Bad Fats vs Good Fats: Let the Truth be Told!

Who amongst you still believes that fat is a bad thing? I wrote a Blog, a while back, called “Are You a Good Fat, or a Bad Fat?”, you can read that, here. The more research I’ve done on this subject, the more information I soak up!

Backstory…

When the Food Guide Pyramid was introduced by the USDA, back in 1992, the government instructed us to limit our fat intake to 30% of total calorie intake. The pyramid looked like this…

The USDA has demonized fat for decades…it’s bad for us, they say; and they haven't distinguished between good fats and bad fats, until recently.

This handy little guide of theirs tell us that in order to have a balanced diet, we should focus more attention on carbs (breads, cereals, rice, pasta, etc), eating 6-11 servings per day; our focus on fruits and veggies should be to eat only 3-5 servings of veggies and 2-4 servings of fruit per day. Apparently, they’re not as important as the bread and cereal group. The next level of the pyramid tells us we should only eat 2-3 servings of meat and dairy, per day; meat and dairy are high in fat, so we should limit our intake.

And the top of the pyramid is where fats are featured….fats, oils and sweets, to be exact. Now, limiting your intake of sweets is a stellar idea! Sweets aren’t healthy, at all. But, fats aren't as bad as they'd like for us to think.

The Food Guide Pyramid, has taken on a few changes, through the years; it looked like this, in 2005, and was called MyPyramid:

In this version, the USDA tells us to balance a healthy diet with exercise; but, do you notice that the grains group is still the biggest section, and the fats group (the little yellow stripe) isn’t mentioned at all?

Here’s the latest transformation…it’s called Choose MyPlate. It’s a much more balanced eating structure, aside from one minor detail…

Do you see it?? Where did the fat go? Now, it is true that you get a certain amount of fats from all the other food groups, but not enough to keep our bodies in good shape! On their website, they explain that avocados and olives are part of the vegetable group (technically they're both fruits), and nuts/seeds are part of the protein group.

But, let’s get serious for a minute…how many people out there consider avocados and olives, when talking about fats? Or, the fact that nuts and seeds have protein in them? Trust me, the USDA considered that when they created the pyramid.

The website also states, “Soft margarine, mayonnaise, and salad dressings are mainly oil and are not considered to be part of any food group.” It’s true…they’re not foods; they’re condiments! Margarine should never be consumed, in the first place; I touched on that topic, in this Blog post.

Sidebar – processed carbs (cereal, bread, pasta, etc) aren’t any better for the body than margarine. You can get all the carbs your body needs by upping your intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

I digress…why has the USDA demonized fats, and favored processed carbs, so much?? I think Dr. Pealmutter explains why we need to eat more fats, quite well, in this video.

But, there is a huge difference between fats and fats….good fats (saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) and Trans-fats. Trans-fats will raise your LDL cholesterol (the bad one); it also causes heart disease, strokes, and Type 2 Diabetes.

It is commonly found in fast food, fried foods, donuts, pastries, and snack foods like cookies and chips; but, it can also be found in any processed food that contains hydrogenated (or partially hydrogenated) oils...things like crackers, pretzels, cake mixes, microwave popcorn, pizza, etc. Any oil that is hydrogenated, or partially hydrogenated, is a trans-fat and should be avoided at all cost!

Anything you’re eating, if the box, bag, jar, or package says “0 Trans Fats!” check the Ingredients list; look for the oils…Big Food is sneaky, when it comes to disclosing whether or not the oils in foods are hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated. If there’s any oil in the processed food you’re eating, it’s most likely a Trans-fat.

Within the past 30 years or so, the amount of calories we’ve consumed from fats has fallen to around 30%, while obesity has doubled; and heart disease remains this country’s number one killer.

I can't stress this enough...our bodies need saturated fats to function properly; as previously mentioned in Dr. Pearlmutter’s video, saturated fats are good for cognitive brain function; saturated fats also keep us at a healthier weight.

The more we limit fats from our daily nutrient intake, the more people end up with heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and a host of other health concerns....but that's good business for Big Pharma, because they've got a pill for every ailment our bodies develop!

