, so years went by and my body began displaying the repercussions of that neglect. After I began slowly reclaiming the relationship with "self" (body & mind), as well as incorporating the necessary changes to specific aspects of my life, I was then given a gift of empowerment –Yoga.

In the beginning I viewed Yoga as I would any athletic activity. It was after I continued practicing Yoga that I realized it also had the potential use as a tool for repairing years of self inflicted physical and mental abuse. The effects of the Yoga were long lasting, profound, and quiet often subliminal. There was more going on than the obvious physical rewards -- I began looking deeper into myself. Not just during Yoga, but all throughout the day I found myself searching for answers, truths, wisdom in decisions, and discernment in understanding others. The dots quickly connected. Then, right before my eyes I felt and saw changes taking place in my own life. Yoga's empowering effects assisted me in my efforts to heal my broken body, wounded heart and lost spirit. At the lowest point in life, battling in a divorce—then battling for my life, I was introduced to Yoga and began practicing. I did not know the incredible, almost amazing side effects of the practice in the beginning.

It is only by grace that my story did not turn out to be a tragedy, rather than an informative / human interest. The confrontation with mortality, has a way of teaching how precious "life" is. This realization of a simple truth was the first day of the rest of my life. In essence it was a rebirth. My friend, mentor and yoga instructor, Masso, told me many times, "You must unlearn, to have the ability to relearn correctly." At the moment, I began understanding how the application of various tools could assist in my journey. Yoga, for me, was a very important tool and could be used to help / teach / change / manage the destructive forces and by products of: loss of love, fear of change, facing mortality, self destructive tendencies—basically Yoga could be used in all areas of my life. At that point, I felt compelled, almost driven to share my story. Not because I believe my story is unique or that I alone have found a magical way to deal with problems, adversity or pain. Rather as a way to give back what has been given to me. The principles of Yoga exceeded my expectations, and I have an obligation to distribute this gift so that others may use it for their own successful endeavors and while dealing with different forms of adversity. My story is dedicated to all men and women looking for positive alternative methods to deal with physical, mental or spiritual adversity and pain. In effect, Yoga has ultimately opened the doors to my mind, while providing a complete body workout (muscles, bones, organs, mind & spirit).

It was almost one year prior to my diagnosis of cancer that I began practicing Yoga. That is where my story begins. For now I deliberately choose not to focus on my specific pains /adversities /confusions; because the human experience provides amble opportunities for sunshine and stormy nights. My adversities are no better or worse than yours. They may, in part, be different or we may share in some of the same experiences, emotions, choices, confusion, pleasures etc... We have all lived, loved, laughed, cried, feared something, someone, some event -- at some point in our life. I spent much of my life wanting to be different. I had my own emotional need to feel special – different. I am embarrassed to admit that at one point I was sure no one else had ever loved and hurt the way I was hurting. I could not live, did not want to live – blatantly refused any sign of life. I blamed myself for the failure of my marriage and was so fearful of being alone stayed in a situation that was emotional poison.

My point is, upon the suggestion of a respected friend, I began connecting with other women. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to express my respect for those from whom I have learned so much. Women, men, and children all have valuable lessons, if only I listen. On the other hand, once a truth is felt or a lesson learned, a responsibility comes with it. In my realization of my complete ordinariness, I understand the very same tools I used can be challenged and proven true over the course of time. As we all go through "the human experience" and the full gambit of emotions we are alike. We are the same. How wonderful! We share something just because we are human. So, it is my hope that some of the techniques I found helpful in dealing with adversity and/or pain may also assist you.

A Healthier 2007 - Nativa Yerba Mate

I just stumbled across this at a health food store (Earth Fare) and thought I'd share it. I cannot attest to the benefits as of today, but I do know that supplements such as Kombucha, Goji, etc... have been around for thousands of years offering healing benefits to those who include them into their lifestyle. I prayerfully submit this for those interested in ways of helping your body fight the battle over disease and aging -- and win!

Discover the herb millions of South Americans ritualize into their daily lives...Steeped with tradition, history and culture... Studied for decades, enjoyed for centuries... http://www.nativayerbamate.com/ Yerba Mate... known as a whole body tonic, a stimulating herbal beverage with the unique ability to wake up the mind… possessing a multitude of other daily benefits.The lower caffeine levels make it a great substitute for coffee. Other reported effects include sustained energy, appetite control, mental clarity, and allergy and asthma relief. Theobromine, the mood-lifting xanthine also present in chocolate, acts as a mood-lifter.Nativa Yerba Mate specializes in 100% pure yerba mate leaves. Wild Harvest Organic Certification is underway.We are also pleased to introduce our line of wellness herbs in bulk. Brew these as a wellness tea or simply add them to your yerba mate infusion!

My son and I made our first batch tonight. The first batch as stated, was strong, but it lessons with each batch. I am a cancer survivor and always appreciate ways to take control over my health situation.