Happy end of summer everyone. I want to start with a few things about CANCER and my understanding of it. I am not an expert or a doctor, but what I do know from some experts is that SUGAR is not good for people with cancer. All cells eat sugar and especially cancer cells. They thrive on sugar, so why give them food? Eating correctly for cancer can HELP stop the multiplication of cancer cells. Why give them what makes them thrive when you cut back on their food so they cannot increase in volume. It doesn’t make you cancer free, but it can be part of the journey towards recovery. I always say that with cancer or any disease you are meant to be a part of your own healing. It is not about giving your power away to someone ie; a DOCTOR and putting YOUR LIFE in their hands. When you take active involvement in your healing you heal at a deeper level and get to the reasons why you are gifted with this disease. YES I said gifted because I believe that Z (my hubby) and I were gifted with it because we were then able to learn deeply about ourselves and why we are here. Our journey has been profound and I can tell you this: him surviving terminal cancer has changed us all. We are deeply rooted as a family and we are far more grateful for our lives and the delicacy of it. There are many things that we did that were alternative for Z’s cancer treatment, and because of his and our complete commitment to his treatments, they worked. I feel that you must have full commitment to your healing whatever path you choose to take and that is when it works. Z used Ozone therapy, which is highly controversial but was immensely beneficial for him, he did Chinese and Tibetan medicine/herbs & acupuncture and, yet ,I would say that he would attribute 80 percent of his recovery to SLOWING his life down, meditating and his belief in SPIRIT/GOD. That was our path as a family, we made it through, and he is totally cancer free for 4 years now.

* SUGAR is an addiction. It is like any other addiction whether it be alcohol or cigarettes or caffeine etc…. It is a drug and affects your body and mind every time you ingest it. I am not preaching that everyone should give up sugar altogether, but if you are an addictive person and you know if you are, then looking at your sugar intake is critical because if it is a problem for you, then cutting it out of your life may be the difference between obsession and freedom. Freedom from addiction comes when you can break the habit that the addiction has become and the only way I know how to break it is by abstaining for at least several months. I personally don’t eat sugar at all and I truly believe that I am free of my addictive traits, but I also know that I don’t ever feed the addiction. And frankly, it has been so long since I experienced sugar I have no interest in it any longer. I just don’t have the temptation lurking in my brain anymore so why tempt it? That is because I know my habitual tendencies so why go there if you can have freedom from those obsessive thoughts? I don’t drink alcohol either, but that is also a sugar addiction. That is why so many in recovery eat sugar or drink caffeine. One Addiction to another… we like to alter the state of our consciousness. Humans will find many ways to try to feel different and to get away from their pain. My tactic is to look at my pain, feel it and let it go. I know after years of practice that facing pain is never as bad when you actually do it, then when you think about doing it. Stuffing any feelings away causes them to slap you in that face harder sometime in the future, usually when it is least convenient.

* Every month I am asked about BLISSQUITS and I swear to you that when I finally get them into the market place I can then share the recipe…so sorry.

* I love Himalayan sea salt and recommend it for your daily salt use. I have done a salt cleanse but to do one properly, I would suggest looking into it with a naturopath or your local health store expert for advice.

* Recipes for someone with a family and who is pregnant… Just the fact that you are eating correctly when you are pregnant is a huge advantage to your system and the growth of your baby. Your body is so heightened now in its sensitivity that you are naturally drawn towards eating what is good for you if you pay attention to it. As far as recipes go I can say that my BEST advice is to put away time enough for you to make simple food, it is better for you and takes less time. What I mean by simple is a grilled or broiled protein… literally find a good piece of fish or organic meat or chicken and marinate it in the fridge in the AM, slathered in a healthy bottled salad dressing (as a marinade) that is not full of sugar… a vinaigrette of some kind… or even a pre-packaged pesto or tomato sauce you like, and put it over your protein, and let it absorb the flavors all day long or even an hour will be enough time too. Then grill, broil, or bake it in the evening. It takes 15 minutes or maybe twenty to grill. Just keep checking it under the heat for what texture you like. You can steam a veggie & put lemon, olive oil and Himalayan salt on it or grate some parmesan over it and pop it under the broil to toast the cheese….yummy… and then have a gluten free bread if you must or skip the carb and have berries and Stevia sweetened whip cream (organic whipping cream, vanilla, and one packet SWEETLEAF brand Stevia) and whip it good, dollop over berries and sprinkle with slightly toasted nuts that you like and a dash of cinnamon, easy to make and takes very little time!

* As far as hair color goes: not the best idea to color your hair when you are pregnant. I quit when I was and the roots were SPECIAL and then pronto after baby was born I got my roots done…chemicals? Yes. Bad for me ? Yes, but until they come up with GREAT natural color I am afraid I am running that risk. I hate to say this but there are SOME choices that I make that are not ALWAYS perfectly natural. As much as I would like for all my choices to be that way, I find that my vanity will sometimes get in the way of that…OH WELL!

* I talk about Ron Rosedale’s diet and it is NOT at all far from my own food program, BUT I recommend in my book that you find the diet that suits you and sometimes for some people that may mean that they eat more carbohydrates than I would personally eat. Ron’s program is cutting edge science in the world of food and the importance of FAT and how to eat fat to turn your body into a fat burner and to create optimum health.

* If you are overweight my best advice is to GO SLOW make small goals, not necessarily for weight loss but for body and food awareness. Change your breakfast then the following week, change your lunch etc… see how you feel with the changes. You are trying to create an environment where your body shifts and your mind gives up it’s need to control your body. And look at the reasons you eat and the reasons you make it difficult to change the way you eat. Did you feel love through food as a child? Are you lonely? Are you bored? No need to do anything more than just be aware of your thoughts, reasons and habits by seeing them and becoming aware of them over and over again until finally you can let them go (or they let you go) and you can move on. It really is that simple…the mere acceptance of something can turn your life around.

* I love the sun and think that it has gotten a BAD RAP. Sun and vitamin D are critical for your good health and SENSE of well-being. So get some sun everyday not a lot but definitely some. I have found a new product that has great sunscreen and a great make up line. It is really a fantastic mineral make up line that is better than any I have tried on the market. It is made by COLORSCIENCE and can be looked up on line.

* As far as my grandfather goes, I adore him and my legacy with such an amazing man, but I didn’t know him because he died before I was born. Hence my stories are from my father and they have become somewhat remote.

* Finally I want to say hi to my friend from kindergarten through elementary school in Ketchum Idaho. Hi Paula…. I am thrilled that you wrote into the blog. STAY WELL… and many blessings!

Thank you to all who wrote in this summer! Until next time…. Blessings to you all!!!

journal, your letters