Showing posts with label Organic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organic. Show all posts

Benefiting from Holistic Treatments


Aside from breast cancer, there are also patients suffering from another disease that are benefitting from an adequate, raw diet and active lifestyle. With mesothelioma, we have a disease that benefits greatly from holistic, alternative treatments when some traditional treatments have been proven ineffective. Like patients suffering from breast cancer, those exhibiting mesothelioma symptoms have also found tremendous benefits by supporting the body’s natural ability to heal and fight disease by adopting treatments that improve energy, attitude and nutrition. By taking into account all aspects of their health, those diagnosed with a difficult disease can find effective treatments by adopting a new course of health management that does not focus on the presence of cancer to the exclusion of other important issues.

Although mesothelioma is not a disease proven to be brought on by poor nutrition, the diet of a patient is an important aspect of battling the disease. As noted, a good diet will likely not prevent cancer from occurring; however there are undoubtedly a great number of positives to a patient that is living on a raw diet.

For a mesothelioma patient, fresh fruits and vegetables should be the bulk of the diet, as well as buying only organic foods and taking in fluids that are generally high in vitamins such as certain juices. This will not only help the patient’s body to function properly, but also in fighting the diseases. The intake of these types of food will also help the body get antioxidants, which can be of great assistance in avoiding diseases and maintaining good health. These antioxidants get into the body and prevent oxidation of other molecules, working as a scavenger to help remove free radicals that can sometimes destroy our cell structure.

One of the most important factors in this disease is the latency period. This is the gap between when the patient is first exposed to asbestos fibers and the time of development of the disease. This period can sometimes be one of the longest as far as diseases go and last for nearly fifty years. During this time, symptoms of the disease may not be seen for decades after exposure.

This period is important because diagnosis can often be confused with other diseases and be relatively unfamiliar to patients. Living a positive and active lifestyle can be a huge factor in the morale and outlook for many different patients, but specifically important when it comes to those diagnosed with mesothelioma. As you can see, it can be just as much as a mental struggle as a physical struggle.

This is another reason that a raw diet can be particularly crucial and beneficial, as overcoming the latency period is a primary factor in mesothelioma life expectancy. Health and nutrition are also playing a large part in the treatment of these patients. Other main factors are quite common in overall health, such as age, type of mesothelioma, and smoking. Smoking is a key, as it can reduce life expectancy even in cases of people with good general health.

With some high intensity treatments being introduced to help fight the disease, both nutrition and overall health are also very important in the sense that without either, the ability to receive the best treatment is impossible. This is where maintaining a physical and active lifestyle during the latency period is also a key. With many patients being diagnosed at an older age, strength is often an issue when it comes to treatment. With a number of new treatments, coupled with a rise in overall life expectancy in the next twenty years, doctors are hoping to improve the outlook for patients.

Through this we can learn that a good, raw diet and active lifestyle is doing wonders to not only help patients of specific diseases such as breast cancer, but is also helping victims of other diseases improve their life expectancy and overall health.


- By Guest Blogger, Krista Peterson
Krista is an aspiring writer from the University of Central Florida. She is a Health & Safety Advocate with a passion for the health and wellness of others, and uses her writings to spread awareness of such issues. Krista can be reached via email at: krista.peterson925@gmail.com


My Guest Post on Kris Carr's Site Today!



Hey everyone! I am the Guest Blogger on Kris Carr's site today and would LOVE it if you would stop by, give it a read, and leave a comment there too!! YAY!



CLICK HERE - The Quick and Easy Way I Helped My Kid Cut Dairy | Crazy Sexy Life

Photo credit: Dov Harrington

The Organic Alternative

Paul Grebliunas / Getty Images
Read the TIME article here - The Organic Alternative

The picture of this farmer spraying pesticide on strawberries should be alarming to us all.....this is what you are ingesting unless you are buying organic. They are suggesting in the article that you can really wash your produce well....but, what about the pesticide that the plant absorbs??

Yes, dear friends, you are ingesting that too....

GREEN DRINKS!


