Surgery, Chemo, and the END of Radiation… GO MOM!!

Here's to smooth sailing! You deserve it!

This is a picture of my mom and dad on what I’m guessing is our first sailboat, many years ago… I say first sailboat because the one I remember the most was a C&C and it wasn’t white… it had cool purple and gold striped curtains that my mom made out of a canvas like material. I loved those curtains. This post is dedicated to my mom, Sheila, who was diagnosed with breast cancer March 18, 2011. She has gone through surgery, chemo and radiation. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF RADIATION. Thank God. The entire ordeal isn’t quite over, there is still an infusion once every three weeks until April 2012, but the daily trips an hour a way end today. I thank God every day that the doctors found the “area of concern”, that she was sent by her doctor (thank you Tom!) to Dr. Wesen and her group. They have been unbelievable. I thank my sister and my dad for going with my mom to each and every appointment (either one or the other) and to make it a “fun” time by having lunch out, and running errands. My mom’s neighbors and friends have been so supportive and I am more than grateful for that. It’s so hard to live far away when you can’t get this all off your mind. All of her doctors have been amazing. Fred and I both went with her to chemo which was really something. It’s shocking to see how many people cancer affects. Is it in our water? The air? Ugh, it’s gotta be something because the place is full. Always. Damn. From very very young, to very very old, there is no one who is safe. So y’all do what you can to stay healthy. Walk or run. Exercise however you can for as long as you can. Lay off the bad food, eat more good food and pray. And to everyone around you who it affects, do what you can for them. Be a supportive ear, bring some tasty foods or drinks (coconut water is what my mom swears got her through (it hydrates you better than anything else) and greek yogurt (with all the protein…). Drop off some books or magazines, a flower, something happy and anything that shows you care.

YOU MADE IT MOM! I love you! And am so thrilled that this is behind you… may you only see smooth sailing ahead!

xoxo me

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Cancer Prevention Tip #12 – soy, tofu, miso and tempeh

Image: FoodServiceDirect.com

 Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine! Now I realize these tips aren’t for everyone, you have to do what’s right for you. For instance I am sensitive to soy. I went through months of hives and severe allergic reactions yet test negative in every way. It’s a frustrating thing to be allergic to since it’s added to almost everything from BBQ sauce to tuna. The choice is yours, I wish I could go back to it, I loved my decaf soy latte on occasion… and my smoothie’s made with vanilla soy milk… ahhhh (frozen fruit in a blender with soy milk and some plain or vanilla yogurt. Heavens… tasty and refreshing! But now a no-no for me…

Well today was supposed to be the last chemo treatment… but there was a week (and thank God there was only one!) where my moms white blood count was too low… so she couldn’t get chemo that week… so it tacked on a week. That’s OK… it’s over NEXT WEEK! WOOHOO! On to the cancer prevention tip…

Compounds called isoflavones (including genistein, daidzein, and glycitein) prevent tumor growth and block the stimulation of cancer cells by sex hormones (such as estrogens and testosterone). There are significantly fewer breast cancer cases among Asian women who have eaten soy since adolescence, and when they do have breast cancer, their tumors are usually less aggressive with higher survival rates. Isoflavone supplements (in pill form) have been associated with an  of certain breast cancers, but whole soy, eaten as food, has not.

How to Eat It: Replace conventional milk products with soy milk or soy yogurts for breakfast. Also, use tofu, tempeh, and miso in soups and stir-fries.

Ok mom, I’m going to keep up with the health tips, cancer prevention and whatever else I read about… Keep up the good work, the end of chemo is near J – love you! me

Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

A cancer prevention tip that will make you smile!

Image: Prevention.com

Now this is a cancer prevention tip that makes me smile… it’s one that I don’t have to think about… one that I can do… one that I can OVER do, ha!

Dark chocolate (70%+) is more than a tasty morsel that you let melt in your mouth, it’s rich in so many ways…  uh, excuse me, had to jump up and grab a piece, don’t want to forget! (I heard you laugh… you’re right… like I would forget!)! Info from Prevention magazine . Click HERE for a fabulous article that has the list of foods we’ve been talking about over the past few months!

Cure It with Dessert

Enjoy antioxidant-rich dark chocolate

Chocolates containing over 70% cocoa provide a number of antioxidants, proanthocyanidins, and many polyphenols. In fact, a square of dark chocolate contains twice as many as a glass of red wine and almost as many as a cup of green tea properly steeped. These molecules slow the growth of cancer cells and limit the blood vessels that feed them.

