natural girls
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supermom- I remember Dr. McDougal from the 80s. He had a talk show. I think his book was "The McDougal Plan". We had a friend who had battled colon cancer twice, was overweight, ate junk etc...After the second time, he went on McDougal (maybe MacDougal?) plan, lost 80 pounds, started marathons and healed himself. As I recall, the plan is vegetarian non dairy, loads of whole grains, veggies etc...Makes me wonder why it's taking so long for people to wake up to diet and lifestyle as healing!
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Thanks for Forks Over Knives link and the other info you've all shared on vegetarianism. I have actually gained about 20 pounds since cutting animal fat to one or two servings of low-fat meat or cheese a week. I just cant give up my vino and every now and then if I'm in a restaurant or at a friends I will eat tons of chips or fries, my vices which I refuse to bring into the house. Have any of you gained much since going through treatment? My herbologist says chemo slows your metabolism for a few years. I'm drinking green tea and eating about 90 percent veggies with the only fattening stuff being beans and whole grain bread most days.
Rachel
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Thanks for Forks Over Knives.
RochelKa: I also gained a lot of weight after treatment (after LOOSING weigh,t first). Now, however, I am maintaining a healthy weight (it's been 5 years). So hang in there......
SuperMom, you wrote: "............Hmmm...wonder if we might actually become part of the main stream............"
I personally believe that our ranks (the alternative/complementary-oriented) are swelling every day.
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Can't wait for that movie to come out. Thanks Supermom!.
I'm currently struggling with a few extra pounds gained over just the past 6 months, probably related to the fact that I'm now postmenopausal. Just passed the 1 year without a period mark last week. I eat lots of veggies and very little animal fats. Mostly good fats, lots of fiber, I walk my dog for 20 minutes several times a week, and I do 15 minutes of stair climbing a day during my morning coffee break at work. For the past couple of years, it was pretty effortless to maintain my weight. Now, it seems that what I'm doing is just not enough anymore, so I've joined a gym. I have to get rid of this newly developed fat that's making me look 4 months pregnant!
I absolutely hate doing those cardio machines for long periods, so I switch around and do about 10 mins. each on 2 different ones, then do the muscle building machines for about 20 mins. I'm hoping that I'll soon be back to my maintenance weight and that the menopausal belly can be defeated!
Still toying with the idea of quitting my tamoxifen soon and just going completely alternative. I've had constant sleep problems this past year, as well as no libido. I'm almost at the point where I feel safe to stop taking it. I've done 27 months already.
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Hi Ladies,
I have not been reading this thread for about a week. I have been down with the flu... and then catch up at work.... I hope you all are well and are continuing to be the healthy guru's I respect so much !
I have a question.
Do any of you believe in Hypnosis for changing habits... or ways of life.? I am wanting to do this. I am hoping that hypnosis can change the way I see food... I want to change the foods I eat and love.... to rid them.... and I will not be able to do this alone. Can Hypnosis play a role in helping with this part in my journey?
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Hi Estepp, No one's been able to hypnotise me, but I decided to buy Paul McKenna's book and hypnosis CD's, "I Can Make You Thin" after too much chocolate and other seasonal goodies bloated me. The system is about learning to recognise when we are hungry and when we are full as it's been shown we override our natural appetite when we overeat or eat too quickly.
I took one of his books out of the library before deciding to order a copy of my own. He has a 2010 edition out in the UK which is not on sale in the USA. The DVD that comes with the 2010 version looks like it will be good for inspiration when my motivation stalls. Also I bought the additional CD's that include hypnosis for self-confidence, dealing with cravings and more which are available in the USA as a set of DVD's.
I've used similar systems before where you can eat what you like when you like as long as you are hungry and they worked at first but I lost interest or something else went wrong. When sufficient weight is lost there's no "diet" to go off and your new good habits should remain. I put the hypnosis CD on at bedtime as suggested and fall asleep so I have no idea if it works, but the rules in the book are great if you follow them. I can't weigh myself for another few days on day 14 but I know I'm feeling full much sooner and eating less. He tells you to eat whatever you want but on the hypnosis CD's he says "You are now attracted to healthy foods". The idea is to take away the "forbidden fruits" effect that causes people to crave what they aren't allowed.
If you get the book from a library you can always save the CD as an MP3 for an iPod, but I prefer to follow the book so I bought a copy.
