Hospitals Can Be Dangerous Places……

I recently had my own “Suzanne Somers like” hospital experience and I’m still reeling!  Don’t get me wrong – I totally believe in the necessity of good hospitals and medical doctors and that they save many lives everyday.  Unfortunately, I also believe that the situation below, probably happens way to often.

Scene 1:  Emergency Room Saturday 7:30 a.m. I had gotten in the middle of a dog fight the night before and suffered several deep wounds on Friday evening.  FYI - Never, ever put your hand between fighting dogs and NO - A dog’s mouth is not cleaner than a human’s. Anyway, long story short – I woke up Saturday morning with 102 temperature – NOT GOOD. I drove myself to the ER.  I’m told within just a few minutes,  I’m being admitted and IV antibiotics are started.  I can understand the concern and the preventative measures.  This is what hospitals are for.

Scene 2:  About 7:00 Saturday evening, the hospital attending on duty shows up.  She pulls up a chair very close to my bed and with a grim, serious face, proceeds to tell me, “The x-ray of my hand in the ER revealed a disturbing finding”. Exact words folks, “You have a bone lesion in your hand and unfortunately, it’s the kind consistent in people with lung cancer. It has nothing to do with the injury, trust me I questioned the radiologist. I want to get some chest x-rays right away”.  And, depending on what the hand surgeon says, we may also need a MRI to get a better look at the lesion”.  I am away to x-ray within 30 minutes.  Not kidding!  I said out loud –  ”OMG! Did my dog just save my life?”  And, I’m thinking, “I guess I’m going to get the opportunity to live what I believe (not that I really want to)”.  I’m convinced that destroying the cancer with toxic chemo you also destroy the body’s ability to heal itself.  A body that can heal itself can survive cancer (the short story).  You see – I believe everything happens for a reason.  (I had the MRI the next morning).

Can you imagine! Here I am in the hospital with a dog bites and this doctor is sitting in front of me seriously telling me she thinks I have cancer.  She doesn’t know anything about me.  After delivering the bad news, she tells me, “The good news is – all my blood work looks great and I’m healthy, which is a big plus” (except for the cancer thing).  She doesn’t ask me if I have any family members are friends there.  She doesn’t say, “This could be nothing”.  She leaves telling me she’ll be back early in the morning.  Wow – I got a great night’s sleep!  After going plant-based, I’ve been able to totally come off the blood pressure medicine I had taken for 10 years. It’s been almost 2 years now.  I thought I was handling the news pretty well, but my blood pressure said otherwise.

Scene 3:  The doctor enters the next morning to tell me my chest x-rays came back clear, (I swear, she seemed disappointed).  It took her about 2 minutes to deliver this news along with, there is still a chance the lesion is malignant, and the surgeon will be in later to talk to me about it.  About 3:00 p.m., he shows up to confirm I have a bone lesion in my hand.  I ask if the MRI confirmed malignancy.  ”Oh no! (he said), We won’t know that until we remove it.”  So the MRI was unnecessary and useless?  ”Oh no – it gave me a better look at what I’m dealing with”.  I am instructed to make an appointment with his office for Wednesday (3 days later).  I did not.

Scene 4:  Nurse shows up a few minutes later and I ask if I can go home now.  She goes and asks the doctor and I’m released with prescriptions in hand for pain and antibiotics (or so I thought), I couldn’t seem to find them – that’s a whole other blog!

Okay – so I don’t have lung cancer and I guess there is a small chance that have some kind of malignant thing in my hand – but I doubt it.  I’m pretty sure if I wanted to pursue this, which I don’t, I would find out the location of the so-called lesion, is in the exact same spot where I received a really bad cut when I was a girl. It severed nerves and still sends pain up my arm if I hit it.  I’m sure there was some scar tissue left over from that healing.

MORAL OF THE STORY - Stuff happens and sometimes the hospital is unavoidable.  If you do wind up in the hospital:

1.  Question everything! Speak up!  Try to have someone with you taking notes and asking questions when the doctor visits.

2.  FACT – Hospitals are the best place to pick up a bug or infection.  Get out of there as soon as possible!

3.  Do your best to avoid doctors and hospitals. Take responsibility for your health through diet and exercise.   “The REAL solution to America’s “Healthcare Crisis” is to “GET HEALTHY”!  Good Food For Thought…..

4. When pharmaceutical antibiotics are unavoidable.  Began taking a heavy duty probiotic (good bacteria) immediately.  Along with killing the bad bacteria, the antibiotic destroys all your good bacteria (your natural immune system).  Without the good stuff available in your system to fight the bad stuff, you have a good chance of contracting a viral, bacterial, and fungal infection when the antibiotics are stopped.

FYI – Try “Antiseptine” natural antibiotic ointment for cuts and scrapes. (I’m allergic to the ingredients in common over the counter chemical ointments).  Antiseptine has all of my favorite anti-fungal and anti-bacterial solutions in one jar (coconut oil, aloe vera, tea tree oil, etc.). Find it online or you can make your own.  The web is full of  effective natural remedy recipes.

Is the FDA Really Working in Our Favor?

I was just watching a little T.V. today by default.  I decided to check out some new Yoga.  I’m not going to name the channel, but I was a little disappointed to see commercials for lawyers on this particular one.  They were soliciting to potential clients who have experienced the devastating effects of  various “FDA” approved drugs: such as,  malformaties and  birth defects,  heart defects, spinalbifida, just to name a few.  Then it hit me, these guys are advertising lawsuits against big pharmaceutical companies.  Yes, they are still ambulance chasers, but they do make a point.  The FDA approves these drugs that line the pockets of these lawyers.  It amazes me that I can’t buy real organic almonds, but I can get any doctor to prescribe these toxic drugs – so toxic that the side effects make billions of dollars for lawyers.   Just Food for thought.

About

My partner in business and good friend, ask me today “when did all of this “health kick” stuff  kick in”….lol.  And what was the catalyst?  Wow, I really had to think about that.  My connection with nutrition and health was made years ago, when my children were small.  The original catalyst was the state of my own health.  I had several issues and an inherited heart condition that I didn’t want to rule my life (as it had my mothers’).   It didn’t take me long to realize “you are what you eat”.   I didn’t keep, sodas, cookies, chips or sugary cereal in the house.  Sugar was a treat, as it should be.  I DIDN’T LET MY KIDS EAT AT SCHOOL!  They now joke, “the reason they love junk food is because they missed it growing up” – very funny!   They are now 35, 34 and 27 and I’m a young, healthy, happy 53.

My mother died at the young age of 56 after  her 4th heart attack – sad.  I want to live much longer than that and break the cycle of bad health for myself,  my children and maybe just maybe, be a part of breaking the cycle world-wide.

After much soul searching, I have finally decided what it is I want to do with the rest of my life – Bring awareness to as many people as possibly, to the crucial role nutrition plays in our very “being”.    Humans were masterfully designed by the master himself, to live happy and healthy.  We were also given everything needed on earth to heal ourselves mentally and physically.   Disease is not a natural state of aging – Not a natural state period!  What happened?   That is what I plan address on this blog as well share some great recipes, great quotes and have some great fun!

“CHANGE” Is the only constant

I’m sure that quote belongs to someone and how very true it is.  Nothing ever stays the same.  But even so, we try to make time stand still and resist change even to our detriment.  Some never realize their dreams for this fear of jumping off life’s little cliffs.  Why is stepping out of our comfort zone so intimating even when we know what it is we should be doing?  Is it the fear of failure?  Is it laziness?  Why do some people appear to be fearless and some hang on for dear life?  These are questions I’m asking myself.  You see – My safety net has been yanked and I’m free-falling……

For the first time in my working life, from the tender age of 14 to 53, I’ve had the sickening experience of being fired.   Just like everything thing else, I’m sure this gets easier with practice…lol.   I’ve spent a little time feeling sorry for myself, but the truth is,  I know deep down, this is the best thing that could have happened.   I don’t believe in coincidences.  I believe the universe is working in my favor and God has a plan.   This job was the safety net keeping me from making the 100% committment necessary to create a new dream, a new reality.  Without this push or more like a shove, I would probably still be hanging on with one hand and only dipping my toes in the water of change.  I would still be “standing still”.  Thank goodness God knows what’s good for us!

