Alright, so. After the whirlwind diagnosis and surgery to my poor head, the so-called "cancer aftermath" as I like to call it, I went through a period where I basically ate whatever I wanted. Eating like it was my last supper or something. Clearly not a productive attitude and definitely not figure friendly! Before I got sick I had pretty clean eating habits, if I do say so myself. Heart disease runs in our family, and so I was always conscious of what I ate. I am also a runner. 10ks are my thing. So I thought I was pretty healthy, considering the fast food crisis western society seems to be suffering from. Then I got cancer. At first, I didn't do any reading. Call it denial, refusing to acknowledge what was happening or maybe just the need to go on with life as normal. Unlike my web-addicted Mother, I stayed away from books, and the internet...I guess I just didn't wanna know. It was bad enough that I had cancer, they can stick the stats where the sun don't shine, thanks very much. Anyways bottom line here is, the situation sucked enough as it was, so bring on the dessert!!
I was feeling pretty good about all this, until I had to buy a size up in my jeans. THAT is tragic. I decided I needed to reign myself in. That, coupled with that fact that a close friend happened to mention how powerful the foods we eat can be. Well, duh, obviously...I knew that. Turns out I didn't. I ended up meeting with this close friend's mother, who is very into naturopathic medicine. She recommended raw fruits and veggies, juicing, no diary, no meat, no sugar....basically a diet completely opposite of the traditional western diet.
Knowledge is power, so I decided to do some research of my own. I am now totally convinced that the foods I eat will help me fight cancer. Everyone's body is designed to fight. That's what our immune systems are for. From what I understand, the problem with sneaky cancer cells is they are, for whatever reason, not recognized by our immune system. These cancer cells take over our body's native mechanisms for their own gain. Greedy assholes. And boom, you have a tumour. What I've learned is, I can help activate/boost my immune system fight cancer by eating certain foods. I can reduce inflammation, starve the cancer cells, prevent the cancer cells from growing new blood vessels, and promote cancer cell death (mwahahaha!) all by changing my diet. If I give my immune system what it needs, it can be strong and do it's job, which is simple: KILL CANCER. Get those NK cells on high alert!
So my refrigerator has had an overhaul. It's pretty much an organic grow-op. Beets and broccoli have replaced diary and milk. Kale and brussels have taken over. And there's plenty of celery, peppers, brussels, tomatoes...oh and let's not forget the spinach. There's also a jug of brownish-green liquid. That ladies and gentlemen is veggie juice. What's in it? Almost every cancer-fighting veggie known to man. With a little garlic and ginger for good measure. I've learned my lesson though, I always have a chaser of juice ready. That stuff will clean you out and make your eyes water. Next to my magical anti-cancer veggie deliciousness, is a jug of pure fruit juice. I much prefer the fruit juice to be honest, it has all the essential berries, tangerines (with the skin), poms, apples, plums and more...mmmm delicious! I have both fridges in my house packed full. I'm also a snacker. No more cheese and crackers. My snacks now consist of fruit salad, or a bowl of raw veggies. Mmmmm broccoli. YES PLEASE!!! I also now take forever in the grocery store, because I try to buy all organic. So ya, that's my anti-cancer diet. Raw fruits and veggies, and a lot of juicing. Oh, and of course I can't forget lots turmeric, rosemary and olive oil!!!
I'm going to do whatever I can to fight cancer. Radiation, chemo, diet, the whole nine yards. And really, eating more veggies can't hurt right?
So drink your green tea people, it really does do the body good. Cheers!
