We all have health issues and after seeing a nutritionist I can kind of see why I had gotten cancer. Years of eating "Little Debbies" and other sweets didn't help my system. That is because cancer loves an acidic and sugary environment. You would think well, lemons, they have acid, right? Well, in the body lemons and other citrus fruits create an alkaline environment which cancer does not like. Strange but true.
My father just passed away but lived a long life, into his early nineties. How did he live so long? In his later years he was rather thin and that put less stress on his heart, and they say if you eat less calories when you are older you live longer. But he threw up this brown stuff that he breathed in and got a lung infection and other complications. I actually elevate my head and shoulders on three pillows at night because I have acid reflux, maybe a good idea for anyone getting older.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Dismal Falls, VA and concerns about money
Last week we tried something different, as in we went to a place we hadn't been before. At a yard sale I'd found an older Virginia Dept. of Inland Fisheries guide to various parks, falls and natural areas in the state you can visit. It's weird that Liberty University also has a natural area associated with it that looks like it's at least a half hour away from this Lynchburg college.
But we didn't go there. We went to a tiny falls in tiny, out of the way area that is off of state route 100 and then off of route 42, in a rural, and as I said, out of the way area. You can access the Falls at Dismal by hiking 2 miles on the always up and down Appalachian Trail, OR take the easy route, by car, that takes you within 2 tenths on a mile from this pretty little falls. On the way we passed narrow, windy road and big open area reminding us of the farmland of Castlewood in Russell County, Virginia. But, then, why wouldn't it be like far southwest Virginia?
It must have just rained as the little trail to the falls was rather smooth and wet near the bottom. The falls itself seemed to be composed of many layers of rectangular shaped rock, most a dark hue. Some looked like it had white paint splattered and dripping down it, but I assumed that was some kind of moss or probably a lichen. Since it was summer the falls coming off of the many angles and steps of rectangular slabs were thin and modest. It probably roars to life in the early spring!
We met a young family there whose toddler daughter wore a swimsuit and might have gone in the pool below the falls. It has a kind of reservoir/pool below it that is maybe 3 feet deep and and 20 feet or so across. If you put your feet in the pebbly (ouch) water it really is pretty cold!
A few wildflowers, some I can't find in "any" guidebook, were around the falls, including meadowrue, and sassafras plants 5 feet high (!) bordered where we parked our park off the road. We gathered kindling and husband Frank found some light cardboard under an overhang (was a bum there) and made a fire for hotdogs we had on branches from one of the trees, to go with our carrots and potato salad, the dressing a Maya Angelou recipe (dilly but good). I found reddish rock. Frank said there was a lot of iron in this spot.
Except for gas this was a rather inexpensive trip. Concerns about money have me putting off going to a nearby university to advertise my writing services. It is very expensive to live and stressful in the summer when less money is coming in.
But we didn't go there. We went to a tiny falls in tiny, out of the way area that is off of state route 100 and then off of route 42, in a rural, and as I said, out of the way area. You can access the Falls at Dismal by hiking 2 miles on the always up and down Appalachian Trail, OR take the easy route, by car, that takes you within 2 tenths on a mile from this pretty little falls. On the way we passed narrow, windy road and big open area reminding us of the farmland of Castlewood in Russell County, Virginia. But, then, why wouldn't it be like far southwest Virginia?
It must have just rained as the little trail to the falls was rather smooth and wet near the bottom. The falls itself seemed to be composed of many layers of rectangular shaped rock, most a dark hue. Some looked like it had white paint splattered and dripping down it, but I assumed that was some kind of moss or probably a lichen. Since it was summer the falls coming off of the many angles and steps of rectangular slabs were thin and modest. It probably roars to life in the early spring!
We met a young family there whose toddler daughter wore a swimsuit and might have gone in the pool below the falls. It has a kind of reservoir/pool below it that is maybe 3 feet deep and and 20 feet or so across. If you put your feet in the pebbly (ouch) water it really is pretty cold!
A few wildflowers, some I can't find in "any" guidebook, were around the falls, including meadowrue, and sassafras plants 5 feet high (!) bordered where we parked our park off the road. We gathered kindling and husband Frank found some light cardboard under an overhang (was a bum there) and made a fire for hotdogs we had on branches from one of the trees, to go with our carrots and potato salad, the dressing a Maya Angelou recipe (dilly but good). I found reddish rock. Frank said there was a lot of iron in this spot.
Except for gas this was a rather inexpensive trip. Concerns about money have me putting off going to a nearby university to advertise my writing services. It is very expensive to live and stressful in the summer when less money is coming in.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Family Can Create Stress, Hair Sample Results
While it may be true that the family that prays together stays together, I think the family that bugs you or drives you nuts certainly doesn't help. We all have parents who don't really listen, but what about a sibling? You figure your sibling would be an ally, someone you can talk to, a friend. But when the sibling isn't, it's more like "the ties that bind," if you know what I mean. Ill siblings, mentally handicapped siblings, or a brother or sister who act irresponsibly or like bratty children are no fun to be around. And how about childish sisters who lecture, as though they have all the answers to what is going on in their lives? Doesn't anyone else have frustrating siblings out there? And don't get me started on know-it-all in-laws.
My father is in a care facility and it is unfortunate. He threw up into a pillow and breathed it in and caused a lung infection. Now he is on a respirator. My childish sister thinks it is all "his fault" and says she is not sympathetic. When you are pushing 60 you should be a bit more sensitive. When he passes and then my mother I will have to deal with this immature person, probably in person. Maybe it is good she is 3,000 miles away. I stress easily. You would like your family to be supportive and not cause stress but sometimes they aren't much help. Sometimes you need to seek others for support.
My doctor/oncologist certainly wasn't supportive, or supportive enough lately. So I went to a pharmacist/nutritionist and it is strange that the hair strand test results she got for me said I have "too much" calcium and magnesium, and that I need to eat more protein. That supposedly helps your liver and your metabolism and thyroid. I wish I were 20 pounds lighter now. Diets always take so long to produce any results. Should probably lift weights too.
My father is in a care facility and it is unfortunate. He threw up into a pillow and breathed it in and caused a lung infection. Now he is on a respirator. My childish sister thinks it is all "his fault" and says she is not sympathetic. When you are pushing 60 you should be a bit more sensitive. When he passes and then my mother I will have to deal with this immature person, probably in person. Maybe it is good she is 3,000 miles away. I stress easily. You would like your family to be supportive and not cause stress but sometimes they aren't much help. Sometimes you need to seek others for support.
My doctor/oncologist certainly wasn't supportive, or supportive enough lately. So I went to a pharmacist/nutritionist and it is strange that the hair strand test results she got for me said I have "too much" calcium and magnesium, and that I need to eat more protein. That supposedly helps your liver and your metabolism and thyroid. I wish I were 20 pounds lighter now. Diets always take so long to produce any results. Should probably lift weights too.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Cars are too expensive, Waiting to Hear about Results of Hair Test
It is certainly easy to go off of a diet. I went to a meeting of the Beagle Ridge Master Naturalists, the first time in several months, and, of course, I had to try the desserts. Come on, I never make nice desserts at home with my gluten sensitivity. Sometimes it seems like I don't have a sensitivity and sometimes I do. I know bread is not good for me-- maybe I am allergic more to yeast than gluten. So I tried the cake with the maple flavoring inside, and also the bars that looked like they were part brownie and also the really good fruit salad.
And before the potluck I listened in on presentations by new members, about going organic and how to use 'black flies' for your compost heap. I didn't know anything about these flies, so that was interesting and the newer members were friendlier than the older ones.
And the car -- what a stupid, ridiculous expense! We get our son's old Chevy with 200,000 miles on it back on the road and have to take care of the shocks and the front end alignment and tires -- cost us $700. And then we spent $100 to see him and go to Virginia Beach, so it killed our savings. It's no fun being this poor.
I should probably go to the pharmacist/nu-
tritionist's place and not wait for her to send me the report on my hair sample. I probably have a lot of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Easy to do with today's manufactured and packaged food.
And before the potluck I listened in on presentations by new members, about going organic and how to use 'black flies' for your compost heap. I didn't know anything about these flies, so that was interesting and the newer members were friendlier than the older ones.
And the car -- what a stupid, ridiculous expense! We get our son's old Chevy with 200,000 miles on it back on the road and have to take care of the shocks and the front end alignment and tires -- cost us $700. And then we spent $100 to see him and go to Virginia Beach, so it killed our savings. It's no fun being this poor.
I should probably go to the pharmacist/nu-
tritionist's place and not wait for her to send me the report on my hair sample. I probably have a lot of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Easy to do with today's manufactured and packaged food.
