Why a Vegetarian Diet Is Good for Your Health and the Health of the Planet

Here's an interesting article written by Rachael Moeller Gorman concerning eating healthy:

 As a journalist, I’ve been following news on the health benefits of meatless eating for years. Recently I started toying with the idea of shifting toward a meatless diet myself. Some people skip meat for spiritual reasons. Many go vegetarian to help the environment (the United Nations determined recently that livestock is one of the top contributors to the world’s most serious environmental problems, for example). But today, there’s something else driving people—including me—to move toward a plant-based diet: health.

Science is showing that cutting back on meat is healthier for just about everyone, and more and more people are doing just that: today, 3 percent of American adults—over 7 million people—never eat meat, fish or poultry, up from less than 1 percent in 1994. The Meatless Monday campaign—a successful voluntary reduction effort in the U.S. during both World War I and World War II that was relaunched in 2003 at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to help Americans cut down on saturated fat—has become a full-blown movement. Cities like San Francisco have made official Meatless Monday proclamations; public school systems and college dining halls have adopted the philosophy; celebrity chefs like Mario Batali are leading the charge in restaurants. Meatless Monday programs are thriving in countries such as Korea, Brazil, Croatia and Canada. You probably know several people who’ve given up meat—maybe dairy and eggs too—every day of the week. Maybe you’re one of them.

 

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10 tips to cut cancer risk

Here is a great article for tips to reduce the risk of cancer:

January 09, 2007|By Dr. Sanjay Gupta Chief Medical Correspondent

• 

A smoker in London, England, watches a presentation on how to quit smoking.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 560,000 Americans died from cancer-related causes in 2006. Some cancers are preventable, and people can cut their risk by maintaining some positive health steps.

Here are my top 10 tips for avoiding cancer:

1, 2 and 3) Do NOT smoke. If you're one of the more than 40 million American smokers, you need to stop. Smoking is linked to at least three in 10 cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. That's more than 165,000 deaths a year.

4) Stay active. Inactivity and obesity are linked to cancer. Half an hour of exercise a day will significantly help your odds.5) Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society recommends at least five servings each day. In general, the most colorful fruits and vegetables have the most nutrients.

6) Limit the amount of red meat and processed meats in your diet, and make sure the meat you do eat is lean.

7) Avoid deep-fat frying. Instead, use low-fat cooking methods like roasting, baking, broiling, steaming or poaching. Also, choose low-fat or non-fat milk and yogurt.

8) Limit your alcohol consumption or avoid alcohol altogether.9) Protect yourself in the sun. Wear sunscreen to limit your exposure to damaging ultraviolet rays.10) Girls should get the HPV vaccine before they are sexually active to help prevent cervical cancer.

 

Click here to go to the article page.

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How do bees produce the Unique LifeMel honey?

"Zuf Globus Laboratories Ltd." prepares an all natural mixture for controlled feeding of bees based on natural honey and adding extracts of various edible plants [therapeutic herbs] to produce this unique natural honey. The mixture of natural honey together with the edible plants' extract, substitutes the pollen that is available to bees in nature and, from it the bees produce a new type of honey, with therapeutic properties, respective to the types of therapeutic herbs that were incorporated into the feed mixture.

This method enables Zuf Globus to control the precise doses of desired food types with which to feed the bees and, ultimately, produce honeys, whose properties are predesigned yet improved through the synergetic effect of being formed in the bee's body.

 

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How to Cope With Chemo: 5 Tips to Help You Survive Read more: How to Cope With Chemo: 5 Tips to Help You Survive | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5062209_cope-chemo-tips-survive.html#ixzz1GJHWfnfB

Here's an interesting article for tips for chemo patients:

 

As a survivor, I've had a cocktail of poison dumped into me on many different occasions. It was hellish, to say the least. Medical studies say that happy and positive patients have a much better survival rate than those who are not. If you're looking for better ways to handle your chemo, and ultimately a better chance of beating your cancer, I'd encourage you to try the following tips:

Instructions

1. • 1

     Demand -do not ask- demand pills from your doctor.

