Creativity

On the last post I mentioned one thing that is helpful for a healthy lifestyle is to have a creative outlet. I recently picked drawing back up. Here's what I've been cooking up to these past few months ;o)

 My hand and some doodles

 Amaryllis

 Self (sitting in a coffee shop trying out a timed project. This was 2 hours)

Husband driving (he says "I don't look like that")

I set a goal to start entering recipe contests so I'll do my best to keep you up to date on the results and findings and recipes!

Food For Thought

Keeping a Nutritious Diet After a Cancer Diagnosis
 By: Jillian Mckee

In today's world, a cancer diagnosis does not mean the same thing that it did even twenty years ago. Many types of cancer are treatable, and some are even curable. As medical breakthroughs are made, those diagnosed with cancer - even mesothelioma cancer - should not be as worried as they would have been in the past. After this sort of diagnosis, a patient should continue to focus on everyday life, including the treatment options for the disease, spending time with their family, and taking care of themselves. Ensuring that a healthy and nutritious diet is adhered to can help those diagnosed with cancer remain fit, healthier and able to fight off any other illnesses.

Whether just diagnosed, in remission, or going through treatment, cancer patients - or survivors - can take steps to ensure that their diets are filled with healthy foods that not only taste good, but help their bodies. Though appetite may come and go during the process of treatment, it is important to eat as many healthy items as possible. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries expose the body to different types of bacteria and make it more likely that the person will get sick, but loading up on the vitamins and nutrients can make this less possible.

One surprising suggestion for many cancer patients is that it is recommended to up the daily calorie intake, concentrating on foods high in protein. This can combat calories and nutrients lost in the body trying to fight the disease, using many foods that are already consumed in high amounts. Increasing the intake of cooked eggs, milk, gravy and other sauces, butter, oils while decreasing the intake of fiber to alleviate unneeded stress on the intestinal tract and esophagus are simple dietary changes that can help people stay healthier during the process.

Replacing white and processed carbs with whole grains, and eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables each day will provide necessary fiber without overdoing it. Brown rice, oats and wheat toast can make people feel fuller for longer, and this can reduce the chances of overeating - especially eating too much of the "wrong" things. Green tea, grape and wheat juices, and lots of fresh, clean water should be consumed, too. Drinking water daily can help the body filter out more toxins, as well as keep muscles hydrated.

It is important that patients reduce their intake of processed sugar and caffeine. This includes sodas, premixed sports drinks, energy drinks, and packaged dessert products. While it is still OK to indulge every now and then, these types of food and drink can trick the body to thinking it is more energized than it really is, and when the buzz ends, the body will feel much worse than it would to a healthy body. This loss of sensation can make a person feel tired, sore and weak, which is exactly what staying healthy during this time is supposed to combat.

Not only will eating healthy foods promote bodily health, but it can make the mind feel better, too. Whole grains keep blood sugar steady, which results in a steady, constant release of energy that can last for many hours at a time. Mushrooms, which contain selenium, can help fight depression by increasing the body's store of the element. Helping the body and mind feel healthy can help a person deal with the diagnosis and resulting treatments in better way. Rather than continue to follow the same diet as before diagnosis, and not be active or try to keep the body healthy, changing diet may give a person the strength to continue their life as normally as possible.

Keeping up energy levels can help those who have received a cancer diagnosis accomplish goals, tasks, and continue to spend time with their loved ones. By eating and drinking these types of foods, the effects of cancerous cells on the body may not be as outwardly severe. A healthy diet is not the cure for cancer, but it will help keep a sense of normalcy as it is prepared, consumed, and even shared with others. Healthy eating in this sense does not mean cutting all of the "fun" items out like in other diets, it simply means taking into account what is being used to prepare the meals daily.

As every cancer diagnosis is different, as is each resulting course of action, any changes to the diet should be talked over with a doctor or physician to ensure that it will be right for the specific person. For answers to some diet related questions, The American Cancer Society's website has a nutrition page that provides helpful answers to common questions.

A cancer diagnosis can be a scary thing, but by following dietary rules and guidelines, the body can remain as strong as possible throughout the course of treatment. Having a strong body and mind may help the patient have the strength to deal with a very difficult situation in the best way possible.

Break the Cycle

I read an article recently that created several different sparks in me.  I think that there are many interesting points that one could take away from it and I invite you to read it and share your comments and questions. (Article to follow, posted as Food for Thought!)

I’m happy to share my experience with it…

First, I wondered why an article “about cancer” crossed my path. I wondered what this has to do with me and reacted to the advice to eat more dairy and meat.   I thought about how my vegetarian readers would react to this and about how even organic dairy and meat can be challenging to digest, especially for cancer patients.  So I did a little research, first within myself, then I consulted a good friend, Google.

Google helped me answer the question on exactly why more meat and dairy, scientifically.  Read this article about the importance of glutamine rich foods and their impact on the immune system, if you are interested http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2002_April/ai_84211192/?tag=content;col1. I also found an additional article that argues that glutamine rich foods may help with addiction (this includes food), Alzheimer’s as well as cancer patients. Check it out at http://www.soberliving.com/blog/replacing-the-brain-chemicals-that-addiction-has-robbedt/?searchterm=Replacing%20the%20Brain%20Chemicals%20that%20Addiction%20has%20Robbed

The “big idea” of this article for me was Break the Cycle, permanently.  Change is challenging! We all have our habits and “go to” snacks, treats and meals. Food is neither good nor bad, it’s just food. Repetition is the unhealthy part of our diet and lifestyle.  Our bodies are basically a walking alchemy set, with thousands (ok, I really don’t know exactly how many) of different chemical reactions going on just to do simple things we take for granted like hug a friend,  breathe or eat a piece of chocolate.  

Often people talk about the importance of healthy eating or use the word healthy without considering what that actually means for them (myself included).   Have you ever asked yourself; What is my experience with “health food”?  

I used to get all excited to bring a healthy dish to share and people would turn their nose up at my food or tease me. Now I quietly set my dish down and let people come to me. When they comment on how good that ___ is or can they have the recipe I thank them and then let them know it was sprouted or contained sea weed or whatever Raw-Infused flair I added.   They are typically shocked and now I swear I can see a window open for them. In my mind I interpret their reaction with the thought “hmmm, ok so maybe some health food isn’t so bad”.

For me now that I’ve made this healthy (and seriously delicious) eating a part of me I often forget what a challenge it is to make this a permanent change in life. The most challenging part is keeping it real.  I use the word real because my belief is that choosing to live a healthy lifestyle or just eating healthy is a living contract, literally.

How does one stick with it? I cannot tell someone else what they need to do to make this a permanent part of their life. This is where self-discovery comes in.  Take the advice of others as it is, advice. Experiment with it and see for yourself what works and what doesn’t.  I’ll give you an example. My mom had surgery last year and was required to take medications (in her super clean body) and stop eating greens and other supplements that could be harmful (yes, sadly, a lot of the foods we normally eat are considered "blood thinners" and your blood can actually be too thin and pose serious health risks) based on the medication she was taking.   

She noticed a huge difference especially with energy level and emotions and recently she asked for help getting back on the wagon with the Raw-Infusions.  She let go of her way as a required part of the recovery process and has been struggling to get back her healthy glow ever since.   She knows she’s not happy where she’s at and knows from experience what she’s missing by letting it go and not picking it back up.  

Here’s my advice:

1. HAVE A GOAL: Select ONE clearly defined goal (ex: look and feel better in my body). Map out where you currently are with respect to this goal and what you think it’ll take to get you there (if this sounds or feels like “too much” then hire or get help. Ask someone to help you write goals; go see your doctor, Chiropractor, Acupuncturist a friend who’s done this before, etc.) 
2.  Know your resources internal (my greatest defense is knowing what the greater goal that inspired me to do this in the first place?  Whenever I feel weak I imagine myself at the lowest point of food issues and allergies and know I’m never going back there.) What are local external resources for “back up”, new recipe ideas, friends, blogs, Community organizations, non-profit organizations, etc.  One great resource where I live is the Ceres Project. Check them out at ceresproject.org 
3.   Plan ahead! Part of meal planning should include occasional and modest sized “free to be me” treats. One example for me: This summer I made S’mores. I seriously couldn’t remember the last time I had one…camping when I was a kid, maybe. I kept saying I wanted to go camping, then I realized I just wanted a S’more! 
4. Schedule some “ME time” it can be quiet time, meditation, yoga, art. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing that relaxes you (and is not food or beverage related). 
5.   I cannot stress enough the importance of moderation and variation. There is a reason the body feels “sick of” things.  The nutritional value of  that food, or types of food may no longer be benefiting you. Don’t force yourself to eat it. If it’s something you’ve been eating a lot of do yourself a favor, MOVE ON!