Here are some more benefits to eating saturated fats:

• Saturated fat encourages the liver cells to dump their fat cells, which helps the liver to function more effectively. It has also been shown to protect the liver from alcohol and medications, including acetaminophen and other drugs commonly used for pain and arthritis.
• Saturated fatty acids, especially the kinds found in butter and coconut, help white blood cells to recognize and destroy invading viruses and bacteria.
• Saturated fat is required for calcium to be effectively incorporated into our bones.
• In order for our lungs to function properly, the air spaces have to be coated with a thin layer of something called “lung surfactant”; 100% of this surfactant is saturated fatty acids.
• A diet that limits saturated fatty acid intake robs the brain of the ability to function properly; the human brain is made up of fat and cholesterol, and the majority to fats in the brain are saturated.
• Limited amounts of saturated fats, in your daily diet, also limit your body’s ability to fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi; our immune systems rely on saturated fatty acids to keep the T-cells (white blood cells) in working order.

But, not all saturated fats are equal…dairy, eggs, and meat all have saturated fats in them; but so do nuts and seeds. If you’re an omnivore, you’ll want to buy grass-fed dairy and meats; and only eat eggs that are laid by backyard (free-range, cage-free) hens. this way, you'll be getting the most nutrient-dense animal products.

The lion’s share of eggs we buy, at the grocery store, come from factory farmed hens. Imagine stuffing 25 live chickens into a shopping cart, cutting their beaks off, and only cleaning their “cage” once a year. Their eggs are nutrient deficient, high in cholesterol, and candidates for E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter which are found in the hens, themselves. I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll pass on the store-bought eggs!

The same with factory farmed meats…they're all nutrient deficient, and disease-prone. You’ll be better off buying free-range, grass-fed, organic meats and dairy products.

Grass-fed meats are higher in Omega-3s, which are considered “good fats”; the folks at eatWILD.com discuss the health benefits of eating grass-fed meat, eggs and dairy on their website. In the left hand corner, you’ll find a link titled “Shop for Local Grassfed Meat, Eggs and Dairy”, which will lead you to a clickable map where you can find local farms to buy your grass-fed products.

If you choose to be vegetarian or vegan, a great way to get an adequate amount of good fats into your diet is by eating nuts and seeds; the VeganHealth.org website has a couple of very good tables, listing the different plant-based foods that are rich in SFAs (saturated fatty acids), MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) and PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids). However, it is important to remember that too much fat is a bad thing, even when it comes from healthy sources; so make sure to incorporate tons of fruits, veggies, beans, and legumes with your nuts and seeds. And always buy organic, and non-GMO, when you can!

So, go ahead and enjoy food; eat an abundance of healthy foods....omitting the unhealthy foods, altogether.

And have a blessed day!!

URGENT MESSAGE...PLEASE READ!!!

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NLT)

This Blog highlights a few points that I've learned upon watching the docu-series, The Truth about Cancer: A Global Quest. I thought I had learned a lot, since beginning my own cancer journey...but this docu-series blew my mind!! Let me share some of what I've learned...

1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will get cancer, sometime in their life. Ok...wait; half of the male population, and 1/3 of the female population...of the world...will get cancer?? That's insane!!

Mainstream medicine is only given 1 hour of education on nutrition. The word “doctor” actually means…teacher.

“One of the first duties of a physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine.”  ~ William Osler (one of the founding professors of Johns Hopkins Medical Center)

Mainstream medical professionals, today, get taught to prescribe medications…not to educate their patients on ways to keep themselves healthy.

Over a century ago the Carnegie and Rockefeller foundations engineered the curriculum of medical schools through grants and donations (The Flexner Report – 1910). When the money is coming from a source which has a vested interest in the outcome, the outcome will be what the donor wants it to be.

There used to be homeopathic medical schools, as well as conventional medical schools, about a century ago; but, the Carnegie's and the Rockefeller's were interested in establishing a “one size fits all” system. The natural health colleges weren’t putting enough emphasis on patented drugs and pharmaceuticals, which were being manufactured by Big Pharma; and, all Big Pharma companies are funded by the Carnegie and Rockefeller corporations. Do you smell a rat??

They convinced the American Medical Association to begin shutting down those colleges; and as soon as the AMA began to target the homeopathic colleges, the Carnegie and Rockefeller corporations began to shower billions of dollars on the colleges that taught drug-intensive curriculum. Upon distributing those generous donations, these corporations would place staff members on the college’s Boards of Directors to assure that their donations were being used “properly”; these new members continued to be on the payroll of those corporations, as well.

