My brain finally gave me a break for Easter
Hi all, So I am 17 months on from Dday and 8 months on from chemo and rads. Breast cancer thoughts swim around my head daily, sometimes constantly, sometimes only a few times a day. But it's always there, lurking in the background, interrupting my life and disrupting my thoughts at the most inopportune moments. It gets worse the longer I take tamoxifen. I am normally pretty good at packing shitty horrible things in a box in my head called "Keep the hell out of here". This seems to be a little harder and taking a little longer than normal for me though. However, I am very please to say I just had the most awesome Easter long weekend. We had an extended family holiday planned, and with my new "Say yes to every invitation" motto off we went to Yamba. I baled off the Tamoxifen in preparation two weeks ago. Naughty. What a beautiful place. We went out on the boat, fished, swam in the rock pools, drank (probably way too much). I have not laughed so much in so long. It wasn't until we were driving home that I realized the "B/C bitch had stayed out of the way for a while.. Woohoo. Now, how to keep it gone??????? More holidays me thinks.
Cancer Council Enrich Program
Hi lovelies, I know that previously we have had posts about the YWCA Encore program, helping those who have suffered breast cancer to exercise and be healthy using set physical exercises both on land and in an aquatic setting. Just thought that I would post for those that have not heard of the Enrich program which is run by the Cancer Council. I have completed both (was going to them at the same time) and find that both are fantastic to aid in getting moving and giving nutrition tips. The Enrich program does not have an aquatic element it is all done in the meeting room. Like the Encore program it is free and is held in various areas, although Enrich is open to anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis. Here is the link to the site should anyone wish to join. ENRICHing Survivorship program ENRICHing Survivorship is facilitated by an exercise physiologist/ physiotherapist, dietitian, yoga instructor and volunteers to restore your physical and emotional wellbeing after cancer treatment. The program runs one day per week for 8 weeks and each session is 2 hours. To view our upcoming programs, click the link below To find out more, contact us on 1300 360 541 or email enrich@nswcc.org.au https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/enrich/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Survivorship%20News%20February%202018&utm_content=Survivorship%20News%20February%202018+CID_9f74529931ca870957618cfe24035139&utm_source=EDM_CM_survivorship&utm_term=here
Nourishing Knowledge Blog Post Seven: Processed Foods
Image Source: www.naturallifeenergy.com Processed food has a very bad reputation when it comes to nutrition and health but what many people don’t realise is that processed food is more than just potato chips, drive-through hamburgers and Spam. It may come as a surprise but wholemeal bread, homemade soup and even a chopped banana are processed foods. While what most people know as processed foods should be eaten in small amounts many other processed foods have a rightful place in a balanced diet. The Processed Food Spectrum Processed foods such as milk and yoghurt are sometimes fortified with calcium and vitamin D and muesli can have added fibre or iron. Minimally processed foods such as pre-cut fruit and vegetables or pre-packaged spinach leaves are great convenience and create healthy options that are quick and easy. As you move along the spectrum, away from the pre-cut and bagged vegetables you need to be aware of the hidden sugar, salt and fat. Foods that are heavily processed have lost their key nutrients in processing, such as white bread. Ingredients such as salt, sugar and fat are added to processed foods to make their flavour more appealing and to prolong their shelf life, or in some cases to contribute to the food's structure, such as salt in bread or sugar in cakes. This can lead to people eating more than the recommended amounts for these additives, as they may not be aware of how much has been added to the food they are buying and eating. Reading nutrition labels can help you choose between processed products and keep a check on the amount of processed foods you're eating that are high in fat, salt, added sugars and depleted of important nutrients. Alternatives to highly processed foods: Cup of noodles - Make Your Own Just-Add-Hot-Water Instant Noodles Frozen pizza – Homemade Pita Pizza Bottled salad dressing – use balsamic vinegar and olive oil or lemon juice Bottled pasta sauce- canned tomatoes (avoid brands with added sugar and salt), dried oregano, dried or fresh basil and olive oil. Processed deli meat – Grilled chicken breast or roasted beef. Pre-packed microwave meals – Homemade Microwave Risotto Primavera What’s your trick to avoid highly processed foods? May you be Mindful message. Notice 5 things in your day that usually go unappreciated. These things can be objects or people – it’s up to you. The point of this exercise is to simply give thanks and appreciate the seemingly insignificant things in life; the things that support our existence but rarely get a second thought amidst our desire for bigger and better things. For example: electricity powers your kettle, the postman delivers your mail, your clothes provide you warmth, your nose lets you smell the flowers in the park, your ears let you hear the birds in the tree by the bus stop, but… Do you know how these things/processes came to exist, or how they really work? Have you ever properly acknowledged how these things benefit your life and the lives of others? Have you ever thought about what life might be like without these things? Have you ever stopped to notice their finer, more intricate details? Have you ever sat down and thought about the relationships between these things and how together they play an interconnected role in the functioning of the earth? Once you have identified your 5 things, make it your goal to find out everything you can about their creation and purpose to truly appreciate the way in which they support your life. Don’t forget to post your mindfulness stories to be in with a chance to win the May you be Mindful prize pack. References: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2016, Processed Foods: What’s OK, What to Avoid, http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/nutrition/nutrition-facts-and-food-labels/avoiding-processed-foods, viewed May 2016 Better Health Channel 2016, Food Processing and Nutrition, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/food-processing-and-nutrition, viewed May 2016 NHS Choices 2016, Eating processed foods, http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/what-are-processed-foods.aspx, viewed May 2016 Pocket Mindfulness 2016, 6 Mindfulness Exercises You Can Try Today, http://www.pocketmindfulness.com/6-mindfulness-exercises-you-can-try-today/, viewed May 2016
