Category: THOUGHTS

Vital Veggies in the war against cancer…

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image: Prevention.com

Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine!

 Vital Veggies

Brussels sprouts, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower all contain sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinols (I3Cs), two potent anticancer molecules. These molecules help the body detoxify certain carcinogenic substances and can help prevent precancerous cells from developing into malignant tumors. They also promote the suicide of cancer cells and block tumor growth.

How to Prepare Them: Cover and steam briefly or stir-fry rapidly with a little olive oil. Avoid boiling cabbage and broccoli, which destroys their cancer-fighting compounds.

We all have to get used to the thought of more fruits and veggies and less processed foods. It’s a hard thing to give up. Convenience is important, but maybe the more we make things ourself the quicker we’ll get! Here’s hoping!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Alaska’s coast… in a kayak?

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image: CoastLiving.com

Isn’t this the most beautiful picture? I love this! How serene. I got this image from Coastal Living. They sent out an email with a view of the day, along with an inspirational message. Great idea. Check out their website at http://coastalliving.com – GREAT magazine!

Now for the message that came along with the photo:
 
“I would not exchange my leisure hours for all the wealth in the world”
-Conte de Mirabeau
 
LOVE IT! Isn’t that the truth? You only have one life, ya gotta live it… Be inspired by this message, sometimes we all need something to give us a boost, let THIS be it! Money is nice, but… your time and the way you spend it is priceless…
 
Catch you back here tomorrow!

Turmeric… a powerful spice against cancer?

On By Barbara StroudIn HEALTH, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image: Blog.WholeFoodsMarket.com

Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine!

Turmeric

Found in curry powder, this spice is the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory available today. It encourages cancer cell death, inhibits tumor growth, and even enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Some research shows that turmeric is most effective in humans when it’s mixed with black pepper and dissolved in oil (olive or canola, preferably). In store-bought curry mixes, turmeric represents only 20% of the total, so it’s better to obtain ground turmeric directly from a spice shop.

How to Use It: Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a teaspoon of olive oil and a generous pinch of ground black pepper and add to vegetables, soups, and salad dressings. Use a tablespoon if you already have cancer.

Whoa! Worth a shot wouldn’t you say? I know they make capsules that contain Turmeric, Black Pepper and Olive Oil… another thing worth trying if the actual taste isn’t quite your thing?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Woohoo Mom… Keep on hanging in there! Love you!… me

Happy Father’s Day!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment
My dad… (Joe Fidler, and my mom, Sheila, peeking through on the left)

Happy Father’s Day dad! I love, love, love this picture of you! Great smile, great time we had on Monhegan Island, ME. I love you for all you’ve done for me. You’ve taught me many things, you have said wise things (that I didn’t think were so wise at the time, but I realize now, you WERE right, hey, it happens, ha ha…). A few things that come to mind… when I no longer wanted to take piano lessons, and I asked you WHY I needed to know how to play the piano. You told me so that I could play for myself, I didn’t like that answer, so you told me I could play at parties… hmmm, closer, but nah… I could live without that noteriety, ha… damn, I wish I never stopped taking lessons, way too hard when you’re older. I remember I didn’t want to go to bed one night and you told me, one day you’re going to WANT TO SLEEP… I thought you had lost your marbles. Who wants to go to bed early, I couldn’t wait to grow up so I could stay up… yep, that’s me, I stay up till 9:00, well most nights! Darn if you weren’t right again! I was very fortunate to grow up with such a cool dad that taught me so many things as I watched YOU do so many things (photography and developing, that was TOO COOL, painting…, rock polishing, wine making, canoe building, wooden ornament making and the list goes on and on and on… you are so interesting to be around because you are so interested in everything. I remember how I used to love to stand on your feet and dance, do you remember that? Cruising Georgian Bay on a sailboat… heaven, at least from a kids perspective! North Star Sail Club, WOW, now THOSE were fun times! Moving to Algonac and living on the river… ABSOLUTE HEAVEN! Thank you for all you have done. I love you with all my heart…

 
Fred’s dad, Carlisle, I call him DC…

And a HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to you DC! We thank you for all you do for us, all you help us learn, for helping us to keep our house in working order and for showing us how to do oh so many things. We appreciate it more than you can ever know! You’re the best. Fred was also lucky to grow up with such a great dad (and mom!), who camped, fished, went to horse shows and did so much together. I join Fred in thinking you are a wonderful man and we love you!

 
I hope all you Father’s out there have a wonderful day, and to those of you who aren’t Father’s, be a mentor to someone… you don’t have to be an actual “father”… go celebrate yourself!
Catch you back here tomorrow!

