cancer healing

Immune Supporting Garlic Miso Soup

January 7, 2022/in Healthy Recipes

Immune Supporting Garlic Miso Soup! Whether you are starting to feel under the weather, wanting to support your immune system or just need something nourishing to feed your cells, this soup is it! If you don’t like mushrooms, you can easily omit them but we love them and it makes it a bit more nutritious and hearty. Garlic is one of the best natural healers and immune-supporting superfoods on the planet! It’s all because of the magic chemical called allicin. An enzyme called alliinase is activated when the garlic clove is chopped or crushed. This enzyme converts alliin into allicin. Here is a good article to learn all the many benefits of garlic. It truly is a secret weapon when it comes to your health and preventing disease and imbalance.

Garlic is a known antimicrobial that makes it therapeutic against bacteria and fungi with clinical research to back that up. Plus it is antiviral as well. Having two among many scientific studies is all we need to say besides, eat your garlic! I’ve been making it almost weekly.

Ingredients

4-5 cloves of garlic, minced

1 quart of low-sodium organic vegetable or beef broth

2 tablespoons organic miso paste

1 package (3.5 ounces) shiitake mushrooms, sliced

Directions

Peel garlic and mince or use a garlic press. Set aside for at least 10 minutes to release the alicin.

Place the sliced mushroom in a pan with a small amount of organic butter or use some of the broth. Saute for about 10 minutes and add the garlic. Continue to saute for about 3-5 minutes on medium heat.

Add the broth until it starts to boil and then add the miso paste. Continue to stir until the miso is dissolved about 5-10 minutes. Serve and enjoy! Makes 4 one-cup servings.

Personal Care Products that could be Harming Your Family

January 14, 2019/in Bonnie's Healthy Life Blog, Healthy Products

As I was cleaning out cabinets, I decided to glance over the ingredient list of some hair care products that I used to use. To be honest, it scared me. I used to put these on my body and didn’t think about the impact to my skin, lungs or other vital organs!

Think about the personal care products that you and your family use on a daily basis…lotions, shampoo, conditioner, soap, sanitizer, nail polish, baby soaps, make up, perfumes/colognes, deodorant, toothpaste, laundry detergent. EWG.org (Environmental Working Group) concluded in a study that on average people use 9 personal care products daily and applied an average of 126 unique ingredients on their skin daily. That’s a lot of chemicals!

Do you feel safe knowing that the government does not require long term safety studies or pre-market testing for most ingredients in personal care products? According to the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, “a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from the FDA.” The cosmetic industry is authorized to police it’s own ingredient safety and many of these ingredients have the potential to harm humans and animals. The FDA panel has only banned 11 ingredients while the European Union has taken action on hundreds of toxic chemicals in cosmetics.

Your skin is your largest organ and is porous, so whatever you put on it will be absorbed within moments of application. And what about your lungs? You are inhaling the chemicals as well, even if you aren’t applying them to your skin. If the products you use contain harmful ingredients such as harsh, toxic chemicals, colors, and fragrances, those ingredients make their way into your body, your blood and lymphatic system. The majority of mainstream personal care products contain carcinogenic chemicals, allergens, endocrine disruptors or xenoestrogens, irritants and can cause harm to your reproductive system. It is easy to see why it is so important to be diligent to watch what is in the products that you are using.

So what ingredients should you avoid? There are countless toxic ingredients in the products that we use on a daily basis and so it is important to do your research and always look at the ingredient list in everything that you buy. A few ingredients to avoid are fragrance, perfume, substances that generate formaldehyde (nearly 1 in 5 cosmetic products contains a substance that generates cancer causing formaldehyde–see list below), mineral oil and petroleum, parabens, ethanolmines (DEA, MEA, TEA), benzones, triclosan, heavy metals such as cadmium, aluminum, mercury, lead, and arsenic, phthalates, and styrene. This list unfortunately is not all-inclusive. Plus these chemicals are xenoestrogens which can disrupt our hormone balance and health.

You can easily switch over to safe products by accessing easy to use Apps and websites like ThinkDirty, EWG’s Skin Deep, and the Good Guide which will rate your personal care products for safety and toxicity. Always read the ingredient label and do not be fooled by labels such as natural and even partial organic products can contain harmful ingredients. I especially avoid parfum or fragrances as I will have an immediate reaction to these. Use products with the MADE SAFE® seal. Also, support hair and nail salons that offer safer and more natural products. I ask lots of questions before making an appointment and conduct my own research on their product lines. Knowing which companies test on animals is a top priority as well. Check out the company’s testing practices on sites such a PETA.org to find which do and do not test.

Avoid these ingredients/chemicals as they contains a formaldehyde-releasing chemical:

DMDM hydantoin
Imidazolidinyl urea
Diazolidinyl urea
Quaternium-15
Bronopol (2–bromo–2–nitropropane–1,3-diol )
5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
Hydroxymethylglycinate

For your safety, schedule time to review and clean out the harmful products that you are using and replace them with safe nontoxic options! I’d love to chat more about healthier options, set up your call here!