Unfortunately, money talks quite loudly. Once the new Board Members were in place, the curriculum that was being taught was drastically shifted in the direction of pharmaceuticals….no more lessons on the health and well-being of the patient. And the colleges/universities that were given the highest donations turned out the most highly recognized doctors. This is not a coincidence, folks.

By 1925, over 10,000 herbalists were out of business. By 1940, over 1,500 chiropractors would be prosecuted…the charge was practicing quackery. The 22 homeopathic practitioners in 1900, dwindled down to just 2, by 1923. By 1950, all the schools teaching homeopathy were closed. And it was well-known that if a physician did not graduate from a Flexner-approved medical school, they couldn’t find a job…anywhere.

Most mainstream doctors today don’t realize that the medical school they graduated from is nothing more than Big Pharma’s lap dog…because they don’t understand this history; it's conveniently left out of the curriculum. Now, the only approved treatments are those that are created by Big Pharma; if anyone tries to find alternative treatments, their insurance companies deny them coverage.

Disease is nothing more than a marketplace, and the present day healthcare industry was built on that one, simple premise. The success of this business model hinges solely on the continuation and spreading of present day diseases, and the creation of new ones. Without those two directions, the medical establishment would go belly-up.

In 1913, the American Medical Association developed an internal department that they called the “propaganda department”; its main goal was to eliminate quacks…which was anyone who didn’t line up with Big Pharma’s agenda. What is “quackery”, anyway??

George Washington died as a result of blood-letting, which was an approved treatment back in that day. Ignaz Semmelweis (July 1, 1818 – August 13, 1865) was the first person to suggest that doctors wash their hands before performing surgery; he was labeled a quack, ridiculed by his colleagues (they considered his findings improbable and unscientific), and eventually went mad! Now, hand washing is standard protocol for surgeons.

And, nowadays, any doctor who does not prescribe chemotherapy to a cancer patient is also considered a quack.

Chemotherapy was first discovered in the early 1940s because in Italy, nitrogen mustard gas was dropped from aircraft to destroy the enemy; during autopsies, it was discovered that the lymphocytes of those men were drastically decreased. Someone then got the bright idea to create a synthetic drug that acts much the same way as the mustard gas, to treat cancer patients.

Did you know that 90% of Oncologists today would never prescribe any chemotherapy drug for their own families, or for themselves? But, they’ll jump at the chance to prescribe it for us.

In 1971, President Nixon declared a war on cancer; but we’re not any closer to winning that war now, than we were back then. One of the reasons this war continues is because of the money that can be made by Big Pharma; chemo drugs not only kill cancer cells, they kill healthy cells as well. This makes recovery that much more difficult, resulting in the prescribing of more drugs and more chemo, as the patient lives on. Most cancer patients die from chemotherapy poisoning, before their cancer can kill them. And most chemo drugs CAUSE cancer, in other parts of the body.

Tamoxifen is the #1 drug prescribed to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer; it has been labeled a carcinogen by the WorldHealth Organization and the American Cancer Society. Nobody ever talks about that, before prescribing it; I only found out, after I began taking it…I did some homework.

By 2020, more than half of all cancer cases will be medically induced, because of drugs or radiation. That means that the medical establishment, itself, will soon become the leading cause of cancer in America.

Cancer doesn’t kill…the complications from it are what kills people. Liver failure, sepsis, kidney failure, pneumonia, etc. will be what kills the cancer patient…and only after that patient is exposed to chemo and radiation treatments.

About 97% of patients who are given chemo die within 5 years, says the 2004 edition of The Journal of Oncology. Chemo is NOT your only chance…that’s a lie!!

The folks who blend the chemotherapy drugs have to wear what resembles a HazMat suit, because the chemicals they're handling are TOXIC!! Why do we allow them to put that stuff inside us, if they’re not even allowed to come in contact with it, while they mix it up??

Hippocrates said this....

He's known as the founder of medicine; Hippocratic medicine treated the patient, and not just the disease. Today, that's known as Functional Medicine.

The Truth about Cancer: A Global Quest discusses several methods of Functional Medicine in treating and beating cancer.

I’ve learned SO much, thanks to this docu-series! We’ve all been lied to, at the expense of our health; it’s time to learn the truth!!