How to Eat It: Enjoy about one-fifth of a dark chocolate bar a day guilt free. Milk chocolate isn’t a good alternative because dairy cancels out the cancer protection of the polyphenol compounds.

Next week is the last of this series…  but there will be more… I promise! Lets recap all the foods that can be fighting for our bodies to help prevent cancer, as long as we feed our bodies these nutritious warriors instead of say, those tart things you pop in the toaster (oh heavy sigh). It’s worth re-reading this list and adding as many to your day as you possibly can. Don’t ever stop!

BRUSSEL SPROUTS – BOK CHOY – CHINESE CABBAGE – BROCCOLI – CAULIFLOWER – GARLIC – ONION – LEEKS – SHALLOTS – CHIVES – WILD SALMON – ANCHOVIES – SMALL MACKEREL – SARDINES – ORANGES – TANGERINES – LEMONS – GRAPEFRUIT – STRAWBERRIES – RASPBERRIES – BLUEBERRIES – BLACKBERRIES – CRANBERRIES – DARK CHOCOLATE and next…. TOFU – MISO – TEMPEH – SOY MILK – SOY YOGURT, but that’s next week!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Ok mom! This is chemo #11, two treatments to go, WOOHOO!!

Love you lady! me

Berries… TODAY’S hot cancer prevention tip…

Image: BonAppetit.com

Who doesn’t love berries? Fresh or frozen they’re always a treat! Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine! Perhaps you’ve heard me talk about what a great magazine Prevention is, it offers ways to stay healthy, from diet to exercise and everything in between. A good gift idea as well! Click HERE to subscribe! (Nope, Prevention Magazine hasn’t a clue as to who I am… wish they did, but this is not a paid advertisement (boohoo), just a heads up about something I rely on!). On to the tip of the day…

Disease-Fighting Fruits – PART TWO

Fresh and frozen varieties provide year-round protection

 Berries

Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries contain ellagic acid and a large number of polyphenols, which inhibit tumor growth. Two polyphenols found in berries, anthocyanidins and proantho­cyanidins, promote cancer cell death.

How to Eat Them: At breakfast, mix fruit with soy milk and multigrain cereals. (The best cereal options combine oats, bran, flaxseed, rye, barley, spelt, and so on.) Frozen berries are just as potent as fresh.

Well, I’ve been adjusting my weekly recipes to include foods we’ve talked about like garlic, onion, salmon, oranges, lemons, ginger, pomegranate juice, green tea, turmeric spice and veggies… finally a week where not much tweaking to my diet is necessary, we consume a good amount of berries, so woohoo… we’ll just keep up the good work!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Here’s to you mom! Week 10… only three weeks remain! Keep up the awesome work, you’re the best!

Oranges, lemons, tangerines and grapefruit to prevent cancer… Today’s tip.

Image: Prevention.com

Oh, oranges, lemons, tangerines and grapefruit! MMMM, the crisp clean scent of citrus… delicious eaten as is or squeezed into water… Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine! If you haven’t been a reader of Prevention magazine, I highly encourage you to read it, check it out! On to today’s tip…

Disease-Fighting Fruits – Part One

Fresh and frozen varieties provide year-round protection

Oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruit contain anti-inflammatory compounds called flavonoids that stimulate the detoxification of carcinogens by the liver. Certain flavonoids in the skin of tangerines–tangeritin and nobiletin–can also help promote the death of brain cancer cells.

How to Eat It: Sprinkle grated citrus zest (from organic fruits) into salad dressings or breakfast cereals, or steep in tea or hot water. Eat whole fruits out of hand, toss with other fruits in a salad, or use in a salsa to season grilled fish.

Hope this helps! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Hey Mom!! Well this is treatment number 9… only 3 to go… can you believe it? You are awesome! Love you… me

Die cancer die… here to save the day… Garlic, Onions, Leeks, Shallots, Chives

Image: http://dirttime.com

Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine! I know what I’m making for dinner tonight… sauteed veggies (zucchini, red pepper, banana pepper, mushrooms, onions, garlic) with pasta and a yogurt pepper jack mixture… sautee the veggies, toss in the cooked angel hair pasta, turn the burner off, add a few spoonfuls of plain yogurt and some shredded pepper jack, put the lid on until cheese melts and ohmygosh… you will end up with something you’ll be addicted to… forever! Here’s the tip of the day…

Garlic, Onions, Leeks, Shallots, Chives

The sulfur compounds found in this group (the alliaceous family) promote the death of colon, breast, lung, and prostate cancer cells. Epidemiological studies also suggest a lower risk of kidney and prostate cancer in people who consume the most garlic.

