Breast Cancer Awareness: Kristin's Story Part II

Image: Hayley West

Styling: Stylist LisaG

MAU: Hanna Fisher

I couldn't possibly share this amazing woman's story in one blog. This is Part II of Kristin's journey from battling Breast Cancer to her road to recovery. Kristin has been so inspiring to me and what an amazing way to celebrate her end of chemotherapy treatment than with a styled pictorial showcasing her beauty - both external and internal. If you missed the first Part read is HERE

There is a lot more to recovery than the physical healing of incisions. Kristin told me what she has been doing to heal herself, and what she would tell others who have received a diagnosis, "You’re not alone! Be careful doing searches on Internet. We are really fortunate to have so many helpful resources in this town. For example, Wellness Kitchen in Templeton I get bone broth and healing tea quite often. There is pick up location in San Luis Obispo.

 No sugar or processed foods! Sugar feeds cancer 

 Buy Book

 Buy Book

I take several supplements to keep my immune system and overall support.  I Know you are thinking that must be so expensive and the answer is YES. But I think it is worth every penny. If you can't afford it at least take Vitamin c, d . Mushrooms are great for immune support. I started with Turkey tail and since then moved on to Mitake and now Shitake (Host Defense Brand).  Consult with a Naturopath doctor first. I feel fortune to have best of both worlds. I have a regular oncologist Dr. Dicarlo and Dr. Hedi Lucas my integrated naturopthic oncologist.

Please check out Kristin'a GoFundMe Page if you are able to help out!

HERE

Kristin explains how your contributions are helping her with her health; 

" I went back and fourth on the derision of doing radiation . After many visits to radiation oncologist with many questions . I decided to not move forward with radiation . Just never had a 100% peace and my gut was telling me it was more harm then good . With that said decided to go an alternative route and work with a nutritionist . On a very strict diet and as he works on re-booting my body . I buy all my fruits and veggies at local farmers market . We are so blessed to have one every day of the week in different towns near by . Usually I attend sat in Templeton and wed. In Atascadero . Currently on a plant based diet with fish and chicken . My nutritionist has me on intestinal cleanse , then gall bladder cleanse , kidney , liver ...... This is to purge the toxins out of my body and keep me healthy ! Also juicing twice a day . So as you can imagine it's very time consuming and costly to work with a nutritionist . I am feeling better and feel this strict regiment is with it ."

Her words of wisdom:

"Stay Positive: Your mind plays a huge part in your mood. Yes there will be good days and bad days. Feel blessed to have had more good days than bad days.

Allow help: Everyone has different ways of showing they care and helping.

Keep moving: I think the biggest reason was so strong through treatment and surgery is a great team of support but also private Pilate lessons at the house. I also try to walk at least 30 min a day and eat really clean.  

I feel so fortunate to have been a part of the project and to have connected with Kristin. I am so thankful for her courage to share her story as it may save a woman's life. Share what you have learned with your sisters, we need to support one another. As women we have an amazing opportunity to educate,  empower and inspire each other and lift each other up by sharing our truth and experiences. Take the opportunity to speak to your friends, colleagues, family and strangers about early detection, self examination and overall health this month and beyond.

L

XO

Got GUTS? Buy A Shirt

Wearing GUTS on your t-shirt is the fashion equivalent of wearing your heart on your sleeve to support kids and sobriety. Emmy award winning actress, author, friend and all around funny broad Kristen Johnston has spilled her GUTS about her addiction in her amazing memoir: "Guts: the endless follies and tiny triumphs of a giant disaster”   Through sharing her story she has been able to bring the disease of addiction into an area of social dialogue through various social media outlets and through the press. She is not the patron saint of addiction or your new digital counsellor. She is an honest person who is doing her best to help others by sharing her experiences, resources, and providing an interactive dialogue about this disease and social issues surrounding it... The rest of the work is up to YOU.

She is also trying tirelessly to create the FIRST sober high school in New York via SLAM NYC (SLAM: Sobriety, Learning and Motivation).  Let's ALL be HONEST. We all know someone who is addicted to something. I have several family members and friends who suffer from various forms and degrees of addiction. It has effected me, my relationships and my life. The point is, this issue effects us ALL, each in our own way. Therefore this cause is one that we can all identify with. I think of my children and wonder what their future holds. Should they fall down the black hole of this disease I would want a place like SLAM and a sober, safe place for them to get a chance at a productive education and life. The children attending this school belong to parents who love them and want the best for them as we all want for our kids. The least we could do is support them by spending a mere $35 on a cool t-shirt! The shirt is super soft jersey and the logo's are printed on high quality American Apparel garment. The front image depicts Kristen in the height of her addiction. It is NOT intended to support or endorse smoking in any way but is an honest image from a moment in time.

DID YOU KNOW? Drug use among Teens is a national health crisis.

 9 out of every 10 chemically dependent Americans started smoking, drinking or drugging before age 18.

Half of all High School students currently use addictive substances.

That’s 6.1 MILLION kids.

(National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University)

Their goal is to SELL 300 Shirts to support their mission to save kids lives.  They need to sell 69 more, with 3 days to go! (well 68 because I just purchased mine).

KRISTEN'S TOP 3 REASONS TO SUPPORT THIS CAUSE:

1. We need a sober school because right now, if a kid wants a safe, drug & stigma-free education, they have to move to BOSTON. (They have FOUR)

2. Drug use among teens is exploding, and according to Govt surveys, drug use among NYC kids are higher than almost anywhere else.

3. The most important reason is: 9 out of 10 addictions begin in teen years. If we don't begin to address these kids issues now, the world will be exposed to more & more addicts. Addiction already costs us over 300 BILLION a year. Drugs kill more per year than GUNS. More per year than CAR ACCIDENTS.

Drugs are now the #1 cause of death in ERs.

Kristen is seriously committed to this cause and assures me every cent goes to making this school a reality. Her long term goal is to create these schools across the country. Hopefully other countries in the world will follow suit and save their kids.

Shirts are currently available in the US only ($5 to ship - approx two weeks for delivery). However, Kristen has something up her sleeve for the international people who would like to help SLAM. Stay Tuned ......

I got a t-shirt last time and rocked it out my way! You can do the same. The t-shirts are available in YS-3XL

Got GUTS? Prove it. Buy a shirt and post a comment below!

Juicy Joe

Vintage Produce Shopping

I spent my Saturday night engrossed in a documentary called "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead". It was on my "To Watch" list (which is rather long as my TV time is limited). Since I was enlightened by the films "Forks Over Knives" and "Hungry For Change"  I was Vegetarian for 4.5 years but after watching these films and doing follow up research I dropped the dairy too. I bought a juicer a few weeks ago and a book by Jason Vale but I have not even taken it out of the box yet.

I decided to check out this documentary first and was left totally inspired!

Watch the Extended TRAILER:

Joe Cross' Juicy Documentary was also a great education and an eye opener about nutrition.  I HIGHLY recommend seeing this film. We are all at different weighs, fitness levels, ages, and lifestyles but I feel that the information and Joe's experience applies to everyone.

His BIG lesson: "The best way to change the world is to change yourself" 

Want more info? Check out REBOOT WITH JOE

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING! 

Celebrate with a Fab Spring Juice!

Get Juicy Joe's Recipe's HERE

Would you work Juicing into your lifestyle? Treat your body to a 7, 14, or 30 day Reboot? (FYI: it is not a FAST - fasting is no food and water only) - This is pure nutrition.

Leave me a comment below.

Where Do You Get Your Protein?

 Dan Piraro’s comic strip Bizarro

If I seriously had a nickle for every time I was asked the question, Where do you get your protein? or What do you eat? both as a Vegetarian and now as a Vegan. My husband's reply to the "what do you eat" question is "NUTRITION". Seems simple enough to me.  We eat a plant based diet (NO animal products) and try to eat as little processed food's as possible. Our rule of thumb is if it has more than 5 ingredients we try to steer clear. We also seriously limit our sugar and eat no white/bleached grains (no white sugar, flour, bread, pasta or rice). I LOVE  my lifestyle and when you KNOW better you DO better. My husband is the most physically active and fit men that I know. Being Vegan is the most amazing thing he has done for his health and fitness level. It has certainly motivated me as well. Weight loss was never the goal but a welcomed side effect for both of us.

Our Protein Sources:

*Green Veggies

*Almond Milk

*Beans

*Legumes
*Peanut Butter / Nut Butter

*Nuts

*Quinoa

*Chia Seeds (1 Table Spoon  = 2g)

*Plant Based Protein Powder (we like smoothies with fresh fruit and Almond Milk)

*Whole Grain Bread (We Eat OROWEAT - Health Nut @ 4g per slice)

   My Husband (P.S. He's 44)

I found an interesting VEGAN's story to share, does not look like he is "missing" or "lacking" anything does it?

Germany’s Strongest Man is a Vegan

“When I started the vegetarian diet I knew little about the effect it would have on my performance and strength. The reasons for my decision were mainly based on my empathy for all kinds of non human animals and the mental conflict I felt, when consuming meat, which would mean that an animal would have to lose its life for my appetite. I was amazed by the great 

gains in lean body-mass and strength that I got with the meat-free diet. After winning the German strongman title I was ready to take the next step and switch to a vegan diet.