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Hi Estepp, Interesting subject 'healthy food' ... I have known people who were actually addicted to processed foods! I even read about it ... unbelievable how the body starts to crave and find satisfaction and then must be treated very gently and lovingly to be removed from the additction. Myself, I have always looked at food as 'medicine' (except pre cancer I was not aware of the Foods that I thought were good (dairy etc) that were actually Bad for Cancer) .... anyhow, it has been interesting over the last six months .... learning about the good foods (my medicine) that will keep me feeling great, looking fit and hopefully starving cancer! I have always made my own salad dressings, used 100% cold pressed extra virgin olive oil in a green bottle etc - but didnt believe in organics - Now, I shop for the best organic deals! I used to grow my own garden, and I will be doing this again when spring comes (recently moved and have to create one). I can only say, the more I read about how the processessed or Bad Foods FEED cancer .. the easier it is to make better choices. Dr. Keith I. Block ... Life Over Cancer (his book) has been my latest Bible - not only does it talk all about diet and exercise but it also lists the foods you can eat every meal, only once a day and then the ones that are a rare 'treat' (he even makes note of the ones that are a must to be organic) ... cause we cannot totally denigh ourselves. Something to think about ... I believe it is all about our mind set. Good luck and keep sharing ... we all need to keep on track.
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Jainey, I lost most of my excess weight and ate healthy foods when I was diagnosed. My veggie garden was neglected during treatments the first spring and this spring (it's now summer in Australia) it was neglected again as I spent days at a time visiting my mother more than an hour away, sleeping on her floor. It's been a major stress as she went downhill with Alzheimer's and neglected her house, diet, bills and her diabetic insulin. She was passing the oral test for dementia and getting a proper assessment was a difficult.
The worst of it is that she has no idea what is happening and why she is now in an aged care facility. In her mind she is capable of living independently, caring for her diabetes and driving. It's taken her three months to settle in to the facility so I can now visit once a week instead of three or four times a week. The only way to deal with her is to stay in the present moment and steer the conversation away from her home and belongings which she misses terribly.
I consider the last year trying to sort out my mother and dealing with siblings as stressful as the year of treatment. Now I am planning to really work on my veggie garden as it got overrun with weeds, though I do have some nice tomatoes and beetroots which I juice. I think I'm ready for a good stress free year.
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Finally got me some tumeric supplements the other day. Before I was just using the spice over most of stir fry dishes. Let's see how this works out.
Still can't do melatonin just yet memory still toooo fresh right now ( the dream).
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This may be off topic, but I thought I read somewhere that ER+ shouldn't eat corn. Am I right or am I imagining things?! Does your body process it like soy? I'm confused... but I don't want to panic anyone!
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Sometimes this thread moves so fast, it's hard to keep a conversation going. But thank you to those who suggested coffee substitutes. I've seen both of the ones that were mentioned, and it was good to get first-hand opinions on them. I guess one of the things that concerns me is that most of them seem to be grain based, so have gluten. I'm not fanatic about avoiding gluten, but I do feel better when I don't eat wheat, so I'm just wondering if I'll have any tummy issues with a grain based coffee substitute. Guess there's one way to find out...
I also wanted to share a website I just learned about yesterday. Lots of great info' here:
http://www.medicinehunter.com/
I heard Chris Kilham yesterday on Doctor Radio, extolling the health benefits of chocolate. He actually said that next to water, it is one of the best things we can consume for our health, and that it's far more potent than a statin drug for heart health. Based on his enthusiastic presentation, I made and enjoyed chocolate covered organic strawberries last night -- and woke up with a roaring headache, which I always get from chocolate. Does anyone else have that reaction or know exactly what's in chocolate that causes it? Deanna
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Deanna: I just saw your post and if you aren't doing any caffeine, I wonder if you could be experiencing withdrawal? Food for thought! Also, I wonder if sugar might have the same effect, too, if you don't eat it otherwise? Anyone?
Estepp: I would love to hear if you have success with this! Bread is my downfall as I can pretty much maintain my weight without eating it. Everything else: I just tell myself it's poison and it's working so far as long as I use replacements like agave syrup or maple syrup instead of sugar. then I don't feel so much as I am missing something.
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Laura, I'd be interested in knowing about hypnotism as well. If you find anything out please share ! Like MBJ, my downfall is bread as well. I would rather eat a piece of bread than a piece of cake for dessert! I have to say that I no longer eat white bread and have switched to whole grain organic, but I'd still like to kick the habit altogether and maybe lose the 10 lbs I've put on sisnce being diagnosed.
