I started this blog almost 3 years ago with the goal to write about living a more natural life style. For me this means cooking my own food, growing my own food, eating local and with the seasons, eating healthy and naturally, being creative and not buying everything at the store, or even buying things that are thrifted and "upcycling"them. Not only am I not really following through with these things on this blog, but I have let go of actually practicing a lot of this in my life (which is maybe why I am finding it so hard to write about it).
I am moving towards a more vegan diet. As I have written, I have the BRCA2 gene mutation, which places me at a much greater risk for breast and ovarian cancer as well as pancreatic cancer and melanoma. I still have to decide if I am going to have surgery to reduce my risk, or if I am just going to try to do things a little more naturally. I have some doctors appointments coming up and have to schedule a couple more. I am hoping that after these appointments, I will be able to make a better decision on which direction to go. If I decide to have surgery, I will also continue with a mostly vegan diet and living a lifestyle that has ways of dealing with stress.
The research that I have done, has shown that eating a plant based diet, is something that can greatly reduce your chances of getting cancer. I figure, even if I have surgery, it can't hurt to take care of my body and eat less meat and more fruits and veggies and whole grains. I am also planning on really going gluten free and dairy free since I have sensitivities to these foods, or at least I think I do. I also need to be better at gluten and dairy free meals and snacks for my older son. He too has sensitivities that seem to manifest as symptoms of Autism. Since we have greatly reduced his gluten and dairy intake he has greatly improved. I really believe that diet plays a huge role in how our body reacts, not just physically but mentally as well.
We will be having a garden this year, and I hope that we do better and that we can get a lot of things from our own garden. I really need to spend some time and research how best to eat locally and seasonally as well as doing it on a budget. I really want to start making my own foods instead of going out to eat or buying more processed foods.
I also keep thinking about crafting for charity. I will be creating things for my local twins group to sell at their annual convention. It will be nice to donate to something that I can directly benefit from and have benefitted from in the past. As much as this is great, I really want to do something more. One of these days I will get the courage to talk to my selectman friend about collecting things at the farmers market. I would love to be more active in my community and maybe this is one way to start. I have grand thoughts, but am not sure if they are too grand and need to be tailored down. I will keep thinking and maybe I'll get the nerve to talk to him about it.
Amy
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Cancer!
I hate this word! Like most people, I have been more than touched by cancer within my family. I also have the breast cancer gene mutation which freaks me out more than just a little. The decisions I know have to make suck to say the least, but at least I have the options to make decisions (about the only positive that I see in knowing that I have the gene, well along with knowing that my kids are at risk instead of not knowing.
I just found out that someone who I went to high school with lost her husband to pancreatic cancer last night. As a person with a BRCA2 mutation, I am also at risk for pancreatic cancer, although that risk is low especially in comparison to my breast and ovarian cancer risk. I also found out that there is more pancreatic cancer in my family that I ever knew. Granted it is the familial lineage is pretty far away, but at least for me, it scares the crap out of me.
Every time I hear that some has been diagnosed with cancer or passes away from cancer, I get more freaked out. I know that I need to make certain decisions, really just whether or not I am going to have my ovaries removed or not. Every time I think I've made the decision, I think and then lose my nerve to stick with it. Right now I am leaning against surgery and looking more at lifestyle changes. That may change as I get older, as I get more peri-menopausal, or as life happens. For me, not having surgery means that I will have the chance to have surgery if I choose at a later date. If I have surgery when I am not ready, I can never take it back. I do know that I am putting myself more at risk for ovarian cancer, but for now, that is my decision. I did get my blood test back for my ovarian cancer test and it was normal, good news, and I have my ultrasound next week. I still need to schedule my breast MRI, but need to do it at a certain time so I am in a waiting period right now.
After hearing the news of my friends's husband's passing, I really need to stick with my goals. I really need to focus on eating right, exercising, being creative, and getting my life organized. Following through with my goals all help me relieve stress on my mind, my body, and my spirit. Now I just need to keep this resolve and follow through. As I sit here typing, I am drinking my green shake (after I ate a crappy lunch). I need to make sure that I actually drink these and eat more fruits and veggies in general as well as good whole grains!
For all that want to know what I put in my shake, this is it:
Green Smoothie
1cups of green leafy veggies (today was swiss chard)
1/2 an apple (green or red)
1/2 a pear
1 banana
1/2 an avocado
1/2 a bag of frozen blackberries
10 oz of water
Blend til smooth and enjoy! I do have a vita mix. I'm not sure how it would work in a traditional blender. I believe that you should have a high speed blender so that it can really get things blended so that your body can incorporate them easily.
Enjoy life and take care of yourself!
Amy
I just found out that someone who I went to high school with lost her husband to pancreatic cancer last night. As a person with a BRCA2 mutation, I am also at risk for pancreatic cancer, although that risk is low especially in comparison to my breast and ovarian cancer risk. I also found out that there is more pancreatic cancer in my family that I ever knew. Granted it is the familial lineage is pretty far away, but at least for me, it scares the crap out of me.
Every time I hear that some has been diagnosed with cancer or passes away from cancer, I get more freaked out. I know that I need to make certain decisions, really just whether or not I am going to have my ovaries removed or not. Every time I think I've made the decision, I think and then lose my nerve to stick with it. Right now I am leaning against surgery and looking more at lifestyle changes. That may change as I get older, as I get more peri-menopausal, or as life happens. For me, not having surgery means that I will have the chance to have surgery if I choose at a later date. If I have surgery when I am not ready, I can never take it back. I do know that I am putting myself more at risk for ovarian cancer, but for now, that is my decision. I did get my blood test back for my ovarian cancer test and it was normal, good news, and I have my ultrasound next week. I still need to schedule my breast MRI, but need to do it at a certain time so I am in a waiting period right now.