My 3-day Cleanse Journey – Day 2

July 5, 2017/in Healthy Products

Day 1 is done! So where do you think I struggled most? I caught myself in my daily habit of getting up from my desk to grab a snack. I realized that when I feel stressed, overwhelmed or anxious, I distract myself with a snack. Most of you know I am not grabbing a candy bar or cookie (we eat predominantly whole, clean) but, eating when your body doesn’t need food is not healthy! So how did I cope knowing that I couldn’t grab a snack? I decided to try some deep breathing and downloaded a meditation app. I believe this is a new healthy habit that I will incorporate long after the cleanse.

As far as detox symptoms, I dropped a couple pounds (toxins!) and had a few minor headaches throughout the day as well. My tongue has the usual thick white coating which is a sure sign of detoxing. But overall, I had great clarity and focus. My overall sense of well-being has improved. Less anxious. More calm.

My sugar cravings have subsided much faster than I imagined as well. The dark chocolate bar stashed in my freezer is no longer calling me!

The biggest benefit was not having to think about what we are having for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Then you have prep time, cook time and cleanup, so time savings was an unexpected positive benefit.

I was also blessed that my husband joined me, so the temptations were not there. If I had to prepare a meal for someone else, I’m sure it would have been a bit more challenging. If you have children heading to summer camp or, your hubby is traveling, this would be a great time to try a cleanse/fast.

I’m not sure I can say it was easy but, it wasn’t that hard. When you are drinking juice every 2 hours from 7am to 7pm, it helps you focus on that task. I rewarded myself at the end of the day with an organic bubble bath and some lavender essential oil. Sending a positive message to the brain is important when tackling something new or a bit more challenging then the norm.

Are Cancer and Dehydration Connected?

February 18, 2013/in Healthy Products

Water is critical to the operation and healing of our body as our body is comprised primarily of water. The average adult body is about 70% water. The brain is composed of 75% water, and the lungs are nearly 90 percent water. About 83 percent of our blood is water, which helps digest our food, transport waste, and control body temperature.

Each day humans must replace 2.4 liters of water, some through drinking and the rest taken by the body from the foods eaten. Drinking two quarts of purified drinking water per day is helpful to detoxify the body.

Cancer growth usually occurs in areas of severe dehydration.

The cells can run dry and are severely dehydrated for a number of reasons:

1. Lack of water intake
2. Consumption of beverages that have diuretic effects like coffee, caffeinated tea, soda pop, and alcohol
3. Consumption of stimulating foods or substances, such as meat, hot spices, sugar and tobacco
4. Stress
5. Most pharmacological drugs
6. Excessive exercise
7. Overeating and excessive weight gain
8. Watching television daily for several hours

Dr. Lorraine Day, an expert in treating cancer by alternative means, states that diseases/cancer are caused by three things: improper diet, dehydration, and stress.

So how do we keep ourselves hydrated? Not all beverages are the best choice for maintaining hydration. Water is the best choice, but not all water sources are the best option.

Avoid city water that contains fluoride. The best source of purified water is to purchase a filtration system for your whole house or at least an under the sink model to ensure safe drinking water. This eliminates the need to produce additional plastic waste from bottled water and prevents the risk of the plastic leaching into the water.

Remember, coffee, tea and juices are not replacements for water. These create additional health issues within our body plus force our body to digest them. Caffeine in our body creates stress unlike what most people confuse as energy. Coffee and teas (black teas used in most iced teas) create additional acid in the body.

Drinking pure filtered water is a crucial part in healing from and preventing chronic disease including cancer.

How to Prevent Cancer with Cruciferous Vegetables – Week 40 of 52 Weeks of Wellness

October 17, 2012/in Health Issues

In our quest to increase our plant food intake, let’s take a closer look at cruciferous vegetables. It is vital to understand the benefits especially for individuals with cancer as it can greatly benefit those who incorporate them into their daily dietary regimen. You’ve heard me say it before, whoever eats the most fruits, vegetables, and greens at the end of the day, WINS!

First, what does the word cruciferous actually mean? Cruciferous is defined as plants related to the mustard family; a plant with four leaves; and or a plant bearing the resemblance of a cross.

Cruciferous vegetables contain phytochemicals, which are non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive properties. Because of these phytochemicals, a review of research published in the October 1996 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that 70% or more of the studies found a link between cruciferous vegetables and protection against cancer.

For cancer prevention or healing from cancer, incorporate more cruciferous vegetables and less fruit. The anti-cancer properties of cruciferous vegetables come specifically from the phytochemicals called isothiocyanates, which stimulate our bodies to break down potential carcinogens. These phytochemicals are nature’s perfect way to detox our bodies.

The following vegetables fall into the cruciferous category: broccoli, Brussel sprouts, kale, turnips, cauliflower, bok choy, rutabaga, Nappa cabbage, mustard greens, arugula, watercress, radish, and daikon radish (Japanese radish).

Wondering how to prepare these amazing veggies?

Lightly steam or saute for 5-7 minutes in coconut or grapeseed oil or better yet, juice these with a bit of fruit each morning (just enough to make it palatable). Keeping the enzymes intact by consuming raw will further benefit your body along with maintaining the vitamins and minerals that are lost in cooking.