Friday, July 1, 2011
About Those 6 weeks without a car, soy, soy everywhere, VA Beach
I guess this time I will start "backwards" as far as the title goes. I am still looking fondly back on our trip to see our son in southeast Virginia -- even took a trip to Virginia Beach and saw where the colonists (!) first landed -- at First Landing State Park. It has an interesting beach area in that is at the confluence (meeting) of several different bodies of water, but primarily Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. From the park's beach we could see where the beachfront curves around to the east and south to Virginia Beach proper, with all its hotels and souvenir shops and restaurants right on the beach. And in the distance to the west had to be the beginning of Norfolk.
We missed out on what I saw online, a video showing a bike route just behind the hotels and bordering a wide sidewalk that then bordered the sandy beach. That might be neat to try in the future, and economical too.
I also discovered that the trees where we picnicked (there is a campground next to this park) had these wiry, almost shrubby "live oak" trees, which have small but leathery leaves, and long wavy limbs very much unlike your typical oak. But then, these are on the coast and rather different from what you find farther inland. We missed out on exploring its trails, which have swampy areas too. We need to go back sometime.
Now I am back from any so-called vacation and trying to not overeat and also trying to avoid 'soy,' which is not the friend of a breast cancer survivor whose cancer was "estrogen receptor positive." I have read I should avoid the plant estrogen in soy, which is in everything! And I thought I was eating healthy with my chocolate bars, with their iron and dark chocolate that is considered good for your heart. So What!!!
There is soy everywhere -- soy in salad dressing, soy in chocolate bars, soy in canned soups, soy in energy bars, soy in mayonnaise, soy in well, soy sauce and Oriental cooking products. Soy, soy, soy! How the heck do you avoid this thing? It's even in those low cal bouillon cubes! Can you believe it?! I guess I will have to make my own soup from scratch, forget the bouillon cubes, use mayonnaise sparingly, make my own salad dressing. Soy seems to be mixed in with a lot of food additives. Just as well I avoid all that crap and try to eat more fruit and vegetables. Too many things in the environment seem to work against you if you want to stay healthy.
I guess being 6 weeks without a car can be good for your health. You have to decide when you are going to go to the store (walk-- the store was only a 15 minute walk away but part of it was uphill), and plan things out more. No hopping in the car, polluting the air and using oil that will never be replenished. At least, when you walk, you can replenish yourself with fluids and more food.
Well, I will call the nutritionist/pharmacist tomorrow to see where I have vitamin deficiencies (she took a hair sample 3 weeks ago) and how to help my immune system. Too bad there is not a group around here of women with the gumption to not listen to every little thing their oncologist says and interested in healthy alternatives. If I have to do this alone then so be it.
We missed out on what I saw online, a video showing a bike route just behind the hotels and bordering a wide sidewalk that then bordered the sandy beach. That might be neat to try in the future, and economical too.
I also discovered that the trees where we picnicked (there is a campground next to this park) had these wiry, almost shrubby "live oak" trees, which have small but leathery leaves, and long wavy limbs very much unlike your typical oak. But then, these are on the coast and rather different from what you find farther inland. We missed out on exploring its trails, which have swampy areas too. We need to go back sometime.
Now I am back from any so-called vacation and trying to not overeat and also trying to avoid 'soy,' which is not the friend of a breast cancer survivor whose cancer was "estrogen receptor positive." I have read I should avoid the plant estrogen in soy, which is in everything! And I thought I was eating healthy with my chocolate bars, with their iron and dark chocolate that is considered good for your heart. So What!!!
There is soy everywhere -- soy in salad dressing, soy in chocolate bars, soy in canned soups, soy in energy bars, soy in mayonnaise, soy in well, soy sauce and Oriental cooking products. Soy, soy, soy! How the heck do you avoid this thing? It's even in those low cal bouillon cubes! Can you believe it?! I guess I will have to make my own soup from scratch, forget the bouillon cubes, use mayonnaise sparingly, make my own salad dressing. Soy seems to be mixed in with a lot of food additives. Just as well I avoid all that crap and try to eat more fruit and vegetables. Too many things in the environment seem to work against you if you want to stay healthy.
I guess being 6 weeks without a car can be good for your health. You have to decide when you are going to go to the store (walk-- the store was only a 15 minute walk away but part of it was uphill), and plan things out more. No hopping in the car, polluting the air and using oil that will never be replenished. At least, when you walk, you can replenish yourself with fluids and more food.
Well, I will call the nutritionist/pharmacist tomorrow to see where I have vitamin deficiencies (she took a hair sample 3 weeks ago) and how to help my immune system. Too bad there is not a group around here of women with the gumption to not listen to every little thing their oncologist says and interested in healthy alternatives. If I have to do this alone then so be it.
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