Terri
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We switched to Ezekiel bread (frozen section in Whole Foods). It is made from lots of sprouted whole grains. It is low glycemic and really sticks with you. My DH says it has made a huge difference, he doesn't feel hungry for hours after eating it. Even my son likes it.
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Designermom: My DH hates it! Can't stand the stuff--he likes "soft" bread, lol!
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DesignerMom, we must be on channeling each other. I just ran across a video about The McDougal plan and posted it on my website. Great minds think alike!
Sheila-I am going through the exact same thing with my grandmother. She has dementia so badly, she is still talking about the fact that someone stole her depends 3 months ago! The whole time I am there, she just complains that she wants to go south where she has friends (her friends are long gone) who will take care of her because we do not care about her or we would not have put her in a nursing home. My aunt and uncle tried to keep her for two years, but it was exhausting and they both ended up with health problems. It is so heartbreaking to see her suffer, but we have no choice.
Jainey, I did a seminar tonight and met a nutritionist from the Block Center. It was very interesting to hear about their protocol. I will still choose sanoviv, even though the Block Center is near me. A view of the ocean sounds like a great way to heal.
Dear fellow chocoholics-buyt the dark dark, expensive stuff. The cheap chocolate has very little cocoa in it. The headacehe could be from the sugar and additives in the other stuff. I met a chocolate guru a couple of weeks ago at a chocolate fest who was telling all kinds of nasty things about what is in some of the well known brands.
If you must eat bread, dip it in olive oil. I read that this will keep some of the glutens from absorbing and helps to break down the carbs and will help control the glycemic spike.
Saturn, corn is very high on the glycemic index. If you need to cheat, eat chocolate instead.
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I already know the benefits of green tea and buy Brassica Tea with SGS developed by Johns Hopkins.....BUT....all this talk of coffee substitutes...Question???...Do I need to give up coffee?
I know the view on coffee has changed back and forth over the years regarding various ailments...but for us BC girls....Do I or Do I NOT do coffee?
I like that chocolate is good and I do eat 85% or 90% cocoa organic....but I assume there is quite a bit of caffeine in there too.
Thanks! Been really busy...tough keeping up with all my favorite topics.
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boy.. I eat no chocolate ( maybe twice a year....) and yet... drink three average cups of black coffee a day.
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Sheila, I'm not far behind you on with the aging mom challenges. She takes a lot of prescription meds. She's forgetful and gets confused easily. She has recurring urinary tract infections. This last time she took levoquin to get rid of it, and she's had abdominal pain ever since. The doc ordered an ultrasound and then wanted a ct scan. Tomorrow is her office visit to get the results. From the reading I've done, it sounds like she might be developing an aneurysm. I hate to think she might need surgery. She's 83 with a pacemaker.
Anyone know of a good forum for aging parent support?
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Deanna, I buy the 72% dark chocolate from Trader Joes. Don't know what type you are using, but it has a rich cocoa taste to it, very little sugar taste.
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Breast Cancer Retreat- I am thinking about organizing a breast cancer retreat to Sanoviv for anyone that is interested. I will pay the same as everyone else, so please do not think I am doing this to get a free ticket. But if we have a group, we can all get a discount. Though we will come as a group, each person will have a totally personalized program. So no matter what stage you are, or if you have finished treatments, you will have a program that will suit your own personal needs. All the food is organic and the Medical center is more like a spa. It is totally "green" and every room faces the ocean. Since it is a medical facility, some people may be able to recover costs through insurance. Anyone who wants to go, will be given a phone consultation with a doctor so they will be able to determine what their treatments would include. One of the gals I talked to has a late stage cancer, and she has been their three times over the past 8 years, to detox and treat her illness. She has been able to remain cancer free.
This is also a great way to bring a friend who may have some undiagnosed health issue. They run a battery of tests on everyone the first few days to check every system for deficiencies, including thermography and blood tests. I am hoping to get my mercury amalgams removed once and for all.
Yes, it is in Mexico, but they provide all transportation to and from the San Diego airport and they are well protected. It is like being at one of those all inclusive resorts, expect you are drinking in fresh air and a healthy atmosphere instead of sipping margaritas by the pool.