I have been asked over and over what my current daily drinks consists of, so I thought I would go ahead and get back into posting a bit on my blog. Please know that I am leaving all the previous posts on this blog concerning my various daily regimens over the past 3 years, but none of them mirror what I do now, after my Hippocrates Health Institute visit in November 2009.

So, here is my daily green juice regimen - 3 green drinks a day. Also, at least 1 wheatgrass shot a day (should be 2).

One green drink in the morning (simple):

12-16 oz cucumbers
very alkalizing

Two afternoon drinks:

12-16 oz each
Cucumbers, celery, garlic, ginger, and then whatever I have on hand like chard, broccoli, kale, etc - eventually I will get a twin gear juicer and will add sunflower sprouts. I also add green algae (E3Live) to the midday green juice.

Surprisingly, these take hunger away and really satisfy you! They are sooooo good for your body!

Slurp it up baby!

Graduation Day at Hippocrates!

Gretchen, Cindy, Tina (me) and Jane on November 27, 2009 at Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach FL.
What a life changing experience.

Parents at Hippocrates!

Mom and Dad come to visit me at HHI on November 21, 2009 - very nice!



A Typical Day (Menu) in the Life of Tina

Hello all you Wellness Warriors!

I have been asked quite frequently lately what a "regular days menu" looks like for me. I am honored at your requests and thank you so much for the lovely comments/emails I have been receiving lately. You are all very special for sharing/reaching out and I am very glad to share what I know works for me with you. I am thrilled to say that I am in excellent health and have been cancer free for over 2 years. See my earlier post here about some of the other changes I have incorporated into my new lifestyle (some of these have been tweaked a bit). I have never felt better in my life. Wellness is my daily goal in all that I do. It can be for you too - whether you are a cancer cowgirl/boy or not! Shouldn't all of us have the wellness goal to be healthy and happy for as long as possible?! I say YES!

Please remember that this is a typical day for me right now (warm weather). Also note that most, if not all, of what I eat is organic. See bottom of this post for more information about pesticides and the link to cancer and other health issues.

Morning:
Upon rising:
32 oz water with juice of 1 lemon / 1 tsp of MSM powder
4-6 oz wheatgrass (Sweet Wheat)
I take my supplements with my water - DIM, Calcium/Magnesium, B-Complex

Green smoothie in the a.m. - this concoction varies, but overall here is what it looks like lately:

  • 1 banana
  • 1 citrus (usually orange that I just cut skin off of and leave as much pith as possible)
  • 1 fresh or frozen dark berry (blueberry, strawberry, cherry, blackberry, raspberry) or a combination - usually 1/2 - 1 cup or so...I like frozen simply because it makes my drink cold
  • 1 green leafy item (large handful of spinach or 2-3 kale leaves generally)
  • 1- 1.5 Tbs flax oil
  • 1 tsp spirulina
  • 1.5 teas to 1 Tbsp coconut butter
  • Small handful of cacao nibs
  • Sometimes 1/2 cucumber
  • Sometimes 1-2 Tbsp brown rice protein powder (only rice product I intake)
If it tastes too green, add more water, 1/4 of lemon (skin included), or 1/2 cucumber. Again, this smoothie will vary with what I have on-hand, but above is pretty typical...today I did all those ingredients except the rice protein, and I also added some fresh strawberries and blueberries along with a little frozen mango. Keep trying new things! My smoothies are rarely identical day-to-day.

Workout:
Monday through Thursday I workout before lunch. This is usually cardio warm-up followed by strength training. I try to switch that up and do only yoga on Wednesday, but that is not static. I try to walk or do other activities Friday - Sunday.

Lunch:

  • Avocado
  • Tomato
  • Red or Yellow Pepper
  • Romaine Lettuce
  • Herby seasoning (can use Spike, etc)
  • Olive Oil /Balsamic or Braggs Vinaigrette
  • I either have a large salad or cut the veggies up and roll them in romaine leaves as a "wrap".

Snacks (I usually have 2-4 snacks daily, just depends on rest of day):

  • Almonds/Goji Berries
  • Apple
  • Carrots
  • Red Pepper
  • I try to have at least one cup of organic non-caff green tea each day - usually in the morning at work.
  • Sometimes I get on a real "salt snack" kick and when I do nothing feel more satisfying to me that a bowl of organic popcorn made with organic olive oil or coconut oil and Herby seasoning. It is my "vice" for "feel good" food. Now you know!!