This docu-series is full of survivor stories, and information from experts who are aware of the truth. These experts are putting their careers on the line to bring the truth out into the open; some of them are even risking losing their license to practice medicine, just so everyone can learn the truth.

Here is the link to purchase this docu-series; trust me, it's an investment you won't regret making!!

If you'd like to own the Extended Edition, click here.

Please consider purchasing this docu-series...every one of us deserves to know the truth! It's time to take the bull by the horns are eliminate cancer, once and for all!!

HAPPY 2015!! New Year....new Blog post!!

Hi, again! My loves, I realize that it’s been several months since my last blog entry...I’m terribly sorry; I developed a severe case of writer's block, and could not pull out of it! As I’m writing this, it’s 4:07am (EST), New Year's Day.

On with the updates! I finally moved out of my sister and brother-in-law’s house....I have a tiny apartment in Knoxville, TN, now! Here are a few pictures...

Yes, my kitchen really IS that small! LOL! It’s perfect, though....just the right size for me! I've met some of my neighbors, and they seem to be pretty decent folks. My oldest daughter took me on a tour of Knoxville, a few days before I headed to Atlanta, GA to spend Christmas and New Year’s with my youngest daughter and granddaughter; I've been having such a great time, with them....I'm planning on staying most of this month.

As many of you know, I had a recurrence, mid-year, last year. I believe it’s gone, again; but, I won’t know for sure, until I line up a new set of doctors, when I get back to Knoxville. My new Oncologist will need to run tests, to see what needs to be done, if anything. As of right now, I’m going to believe that I am cancer free, once again!

I moved on December 17, 2014, after my last course of chemo was done. Coincidentally, my new adventure began, the day the last Hobbit movie was released in theaters, world-wide! I've always said I’m a Hobbit at heart, so now I have a timeline to prove it! LOL!!

This is where my life, truly begins....it’s just me, myself and I, now. For the first time, in my life, I’m on my own! No one to keep an itinerary for; no one to keep mine for me, either. No one to hold me accountable, except me; it’s time to go next level!! I’m truly excited to see what God has in store for me, this year!

At this moment (4:20am EST) I seem to be running out of steam....I've only had 3 hours of sleep, tonight. Y’all won’t mind if I stop here, and get some more rest, would you? I’ll pick up again, when I get up, later! Good night!

7:54am – Ok....that’s better! Good morning, my loves!

Now, back to my blog. Getting better acquainted with my granddaughter has been such a joy; she felt comfortable with me, soon after I got here (Christmas Day) and has been steadily warming up to me, more and more, each day. Last night, we had a breakthrough moment!

Whenever she gets scolded for doing something she’s not supposed to do, she apologizes with a kiss; she doesn't quite have the vocabulary skills, to verbally apologize, yet. I've been allowing her to carry my cell phone around, and push the buttons (she likes technology); she can’t call anyone, because the keypad is locked, so I let her play with it. Well, last night, she threw it behind the bed. She’s being taught that there are things you’re allowed to throw, and things you’re not allowed to throw....cell phones are not to be thrown.

Mommy scolded her for throwing Grammy’s cell phone, and Alice went to give Mommy a kiss, to apologize; Mommy told her to apologize to me, instead, and brought her to me. I looked her square in the face, told her that what she did to my phone was not nice.....and she kissed me! It was magical!!

Alice likes to play a variation of hide-and-seek; she gets behind Mommy, in her blind spot, and Mommy says, “Where’s da baby?” Alice’s response to that question is to step out from behind Mommy with a big smile on her face....and Mommy is glad to see her (“There you are!!”)  She has included me in the game, now....while she’s hiding behind Mommy, she’ll peek around and look at me, as if to ask if she’s doing it right. I love it!! It’s fun to trick Mommy! LOL!!

"There you are!!" (sorry for the blur!)

This little person is too smart, for her own good, too! She can talk....she just doesn't; Mommy says Alice’s Daddy was like that, when he was a baby, too. One day, she’ll decide it’s time to speak her mind...until then, she communicates in other ways. She knows how to share things she has possession of, as well; she hands them to you, if she wants to share them. She can high-five, and fist bump, too; it’s hysterical! And, I love watching her make decisions...the look on her face is just precious.

Alice even likes to tease me....I call out her name (“Aaaaalice!”), and she answers back, “mmh-mmh” (translation – “no I’m not!”) She thinks she’s very clever, when she teases me, like that! We both get a kick out of it, too! LOL!!

