Wednesday, February 27, 2013

CANCER. The (AMENDED) Truth Everyone Needs To Read

Okay- I'm amending this, based on some new information.  Amendments hi-lighted

So, I found out yesterday, that a friend of mine has skin cancer.  During the course of our conversation, I told her I wanted to put her on a diet.  Now, before you go slapping my hand, know that I was not referring to her weight- not at all.

Through my time of researching and looking in to health and wellness, I've learned much about how your body functions, and the tremendous role diet and lifestyle play in our overall health- and not just our weight.

That being said, I explained to her a little about some ideas I had for her, and then I saw this, this morning, on Facebook.  This is not my literature.  I borrowed it directly from a site called Rockin' Wellness on Facebook, who, I believe, posted it, courtesy of Johns Hopkins (SEE BELOW FOR THIS CORRECTION)...  just so there's no confusion.  :)

***A friend showed me that this was, in fact, NOT courtesy of Johns Hopkins.  I apologize for any misconception or misunderstanding.  HOWEVER, I do not feel that the information is completely false.  I will say here, what I said on Facebook-   "There are about as many articles about this, as there are colors in the world. My best advice would be to pray through it, research it, and make the choice that you feel is best for you and your family. I know it's frustrating to read one thing and then to read another and another... and they are all opposing opinions. But thankfully, we are a people who depend on a God who can guide us in truth and in decision making- like this- not on silly bloggers, like myself."  

That being said- this is not necessarily the whole TRUTH about cancer, or the complete guide to healing cancer.  This is just a passionate opinion.  I’m sorry if I’ve offended anyone- that was absolutely not my intent.  Again- this is just my blog, not the New England Journal of Medicine.  Take it for what it's worth, , and nothing more.  Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer:  I am NOT a doctor, or a nutritionist ..  or a scientist (I actually failed science one year).  I am merely a woman (a mother, a daughter, a wife, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a friend), impassioned with the information I've learned, who wants to encourage others to learn the truth and to be free to live the life they were created to live- and not be bound by issues with weight, health and wellness.  As with any major health changes and choices you make, you should always consult your health professional before making and major decisions.

That being said, this is a little long, but trust me when I say it's well worth your time....  read on!



"LATEST CANCER INFORMATIONfrom Johns Hopkins
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY …


1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.


11. An effective way to battle cancer is to STARVE the cancer cells by not feeding it with foods it needs to multiple.

What cancer cells feed on:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Note: Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.


b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells will starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes t o nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells.

To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water--best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines will become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.

Anger, unforgiving and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

(PLEASE SHARE IT TO PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT)" - The Natural Way


Monday, February 25, 2013

LINK FIXED- FOLLOW AWAY!

Not that I'm begging for followers, or subscribers, or whatever they're called..  I actually detest the word "followers" because I don't want people to follow ME.  But I was reminded today that some people would prefer for these blogs to be sent to their e-mails and not have to check the website for new posts/ updates.  

I know the link was previous not working, so I checked it out and I think it's finally up and running.  

That's tech-awesomeness, right there!  (I'm so kidding...)

That being said if you would like to receive the posts in your inbox, rather than having to check the site for posts, please feel free to subscribe.  I tried to make this one simple- because I know none of us has a ton of time to do these things...  And it really doesn't affect me, one way or the other if you subscribe.  I just wanted to make sure that you knew the option was available- since several had asked.

So IF you'd like, simply type in your e-mail to "Follow by e-mail" and then follow the prompts.  I believe you can also sign up to follow on Google +, if that's your preference.

Now, back to my workout...

The Fat Girl,
Slim

It's Swimsuit Season!

Okay, folks.

It's officially swimsuit season... and shorts season.  *heavy sigh*

I'm amused that this post follows the post on Girl Scout Cookies...  it's somewhat like when I pin a really unhealthy recipe on Pinterest, and then I feel guilty, so I pin a really inspiring pin on working out...