Dinner:
I generally have a salad, blended soup, or zucchini "pasta" with spaghetti sauce.

Why Organic?
Eliminating foods that are non-organic is a good decision all the way around....here is a great article about "Why Organic?".

In addition to the wonderful reasons listed in that post, the one on top of the list for me personally is to reduce / eliminate the pesticide and chemicals that infiltrate my body. Most pesticides have the chemical structure of estrogen and, when ingested, provoke a weak estrogenic effect on our systems - add this to other provokers of estrogen in our body (plastics, etc), and it is a formula for disaster for anyone, but especially for men and women with estrogen positive cancers (like me) such as (most) breast and prostate cancers. Here is an interesting article about the connection of pesticides and cancer. There are a ton more...again, do your research and educate yourself!

Raw Food Meetup - November 2, 2008

What a great raw potluck at the Java Green Eco Cafe in DC!! We had great food and two demos -
one by Eve with her handy-dandy Vita-Mix,
and the other with Sandy doing Kefir!
Yummy stuff! Steph and Tina - I won the Door Prize (Sun Fire Salt)!

Fabulous Produce!


Eve with her wonderful presentation!

East Coast Raw Spirit Festival Meetup - October 22, 2008

This is me (Tina) with Happy Oasis, the and Chief Visionary Officer of Raw Spirit Festival. This meeting was to begin the process to bring a Raw Spirit Festival to the East Coast - YES, DC! - in August 2009. WOO-HOO!
Tina, Happy and Sunflower Pate on Endive (my creation!)


Organic Restaurant in Seattle

October 6, 2008 Well, this is me in my new t-shirt from One Lucky Duck (NY Establishment) at The Chaco Canyon Restaurant in Seattle. They have delicious food both for the raw foodist and not! Yummy stuff - ate 3 meals from here and 2 desserts from here!!

NYC Posse Meetup - September 28, 2008

Went to NYC for the Posse Meetup which included a kick-butt yoga class (wow, was that a sweaty one), a raw food lunch, and speaker Kris Carr (along with a book signing of her latest!). What a fabulous day - can't wait for the next one!
me and kris carr
me and jenny
janae and kris

tina at one lucky duck (raw food takeout)

Lifestyle Changes and Products Used

I am asking increasingly more what I eat and/or what products I use. After sending an email that was rather lengthy, I decided to simply post it here for any and all to peruse.

I use Dr. Bronners liquid soap in shower and pure organic coconut oil (food section) for afterwards as lotion. Sometimes I may use organic Sesame Oil.

I use Burt's Bees peppermint face soap.

I use Giovanni organic shampoo, conditioner and hair spray.

I use Crystal deodorant (roll-on, pink lid).

For face makeup, I use a brand called Real Purity for all face products - makeup and face lotion. I really like it and I like getting their little one dollar samples to try out. That is how I bought everything - trying a sample first. Once in a while I will use Logona or Burt's Bee lip stuff.

I use Seventh Generation detergent for laundry. I also use their dish soap and dishwasher liquid.

I use some of Mrs. Meyers cleaning products and a couple of Method products (wood floor stuff).

No candles anymore - other than an occasional tea candle. No bug spray, no air fresheners, no perfumes in house.

Bamboo cutting board and knife that is used exclusively for vegan products.

All organic fruit, veggies, seeds and nuts. All organic products period. All vegan.
Nothing out of a can. Nothing microwaved.
No wheat. No sugar. No sodas. No packaged/processed food with man-made ingredients. No caffeine. No heating/cooking of food at all.

No drugs. At all. No pain relievers, no aspirin. No nothing. THAT is another big reason I eat the way I do. I no longer suffer from sinus headaches (had severe ones on a weekly/daily basis). I no longer suffer from cramps. It is amazing.

Filtered water only. No plastic water bottles at all - filtered water from fridge into SIGG container. At work, I will obtain my water from the large water cooler containers.

