Right now, I am in some remote location surrounded by nothing but trees, rocks and a couple of cross country friends! I am taking a weekend away to catch a few breaths and recharge for the craziness that will undoubtedly ensue in the next number of weeks as I wrap up university (!) and start my job full time.
I really believe in remembering to take care of yourself when life gets crazy which is why I have partnered with Anastasia for the last year or so. They are just an unbelievable company with a ridiculously amazing product every time. For the days when I look in the mirror, and all I can think is “Welp, this is as good as it’s going to get”, I do literally reach for my Anastasia stuff.
They have kept my brows tame and my lashes fresh and now they are going one step further. They have created a kit for summer that has everything you need. I love the minimalistic nature of their company and I have gotten rid of all the drugstore brands cluttering my drawers. Fresh, clean and quality…
If you checked out their website, you will know that their Summer Kit is half off for a limited time! It is hitting Sephora soon so get on over to your nearest store or get your clicking finger out for their online store.
This morning, I am tying up my running shoes and headed to Milverton to lead warmups with racers and then to run a very important race. It is not the biggest race I have run this year but it is the crowning achievement of my running group that I have led for the past number of months; brave woman who battle age, aches, ability and heat to reach their goal of running a 5 km. I have a woman in my group who is inching toward 70 and she is as fierce and determined as the rest of them. This race is to raise funds for cancer – to help raise awareness, research funds and to help make the lives of those affected a little better.
It could not come at a better time. I was contacted this week by a lovely woman named Jillian McKee.
Bringing a wealth of personal and professional experience to the organization, Jillian McKee has worked as the Complementary Medicine Advocate at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance since June of 2009. Jillian spends most her time on outreach efforts and spreading information about the integration of complementary and alternative medicine when used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatment.
She asked if she could share something with my readers, and I jumped at the chance. I have been affected mildly compared to most when it comes to cancer, but I feel a deep connection to others who deal with it and their families who come alongside them to support them – I know what it feels like to feel helpless, terrified, angry and all the other emotions that come with being struck by a deep tragedy.
Jillian’s article focuses specifically on proper nutrition for cancer patients but can be applied to anyone wanting to have a healthy diet and lifestyle.
The Importance of Proper Nutrition for Cancer Patients
Whether you were just diagnosed with cancer, are undergoing chemotherapy, or are in remission, your nutrition is incredibly important for your treatment of cancer. Eating the right kinds of foods can give you energy and provide the strength needed to fight your cancer. Proper nutrition can restore problems like weight loss. Plus, eating the right foods can help you fight infections and have a faster recovery.
The three primary macronutrients are protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Eating an abundance of protein is essential for cancer patients because protein helps to build muscle. Many cancer patients lose muscle as they go through chemotherapy and protein can reverse that. After chemotherapy, it is recommended to continue a high protein diet in order to help repair the muscle damage that may have been caused during treatment. Good protein sources include eggs, lean meats, nuts, and milk.
Believe it or not, dietary fats are great for those going through cancer treatment. Healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, olive oil, and some fish, provide the body with energy. They are high in calories- just what many cancer patients need. If you stick primarily to unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats, you can acquire a steady source of healthy energy to use during your cancer treatment and recovery.
Carbs are also a great source of energy for cancer patients. The carbohydrates found in whole grain foods, fruits, and vegetables are particularly useful. They provide energy and also deliver key nutrients and vitamins to cells. Consuming the right types of slow-digesting carbs provides long-lasting energy and a steady supply of vitamins. Fast-digesting carbs, on the other hand, don’t provide much nutrition. These include sugars and sweets and they actually increase hunger and cause a decline in energy in the long run.
One of the most overlooked aspects of proper nutrition for anyone is hydration. Many problems that result from poor nutrition can be fixed through drinking more water. Your nutrition plan will not be complete unless you include plenty of water throughout the day. Water helps with basic bodily functions and it is recommended to drink at least 64 ounces per day.
Ultimately, proper nutrition is essential for cancer patients. Whether dealing with mesothelioma side effects or recovering from leukemia, eating the right foods can dramatically improve your energy and wellbeing. Make sure you get plenty of protein, unsaturated fats, and slow-digesting carbs. Don’t forget about water, which can improve your body’s ability to perform just about every task essential to health.
Thank you, Jillian.
And to all my readers who are battling cancer – I applaud you and your strength and courage. May each day bring new hope, new strength, and fresh miracles.
The night before my birthday, Jesse took me to Borealis, a restaurant that came highly recommended to us by our friends.
It turned out that it was just our luck that it was 2 can dine for $49 that night which is ridiculously well priced considering the quality of the food.
I was too excited about the food to actually take any pictures, but here is what we ordered:
Appetizer: Warm Spinach Chèvre Dip Local cheeses, Ontario spinach, Barrie’s Farm non GMO corn asparagus chips
Wellington County Top Sirloin 7oz AAA aged 28 days, buttermilk mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, beef reduction
We have a bad habit of never being able to make up our minds on what we want in regards to food so we order and split the food 50/50. (Yes, I eat as much as my boy friend…that is what he gets for dating a runner).
And I cannot find the dessert desciption, but we had créme brulee.
It was fabulous. We are food lovers and often cook instead of going out because you can often just make it better yourself. NOT here. I announced grandiosely to Jesse after finishing that it was among the top 5 eating experiences of life. (Among the ranks of Le Train Bleu in Paris and High Tea in London).
So if you are in the area, please do yourself a favour and go!
Which brings me to last night. Jesse picked me up after a long day at Congress. I was standing under my umbrella like a pitiful little creature feeling hungry, tired and not wanting to go to the gym which is what we had planned.
We were halfway across town and I spotted The Works, a new gourmet Burger Bistro in Uptown Waterloo and loudly commented on how awesome I heard it was.
(A small digression…hinting does not work with men).
Jesse calmly agreed and mentioned how great the snack he had before coming was and kept heading to our destination and all the while, I was shooting him mental memos to turn around and feed the ravenous female in the passenger seat.
I moodily reached into my backpack and withdrew a bruised apple and began crunching into it while staring out the window.
Jesse noticed that all was not well to his general right.
“You know what? I didn’t really want to do that much tonight. What do you think about just grabbing some dinner and renting a movie? You pick!”
(Goodness, I love this man).
So naturally, we ended up at the Works and we had another one of the best dining experiances in Waterloo Region. For one, they had gluten free burger buns. Do you KNOW how long it has been since I have had anything but lettuce around my burger?
Jesse had the Electric Blue - danish blue cheese, walnut chunks & a smattering of dijon-haze sauce and I had SK8R Boy - peanut butter, jack cheese & strip bacon. And yes. Peanut butter on a burger is a revelation.
We happily demolished our food and talked each other’s ears off.
So please, check out Borealis and The Works. You will love them both. And if you need someone to go with, I am always up for some good food!
Speaking of food, and in the spirit of shameless self promotion, check out the article I wrote for the Waterloo Food System Round table. And if you have an opinion, please comment. It goes better for me that way! (And the spelling mistakes? Not me. It is altered by the editor before publishing and he made some changes…with spelling mistakes. Awesome.)