How to Eat Them: The active compounds in garlic are released when you crush the clove, and they’re much more easily absorbed if they’re combined with a small amount of oil. Sauté chopped garlic and onions in a little olive oil, mix with steamed or stir-fried vegetables, and toss with black pepper and turmeric. They can also be consumed raw, mixed in salads, or layered on sandwiches.

OK mom, this is treatment number 7! “Only” 5 to go! WOOHOO… on the countdown now!

Catch you back here tomorrow! Take a break and check out my daily blog… http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com

 

Vital Veggies in the war against cancer…

Image: Prevention.com

Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine!

 Vital Veggies

Brussels sprouts, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower all contain sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinols (I3Cs), two potent anticancer molecules. These molecules help the body detoxify certain carcinogenic substances and can help prevent precancerous cells from developing into malignant tumors. They also promote the suicide of cancer cells and block tumor growth.

How to Prepare Them: Cover and steam briefly or stir-fry rapidly with a little olive oil. Avoid boiling cabbage and broccoli, which destroys their cancer-fighting compounds.

We all have to get used to the thought of more fruits and veggies and less processed foods. It’s a hard thing to give up. Convenience is important, but maybe the more we make things ourself the quicker we’ll get! Here’s hoping!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Turmeric… a powerful spice against cancer?

Image: Blog.WholeFoodsMarket.com

Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine!

Turmeric

Found in curry powder, this spice is the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory available today. It encourages cancer cell death, inhibits tumor growth, and even enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Some research shows that turmeric is most effective in humans when it’s mixed with black pepper and dissolved in oil (olive or canola, preferably). In store-bought curry mixes, turmeric represents only 20% of the total, so it’s better to obtain ground turmeric directly from a spice shop.

How to Use It: Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a teaspoon of olive oil and a generous pinch of ground black pepper and add to vegetables, soups, and salad dressings. Use a tablespoon if you already have cancer.

Whoa! Worth a shot wouldn’t you say? I know they make capsules that contain Turmeric, Black Pepper and Olive Oil… another thing worth trying if the actual taste isn’t quite your thing?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Woohoo Mom… Keep on hanging in there! Love you!… me

GINGER… todays cancer prevention tip…

Image: Prevention.com

Big, beautiful ginger. Ok, so ginger doesn’t win any beauty contests, but what it does to your body is all good stuff. This is straight from an article from Prevention Magazine, “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” . Here goes…

GINGER

Fresh ginger, or gingerroot, is a powerful anti-inflammatory that combats certain cancer cells and helps slow tumor growth. A ginger infusion can also alleviate nausea from chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

How to Use It: Add grated fresh ginger to a vegetable stir-fry or fruit salad. Or, make an infusion by slicing a 1-inch piece of ginger and steeping it in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes; drink hot or cold.

Oh, there is nothing better than fresh ginger. It livens up a stirfry, oooh, the shrimp and broccoli stirfry… the steak, mushroom and bok choy stir fry… just to name a few (click on names for recipes). It’s FABULOUS in green tea… any time I’m under the weather I make green tea with sliced fresh ginger, let it steep for a while, then add honey and lemon. Mmmm, good!

These Thursday cancer tip posts are dedicated to my mom… going through chemo right now, bless her heart. Thoughts and prayers always appreciated! She’s a strong lady! I love you mom!

Catch you back here tomorrow…

Pomegranate Juice… Seriously good stuff!

Image: Prevention.com

Pomegranate juice. Seriously? WHO KNEW? This is some seriously good stuff! Most of us know it by the brand POM, but many brands are now available. Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine!

Pomegranate Juice

This juice, which tastes like raspberries, has been used in Persian medicine for thousands of years. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are well confirmed; studies show it can substantially reduce the development of even the most aggressive prostate cancers (among others). In addition, drinking it daily slows the spread of an established prostate cancer by more than 50%.

How to Drink It: Have 8 ounces daily with breakfast.

Well mom, today is treatment #3, nine more to go… we’re in the single digits now, woohoo!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Also… http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !