More good things.....

We took another plunge and joined the Hauppauge Industrial Association - it is so hard for Debbie and I to spend money for anything other than something for the survivors.  However we spoke about this for more than a year - and bit the bullet.  Friday was our first meeting with the group and already we have news to share. 

Racine's of Islip offers services to cancer patients on the third Monday of every month. God Bless them. Reflexology sounds very appealing  aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!

http://www.racinespa.com/

"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons."

~Ruth Ann Schabacker

***
Last night we participated in a meditation class.  Everything is always a surprise for me - I believed we were going to a guided meditation class - this was more of learn to meditate class. Very interesting. Very entertaining.  Now do you see those words fitting with Meditation?

Dean Telano, ND, PHD, MS, E -RYT 500  ( I hadn't a clue what E-RYT 500  means...Registered Yoga Alliance Teacher... fyi)  has a unique background I must say:

B.A., Nutrition and Food Science, Queens College, Flushing, NY

M.S., Exercise Physiology, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY

Doctor of Naturopathy, Clayton College of Natural Health, Birmingham, AL

Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Health, Clayton College of Natural Health, Birmingham, AL

We were taught some simple practices for meditation - the "three syllable practice"  AH OM HUNG; and "Breath Finger Counting" - great tools to begin to incorporate meditation into your daily life.  Of course (you know I liked this) we were told to take baby steps! 
3 - 5 minutes a day - you can do this.  Those will be among the most valuable minutes of your day.  There are ongoing meditation classes at True Living Yoga http://www.truelivingyoga.com/.
Worth your time and peace of mind....

Here is an interesting article from the MDAnderson Cancer Center...

http://www2.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/2011/02/teaching-our-brain-flexibility-meditation-to-manage-stress.html

"There are two mistakes one can make along the road of truth.......not going all the way, and not starting."

~ Buddha Shakyamuni

Healing Event - Sunday, February 20th......

Had to share this for your to pass the word on  - a healing event, Sunday, February 20 from 10 - 5 at True Living Yoga in East Northport.....

https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#drafts/12e345bff23926f6

"Healing in a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity."

~Hippocrates 

Let this be the opprtunity!

Interesting & ( fingers crossed) Promising study....

"We found that those drugs somehow turn on a mechanism in cancer cells that causes them to die within 48 to 72 hours without harming normal tissue," explains Cohen-Armon, a professor in the Neufeld Cardiac Research Institute of TAU's Sackler School of Medicine. "In fact, the normal cells continue to proliferate even in the presence of the drug."

http://www.israel21c.org/health/closing-in-on-cancer

"Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul
and sings the tune
without the words
and never stops... at all."

~Emily Dickinson

Confusion on what to eat....

Just when I thought I had some things figured out - a wrench gets thrown in.  I was brought to this article yesterday about the Incredible Edible Egg YOLK...

http://www.truthaboutabs.com/whole-eggs-or-egg-whites.html

Here we have been so mindful to separate the egg yolk and eat the egg white because of the protein. We omit the fat and the cholesterol but kept good ol' protein.... now they (and who are they) are saying you don't get the full benefit of the egg white without the yolk. Really?

And I started reading 'In Defense of Food' by Michael Pollan and all about the 'Age of Nutritionism' - what happened to good ol' broccoli?  What happened to 'eat a variety of colors' those simple rules to live by?

Here's a simple rule I can live by:

 "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." ~ Michael Pollan

Conscious Eating...

After all the hubbub of Oprah's 'One Week of Vegan' eating, I wanted to share these websites that have some great recipes as well as other good information. I watched Oprah's show and hold the same feelings as some critics of the shopping excursion.  So much processed "non-meat" products were focused on.  Personally I view eating a vegan diet as choosing food in it's natural form - fruits and vegetables, and beans and grain. The tofu turkey and sausage should be used for variety in small portions - just like we are to use meat products.  And honestly I believe eating meat in moderation - particularly grass fed meat is okay.  It is that key word moderation. 

Michelle O'Bama was on the 'Today Show' this morning with Matt Lauer and he read her menu for Superbowl Sunday - wings and deep dish pizza were among the foods.  When questioned by Matt she said that removing these 'desired foods' from you diet forever is an impossible task - so she is a proponent of 'moderation'.

As you know - I believe in baby steps, so eating meatless meals a few times a week is a great start.  I like to cook one or two meals on Sunday to have for the week - and that could be six meals.  I found a great vegetarian chili recipe - (since we were all about turkey chili and this satisfies just as well),  lentil soup, kale with whole wheat pasta and grape tomatoes, spaghetti squash, baked sweet potatoes, beets are among the staple meals.

http://news.cancerconnect.com/wellness-kitchen/

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

Of course, there are many many more websites with great recipes - and here is Chef Kathryn's- my high school friend...

http://www.thehealthchef.com/recipes.asp

"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

***

And can you take this two minute challenge to clear your head:

http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/

World Health Organization reports......

"Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for all global deaths, with 31% of the world's population not physically active."

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2011/world_cancer_day_20110204/en/index.html

I may be preaching to the faithful and if so that is your cue to share the news with others.  The American College of Sports Medicine in 2010 said the same thing as the World Health Organization - 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity a week...(22 minutes a day, 45 minutes very other day, how about 1 1/4 hours twice a week) - reduces the risk of breast and colon cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

In this time of the Biggest Loser - where we see so many Americans - obese - we can't sit back and think - well that's not me, so I am okay.  Sedentary is NOT OK!

Just start... get out and walk - a few times a day - just get it in...you will progress quickly once you take a step.

For those of you who like statistics:

Increase in inactivity (from the WHO report):

Physical inactivity is increasing in many countries and has major implications for these cancers, along with other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Physical inactivity is associated with:

3.2 million deaths per year, including 2.6 million in low- and middle-income countries;

over 670 000 premature deaths (people aged under 60 years);

around 30% of diabetes and ischaemic heart disease burden

Enough said?

***

"Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it." ~Plato





Had enough snow?....don't be a hater!

I just knew that would stir you up.

So - it is February - how are you doing?  How are you moving towards your goals?  Excuse me - didn't decide on one...heaven forbid.

Well I decided I would put the Strength for Life goals out there for you to see.  We have very ambitious plans - so jump in and help if you can.  Lord knows - we can use it.  But we are moving forward and that is because we have put many things in place and some of the pieces are fitting together.  YES!

First and foremost, we have found three additional locations to hold our classes - so bring on the participants. Islip, Deer Park and Island Park - we will continue to look for convenient locations with interested parties. How can you help ? .... share the news. 

Just like the inaugural run haunted us for a very  long time - and we accomplished a very successful event - an exercise video has gnawed at us.  The class participants (sorry I don't have the right word - not patients, not clients - more like friends - but you wouldn't know who I was talking about) have asked from day one for a DVD they can refer to at home.  Somehow in their own environment -they forget that we exercise biceps and triceps, chest and back, quads and hamstrings etc - so they only do what they like.  The excuse overwhelms them. Our concern is that they forget how to properly execute the exercise and breathe - subtle reminders are necessary.

So - a video is planned for early this year.  Lisa Mancini Johnson of Body in Balance has allowed us to use her facility to film and Shannon Conboy of Shantastic films is ready, willing and very capable of dealing with us. YES!

We have already contracted for three wellness weekend retreats at the Hyatt Windwatch for March, June and December and we are considering a full day event for cancer patients/survivors and caregivers.  We have been asked on many occasions if a caregiver can attend the wellness weekend and we are not in  the position to offer that at this time - so we thought a full day event with no overnight stay will reach a greater number.

We are considering a July date for the Skydive event - come on you know how great it is to face your fears! Tell your friends, family and co-workers to ' jump out of a plane!' all for a good cause.  With fundraising they can offset the cost and  FREEfall!

Of course, our Evelyn Knapp 5K 'Run to Remember' is already scheduled for November 20, 2011 - same venue - hopefully even more participants. How can you help - train for it, participate and tell your friends, family and co-workers...and, if possible, find a sponsor in your phone book. YES!

We are talking to groups outside of Long Island to host an exercise session and/or wellness weekend retreat. Regional to National - baby steps - the ultimate plan.

If you haven't read the post on the H3 Initiative - we have our first hiking FUNdraiser - I promise to share all about it.  Divine intervention - I do believe!  How can you help - spread the word - we will consider any FUNdraising idea to support.

Unfortunately, the Polar Bear Plunge is not happening this year.  The State Parks denied our application since there are no lifeguards.  Our friend, Lisa, was putting this together and the communications were delayed - perhaps she will pull it off next year. :( for all you daring to dip into the Atlantic through snow!

So I have laid out the Strength for Life goals for 2011 - check up on us, I promise to update you.  At any time feel free to suggest an idea, jump in and help with an event - and always keep us in your mind and share our services with others.

"Only she who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible." ~Robin Morgan

Remember .....

 "Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out

and striving for his goals." ~Aristotle