Food Glorious Food!

I thought I would write about food today.  Food is one of those things that you can't live without, but sometimes it is difficult to live with it.  I truly don't believe I am an alcoholic, or a drug addict.  I am however a food addict.  I just love food.  All kinds.

Since being diagnosed with cancer I have learned that food is medicinal as well as necessary for life.  Today I eat the rainbow in fruits and vegetables.  I try to focus on the vegetables as these seem to have the most antioxidants in them.  I do my best to stay away from processed foods and focus on organic foods when possible.  While I don't let this control my life, when the opportunity is available between regular or organic, I will always select the organic option.  I have recently planted an organic garden in my back yard.  Someone questioned if I used "organic" dirt.  To the best of my knowledge - I did.  In fact my friend Elizabeth and I mixed three kinds of soil together to make the perfect environment to plant my tomatoes, zucchini (green and yellow), cucumbers (American and Persian), green beans, eggplant, basil (of course) and a few other goodies like rasberries and blueberries.

My garden is in the "un dog yard" at my house.  This used to be the dog yard and is fenced but Miss Emily doesn't like it back there.  Princess Kate does like to eat my fresh veggies, but I set the gate lock now to keep her out.  Especially after I went to bed the other night and Katie jumped up with something in her mouth and it happened to be one of my garden treasures!  Katie then learned that we don't eat in mommy's bed!

So, you might ask why I've gone "organic?"  Well, it turns out that many of the pesticides used on our food contains estrogen based carsonigines.  My paticular cancer is over 80% estrogen and so I do my best to stay away from anything that has estrogen.  Foods that contain soy or estrogen (especially processed foods), tofu, garbonzo beans, foods that have been sprayed with pesticides (which includes most everything in the stores that are not organic), and so many vitamin products in the stores.  Yes, I am a label reader.  I'm now starting to find make up that has toxic ingredients.  I've decided to starve this cancer to death. 

This also means keeping my insulin levels consistently low or level as cancer also thrives off of sugar, which is what insulin is.  Who would have thought.  I've cut out sugar in general (although I have to admit I am weak here - LOL).  I use Agave Nectar as a sugar substitute.  No Splenda or Sweet & Low.  This also means no more potatoes, rice (except basamati rice) and refined sugars.

So, where did I receive this information.  There are a few books out there that I consider a "must read" if you are seriously concerned about cancer in your life.  The first one scared me to where I almost didn't eat for a week.  It was called The China Study.  I got it as a CD and listened to it several times in my car to and from work.  The other book was called Anti-Cancer, A new way of life by David Schreven Schriber.  Dr. Oz on TV talks about this same stuff all the time.

To me, a balance in life is key.  Physical, spiritual and emotional.  You must keep yourself physically fit.  Your body mass indes (BMI) needs to be down to 20 - 25.  I realize this is low but this is what the doctors say is one of the best preventative measures you can take.  I didn't head the warning 10 years ago when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and her surgeon told me this exact fact.  I still have about 45 more pounds to go but at last check my BMI is around 30-31. 

Faith is another important part of wellness.  You have to believe the cancer is not living in your body.  Let the doctor focus on th disease and I focus on the fire of my faith.  You see, one thing I have learned is that cancer cells cannot live under extreme heat.  I have opted to focus on my spiritual energy to let the light and the love of Christ destroy the cancer cells within my body.  You have to have faith to do this and I am a woman of strong faith.

Perhaps my next blog will be about ENERGY.  Energy is so important as can change your life if you know how to use it to your advantage.

Take care for now and I'll catch up more later.  Remember, I didn't learn this all at once and it can be overwhelming if you try.  Each and everyone of us is different and we will find what works best for ourselves.  There are however some universal things like the nutrition, energy, spirituality, and having a good social support system.

Have a blessed day!

Love, Stephanie

The Beauty and the Beast

The big question of the day is, where is the beast?

Emily - 6 years old on August 24th!   120 pounds
Katie  - 14 weeks!  28 pounds

I promise to blog more soon but I couldn't resist sharing this photo of Emily and Kate. I hope everyone is doing well.

Love you!  Stephanie