When I get back to my apartment, I’m going to get a proper ID, sign up for assistance (Medicaid and Food Stamps) and get the ball rolling on my new medical team. I’m also planning on joining the YMCA, and looking into vegetarian meet-up groups, so I can get acquainted with like-minded people. Which means I'll have more content for the Blog!

For now, I'm enjoying spending time with my family. I hope you're having an enjoyable day, as well!! God bless you, all!

Update Time!

I really don’t want to do this....do I have to face tomorrow? *ugh*

Sorry, everyone....I've not been in the best of moods, lately. Tomorrow was supposed to be a special day; not that I was going to celebrate it, but knowing that I can't vs not wanting to, is different. Tomorrow would have been mine and my late husband’s anniversary. Having been estranged from him, for our anniversary, last year, it would have been no big deal to treat this one like it was just another day, same as last time. But, knowing that he’s gone....I find myself wishing I could celebrate it; or just talk to him.

So, here I go again, with the sadness and anger stages of grieving. To be honest, I feel like blowing up at someone (or hitting them), just to feel some kind of release. I don’t like feeling this way...I’m generally a very mild-mannered and loving person! So, feeling this way is very uncomfortable to me....but, I don’t know what to do with it!

I even noticed, yesterday, that I had been grazing on cheese corn. I only wanted a little bit of it...just a couple handfuls; but, I ended up eating much more than I should have. It’s an old habit of mine; I was an emotional eater, for the longest time. Back in the day, any time life got a little difficult I’d reach for whatever junk food I could get, and stuff my face, until I felt better. I can’t let myself do that, anymore!!

I think one of the biggest issues I’m facing is the fact that regardless of what had broken us up, through the years, we always found our way back to each other, eventually; he and I had been “on again, off again” for 24 years. And now that he’s dead, I have to get to the point where I’m at peace with the fact that that’s not going to happen, anymore.