GINGER… todays cancer prevention tip…

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image: Prevention.com

Big, beautiful ginger. Ok, so ginger doesn’t win any beauty contests, but what it does to your body is all good stuff. This is straight from an article from Prevention Magazine, “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” . Here goes…

GINGER

Fresh ginger, or gingerroot, is a powerful anti-inflammatory that combats certain cancer cells and helps slow tumor growth. A ginger infusion can also alleviate nausea from chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

How to Use It: Add grated fresh ginger to a vegetable stir-fry or fruit salad. Or, make an infusion by slicing a 1-inch piece of ginger and steeping it in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes; drink hot or cold.

Oh, there is nothing better than fresh ginger. It livens up a stirfry, oooh, the shrimp and broccoli stirfry… the steak, mushroom and bok choy stir fry… just to name a few (click on names for recipes). It’s FABULOUS in green tea… any time I’m under the weather I make green tea with sliced fresh ginger, let it steep for a while, then add honey and lemon. Mmmm, good!

These Thursday cancer tip posts are dedicated to my mom… going through chemo right now, bless her heart. Thoughts and prayers always appreciated! She’s a strong lady! I love you mom!

Catch you back here tomorrow…

A good lesson for everyone… especially these days!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS1 Comment
Image: http://laughs.rd.com

Seriously. This is a good point, it’s always best to diversify… meet lots of people, learn how to do many things, have interests that you would only dream of having. You only have one life… so be awake for it.

Have a great weekend… going to go get a cup of coffee now, hee hee…  (‘be awake for it’)…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
 

Pomegranate Juice… Seriously good stuff!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image: Prevention.com

Pomegranate juice. Seriously? WHO KNEW? This is some seriously good stuff! Most of us know it by the brand POM, but many brands are now available. Today’s cancer tip is from a great magazine article “Edible Healing: Food Cures for Cancer” by Prevention Magazine!

Pomegranate Juice

This juice, which tastes like raspberries, has been used in Persian medicine for thousands of years. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are well confirmed; studies show it can substantially reduce the development of even the most aggressive prostate cancers (among others). In addition, drinking it daily slows the spread of an established prostate cancer by more than 50%.

How to Drink It: Have 8 ounces daily with breakfast.

Well mom, today is treatment #3, nine more to go… we’re in the single digits now, woohoo!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Also… http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Memorial Day Eve…

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

 

Image: uulyrics.com

Well tomorrow is Memorial Day, I guess that makes today Memorial Day Eve, doesn’t it? Whether you’re out gathering your grilling supplies, getting ready for friends or family to come over or just enjoying a nice quiet day off please take a few moments tomorrow (or any time!) to remember all men and women who have died for our freedom. If we all can fit in a few minutes of reflection to remember those who stood up for this country that would be a tremendous honor.

As Lee Greenwood said:

And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me and I’ll proudly stand next to him to defend her still today, ‘cuz there ain’t no doubt I love this land, god bless the USA.

ENJOY your Memorial Day! Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance visit my photo blog at http://almostdailypoic.wordpress.com !

One button mushroom! Can you believe it??

On By Barbara StroudIn HEALTH, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image: MedicineWorld.org

I read a blip in Prevention magazine that said there was a 64% DECREASE IN THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER FROM EATING ONE BUTTON MUSHROOM DAILY!  This should be front page news… Even if you don’t like mushrooms, it seems like there could be some way to sneak one into your day! Lucky for me, I DO like mushrooms, and after reading this I AM going to eat more of them!

It’s Thursday. My mom has her first chemo treatment today… I am praying things go well, my hope is that she’ll feel great and continue on without any problems… I’m going to dedicate the next 12 Thursdays to different bits of information that I’ve read to help prevent cancer. Pass them on; we all need a break from this ugly beast! OK mom, 1 down, 11 to go!

  Catch you back here tomorrow, if you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Art quote… Andrew Wyeth…

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image: ReviewPainting.com

You probably recognize this image don’t you? MASTER BEDROOM by Andrew Wyeth. I think he was just the most talented artist and interesting man (judging by his biography). OK, enough already, time for the quote… (artquotes.net)

 
You think you’re developing and getting better and then you see something you did years ago. Looking at your early work.. sometimes it has a depth that surprises you.
  -Andrew Wyeth
 
When I look at his work over the years it’s amazing how it changes, not from good to bad, but just different. I guess there are a few paintings I can look back on where I’m surprised at the depth… hmmm… good!
 
Catch you back here tomorrow! Check out my photo blog if you get a chance… http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

An angel and a prayer…

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS2 Comments
Image: WillowTreeStore.com

Today someone very special to me is beginning a battle… today is surgery with a long but promising road to follow. If you could take a moment and say a prayer for strength and courage, for healing and happiness, I would be forever grateful. Prayer really does make a difference…

This is the Courage Angel by Willow Tree. I can’t tell you how many I have purchased over the years, there is always one to fit an occasion where nothing else seems appropriate.
 
These prayers are for you mom… I love you… me