This whole experience reminds me of my first skydive.  What was I thinking – I’m terrified of heights and flying.  I’ll never forget sitting in the doorway of the plane with my legs dangling over the edge, knowing I was going out of this plane (didn’t have a choice at that point) and scared to death!  The look on my face says it all.   As soon as I was out, my face went from terror to ecstasy in a second (have it all on film..:).   I was free-falling and having the time of my life.  I’ve never felt such freedom.

The good news is,  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt what it is I want to do – what I was born to do.  What I’ve always loved to do – COOK.  Even as a young adult, I made the connection between nutrition and health.  I read somewhere a long time ago, when considering a career or career change, think back to when you where 10 and what it was you were passionate about.  It was cooking for me.  This was an activity I shared with my Dad and I’m sure I inherited the “chef” gene from him.  He’s a fabulous cook.

So,  I have an assignment remember?  Bring awareness to as many people as possibly, to the crucial role nutrition plays in our very “being”.  Show others how to make delicious, healthy food and pass on all crucial information that promotes good health.   And, maybe, just maybe,  earn a living doing something I’m really passionate about that actually gives back.

“TODAYS “FOOD FOR THOUGHT”   You may have heard – Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution has been canceled.  I’m really bummed about that.  He had a format for bringing massive attention to a huge problem – Childhood Obesity.   He brought to light one of the most disgusting processes I’ve ever seen (the “chicken nugget” show runs a close 2nd).  Have you ever wondered were the beef in your favorite fast food burger comes from and why it taste different?  After seeing this – you have to wonder why his show was canceled.  Maybe blowing the whistle pissed off a few big sponsors?  Read below and may you never eat another.     

Follow link for the story and hang on to your cookies!   http://www.grist.org/article/2010-01-05-cheap-food-ammonia-burgers

I will be writing a cookbook along the way geared toward disease control. Stay tuned for excerpts and recipes.

 

Cheers!

 

 

Forks Over Knives…

In all the research I’ve done on disease prevention, treatments and cures such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, mental illness just to name a few, it all comes down to, nutrition and activity.  I’m not saying you can’t eat meat in “moderation” (the definition differs person to person) and still be healthy, but I’ve convinced you can’t be healthy without  plant based foods playing the leading role in your diet.   I’m leaning more and more to plant based proteins.   I haven’t had a chance to see this yet, but I know several people who have.   If enough people take notice and make the “food and disease connection” the impact could be huge on all levels of society.  Can you imagine a happy, healthy world?   I hope it gets the press it deserves.  Thanks Mr. Ebert for speaking out!          Gail

Forks Over Knives (PG)

Ebert:     Users: Be the first to rate this movie

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and Lee Fulkerson.

Forks Over Knives

BY ROGER EBERT / May 11, 2011

Cast & Credits A documentary featuring Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Neil Barnard, John McDougall and others. Monica Beach Media presents a film written and directed by Lee Fulkerson. Running time: 90 minutes. Rated PG (for some thematic elements and incidental smoking). Printer-friendly » E-mail this to a friend»

Here is a film that could save your life. So you’d better stop reading now, because you don’t want to go to the trouble. You are addicted to fat, salt, sugar and corn syrup. Your body has established a narcotic-like dependence on them, and you’re comfortable with that, just like smokers know why they keep on smoking. If you have to die 10 or 25 years sooner than necessary to smoke, if you need Viagra because your vascular system is compromised, or if you’re overweight, you can live with that.

Hey, I’m not going all holier-than-thou on you. Think how fat I was for years. I knew the solution, I was weak and lazy. Over 12 years I was eventually able to lose about 70 pounds with a proper diet, but my current weight and superb physical condition can be attributed to my illness. I am unable to eat or drink anything, and my (therefore) perfect diet of canned nutrition has given me an ideal weight and incredibly good blood numbers. I don’t recommend that you get sick to get well, however.

