Wednesday, December 5, 2007

It's not rocket science, but...

The American Institute for Cancer Research has released a 517-page report detailing the CONVENTIONAL medical view of what your main risk factors for developing cancer, and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Among their findings -- after reviewing more than 7,000 large-scale studies over the course of five years -- the Institute is now convinced that excess body weight increases your risk for the following types of cancer:

*
Colon
*
Kidney
*
Pancreas
*
Esophagus
*
Uterus, and breast cancer in post-menopausal women

The report also found that there are certain lifestyle changes that will reduce your risk of getting cancer:

1. Be as lean as possible within the normal range of body weight
2. Be physically active as part of everyday life
3. Limit consumption of "energy-dense foods," foods that are high in calories, fat and sugar. Avoid sugary drinks
4. Eat mostly foods of plant origin, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans
5. Limit intake of red meat and avoid ALL processed meat
6. Limit alcoholic drinks to one per day for women, two per day for men
7. Limit consumption of salt. Avoid moldy grains or legumes
8. Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone, without dietary supplements


Nothing earth shattering here, I know I know...


I have been eating more carbs and it SHOWS. They really perk me up though. I was getting very depressed eating a low carb diet. I'm just going to cut down a bit (especially on the BEER, which I LOVE) and increase my activity level by walking more and working out 5 days per week.

I have been feeling much happier lately! I am being more social and keeping busy via volunteering at my daughter's school and taking lots of classes.

I have a job interview this Friday for a teaching position. I would be teaching reading and writing at an after school program near my apartment. Wish me luck!

Monday, November 12, 2007

You know it, you love it, you shouldn't live without it

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

-Max Ehrmann, 1927

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Good Advice!

"When you awaken each morning, think of something (or someone) that makes you happy...for 15 minutes. This improves your world. "
~ Anastasia/cedars

Friday, September 28, 2007

Day one of my healing blog

I have been "studying" holistic health since I was 18. I even wrote articles and worked for the Gerson Institute for several years. I learned a great deal from Charlotte Gerson, who is Dr. Max Gerson's only surivivng child.

Since moving to Taiwan 3 weeks ago, I have drastically changed my diet and healing regimen. I am slowly recovering from facial paralysis following brain surgery at Mass. General. I had a 4.5 cm (benign) tumour removed on July 31,2007. It was an acoustic neuroma. I lost my hearing in my left ear, but my right ear is working perfectly, thank God!

I thought it would be helpful to others if I shared what I am doing to aid the healing process. This will ALSO give me an impetus to STAY on the right path. I seem to have veered a bit this week(well, it WAS the MOON FESTIVAL), so I need to get back on the wagon. That's the beauty of mornings, the promise of a NEW DAY.

For breakfast:

1 thick piece of whole grain bread, spread with natural peanut butter (no salt, sugar or hydrogenated oil...in other words it ain't Skippy!).

3/4 homemade style plain yogurt with a small handful of Mornflake Deluxe Muesli w/Fruit and Nuts. I can get this UK brand here in Taipei now. I love it. I also sprinkled it with a tablespoon of flax seeds. Oh and I ate one prune.

English Breakfast Tea w/honey. ( I HAD sworn off caffeine, but I am going to have one cup of tea w/breakfast because I miss it very much!).

For supplements I took 2 Women's Multivitamin agood natrural brand type from Whole Foods, 1 capsule of Omega Fish Oil (EPA+DHA)
this is for Omega- 3 fatty acids - it's Salmon Oil, I B-complex vitamin for my nervous system, 1 full medicine dropper of a mix of 7 Mushroom extracts (the brand is Fungi Perfecti's Mycomedicinals) "Stamets Seven Mushroom Blend Extract"). This extract is supposed to aid the nervous system, and I think it is having a real effect on my facial paralysis. The company's toll-free number is 800-780-9126. Very cool Washington state types! The other number is: 360-426-9292.

Lunch: A few almonds and a rye Wasa cracker that tastes like cardboard. Yum. Ok I was busy and worked out instead of having a proper lunch.

(Worked out for 45 mins. burned 500 calories! Elliptical Trainer and Crossramp Sat in sauna for about 5 minutes). Felt great after workout!!!

Dinner: Vegetarian Stuff - stir fried mushrooms, tofu, steamed (?) broccoli, brown rice w/adzuki beans and sesame seeds.

1/2 apple

snack: too many dried mangoes that we bought in the oldest part of Taipei this evening! They were yummy - sugar added. Oh well.

Now I will take a chamomile enema and see if it helps me sleep!
(Anjoli is embarrassed that I wrote about taking an enema. There's no shame in an enema, ok Anjoli?). Now she's slapping her forehead with the palm of her hand. Poor babe.


Last night I went to a local eye doctor who worked at Mass. Eye and Ear (wear I had my gold weight implanted on my eyelid - one of my surgeons works for Mass Eye and Ear).

My eye lid still doesn't close well at night, so she told me to tape it after adding this vitamin A lubricant that she gave me. She also gave me good lubricating eye drops to combat the dyness during the day. She said my cornea is fine - I will keep going back for check ups as I run out of drops and lubricant. She told me it could take about a year for my face to fully heal.

Total cost for visit and meds; $15 USD!!!


I hope this format makes sense.

I also pray like crazy throughout (throughout the day) and thanks to Gina, who reminded me of the beautiful Buddhist NAM - MYO - HO RENGE KYO chant I started chanting (originally for the Buddhist monks who are being tortured in Burma at the moment, but even while praying for them, I felt a wonderful sense of calm and well-being while chanting).

I woke up in the middle of the night (I usually do unless I take Ativan which I DO NOT WANT TO RELY ON) and started to chant and it helped relax me. But sadly I took Ativan about an hour later...I hope that was the last one, now I am very groggy.

I am not perfect- but I want to be honest - I know others out there struggle too so I will keep it real. I will let ya'll know how the chamomile worked. I hope it does...I don't want to take anymore Ativan.

Peace and love,
Sue xx