My mantra. is it yours?

If you are going through cancer treatment right now, remember that its YOUR body that is sick. Ask as many questions that you want to your doctor to make sure you understand all your options. I meet so many people who don't ask their doctor or healthcare professional questions. You are going through one of the hardest things you will have to do in your life and not knowing what is happening is scary and unnecessary. No two people are alike when it comes to cancer treatment, even though they may have the same type of cancer. Don't hang around the internet to try to find answers there. Your doctor is here for you and wants to help you. He/she is your doctor not a mind reader. Yes, they see way too many patients, but forget that. Its all about you now and if you are unsure about anything ask questions. Getting straight forward answers will make you feel better. The unknown is always worse. Our minds love to create scenarios that do not exist. Having the facts will help you get through it. Knowledge is power.


So many people are walking around today that are surviving cancer and you will make it too, but that doesn't make it any less scarey. There are many support sysytems available for you. Take advantage of all resources. Most hospitals have social workers that specialize in cancer patients. They are there to help you. Ask your doctor to meet with one. The American cancer Society is another good resource.  Here is their link   http://www.cancer.org/index


That being said, I want to also say that keeping a positive attitude is critical. Its more than ok to feel mad, sad or scared but don't stay there for long. I had definitely had bad days and to help me get through it I wrote in a journal. I decided that I would not let cancer get the best of me and I pictured myself healthy. I also had a great support system.  I really found out who my friends were. Anyone that beat the drum of negativity I got rid of myself, not without prior warning though. The key to success is getting your mind right and preparing for battle. Having people around that complain or want to throw a constant "pity party" for you is not healthy. Tell them to take it somewhere else.


Cancer was the worst thing to happen to me and the best. Life is sweeter now and I listen to my body.
I am grateful everyday and I work hard to no longer " sweat the small stuff" because most of the things I focused my attention on in the past was small stuff. I learned I am much stronger than I ever thought and I am thankful for that. I can face anything now. You can too!


xo   Inge

"Sunrise with Song Birds" Meditation for Stress Relief

I have been visualizing myself choking people who piss me off lately which is an indicator that I need to get back to meditating and take a time out from the world. I found this video on youtube that I am trying out.

Stress is bad for our immune system so if you find yousrelf angry, anxious or depressed, your innerself is talking to you. Listen to it and get back on track. Meditating helps me. You only need 10 minutes a day to keep your mind healthy. There are many good videos on youtube to choose from. Chirping birds is one of my favorites.

John and I went to Olive Garden for dinner. We used our gift certificate and I feel sick, bloated. I can really tell the differnce between fresh and processed food now, since I have been eating healthy for over a year. Their dinner rolls tasted like flour water and yeast, zero flavor. I'm happy we didn't pay for that meal. John's happy I chose not to interrogate our server about GMOs.

I helped out at the Ostomy booth at the UCI healthfair last weekend and met this terrific woman who runs Home Care Assistance. Its for people (mostly seniors) who need extra help with daily things like cooking, groooming, running errands and plain old companionship. There lots of these type of agencies in Orange County but what makes this one different is that client care manager, Sandy Rasque, focuses on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating. Her staff provides healthy meals that includes fresh vegetables, fruits and even smoothies.


Have you ever stayed in the hospital and been offered Ensure to  either gain weight or keep the weight on? I have when I was getting chemo/radiation treatment. Anyone who has been through this knows that eating is a real problem. Everything tastes awful, so doctors suggest Ensure. Now don't get me wrong they mean well. Ensure has protein and calories but mostly from sugar, and studies show that cancer loves sugar. Why give it what it wants? And in my case, the Ensure was way too sweet.

 So when I was in the hospital my family brought me smoothies from Jamba Juice. Yes, they have sugar too but at least it is somewhat healthier than Ensure.

When I got home we bought a juicer and a blender so we could make our own fresh green smoothies. Before long I was throwing everything in but the kitchen sink. My smoothies must have contained at least 600 calories, all from fresh fruits and veggies, along with soy milk andd yogurt.