But I digress.

I'd so prefer to hide beneath my long sleeves and layers.  When I'm covered up, people don't see:
a.- How white I really am and
b.- That I'm not quite to my goal.

However...  this IS Texas, and temperatures will reach in to the 100s in no time, so we need to consider preparing for the weather.

Because, trust me- trying to wear sweaters and jeans all summer might sound cool in your mind, but it will only leave you with a heat stroke and leave people wondering about your mental status...  (I may or may not have learned this lesson the hard way.  Don't judge...)

I know- some people are looking at blizzards.  I'm in Texas, so we could see a blizzard next week.  But at the moment, I'm staring outside at the beautiful sunshine and the upcoming potential to go from bright white... (really, almost blue)- to ivory... and eventually to beige and then by August, a nice, golden tan.

I love the sun.  I love to swim.  I love to sunbathe.

However...

I DO NOT love shopping for swimsuits.  And I imagine, if you are reading this blog, that I am likely not alone.  Shopping for swimsuits isn't fun for most people- even if you're vain.  Because, even then, I'm pretty sure that although you might not hyperventilate at the thought of cramming parts of yourself into multi-colored lycra just so you can go jump in a large body of water, trying to find just the right suit to fit your body is no day at the park.

I remember when your choice was simply a one piece or a two piece.  Now there are as many different types of suits as there are types of shoes!  The thought of finding just that right balance between not showing too much, and not looking like a nun... that's enough to make a person have a mild panic attack and run for the pantry.

Never-the-less, here we are.

So what shall we do about this?

Well, we could all invest in those Miracle Suits...  you know- the ones that hold in everything you ever had... and then some?    Or perhaps we could buy some cute cover-ups and never get in the water.  Or maybe we could lay, all day, out by the pool at just the right angle to ensure our "fluff" is sunken in to our lawn chairs?  And then pass out from heat stroke....  right?

Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....  we could get our butts in gear and work off some of that holiday lovin' that left its mark around our waistlines, our buns, or our thighs...

That's right girl... or guy?

It's time to get up off of the sofa.  Stop reading tons of blogs about how to lose weight.  Stop hanging out on Pinterest, PINNING websites about how to lose weight, right next to websites about gourmet junk food.  Instead of wishing that you could get up and lose the weight, or dreaming about the day you will, DO IT!

Don't waste another minute.

If running is your thing, no excuses.  Get up and get moving.

If swimming is your thing (as it is mine), get in a pool (preferably heated) and go to work!

I've fallen in love with a 12- minute work out that you can do from home.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.  So if you aren't quite ready to hit the trails, or maybe you can't afford the time or the dough to hit the Y, look in to this video.  It will kick your butt in ways BODY PUMP only ever dreamed of- and it seriously only takes 12 minutes!!!

My workout today is this:

12 minute abs (because I'm convinced they are under there... somewhere)
12 minute legs (because I WILL wear shorts with confidence)
&
12 minute core (because I've spent way too much time chillaxin' and it's time to get my core where it needs to be.)
(And maybe...  if I can still function...  12 minute arms.... maybe)

Honestly- I can tell you that I may not be able to walk Wednesday, but it's the kind of soreness I've earned, so it's worth it!

Seriously- if I can do it, you can do it.  NO EXCUSES.

Commit to thirty minutes.  Today.  Right now.

Reward yourself when you are done- perhaps a hot soak in the bath, or a whey smoothie...  Just focus on the goal ahead, and not the road you must travel to get there.  Every step you take puts that much more of the road behind you.  So get up, and get going!  Jump in with both feet!

I'll meet you at the finish line!

The Fat Girl,
Slim

Thursday, February 21, 2013

IT'S GIRL SCOUT COOKIE TIME!!

Okay, folks.

It's Girl Scout Cookie time!  Woohooo!  Oh... wait. Crap.  I forgot... I don't eat them anymore.