Father God, please help me deal with this pain...I honestly don’t want to feel this way, anymore!!

~~~~~

In other, happier, news....

My youngest daughter will be turning 21, on Saturday; we’re both very excited about that! And, not only is my granddaughter crawling, now; she has her first two teeth...the bottom front teeth have come in!! I’m a very proud Mamma and Grammy!

I love how baby girl is gnawing on my Bolthouse Farms drink bottle!
We tried to get her to put it down, but she refused to give it up! LOL!

Oh, I've also joined a fitness club, called Forever Fitness 24. I started last week, with the goal of becoming strong enough to stand for 2 hrs or more, because I’m going to see Def Leppard in August. I've been a fan of theirs for a very, very long time, and have never seen them, live; I want to enjoy the show!! Secondary goal...I’d like to be able to lose 50 lbs by then, as well....new wardrobe!! LOL!

I’ll also be taking Yoga and Zumba classes, as soon as I’m able to move a little more fluidly. Here are some of the machines I’m concentrating on....

The only CRUNCH I can handle!!

I swear, I could sit at this machine all day....I love it!!

Not looking for serious muscle...just want my arms
firm and toned.

Another one of my favorite machines!

Is it a press...or a row?? Either/or, it's working my shoulders!!

I sit this way, and turn around facing out, to do this
behind my neck, as well!

This is a LOT harder than it looks!! LOL!

My Oncologist is happy with my new fitness routine, and he said the exercise will help lower my blood pressure....it’s been a bit high, for a while now, and we’re both a bit concerned about that! I told him I refuse to take blood pressure medications, because I don’t want to be dependent on a prescription drug, for the rest of my life. He reluctantly ok’d that decision! LOL!!

There are much more healthy ways to lower blood pressure, and I intend to utilize those methods to keep mine in check.

• I don’t smoke....I don’t drink alcohol, either.
• I've changed a lot about my diet, in recent years (looking into changing it a bit more)
• I've begun a fitness routine
• I take supplements
• I don’t drink coffee that often (I prefer tea)
• I’ll be signing up for Yoga, soon (meditation and deep breathing are good measures to take in lowering your blood pressure)
• I don’t have the stress of a job at this time
• and I love listening to music!

I’m sure I’ll be just fine, without any medication! And, I’m researching natural ways to combat the blues, as well, so depression doesn't take control of me...because I truly don’t want to feel this sad and lonely, anymore!!

Stay healthy, and happy....and have a blessed day!! oxoxox

Oh, Happy Day!!

Oh my gosh! Hey, guys.....I've got stellar news!!

Yesterday, my Oncologist told me that the results from Thursday’s PET scan (last Thursday) came back NEGATIVE!!! IT’S GONE!!! Seems that my Survival Story has reached a new level! I’m so excited... LOL!!

I can’t stop smiling, either! LOL!! And, although I won the battle...the war is not over. I have to keep in mind that I need to stay two steps ahead of this, to reduce the risk of recurrence. Lots of healthy eating, prayer, positive thoughts, and staying joyful!!

Care to join me, in a Happy Dance?? Let’s go!! LOL!

By the way...you can also find me on these social media sites; please, follow me on...

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest





And have a blessed day!! oxoxox

Home Sweet Home

Yes, that’s right…I’m finally home, again; I've been home for a week, now!! Thank God!!

And, boy, do I have a blog for you, today!

After surgery, I rehabbed at a place called Pebble Creek, in Akron; it’s only about a 20 minute drive from my sister’s house. I wanted to go back to Edwin Shaw, which is where I rehabbed, last year; but, my insurance company wouldn't cover it. They gave me a ton of grief over a few things, while I was recovering from surgery! I’m seriously considering switching insurance companies (on the Medicaid program, you have the luxury of switching insurance companies)!!

While I was at Pebble Creek, I developed a few health concerns…I spent the better part of those 2 months throwing everything up, having hot flashes, and going through major panic attacks; all of which the house doctor medicated me for, without running any tests to find out why I was experiencing these issues. I kept telling everyone I've never had these issues, before, and it wasn't what it looked like, but (of course) no one would listen. I've never experienced anything like that, before, so I knew something was a bit off…but, since no one would listen to me, nothing was done about it.

I also came down with pneumonia, while I was at Pebble Creek…pneumonia!!! I've never, in all my 40+ years, have ever had to deal with pneumonia; I was only in the hospital for that, for a week, but still!!! And, I’m still recovering from it, too…my lungs aren't quite as strong, now, as they were, before; my sister said the best respiratory therapy for me would be to sing. And, since I like music so much, it’ll be the most fun way to build my lungs back up, too! LOL!!

Now that I’m back home, I've been set up with a Nurse, a Physical Therapist, and an Occupational Therapist, for home care. And, I've got a walker, for around the house; and a wheelchair for shopping, and errands. Every once in a while, I dare the devil and walk a short distance without my walker, but that’s incredibly difficult to do, at this time! My PT says we’re going to have to work a lot on building strength in my legs, so I’m not leaning on my walker so much, when I use it.

Hopefully, I won’t need to use the walker, or the wheelchair, for much longer!