Well, Sandy figured this out and wanted her seniors to have a healtheir alternative. Her motto is "Changing the way the world ages". She teaches her staff how to cook healthy meals, including how to make delicious, healthy smoothies (with real fruit and veggies) and serve them to their clients. They also will shop for the food that they will be serving.

This is one of the books sitting on her table at the health fair.

I was so impressed with Sandy's fresh approach to caregiving that I wanted to tell others about her and her agency. I briefly worked for another home care agency a few years ago and what a disappointment that was. It was clear to me that they were all about their 'bottom line', not the clients or their employees for that matter. They paid low wages, expected their employees to drive sometimes 30 + miles to an assignment and only stay 3 hours. Seniors ate (in my opinion) substandard meals. The food was usually processed, fast food, purchased by the senior or family member and prepared by the caregiver. There was no suggestion to eat healthier by anyone. The caregivers I met didn't look too healthy themselves either.


I know of group homes that run the same way, maybe even worse when it comes to healthy meals. I used to work in an adult day program and my clients used to tell me what they ate at home. I also saw the junk food they brought to the program. Nothing healthy in those lunch boxes. How can one expect to have a healthy mind when its fed junk?


Recent studies show that the majority of people with autism have intestinal problems and the correlation is processed food containing GMOs. (You didn't think I was going to talk about health without bringing up the health problems caused by GMOs, did you?)


I think feeding seniors, the mentally ill andd even us, healthy fresh foods will give us a better chance of living a longer healthy life. What fun is it to live longer but to do so being sick? I know thats not for me.

I am hopeful that Sandy's approach to senior care will catch on with other agencies and hospitals for that matter. Everyday more and more health care providers are understanding the connection between good health and eating healthy food. I see new patients all the time in the cancer center who tell me their doctor tells them "no sugar" and thats a step in the right direction.


Sandy was making and giving out samples of one her smoothie recipes at the fair and I thought I would share it with you:


Blueberry Banana Smoothie:


1 ripe banana
3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 cup nonfat yogurt
3/4 cup lowfat milk or almond milk
1/2 cup crushed ice


Throw in blender, puree and serve!




xo     Inge

 

Halloween is right around the corner. Did you buy Halloween candy yet? Do you know if your favorite candy, the very ones you will buy to pass out to the ghosts and goblins (and keep a bag for yourself) contains GMOs?? Here's a partial list (thanks to Food Babe). It also lists candy that is Non- GMO.

I pledge to only buy from companies that are NON-GMO because they are the only ones who want to do the right thing. How about you?

xo Inge

A Natural Way to Boost Your Immune System

I am sure you have seen commercials telling us its time to get that flu shot. I don't get them. I always thought it was a huge money maker for the pharmaceutical company and a false sense of security for the masses. I know lots of people who got a flu shot and still got the flu. There is no way to figure out what flu one will get. This article from Natural News confirms my suspicions.

http://www.naturalnews.com/037471_vaccines_mythology_fairy_tale.html


I think a better way to protect ourselves from getting sick is to wash our hands frequently; good old soap and hot water will do just fine.  Eating healthy food, drink lots of water, drink fresh green smoothies or juices, and wear a mask if you plan to be around kids (germ carriers).

Immune boosting smoothie recipe:

1 banana
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup kale
1/2 cup spinach
1/4 cup soy probiotic yogurt (make sure its live cultures)
2 tblsp ground flax seed
1 tsp bee pollen
1 cup spring water



If you are getting treatment like chemo or radiation, stay away from people. Its a good time to stay in with a good book or watch movies. 

Its Non-GMO Month!

This is just a partial list of companies who are now officially Non-GMO verified. There are a few who state they are GMO free, so I added them as well. At least they  are trying to do the right thing. Hopefully the big boys at Kelloggs, Post, Smuckers, Hershey, Nestle, Pepsico, CocaCola and their groupies will get on board, especially when they are losing sales.

Find out more about NON-GMO Verfified Project here  http://www.nongmoproject.org/

 

 

 

 

 

I will add more products throughout this month. I am completely convinced that processed foods, especially those containing GMOs is the  major reason we have a health crisis in America.

xo  Inge