Thankfully, my daughter isn't a girl scout.

Unfortunately, GS Cookies are like crack in my house (no, seriously.  That's actually a photo of me.)

We used to buy GS cookies by the case.  Then, we miiiiiiiiiiiiight share some with the kids (on rare occasions), but inevitably, what would end up happening, is that my husband (also known as my supplier, or my enabler... my crack dealer) would sneak a box in to our room to share while we watched a movie at bedtime.

And we would eat them.

All.

As in, all of the boxes in the crate... within about 3 days.

And no, I never actually wondered how I got to 307 pounds...  I occasionally drool when recalling to mind some of the awesome details.

But I digress.

My point is that those stinking cookies will be there, taunting me, calling out to me with their caramel, chocolate, coco-nutty, thin-minty goodness every single time I walk in to the store for the next month-ish.

I know I'm not strong enough to resist the temptation on my own.  I mean, it's for a good cause, right?

Focus, Christi...

I need to remember the better cause- my health.

I mean, look at the ingredients:


If I want to stay clean, I know I need to avoid the crack.  Otherwise, I know it will just be a downward spiral and I'll find myself in a GS cookie coma, in desperate need of rehab.

So here it is, accountability partners.  No cookies.  None.  I will not buy one box- no matter how they beg with their cute little boxes and caramel coloring.

Instead, I have challenged myself to come up with a fun and delicious alternative- perhaps a paleo version of one of my cookie favs?

Sugar-free, grain-free, dairy-free...  but it wouldn't necessarily be taste-free, right?

Consider yourself invited to participate in the challenge!

The winner will have their recipe published here on the blog, and on Pinterest.  They will also win exclusive bragging rights- which, in my house, is worth more than gold.

So bring it, girl scouts.  I. Got. This.

It's on!

-The former cookie monster

a.k.a

The Fat Girl,
Slim

Public Service

I have to share this just because....  it's totally not true, nor how I actually feel, but it totally made me laugh so I thought I'd share the smiles.


Inspiration


I thought I'd share this with you today, courtesy of Pinterest....


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

ACCOUNTABILITY. Day 1... again.

I know it's been a while since my last post.

In part, this is because I've had sick children, and was a bit sick myself.  But mostly, I suspect I haven't written, because I recognized that if I were to continue writing, I would be accountable to you.... and I didn't want that...

Because...  I don't know why.  I guess it's because I only had three pounds to lose.

I know.  I sound insane.

Not three pounds total, but three pounds until I reached that initial goal of losing 100 pounds.

So why not keep sharing?

I told you I started out at 307.  Well, I've been teetering around 210 for over a month now.  I don't get on the scale every day, but I know when I'm actively trying to lose weight, and when I am not.  And something inside of me seems to be preventing me from actually hitting that milestone.

I can see that mile marker.  It's literally spitting distance in front of me... and I choke.  Almost, as if on purpose, I sabotage myself.  I quit moving forward.  I don't move backwards, but I don't work towards progress.  I wonder, sometimes, if perhaps there is a deep down feeling of unworthiness?  Like, perhaps I don't feel like I'm "good enough" to reach that first goal.  Or perhaps I'm afraid of success...  afraid that once I reach that goal, the other shoe will drop and I won't be able to keep moving forward (as has been my previous experience).

Whatever the hindrance, I've had enough.  I can no longer accept the compliments and encouragement of well-wishing friends, knowing that I'm purposefully sabotaging any future progress.

So, that being said- I'm writing again.

Because I need the accountability.


Because I need to believe that I CAN AND WILL reach this first goal, and continue thriving, growing healthier and closer to my goals with each day that passes.

I refuse to give up.  I refuse to stay where I am any longer.  Today is the first day of the rest of my life... and I won't waste one more second trying to prevent myself from becoming the woman God intended me to be- health and all.

So thanks for reading.  Without you, I'd have no accountability.

I told you- in it with you.  We'll get there, friend!