For those healing from cancer, it is crucial to consume about 50% or more of your total daily intake from raw fruits, veggies, and greens. Always consume as much produce grown locally, picked at the peak of ripeness, grown without pesticides or herbicides. Locate a local farmer, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), or grow your own produce. If you are short of land and/or time or do not have a green thumb, consider aeroponics or hydroponics. Lastly, supplementing with a whole food concentrate is key as well to ensure a variety daily.

Week 40 Action Step:

What is/are your favorite cruciferous vegetables and the tastiest way to prepare/recipe?? Tell us in the comments below.

Mocha Mousse Recipe

February 3, 2010/1 Comment/in Healthy Recipes

This is an amazing Mocha Mousse recipe made with tofu. I tricked my hubby one night and served this after he told me he’d “never eat tofu”. Because it tastes like the most delicious chocolate mousse ever, he loved it– but he WAS quite surprised to find out he just ate tofu! Note with tofu or any soy-based ingredient, use organic non-GMO sources.

The beauty of this dessert is that you can eat it for breakfast or anytime you crave something chocolate. It’s loaded with protein and only uses a natural source of sweetener from dates.

Despite what you may have heard, soy is a healthy food. Its safety and health value depend on how it was produced and processed. Like most other plant foods, the healthiest soy foods are the least processed. Young soybeans, also called edamame, can be steamed and eaten right from their pods. This is one of my favorite snacks. Soybeans are also used to make other foods such as soy milk, tofu, tempeh, and miso, as well as soy meats and cheeses.

Eating whole soy foods may reduce the risk of breast cancer and several other types of cancer, fibroids, and even inflammation. Soy is helpful for bone health, heart health, and menopausal symptoms.

Ingredients:

1 12.3-ounce package of organic firm silken tofu
2 tablespoons cocoa or carob powder. You can also use a chocolate protein powder.
1 tablespoon grain-based coffee substitute granules (optional) or instant decaf coffee such as Mount Hagen organic fairtrade coffee
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped dates, or 1/3 cup date sugar*

Directions:

Mix tofu, cocoa or carob powder, coffee substitute, if using, and vanilla in a blender or food processor.

Next, add dates or date sugar to the blender and blend thoroughly.

Chill, eat and enjoy.

The recipe makes 5 servings.

*Date sugar is simply made from finely grounded dehydrated dates.

If you don’t have chocolate protein, you can use vanilla also. Although, I can’t guarantee it would be as delicious. Here is my favorite plant-based vanilla protein.

Nutrition Information

Recipe from Delisa Renideo, Food for Life Instructor for the Cancer Project

Let me know how much you enjoyed it or any substitutions you made that worked. Especially let me know if you tricked your spouse or kiddos into eating tofu!

Refreshing Radish Salad

May 18, 2009/in Healthy Recipes

This refreshing radish salad is great for summer and easy to make. Fresh radish is nutrient-dense packed with Vitamins E, A, C, B6, and K. Plus it’s high in antioxidants, fiber, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, calcium, iron and manganese. Radishes are in the cruciferous family which help protect again cancer and other disease.

And I have to admit, I’m not really a fan of radishes but they came in my CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box so I needed to find a way to enjoy them.

Both red and daikon radishes offer various health benefits, but they contain different nutrients and compounds. Red radishes, known for their peppery flavor and vibrant color, are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants like anthocyanins. These antioxidants may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases by combating oxidative stress in the body.

Daikon radishes, on the other hand, are larger and milder in flavor compared to red radishes. They are rich in vitamin C, potassium, folate, and antioxidants like quercetin and phenolic compounds. Daikon radishes also contain enzymes that aid in digestion and have been associated with potential anti-inflammatory effects.

Both varieties are low in calories and high in fiber, which can support digestive health and help with weight management. Additionally, radishes, in general, contain compounds that may have antimicrobial properties, supporting the immune system.

As always, to minimize herbicide and pesticide exposure and take stress off the body, use organic ingredients.

Refreshing Radish Salad Ingredients

2 cups peeled and thinly sliced daikon (Japanese white radish) or red radishes*
1 cup thinly sliced green apple, sliced into half-moons
1/3 cup grated carrot
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, sliced into half-moons
1 red radish, grated
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

2 tsp brown rice syrup (agave can also be used or honey)
1 tsp freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tsp sea salt or celtic salt
10 leaves fresh mint or cilantro (optional)

*I didn’t have the daikon radishes so I used red radishes. It was still delicious.

Refreshing Radish Salad Directions

Combine the daikon, apple, carrot, onion, and red radish in a large mixing bowl.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the orange juice, rice syrup, lime juice, and sea salt.
Pour the liquid over the vegetables and toss well to combine.
Garnish with the mint and cilantro.
Enjoy this refreshing radish salad and let me know in the comments what you think of this recipe.

To learn more about how to support your health and prevent disease through nutrition, digestion, supplementation, and detox, book a call with me today. Let’s discuss personalized strategies to help you and your family feel renewed and vibrant. Your health is worth investing in!