My appetite is getting better, too…slowly. The food at Pebble Creek was atrocious!!  Every meal they made for us was cooked; they hardly gave us any fresh fruits and veggies, at all! And it was all cooked WAY too much…tasteless, soggy, and inedible. It’s no wonder I spent all that time throwing up!

My sister’s been feeding me lots of raw foods (fresh fruits and veggies), and I have eaten a few cooked things; although, the cooked things at home are still making my stomach turn, from time to time. My sister says it’s because my brain has been trained to think that cooked food is gross, because of the two months I spent throwing up at Pebble Creek. I’ll reprogram it, soon!

Oh, and my insurance company! Not only would they not pay for MY choice of rehab facility, they made a decision to discontinue covering my pain medications, after I got back from having pneumonia. See…I was at Pebble Creek, then went to the hospital with pneumonia, then I went back to Pebble Creek. When I got back, my insurance company refused to cover most of my medications; the in-house doctor fought hard for me, too…he convinced them that I NEEDED those medications, and they gave in. Can you blame me for wanting to switch companies??

The plus side of the time I spent at Pebble Creek, is that because I spent all that time throwing up, I actually lost 20 lbs! Not that I would've wanted to lose weight that way, but I can work with it!! LOL!!

Now that I've been home, for a week, I’m slowly getting stronger in a lot of areas; the carpet is difficult to walk on, with my walker, but that’s helping me build up my strength. And, last night, I actually slept in my own bed!! I've been “living in” the recliner, since coming home, because my back still isn't too keen on laying down. But, I positioned my bed so that the head was elevated a little, and slept the whole night! I wasn't going to bother with it, but God spoke to my heart, and encouraged me to try…I’m glad I listened!! LOL!!

And, I've begun another round of chemo…yesterday was my first dose; this time I’m being given Ixempra. I don’t know how long I’ll be doing this round, or what it’s going to do to me, but I should be hearing my doctor tell me “It’s gone!”, early next year!! I’m excited about that!!

Not too thrilled to be doing this, again...but it beats the heck out of dying!!

I also told my Oncologist I was going to wait to move to Knoxville, TN because I wanted to be cancer free when I get down there; that way my new medical team will only have to help me stay healthy, rather than help me fight the disease. He said he liked that idea! Of course, the actual timing of my move is all up to God…I’ll go, when HE says it’s time.

Well, I do hope you have a fantastic day, today! Thanks for keeping up with me! God bless you! oxoxox

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Greetings!! I am compelled to tell you, I'm back in the hospital. There seems to be a tumor, on my L-1 vertebrae, that insists on causing trouble for me. My Surgeon tells me I'm going to lose that vertebrae, as well. Looks like I'll have a matching set of cages, now! LOL!

All joking aside, back in March, I wrote a Blog about my addiction to processed and convenience foods; in the last five months, my condition went from great to "uh-oh", because I slipped back into my old eating habits. You can read that Blog, here. When I recover from this surgery, I'm going full-on health freak, and never looking back!! Orthorexia here I come! God said "this sickness will not end in death", last year. I'm holding Him to it!!

I WILL NOT LOSE MY LIFE TO THIS!!

If I'm going to live, and bring glory to God, I'm going to have to practice what I've been preaching to you. I can't be The Savvy Survivor, if I'm not outsmarting a disease intent on killing me! I've even written a few Blogs about keeping your pH balanced, and how that's been proven to stave off diseases. So, I need to get serious about this, or my Granddaughter will grow up, not knowing who I am! And, THAT is not an option!!

I apologize to all of you, as well. Being a slave to unhealthy eating habits, as I post Blogs, and messages on Facebook, about clean eating, and how to fight off cancer with this approach and that nutrient, makes me a hypocrite; and I am ashamed of myself for that. I hope you can forgive me!

I will keep you posted, as events take place. Have a blessed day!

Survival Takes a Detour

Man, am I whooped!! As I write this, I’m listening to Pandora Radio…Eye of the Tiger is playing; “just a man and his will to survive”, eh?? Survival isn't always about being the fittest one...sometimes it's about just being determined.

Detours!! LOL!

1 Corinthians 6:12

Since my teeth have made it nearly impossible to eat according to my raw lifestyle, I've had to scale back and begin eating cooked foods (most are processed), again, because they’re easier for me to chew, without hurting myself. Except….I am hurting myself!

My back is reminding me of what I put myself through by getting sick, in the first place; I can’t move around, anywhere, without feeling pain! In addition, I’m super tired, and always hungry, now! Feels like old times…and I hate it; I've had a headache, all day!! I can’t wait to get my bad teeth removed and replaced with partials, so I can get back to eating REAL and RAW, again!! I liked the way I felt, then…I don’t like how I feel, now!

I believe that God never puts us through anything we can’t handle…but this test is difficult!! I feel like I’m letting Him down, but I’m sure He understands what I’m going through. I keep apologizing, daily, for what I’m doing that He doesn't approve of; and for Him to speed up time, so I can get back on track, with His plan! Not too fond of this detour!! I’m not giving up on myself…but I know going back to cooked and processed is not a good thing.