Limit plastic as much as possible - I have bought a lot of glass containers. Even for work, I take almost exclusively glass.

Besides water, the first thing I intake every morning is an 8 oz wheatgrass drink (Sheldon Farms freeze dried organic).

Next, I drink a green smoothie every morning which includes:
1 green leafy item (large handful of spinach or 5-6 kale leaves generally)
1 cucumber if I have one
1 banana
1 citrus (usually orange that I just cut skin off of and leave as much pith as possible)
1 frozen dark berry (blueberry, strawberry, cherry, blackberry, raspberry) or a combination - usually 1/2 - 1 cup or so
Tbs flax oil
3 Tbs hemp seeds
1 tsp spirulina
Sometimes I add a Tbsp coconut butter and/or 1-2 Tbsp brown rice protein powder (only rice product I intake)
If it tastes too green, add more water, a bit of lemon juice, or more cucumber

On some workdays, I just started eating organic oatmeal with 2 Tbsp of ground flaxseed, with a few raisins and walnuts. I have experimented with other supplemental items in it, but am paring it down to just flaxseed, raisins and walnuts,

Lunch is generally either a salad, veggie wrap (either in romaine leaf or Ezekiel sprouted wrap), or sunflower seed pate with veggies or wrap.

After workout, I try to have a shake with a banana, water, agave syrup and 1 Tbsp of brown rice protein powder (only rice product I intake)

Snacks are either fruit or veggie - try to have it with a protein source (nuts, seeds, nut butter).

Dinner is generally a salad, blended soup, or zucchini "pasta" with spaghetti sauce.

I try to have at least one cup of organic non-caff green tea each day.

I try not to eat anything after 6pm, but that often slips past just a bit.

Water, water, water.

Strength training 3-4 times a week.
Cardio 3-5 times a week.

I know to some this may all sound difficult or stringent, but I am addicted to wellness so I find all of this a no-brainer!!

I have said it often and will repeat it here - if you were given a "magic pill" to feel, think and look better, wouldn't you take it? If the "magic pill" was simply just eating and drinking what your body needs and craves anyway doesn't that sound pretty easy? It really is.

Just take one day at a time and try it. Add a little more whole foods to your life each day.

You can do it. You will love it.

Eat your veggies baby!
Tina

Cafe Gratitude

I recently came across a recommendation for a book called I Am Grateful by Terces Engelhart and Orchid. Wow, what a great book and insight into the lifestyle of the abundant couple, Terces and Matthew. This book includes recipes from their San Francisco based cafes, along with lifestyle tidbits. I love the names of the dishes on their menu and in the book, such as "I Am Passionate", I Am Ravishing", and "I Am Grace". Isn't that fabulous? When you order your food in the restaurant you ask for them by this name and when your server brings them to you they proclaim as the are sitting down your desired dish that "You Are Passionate", "You Are Ravishing", and "You Are Grace". I love that.

Prior to the epiphany of the cafe concept, they came up with a board game called The Abounding River that, based on my reading, explores the mind/eye opening experience of how abundant we all really are. They also have a workbook to further encourage that way of thinking, and ultimately of living that lifestyle. The illustrations throughout the game, workbook,and their cafes are by artist Frank Riccio and are awesome. After developing the board game and book, the idea came to Terces and Matthew to open a cafe serving plant based foods that would continue to uplift and inspire, and from what I have seen, I think they have succeeded. It is uplifting to read about it all in their book and on their website: www.cafegratitude.com.

They have several awesome cafes in the San Francisco area, which just makes me want to go out there for a raw cuisine visit even more. My mouth waters as I read through the recipes - "I am Hoping" to be able to enjoy their abundance in the future. Thanks to two more people striving to make a positive impact in the world!

St. Patrick's Day Wishes and Otherwise

Happy (early) St. Patty's Day!

Waking (late) on this glorious Sunday morning! My smoothie this morning was fresh young coconut water (right from the shell), 2 fresh organic mangoes, frozen organic strawberries and raspberries, 4 Tbs hemp protein powder, whole vanilla bean, and an organic banana! Yum, keeps me going for hours! Lunch was a superb kale salad with red peppers and pine nuts doused in lemon, olive oil, and sea salt (left over from the annual St Patty's Day party last night!) - yummy!