What every human being should do is eat a vegetarian diet based on whole foods. Period. That’s it. Animal protein is bad for you. Dairy is bad for you. Forget the ads: Milk and eggs are bad for you. Skim milk is no better, because it contains proportionately more animal protein. What you’re trying to avoid is dietary cholesterol. You also need to cut way down on salt and sugar, and run like hell from high fructose corn syrup.

“Forks Over Knives” is a documentary in which Lee Fulkerson enacts a mirror image of the journey taken by Morgan Spurlock in “Supersize Me.” Instead of eating only at McDonald’s for a month and nearly killing himself, he eats a plant-based whole food diet for six months, gets off all of his cholesterol and blood pressure medications, drops a lot of weight, sleeps better and has more energy.

His film follows three other sick people: one with breast cancer, one given less than a year to live because of heart problems, one with murderously high cholesterol. All are well again after the vegetarian diet. The movie opens with a warning that no one should take such steps without consulting a physician, and I quite agree; I would not have depended on nutrition to cure my cancer, but I’m convinced that I would always have been healthier if I’d eaten correctly.

The film hammers us with information. It centers on the work of famed nutritionists Dr. T. Colin Campbell of Cornell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn of the Cleveland Clinic. Campbell conducted the awesome China-Oxford-Cor­­nell study, which fol­lowed millions of Chinese over decades and found that increases in their incidence of cancer and heart disease directly paralleled their adoption of a Western diet.

Short term studies show the same thing: When Nazis commandeered all the food animals in Norway and rationing forced Brits away from meat, disease rates plummeted. After the war, they moved up again. In the traditional Japanese diet, breast and prostate cancers are all but unknown.

These facts have long been established, not only by Campbell and Esselstyn but also by Dean Ornish, John McDougall and the researchers at Pritikin. There is a Catch-22. The federal government subsidizes such crops as corn, which is used for lethal corn syrup and to feed animals which we then eat. It puts bad foods in school lunches. The lobbyists of agribusiness control national farm policy. The government spends millions to subsidize an unhealthy diet. We are raising the first generation of children who will not live as long as their parents.

Over the years I tried vegan and low-protein vegetarian diets, benefitted from and enjoyed them. I found by experience that all one needed was a rice cooker, a knife, a chopping block, whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. I got all the protein and calcium I needed. I enjoyed it. But I was tempted. I strayed into the elysian fields of pizza, steaks, hamburgers and soft drinks. I once was blind and now I see.

“Forks Over Knives” is not subtle. It plays as if it had been made for doctors to see in medical school. Few doctors seem prepared to suggest proper nutrition as an alternative to pills, stents and bypasses. Although regular exercise, especially walking, is invaluable, the film shows only a little exercise and focuses singlemindedly on nutrition.

The bottom line: I am convinced this message is true. A plant-based whole foods diet is healthy. Animal protein is not necessary, or should be used sparingly as Asians did, as a flavoring and not a main course. This adds the advantage of allowing us to avoid the chemicals and carcinogens pumped into livestock and poultry. Fast food is lethal. Parents who feed it to their children are helping them get hooked on fat, salt and sugar addiction. The facts are in. Didn’t I warn you to stop reading?

P. S.: I have recently decided to ditch my canned nutrition and switch to a liquid diet based on fresh fruits and vegetables. Yes, I consulted my physician.

Alley’s House Cooking Classes

CATERING FRESH is now in business and our first course of action involves a community outreach project with Alley’s House.  As a single mom, I raised 3 kids, so this charity is close to my heart.  And as a single mother of twin toddlers, it’s especially fitting for my partner Taylor.  Alley’s House provides the necessary skills and resources to these girls, to become great mothers and successful women.  This is a great opportunity to break all kinds of cycles;  malnutrition,  obesity, diabetes,  just to name a few.  If just one family gets it, we’ve done our job and made a difference.  Below is the introduction for our first class:

Class Intro April 25^th, 2011 – ALLEY’S HOUSE

 

OBJECTIVE:    To change the way these mothers perceive food and nutrition and becoming mindful of what they eat and feed their children.   Giving them the tools and skills to succeed in this endeavor.