I’m considering juicing, or making smoothies, from raw fruits and veggies…just to re-incorporate them back into my daily routine. Do you think that’s a good idea? I've got to do something! Feeling this sluggish is NOT NICE!!

Anyone have any other ideas? What do you think of my juicing, or doing fruit/veggie smoothies? Post your ideas, or feedback, in the Comments section!

And, God bless! oxoxox

General Updates

Wow...it's been almost a month, since my last Blog entry! Sorry about that...I've been otherwise occupied! LOL!!

Ok, so here are some updates for you:

First of all....Happy (belated) Mother's Day, to all you Mommies out there; I hope yesterday was full of love and great memories for you! Mine was not too bad...although I only heard from my girls; my son isn't really that keen on remembering minor holidays...the big ones like Christmas and Easter, are easier to remember. But, I wish him well, where ever he is!

Next...I've been working on my crochet project. I'm making a blanket for my granddaughter...July is fast approaching!! I can't wait to hold her in my arms, and smother her with hugs and kisses!! I'm going to LOVE being a Grammy!!

I've also had some issues with dental health, recently. I suffered from a terrible abscess, a couple weeks ago. I've got several broken teeth (seven, to be exact), and one of them decided it was time to get infected. After I was well again, I scheduled an appointment with a dentist, who referred me to an oral surgeon so I can get those broken teeth removed. I was so happy when my dentist told me I didn't have to lose all of my teeth!! LOL! After I get the broken teeth removed, I'll start the process to get a set of partials, so I can eat real food, again!

And, I'm totally getting excited for my back-to-back trips to the Atlanta area, coming soon! In June, some friends and family are invading Atlanta to shower my youngest daughter with tons of love and support; she said she didn't want a traditional baby shower! So, our Atlanta Weekend will be all about her; the plan includes lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, and lots of shopping, the last weekend of June! LOL!! And, around the last weekend of July, I'm planning on spending a few days with her and her boyfriend, in their new house. It'll be my official "Meet Up" with my new granddaughter!

I'm not getting anywhere, leaving the responsibility of ending  the marriage to my estranged husband, either. Looks like I'm going to have to be the one to get the ball rolling; he keeps telling me he doesn't have a job, so it's going to take a while for him to be able to file the papers. I don't know why he just doesn't borrow the money from someone else...he's very good at conning people out of money! Oh, well...it's not the first time I've had to be the responsible one, in this relationship. I'll be glad when it's all over!!

Let's see....what else is there to update? Oh, yes....I'm promoting my Facebook page, and would love if you'd go "Like" it; the link is here! I'm spending more time on Facebook, than anywhere else, online; so it just makes sense to steer folks toward the social media platform I use most often.

I have my own business card, too!!

Thanks for sticking around, as I continue my journey; your love and support mean a great deal to me!! oxoxox

A Brief Look at Vitamin K

I was reading about Vitamin K, this morning, and found some interesting information about its benefits. Did you know Vitamin K aids in blood clotting? Surgeons often give Vitamin K to their patients, before surgery, to prevent excessive bleeding…I wonder if my surgeon did that with me?

Vitamin K also assists in the transportation of calcium, throughout our bodies; it may aid in overall bone health, and in reducing bone fractures, as well. And, it also prevents hardening of the arteries. So, it’s definitely beneficial for those who have a family history of osteoporosis, or heart disease.

I've read that recent studies have shown, Vitamin K may also be anti-cancer…they say it has preventative and treatment benefits! Which makes sense, since most veggies are alkaline forming. I wrote a blog about that, too...you can read it, here.

Vitamin K isn't just one vitamin…it’s a group of three; I didn't know that, so this was my something new for today. This group consists of K1 (phytonadione, phylloquinone, phytonactone), K2 (menaquinones), formed by natural bacteria present in intestines, and K3 (menadione).

K1 is a fat soluble vitamin, like A, E and D; you can have a diet rich in Vitamin K, by eating your greens! It can also be found in a few other foods, as well…here’s a small list…

Parsley

Kale (cooked)

Spinach (cooked)

Brussels sprouts

Swiss chard (cooked)

Green beans

Asparagus

Broccoli

Kale (cooked)

Mustard greens (cooked)

Turnip greens (cooked)

Collard greens (cooked)

Thyme (fresh)

Romaine lettuce

Sage (fresh)

Oregano (fresh)

Basil (fresh)

Cabbage

Celery

Sea vegetables

Cucumber

Leeks

Cauliflower

Tomatoes

Blueberries

Fermented foods

Unless otherwise indicated (cooked), all of these fruits and veggies should be eaten raw, to get the most Vitamin K out of them. And, fresh herbs are always better than dried!

Come to think of it, the folks at Whole Foods have a rather comprehensive article on Vitamin K, if you’d like to learn more. They also have a chart, in this article, listing all of the foods that are “excellent”, “very good” and “good” sources of Vitamin K. Personally, I only noticed a few things on that list that I wouldn't eat (soy and miso are off my list; Brussels sprouts…yuk!)

So eat well, stay well…and God bless! oxoxox