If you think you might want to go, send me a PM with the time that works best for you and I will see what kind of group rate I can work out. I am looking at the price of getting my teeth done here, and it looks like I can do it there for less, and have a spa experience.
It would be so great for everyone to meet each other!
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I just ate a big bowl of ice cream (a downfall for me) today. Stress related eating, for sure. Well, I am normally sugar free, and it really tanks me quickly when I do have sugar. I feel really, really tired and kind of woozy after I eat it now that I've been eating "clean" for awhile.
Bread? Wish I could have it. I am gluten intolerant (Celiac?) and I notice from the moment I put wheat into my mouth. It makes me feel groggy, and then my stomach cramps up. I end up with diahrrea afterwards. Makes me upset that I went around like this for 5 years, and was misdiagnosed as having IBS, until my nutritionist wised up and put me on a GF diet. All problems solved.
Now if I could just remain sugar free.....
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Althea, I only know of one forum for people supporting those with dementia and it's not used much. I don't know what health care or home help is available in America, but one problem here was that Mum came across so well to health workers. Even now those who don't know her wouldn't guess she had dementia. And she is fiercely independent, refusing all help.
Vivre, When I attended a dementia carers support group, they said all their relatives wanted to go home. One husband would ask to go home even though he was living in the same house he had grown up in. His wife had to take him for a walk to the front gate so he would see his house and return, satisfied he was home.
I might start a thread in another section of BCO for those caring for elderly parents as it's off-topic here. There must be many of us in this age group trying to juggle treatments, emotional trauma and caring duties.
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Luna, from what I've read, caffeine is not particularly good for us. (If you'll give me a few days, I'll come up with some links for you.) I've also noticed since I've been totally off it for about 2.5 years that I rarely get a headache anymore.
vivre, interesting about bread & olive oil because I'd observed that -- that I don't have a problem when I eat some baguette or ciabatta with olive oil & balsamic. I thought was just b'cuz those are pretty simple and natural. It never occurred to me that it was the olive oil. Interesting! You're also correct that the chocolate I used recently had additives. (I checked after you suggested it.) But it doesn't matter how pure it is -- I'm pretty sure it all gives me a headache, which is why I so rarely eat it. Related to this, Ivorymom sent me an interesting blog by a naturopathic doctor saying that chocolate is not good for those of us who have had bc. Maybe she'll stop by and share it here because I can't find it now.
Sheila, I'd be very interested in a thread dealing with our aging parents. My MIL recently had to move to an assisted living facility, and it's not been an easy adjustment for her, so extremely stressful for everyone. I heard a geriatric specialist a few months ago say that this is the first generation with so many living into their 80s & 90s, and in many cases, still quite healthy and active. So a lot of the questions that are arising (including things like dating or driving at that age!), are basically unchartered territory. Deanna
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Althea...sorry..haven't heard of a forum like that.
Deanna...Thank You! If you find the links, I would love to read them. I had been completely off the coffee until I was travelling a lot and got back onto it. Lately, I've been making 6 or 7 tea bags of green tea and chugging it over ice in the morning so I can get to my organic coffee which I prefer and feel like I am endulging myself. But, if I need to quit it.. I can. Also, if I need to quit the chocolate.. I can do that too...thought it was good for me. I almost never get headaches..so can't use that as a guide.
Vivre.. I really like your proposal. I would love to do it...but (1) Right now, I'm very nervous about anything Mexico and (2) I made a New Years resolution not to spend any more money in Mexico until the People and Government there decide to act like civilized grownups and clean up their country instead of looking the other way because they depend on and need the money being sent there by Mexican-Americans and illegal aliens... and (3) depends on when ya'll decide to go.
Funny Memory: Back in the 80s, went for a week to a nutrition/weight loss spa in Baja...I think it was called Casa de la Puerta or something like that ...some sort of sister thing to "The Golden Door". Based on my weight loss results there....I was worth $400 a pound!
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althea,
I'm sorry to hear about your mom. My dad is on 20-some meds and they just wreak havoc - so hard to balance them and know when enough is enough. I don't know of any good aging forums But I bet you will find some and or other support through the National Council on Aging. They're on-line.
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Deanna, Luna5, dlb823 and anyone else interested in coffee and caffeine -
Here's an interesting post I saw today on one of my BC Facebook groups. I'm not sure if it's referring specifically to caffeinated coffee, or just coffee in general. But as you see, these studies are saying whether coffee's good or bad depends on all kinds of factors - the writer goes a lot into coffee and different breast cancers.