As a strength athlete I have to make sure that my body gets all three macro-nutrients in feasible amounts. Especially protein is a key factor for the development of the type of body that is needed to endure the gruelling events you have to face as a strongman. My main protein sources are: soy-milk, soy-protein-powder, tofu, nuts and beans. To get the energy I need for my daily training sessions I use carbohydrates out of: rice, potato, oats and lots of fruits and greens and vegetables. I have never been stronger and I have never felt better in my entire life!”

FYI: Patrik currently holds the world log lift record in the 105k-category (165 kg), as well as the German heavyweight loglift record (185 kg) and the title of “Strongest Man of Germany. 

The choice is ALWAYS up to you what you put into your bodies. I think the results speak for themselves. It is all about Education and Preparation. We take a B12 Vitamin and eat a balanced diet. It is important to do your homework and listen to your body! It could be the best thing you have ever done for yourself.

Hungry For Change?

One of my latest and biggest nutritional light bulb moments occurred while watching the film  "Hungry For Change" . We as a society are over fed and under nourished. The thought of eating "food like products" was a big eye opener. The film is a VERY educational and  I feel it should be mandatory in the school system.  I have recently started to re-learn everything about nutrition that I thought I knew. Turns out I knew very little about the effects the foods I was choosing had on my body.

See the full film below or check out their Web Site for additional information, recipe book and to buy the DVD!  

Do yourself a favor and take 1hr & 29min to get a food education. 

Avocado App

I love creative cooking and am ALWAYS on the hunt for the next amazing dish or appetizer to make for my husband and family. My husband is Vegan, daughter/son Vegetarian and I'm on the path from Veg to Plant Strong (Vegan AND no processed food). This makes my culinary creations extra creative.

I was reading my friend Tori's E-mag EdiTORIal and she featured some creative Avocado dishes.  It inspired me to share on of my FAV Avocado Appetizers Vegan & Veg friendly. You can also use it for a meal too.

What you need:

Avocado

Sesame Seeds

Soya Sauce

Garlic Powder

*Toothpicks for App

*Rice or Quinoa for meal

Peel/Pit/Slice Avocado

Place on a plate or serving dish and drizzle with Soya Sauce to your own taste (you may want to cover in fresh squeezed lemon juice too if you are not going to serve/eat right away to prevent browning)

Sprinkle with Sesame Seeds & Garlic Powder

Use the toothpicks for bite size pieces for guests.

OR

Top your rice or quinoa with this amazing mixture and ENJOY!!

Avocado FACTS (via WebMD & Avacado.org):

*There are more than 80 varieties of avocados. The most common is the year-round Hass avocado, whose original mother tree still stands in California.

* Avocados are a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins C,K, folate, and B6

* They act as a "Nutrient Booster" - by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients; such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit (Tomatoes for example)

*Half an avocado has 160 calories, 15 grams of heart-healthy unsaturated fat, and only 2 grams saturated fat.

*One globe contains more than one-third daily value of vitamin C, and more than half the day’s requirements of vitamin K

*The avocado is also known as an alligator pear, because of its shape, green skin, and rough texture of the Haas variety. (The Florida avocado has a shiny, smooth surface.)

* The two main U.S. producers of the fruit are California and Florida. The Golden State far outranks the Sunshine State, however, with more than 6,000 groves accounting for about 90% of avocado crops.

Do you LOVE Avocados?? Share your FAV dishes!

On The Ball

I don't know about you but I spend an awful lot of time at my computer. I run an Internet based business via my eBoutique EVOLUTION VINTAGE & EVOLUTION REWIND, I am also a writer AND try to stay connected to all the family and friends I left 2700 hundred miles behind in Ontario Canada after relocating to California.

I know how sitting and a sedentary lifestyle to any degree can to do your overall health: mind and body.  I have decided to switch it up and get "on the ball" - Literally!  I have recently replaced my desk chair with an exercise ball. This is not a novel idea but it is behind my desk.  It is an inexpensive way to forced myself to improve my posture and work my abs and core muscles the entire time I'm behind my computer working. With my personal time constraints as a business owner and busy mom I am always finding ways to multi-task.

According to the author of the new book; "Drop Dead Healthy - One Man's Quest For Bodily Perfection", A.J. Jacobs, "Sitting the the new smoking". In a recent interview he said " I was surprised by all the research showing that sitting at your desk is terrible for your heart. It's kind of scary. Sitting is the new smoking. Any type of movement helps - even getting up once an hour from your desk to walk around for a couple of minutes. I took it further. I wrote this book while walking on a treadmill desk. It took me 1,200 miles."