After hearing the news of my friends's husband's passing, I really need to stick with my goals. I really need to focus on eating right, exercising, being creative, and getting my life organized. Following through with my goals all help me relieve stress on my mind, my body, and my spirit. Now I just need to keep this resolve and follow through. As I sit here typing, I am drinking my green shake (after I ate a crappy lunch). I need to make sure that I actually drink these and eat more fruits and veggies in general as well as good whole grains!
For all that want to know what I put in my shake, this is it:
Green Smoothie
1cups of green leafy veggies (today was swiss chard)
1/2 an apple (green or red)
1/2 a pear
1 banana
1/2 an avocado
1/2 a bag of frozen blackberries
10 oz of water
Blend til smooth and enjoy! I do have a vita mix. I'm not sure how it would work in a traditional blender. I believe that you should have a high speed blender so that it can really get things blended so that your body can incorporate them easily.
Enjoy life and take care of yourself!
Amy
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Wishcasting Wednesday
Jamie Ridler at http://www.jamieridlerstudios.ca asks, "What do you wish for your home?"
For me, this is an easy question. I want my home to be organized and peaceful. But, as much as I want it to be organized, I want it to feel lived in and comfortable. I have 3 children; a 4 year old and 3 year old twins. They have so many toys, and I am trying to keep them organized, but I want them to be able to play and enjoy their childhood and use their imagination. I have a ton of stuff that I am slowly trying to go through and get rid of so that what I keep are things that I will use and things that I have a place for. I want to stop buying things that I don't need and only buy new items when it is needed not just because I want it. I am hoping that by keeping my things organized and trying to have a place for everything, we will all feel more at peace in my house as well as feel more creative!
Amy
For me, this is an easy question. I want my home to be organized and peaceful. But, as much as I want it to be organized, I want it to feel lived in and comfortable. I have 3 children; a 4 year old and 3 year old twins. They have so many toys, and I am trying to keep them organized, but I want them to be able to play and enjoy their childhood and use their imagination. I have a ton of stuff that I am slowly trying to go through and get rid of so that what I keep are things that I will use and things that I have a place for. I want to stop buying things that I don't need and only buy new items when it is needed not just because I want it. I am hoping that by keeping my things organized and trying to have a place for everything, we will all feel more at peace in my house as well as feel more creative!
Amy
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Another BRCA2 Post
I'm still trying to figure out if I should have my ovaries removed or if I should hold off. I'm going to be 39 this summer and haven't started menopause yet and I'm really concerned about throwing my body into an immediate menopause when my body isn't ready. On the other hand, I'm not sure I want to chance getting ovarian cancer and dying. I just had my CA125 blood test and am having my pelvic ultrasound in a week and a half. I haven't had an ultrasound since I was pregnant with my twins and ready to have them. I'm hoping things come back looking ok, but if they don't it may make my decision easier. I still need to schedule my MRI, but it needs to be scheduled at a certain time in my cycle so I need to wait.
I'm still looking at nutrition, exercise, and stress relief as a means of keeping my body healthy. I really need to focus on moving towards a plant based diet. Some days I do well, but other days I am horrible. I really need to cut out all the junk food I eat I am finally starting to progress with my running and I can't wait to get even better. I am also starting to look forward to running, or at least I have started to really like the feeling after I finish (not because I am finished but because I feel good after)! I really want to start adding to stretching and/or yoga on my off days! I think that it will help both my body and my mind. I want to learn more about how to keep my mind, my body, and my soul healthy!
I have an appointment with a new doctor, but I am thing of canceling til I meet with someone else who is supposedly very well versed in cancer and nutrition, an NP at my doctors office who actually recommended my PCP whenI was pregnant with my oldest son. I also want to meet with a nutritionist at my doctors office to talk more about nutrition in general, but also especially how it relates to my BRCA2 status. I am really looking forward to learning more about keeping a pereson's mind, body, and spirit healthy. I love researching this information, now I need to put this into practice and maybe I can make a little career change, but keep my social work background. I am happy with my social work career, but would love to add more mind, body, and health into my career and hopefully this is one way of doing it!
Amy
I'm still looking at nutrition, exercise, and stress relief as a means of keeping my body healthy. I really need to focus on moving towards a plant based diet. Some days I do well, but other days I am horrible. I really need to cut out all the junk food I eat I am finally starting to progress with my running and I can't wait to get even better. I am also starting to look forward to running, or at least I have started to really like the feeling after I finish (not because I am finished but because I feel good after)! I really want to start adding to stretching and/or yoga on my off days! I think that it will help both my body and my mind. I want to learn more about how to keep my mind, my body, and my soul healthy!
I have an appointment with a new doctor, but I am thing of canceling til I meet with someone else who is supposedly very well versed in cancer and nutrition, an NP at my doctors office who actually recommended my PCP whenI was pregnant with my oldest son. I also want to meet with a nutritionist at my doctors office to talk more about nutrition in general, but also especially how it relates to my BRCA2 status. I am really looking forward to learning more about keeping a pereson's mind, body, and spirit healthy. I love researching this information, now I need to put this into practice and maybe I can make a little career change, but keep my social work background. I am happy with my social work career, but would love to add more mind, body, and health into my career and hopefully this is one way of doing it!
Amy
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