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My sweet treat is SoDecadent Coconut milk ice cream.
http://www.sodeliciousdairyfree.com/products/product.php?p=purely_decadent_cm_cookie_dough
It has cookie dough in it made with rice flour. It is only a treat that I allow myself once a month or so. I must say I cheated big time on my cruise but it's back to normal now.
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Luna, I think it's Rancho La Puerta. I went there right when I got diagnosed with my husband. We had 2 weeks before my mx. They have a director of Nutrition named Yvonne Nienstadt that was an angel. She taught classes on vegan lifestyles, meditation. She had worked at the Gerson institute too. The whole staff was amazing. Lots of yoga and bird watching. Every morning we did the sunrise hike up the mountains and went to the organic farm and kitchen The owner did a very empowering evening talk that left me with goosebumps. It changed our lives. It got my husband on board with what we needed to do to make all of us healthy again. I really want to go back there some day...it's just too pricey right now!! But WOW!!! I crave that place!!!! I used to be a spa director in Manhattan...know lots about them. This place was quite special.
Vivre, I have heard great things about Sanoviv too!!0 -
Something on restorative yoga - real good for lymphedema. This woman was pretty cool. If you go to her site, you'll see U-tube video with a couple of techniques.
Restorative yoga helps with lymphedema and fear
If you've had lymph nodes removed during breast cancer surgery, you may experience lymphedema - or a buildup of fluid in your arm, ankles or feet. You may know drainage massages and lymphedema sleeves help, but there's also a new type of yoga- restorative yoga - to get the lymph flowing. And restorative yoga comes with other benefits.
"Practicing yoga poses and breathing techniques through breast cancer yoga therapy targets the soft tissue areas. It keeps the chest tissues from shrinking and promotes the opening and healing in this area. But it also helps with the overall sense of loss of control, fear of death and profound changes that a cancer diagnosis can bring to your life," says Diana Ross, who has taught yoga for over 16 years. It is the relaxation piece and the support her students bring to each other that are as critical as the physical, she Diana says.
When you walk into her yoga room, the lights and music are low. She covers each of her students, now resting on warm blankets to protect their kidneys from the cold. Pressing their shoulders down gently, Diana places a pillow on their eyes.
And then she leads into the first pose, a gentle flowing twist to the right, with knees bent, feet hip distance apart. "Now take notice of your very conscious inhale and then exhale and let go into the moment," she says.
She walks them through the whole series of free flowing movements, reminding them again to pay attention to their breathing - it's key to relaxation. It's key to letting go of the fear, anxiety and depression that come with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Some of her students have known her and each other for years. "As they got older and had knee hip or shoulder surgeries and emotional upset, I began to adapt my classes for more nurturing. I use a ton of props. Soft music, forgiving bolsters to give support, pillows and blocks to support your knees," she says.
The yoga instructor with triple digit credit hours in anatomy of movement, the circulatory, respiratory, and autonomic nervous systems, tells them about the studies on yoga.
"Research shows that when patients hear they have breast cancer there is an abundance of intrusive thoughts. These prolonged thoughts may create sleep disturbances, psychological stress, and an elevation in stress hormones. But when patients embrace a steady yoga practice, along with standard care, these symptoms will decrease."
The philosopher in Diana goes on to talk about other things - her last trip to India to see her guru, who she calls her spiritual mother. She talks about being dunked and blessed in the Ganges River, visiting the Taj Mahal, and she shares some deep thoughts.
"What we have versus what they have not in India is so different. They are accepting of their lot. It's a good thing to be more accepting and less wanting for our happiness," she says, more to teach what intrigues her than to pass judgment. She can't stress enough that peace of mind is big to healing.
For more on breastcancer yoga, or to learn about Diana's Restorative Breast Cancer book, you can visit her site: http://www.breastcanceryoga.com/. The book has 300 poses with a listing of benefits, contraindications, and easy instructions.
You can find other restorative yoga books at : http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=restorative+yoga+books&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=3649212797&ref=pd_sl_252e0w2zfw_eRestorative Yoga Research:
http://blogs.yogajournal.com/yogabuzz/2009/02/restorative-yoga-helps-cancer-patients.html
If you get a chance, will you visit my site where I've posted this and other "c" stories?
http://www.1uponcancer.com/0
