My, my, my...

so much valuable information to be had.  As you may know I spent a few days in Washington DC at the Cancer Project's 'Food for Life' training. 

Fiber, fiber, fiber is your friend.  That knowledge I already embraced but now I have an increased respect for fiber and the role in plays in reducing your risk of cancer.  Fiber, our friend in all plant based foods - helps rid the body of extra hormones particularly estrogen and testosterone.

And 'Dairy', studies have shown, is linked to increased risk for prostate, testicular, ovarian and breast cancers. 

Via the Cancer Projects website:

 "Prostate cancer has been linked to dairy products in several studies. In Harvard’s Physicians Health Study, including more than 20,000 male physicians, those who consumed more than two dairy servings daily had a 34% higher risk of developing prostate cancer than men who consumed little or no dairy products. Several other studies have shown much the same thing.

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this association. Dairy product consumption increases levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) in the bloodstream. IGF-1 is a potent stimulus for cancer cell growth. High IGF-1 levels are linked to increased risk of prostate cancer and breast cancer."

I can not do justice to the information I was given and all that is available to you. We always suggest eating from the colors of the rainbow - now we are adding "be even more specific".  The Cancer Project is based on a four food group pyramid:

• fruits (3 or more servings) serving size 1/2 cup or 1 whole
• legumes (3 or more servings) serving 1/2 cup cooked beans; 1/4 cup bean spread; 1 cup non-dairy milk; 3 oz tofu, tempeh, seitan or meat alternative
• vegetables (4 or more servings) serving 1 cup raw; 1/2 cup cooked 
• grains (6 or more servings) serving 1/2 cup cooked; 3/4 to 1 cup dry cereal; 1 slice of bread; 1/2 tortilla; a bagel is 4 servings

and a low fat diet

http://www.cancerproject.org/index.php

I just read today that the 21-DAY WEIGHT LOSS KICKSTART, by Neal D. Barnard. (Grand Central Life & Style, $25.99.) A plant-based way to slim down and boost health. is #8 on the NYTimes Best Sellers List. 

A must read for your health!

Interesting to note that the "Cancer Project's Dietary Guidelines for Cancer Prevention and Survival" recommendations are not that far removed from the recommendations of the American Cancer Society, American Institute for Cancer Research and the National Cancer Institute.

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." ~Albert Einstein

New and Improved...

Strength for Life  represented at Long Island Breast Cancer Summit. Debbie and I made many great connections - wish us luck in promoting and growing in Nassau.

Keep a lookout for our new and improved website ... http://www.strengthforlifeny.org/ - should be live this week.

I will be in Washington DC at the Cancer Project's "Food for Life" nutrition and cooking classes...watch for all new and improved recipes and facts to prevent cancer and advance our nutritional knowledge.

• the Stony Brook class is filled to the brim and beyond
• Body in Balance is still open for more participants
• we are looking to fill the Sportime class - any takers in Syosset?

“Virtually no one in the field of health and nutrition speaks about the concept of food having energy, but if you stop and think about it, it intuitively makes sense. Vegetables have a lighter energy than proteins. Animal meat from tortured animals has a different energy than meat from animals that lived a peaceful existence.”

~ Joshua Rosenthal, founder/director of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Long Island Press and Fortune 52 shared our story...

Pinch me, let me write down this date - because so many good things happened for Strength for Life....

Long Island Press & Fortune 52

Thank you Beverly for sharing our story and remembering our friend Evelyn Knapp.

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."

 ~Henry Brooks Adams

Fio's coverage of our March Wellness Retreat

Here are the links to My LI-TV...

Thank you Waldo Cabrera, creator of the Fio's TV production, for capturing the essence of our
 Strength for Life Wellness Retreat.

My LI Tv....

Laura Cerrano explains the Red Envelope Tradition - Feng Shui

"THERE are a lot of nice people out there who think good thoughts -- why not share them?”

 ~Alexandra Stoddard

First Annual Long Island Breast Cancer Summit - Friday March 25...

To learn about the latest innovations and medical discoveries in breast cancer treatment, along with new legislation and services provided by Federal, State and County Governments.

WHEN: Friday, March 25, 2011 – 10AM to 4PM

WHERE: Carlyle on the Green, Bethpage State Park

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Hon. Dean G. Skelos

New York State Majority Senate Leader

along with

Hon. Edward P. Mangano, Nassau County Executive

Hon. Steven A. Levy, Suffolk County Executive

Hon. Carolyn McCarthy, US Congresswoman Health Subcommittee

****

Special Lifetime Cancer Advocacy and Health Achievement Award Presented to:

Michael Dowling

President and Chief Executive Officer, North Shore-LIJ Health System

Register:    http://www.breastreconstructionhelp.com/summit/form.php

Luncheon and Admission are Complimentary



"I'm not afraid of storms,
for I'm learning to sail my ship."

~Aeschylus

Well, well, well - will wonders ever cease???

Constantly evolving aren't we? Who knew that diet by blood type really makes sense! Heard about it long time ago and honestly thought - 'well here's another diet book and dismissed it' - did anyone else hear rave reviews on eating this way - please tell me I am not living under a rock.

By the recommendation of a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and my nutrition guru friend (aka Debbie) I purchased this book yesterday "East Right 4 Your Type" by Dr. Peter D'Adamo. Very interesting - I suggest you give it a read. Here is a link to the website - peruse a little: http://www.dadamo.com/

Just a little personal information, I am "A" ..... Blood type "O" were the original hunter gatherers then came "A" the domesticated agrarians; then "B" mutated by necessity of changing climates and "AB" modern intermingling of groups.

A's should be "vegetarianish" (stole that word from an Oprah show) and my exercise should emphasize calm and flexibility like Tai Chi and Yoga to help deal with the way A's tolerate stress. The book compiled a list of foods that are to be included in your diet, that are neutral to your diet and foods that should be avoided because they are 'poison' to you. The key to my initial read of this book is about "lectins" and their agglutinating properties. If you are consuming foods that are not compatible with your blood the lectins target an organ or bodily system and begin to agglutinate blood cells in that area and result in inflammation. Bottom line for me is to make some changes in the choices of foods I eat. Out with the kidney beans, garbanzos, cheese and corn. Not so terrible - and pineapple is in!

Good read, interesting information - worth a try. If this has a positive effect on arthritis and other inflammatory diseases - let's go for it!

"In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die, and the choices that we make are ultimately our responsibility." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Wellness Retreat March 12 - 13/part 2

Penni Niles was our saviour, coming to our rescue Friday night at the eleventh hour.  As I mentioned - they love Zumba and as requested - below is Penni's information on classes:
The Zumba Gold class is geared for beginners, Active Olders or anyone with any kind of physical challenge.

As of 3/28/11: ZUMBA Mondays 6:30-7:30pm
Sala Classical Ballet Studio Wellwood Ave.,

 Lindenhurst NY

 Synergy Fitness, Montauk Highway, West Babylon NY
631-587-2330

Fridays Zumba 545pm

 (45 minute high intensity class)

845-480-1551 penni.niles@verizon.net

Penni wrote after the retreat "that was the most fulfilling service I've done in a long time..."

****

Carolyn Cavaccha, LMT - our Tai Chi instructor wearing many hats....Carolyn will be opening a storefront for massage and therapeutic exercise including yoga, tai chi and isolated stretching techniques in the next couple of months.  It will be in Hauppauge by the Hauppauge post office.  This website is only set up for massage currently but keep Carolyn in mind and prayers for her future expansion: http://www.smithtownmassage.com/

"We are each of us angels with only one wing,

and we can only fly by embracing one another." ~Luciano de Crescenzo