I'm not ready to blog while spinning so replacing my desk chair with the ball is my first "step".

Here are 10 reasons/benefits to get on the ball (Courtesy of Dr. Francis DeFalco):

1. Forces proper spine alignment. Because an exercise ball is not stable, your body needs to try to balance itself on it. The perfect spinal posture is coincidentally the easiest to balance with. Thus, your body will automatically try to align itself into the proper posture. This helps improve your spinal health, and decrease back pains.

2. Causes you to frequently change positions. An exercise ball causes to you to change your position often to balance. For example, if you turn 45 degrees to face the phone, your body will assume a new position. This helps reduce damage caused by prolonged sitting in the same position.

3. Fitness is at your fingertips. Another great thing about using this alternative to a chair, is that you can do stretches or mini-workouts whenever you want, without getting up. If you’ve ever stuck waiting for a minute or two, you can make productive use of that time with a quick workout or stretch. Because it’s much more convenient, you will probably do it more, thus resulting in better health.

4. Improve your balance. This one is very understandable. Sitting on an unstable surface all day will improve your sense of balance, as well as the reactions of your muscles. The result? An overall better balance, that can be observed out of the office.

5. Get that 6-pack you’ve been wanting. Your body primarily uses your core (abdominal) muscles to help compensate for changes in balance. Thus, your essentially getting a low-key abdominal workout. This may not sound like a lot, but consider the amount of time you spend on your computer at the office, or at home. Those hours can build up, and result in a strengthening of ab muscles.

6. Improves your circulation. Using an exercise ball will keep the blood flowing to all parts of your body, throughout the day. A desk chair on the other hand, reduces circulation to some parts of the body after prolonged use.

7. You’ll feel more energetic. It has been proven that staying in one position, will make you more tired, while moving around and being active with give you more energy. With an exercise ball as a chair, you will feel much more energized after you finish your work.

8. Burn up to 350 calories per day. More movement during the day = more calories burnt. Burning 350 calories per day = losing one pound of fat every 10 days. You may not burn quite 350, but nonetheless, it will help you stay fit.

9. Really cheap. Specialized exercise balls designed for sitting usage can range from $15 to $80. Much cheaper than buying an ergonomic chair, which can range anywhere from $100 to $400 and up.

10. C’mon, its fun! Who doesn’t like the idea of bouncing around on an exercise ball all day. Exercise balls are an exciting alternative to chairs, and may just give that spark of fun to your day.

Are you going to get on the ball????

SUGAR: Not So Sweet

We all love the sweet taste of sugar. I usually don't have much of a sweet tooth, unless there is a Cadbury Mini Egg involved. I have been doing a lot of research lately on health and nutrition and have been surprised to know how the sweet substance is making us all SICK.  I thought I understood how sugar was used in the body and how it has an impact on diabetes. What I uncovered was that I still have a lot to learn.

In the video clip below; Dr. Robert Lustig illustrates the overabundance of sugar in today's processed convenience foods and explains how our bodies metabolize these sugars in the same way as alcohol or other toxins, causing damage to the liver and other organs.

 I do enjoy sweets from time to time but is it really worth it? an impulse to indulge in processed treats for the internal damage it is causing and unnecessary pressure on our already over worked systems?

Thought for today:  How much sugar do I consume? How much do I feed to my children? 

Knowledge is power. When you know better, you can do better!

Food For Thought

Our lives are so fast paced and most of us are over obligated. This leaves little time for providing ourselves with adequate nutrition, or does it? The biggest "excuse" I have heard (and made) about not eating healthy is that I don't have time - Translation = It is not a priority for me.  I used to make this excuse in the past and now that I am adapting a much more healthy lifestyle honestly at this juncture I have LESS time and more obligations than I did before, yet somehow I have time to shop accordingly. Now that I have made it a priority I have no problem preparing healthy meals for my family.

Visualization always work for me to put things into perspective. I wanted to share this image as it related to calorie intake, nutrition and feeling satisfied (or sated).  It is simple to see why we over eat. We are over fed an under nourished.  

Think about what you are putting into your system today. Mindfully choose your meals and snacks. Get creative in your kitchen and see the ways you can work in healthy foods into your daily routine to replace the non-nutritious ones. I don't know about you but I would much prefer to be the stomach on the far right. Remember: what you put into your body will be directly reflected on the outside.  Just a little food for thought today!