Yesterday was my "official" one year anniversary. I meant to get up to the jewelers and get a a new Pandora Charm for myself, but time got away from me...perhaps tomorrow!

Here's to another exceptionally green St. Patrick's Day to all!
Tina

February 2008 Cruise....More!

Here is my morning smoothie maker/angel! Thanks Ruth for taking care of me even with all the weird stares! Also, so glad you tasted it the last day and decided to make it your morning drink too!

This is Antonio from Portugal, my head waiter. Thanks to him I enjoyed raw cuisine nights 2-6 no matter where we ate on the boat!! I even met in person with the Sous Chef and was told that I was THE FIRST raw foodist they had experienced. The last two nights were superb. Also gazpacho and the green salad each night were yummy! Here I am with my raw California Rolls! I think they will remember me too. Thanks to my hubby for making sure I was taken care of too....it would have been a very different cruise experience without his love and perserverance.

January 24, 2008

Went to Denver this week and ate at Organic Orbit in Boulder. YUMMY! They have a cooked menu and a raw menu - what a treat!!! Above is a picture of me out in front of the restaurant with Riley's "Baby Blue Bear" (that is the bear's name).
It was so great to order off a menu and eat raw in a nice restaurant! Link is listed in right margin.
Exquisite!
This is a picture of a funky place I went to in Denver to eat lunch, unfortunately, it was closed down just the week prior to my visit! Oh well, I loved the exterior paint job so I had to take a photo!

Thursday, Jan 17, 2008


Just got back from Alaska and it was COLD! Yikes.

Anyway, it was interesting to eat at a raw, organic food restaurant in Seattle - very good! The pizza was delicious and I hope to be able to recreate it at home. I also had carrot cake that was good too. The restaurant was called Chaco Canyon and I will put their link at right.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

My raw, organic, vegan food journey has been rather amazing. Many people (imagine that) are taken aback by the concept of it, but I must admit there is a lot of curiosity. If folks ask, I am more than happy to talk about it...but I start with small increments to determine if they are really interested. It is a lot of overwhelming stuff and very difficult for some people to imagine, and I understand that. There are many resources to start a slow transition to this way of eating - or just to simply includes more fruits and veggies into anyone's diet! Every single one of us can benefit from more fresh, organic produce everyday - I wish for each of you to try adding a couple more servings in your life daily...

The food is amazing - I love the new gazpacho and mediterrean hummus I make. Also, some of the veggie wraps are awesome! I cannot begin to describe the energy and overall feeling I have after practicing this for almost 3 months. I am (still) not experiencing any headaches (used to have severe sinus issues 3-5 times a week), still have not had a single menstrual cramp, and only felt very tired for one day when I (guess) I came down with the flu that had those around me out (very ill) for 2-4 days. Everyday I know that I am feeding myself the best, most nutritious food available. My food is my healing medicine, my energy, and it is sooooo exciting!

I have recently found a new market here locally called My Organic Market, or MOM, which is incredible. They also price match, so guess what?? They are better than Whole Foods, or any of the little funky health food places I frequent. The closest one is actually not far from work (or from where I lived for 5 years) so I can make it there with some pre-planning.

Well, that's it for organic thought for now...Happy Holidays!!

To your health, Tina

Thursday, December 13, 2007


Too funny is all I can say about this one!

I like this photo for many reasons - Debbie's nails, adorable towel, etc - but note the clear skin and all natural make-up/personal products (and this "face" was about 16 hours old!). Eating raw, organic vegan foods has made such a big difference - you REALLY are what you eat!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Food Shopping is now one of our regular family outings! We have been driving to various spots around Northern Virginia in search of whole, organic and "raw" foods. It is quite a fun journey!!


Here we just got home from finding my newest organic hot spot - it is called My Organic Market (MOM). I am very happy to find another awesome venue to feed myself and my family the best food offered to us. Riley was happy that chocolate chip cookies by Ian were one of our newest discoveries! What a smile that is!