     Anxiety pills, happy pills, sleeping pills, whatever. Many doctors treat the cancer without a thought as to the mental condition of the patient. I made it through four rounds of chemo before I put my foot down and demanded pills. It made all the difference in the world. Don't make the mistake of waiting.

     You're being dumped with steroids, radiation, chemotherapy, and eight to ten pills to manage their side effects, so what's one more?

   • 2

     Eat foods with a strong aroma.

     Many people don't understand that nausea from chemotherapy has very little to do with what's in your stomach. What you eat has very little to do with whether or not you hurl. Soda and crackers keep you from purging about as well as a giant milkshake. Therefore eat whatever you can keep down. You'll be eating like a pregnant woman with the strangest cravings. During my week-long infusions I could eat almost nothing, however during the recovery process in-between infusions I ate smelly foods as much as possible.

     During your treatments, everything tastes bad but your nose remains unaffected. You can 'taste' with your nose to an extent, so maximize this advantage. Chick-fil-a and Pizza worked amazingly well for me.

Click here to read more tips.

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How to Support Someone Going Through Chemotherapy

Here's a great article about Chemo support:

 

Patients undergoing chemotherapy often need support during the process. Your support of someone going through this treatment can help him cope with the physical and mental stress associated with cancer and its aftermath. Follow these steps to lend a hand.

Offer practical support by doing things such as driving the patient to chemotherapy treatments, sitting in on doctor's appointments, cooking, shopping, caring for pets and watering plants

 Check in on the patient. Often people undergoing chemotherapy treatment feel fatigued and overwhelmed and they may not have the energy to ask for the specific help they need. Do not assume that if you have asked a patient once, she will not need help later.

Know your role. Most people undergoing chemotherapy turn first to family and friends for support. However, there may be some things patients do not feel comfortable discussing with their loved ones, and they may feel more comfortable talking with other cancer survivors. Allow your loved one the freedom to seek additional sources of support.

Be aware that caring for someone undergoing chemotherapy can be very time-consuming and fatiguing. Arrange your own schedule and adjust your lifestyle so that you have adequate time for rest and self care, as well as caring for the individual with cancer.

 

Click here to learn more.

 

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Food and Fluids while on Chemo

Here are some helpful tips about eating and drinking while on Chemo:

 

Fluids:

• It is important to keep your fluid intake up to prevent dehydration; 
• Clear, cold drinks (water) may be better tolerated.
• Try sipping fizzy drinks such as soda water, ginger beer or lemonade
• Sip slowly, using a straw may help
• Herbal, ginger or peppermint tea may soothe an upset stomach 

Food:

• Start with small frequent meals and snack then build up to your more normal diet
• Eat slowly and relax afterwards, but avoid lying flat .
• Try not to drink with a meal, but have one 30 minutes before or after.  
• Nausea may become worse when the stomach is empty so try to take regular  snacks.
• If possible, a short walk in the fresh air before eating may help.  
• Fresh air also helps to stimulate your appetite . 
• Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes . 
• Avoid highly spiced or rich or fatty foods if this makes you worse. 
• If the smell of cooking makes you feel nauseous you could try eating cold foods
• Cold food examples include sandwiches, meats, chilled desserts e.g. yoghurts. 
• Let a friend or relative cook if they offer.
• Try to relax and eat slowly in a well ventilated room.

Click here to learn more.

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How to Cope With Chemo

Here is an important tip while on Chemo:

 

Get out of your bedroom. 

If someone has to wheel you around, still try to get out and enjoy life. If you can walk, walk. If you can't, have someone push you around a park or mall. If your counts are down do this at your own discretion and avoid public places. But get out. Nothing saps your will to live like four bare walls and a dripping bag of fluid. You won't feel like it sometimes, but do it anyways. You'll hopefully notice an improvement.

Click here to view more tips.

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