 

Have you ever heard the OLD phrase “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT”?  (ask for a show of hands)  It’s not just a silly saying – It happens to be profoundly true.

Nutrition is not some made up science just to get you to eat more yucky green beans so the farmer can make more money.  It’s critical to you and your children’s health.  And, believe it or not – your nutrition even affects your future generations.    When you hear someone say “I inherited bad genes”, the reality is they inherited the illness caused by the nutritional deficiencies of their ancestors.

Science tells us our bodies are designed to live to a ripe old age of 100 or more.  What’s keeping us from living to 100?  “Lack of nutrition and exercise”.    As a result, disease is rampant – diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, to name a few.  (Ask question here – who has or knows someone who has or had any of the 3 diseases).

You can be part of the solution.  You can affect the health and life of your children,  future generations and last but not least – YOURS.   (who wants to be part of the solution? Show of hands)

This is not just my opinion.  It’s a fact!   Science is proving the importance of nutrition everyday.   Even the great scientists of all time had a lot to say on this subject.  For instance, in A.D> 390 Hippocrates said, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”.  Edison in the early twentieth century said, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet, and the cause and prevention of disease”.   Dr. Linus Pauling (Nobel prize winner twice) said in 1960 – “Optimum nutrition is the medicine of tomorrow”.

Boy, what happened  – That’s a whole other class.  I will tell you this however –  All the doctors and hospitals in the world will not keep you from getting sick, “but YOU can”.  Your body also has a great capacity to heal itself from illness with the right ammunition.

I will say this too – When it comes to healthcare, preventing  disease is not near as profitable as treating it.  My solution to the exploding healthcare cost in this country is not another taxpayer funded healthcare program, but simple “supply and demand”.   If you create less demand for a product, the price goes down.   If you increase the demand – the price goes up.   Get healthy – create less demand.  Lower your health care expenses and save your life!

The Good news is – Good food taste great!  Trust me – I’ve heard all the arguments about how I can’t afford healthy food and I don’t have time to cook and I don’t like vegetables and my kids won’t eat it, etc…….  It’s my personal goal (and let me tell you – I hate to lose…lol), to give all of you the tools and skills to create delicious, healthy food for your family, save money, save time and feel great!   Catering Fresh is dedicated to this end.

Stay posted for pictures and recipes from our debut class!

About

My partner in business and good friend, ask me today “when did all of this “health kick” stuff  kick in”….lol.  And what was the catalyst?  Wow, I really had to think about that.  My connection with nutrition and health was made years ago, when my children were small.  The original catalyst was the state of my own health.  I had several issues and an inherited heart condition that I didn’t want to rule my life (as it had my mothers’).   It didn’t take me long to realize “you are what you eat”.   I didn’t keep, sodas, cookies, chips or sugary cereal in the house.  Sugar was a treat, as it should be.  I DIDN’T LET MY KIDS EAT AT SCHOOL!  They now joke, “the reason they love junk food is because they missed it growing up” – very funny!   They are now 35, 34 and 27 and I’m a young, healthy, happy 53.

My mother died at the young age of 56 after  her 4th heart attack – sad.  I want to live much longer than that and break the cycle of bad health for myself,  my children and maybe just maybe, be a part of breaking the cycle world-wide.

After much soul searching, I have finally decided what it is I want to do with the rest of my life – Bring awareness to as many people as possibly, to the crucial role nutrition plays in our very “being”.    Humans were masterfully designed by the master himself, to live happy and healthy.  We were also given everything needed on earth to heal ourselves mentally and physically.   Disease is not a natural state of aging – Not a natural state period!  What happened?   That is what I plan address on this blog as well share some great recipes, great quotes and have some great fun!