Hey all! Sorry for going MIA this week. I know I haven't posted in awhile, but I've been pretty busy and I like to take a break every once in awhile anyways. I never want my blogging to feel like a job or a chore, so taking a break now and then is refreshing. It's not that I don't like blogging, cooking, and sharing my recipes with you because I love every minute of it. Sometimes it kills me not to be able to do what I love, but life gets in the way sometimes and other things demand my time and attention. I am sure you can all understand. :)
Anyways I have something a little different for you all today....A guest post! I was contacted a few weeks ago by a reader named Jillian Mckee. She liked what I was writing about and was wondering if I would allow her to share some of her research and writing about the benefits of eating and living a healthy lifestyle while going through cancer. Immediately I agreed because I know so many friends and family out there who have been touched by cancer. Her message is so important and I encourage you to read through what she has to say and share this post with your friends and family.
Here is what she has to say:
The Importance of a Good Diet
Health specialists stress the importance of a good diet in order to maintain a strong immune system and provide the body with the resources it needs to function at its best. Healthy eating can also make you happier as a balanced diet makes the body respond better. When diagnosed with a serious illness, it is critical that a balanced diet regimen is followed. This will provide the resources your body needs to fight the effects of the disease. While everybody had different nutritional needs, there are a few rules of thumb that work for nearly anyone following a diet.
The most important piece of advice is to eat more vegetables, especially those of a leafy green variety. They are high in fiber and contain lots of beneficial minerals that help fight illnesses. Vegetables are good because they help fight against free radicals which can cause the body to be less responsive to the illness it is already trying to combat.
Just as useful are whole grain foods. Breads and cereals that are not heavily processed retain a lot of their fiber and other nutrients that can be lost to refinement. White bread may be tasty, but it does not have the beneficial properties of wheat bread the body needs.
Serious conditions such as mesothelioma and other cancers can deplete a person's strength. That is why it is necessary to include a good amount of protein in your diet. Meat is not the best choice, as it tends to introduce more free radicals into the body. Dairy products, nuts, and beans are good alternatives to meat. For those who wish to have some meat, stick with the lean varieties of fish, turkey, and chicken and limit the amount to the size of a pack of playing cards. That is about 4 ounces.
Cut back on fats, oils, sugar, alcohol, and salt. All of these can reduce the effectiveness of the beneficial properties of the healthy foods one should be eating. Alcohol can also interfere with the effectiveness of medications, so it should definitely be used in moderation.
The National Cancer Institute has a few suggestions to keep you on your diet. Having a serious illness makes it harder to stick with a diet plan of any kind. In addition to talking to a dietitian to ensure that whatever regimen you choose to follow will work for you, there is also the issue of being tired. Some of the treatments along with the illness can leave one feeling drained. To this end, the site also advises that you do what you can to limit the chances of not sticking with the diet. Stock your house with nothing but healthy foods. Have a few easy-to-cook meals available for the really tough days. If you know that a particular treatment or medication will leave you feeling too tired to cook, prepare the meal in advance.
It's your body and nobody will have as much of a vested interest in ensuring it stays healthy than you.
Health specialists stress the importance of a good diet in order to maintain a strong immune system and provide the body with the resources it needs to function at its best. Healthy eating can also make you happier as a balanced diet makes the body respond better. When diagnosed with a serious illness, it is critical that a balanced diet regimen is followed. This will provide the resources your body needs to fight the effects of the disease. While everybody had different nutritional needs, there are a few rules of thumb that work for nearly anyone following a diet.
The most important piece of advice is to eat more vegetables, especially those of a leafy green variety. They are high in fiber and contain lots of beneficial minerals that help fight illnesses. Vegetables are good because they help fight against free radicals which can cause the body to be less responsive to the illness it is already trying to combat.
Just as useful are whole grain foods. Breads and cereals that are not heavily processed retain a lot of their fiber and other nutrients that can be lost to refinement. White bread may be tasty, but it does not have the beneficial properties of wheat bread the body needs.
Serious conditions such as mesothelioma and other cancers can deplete a person's strength. That is why it is necessary to include a good amount of protein in your diet. Meat is not the best choice, as it tends to introduce more free radicals into the body. Dairy products, nuts, and beans are good alternatives to meat. For those who wish to have some meat, stick with the lean varieties of fish, turkey, and chicken and limit the amount to the size of a pack of playing cards. That is about 4 ounces.
Cut back on fats, oils, sugar, alcohol, and salt. All of these can reduce the effectiveness of the beneficial properties of the healthy foods one should be eating. Alcohol can also interfere with the effectiveness of medications, so it should definitely be used in moderation.
The National Cancer Institute has a few suggestions to keep you on your diet. Having a serious illness makes it harder to stick with a diet plan of any kind. In addition to talking to a dietitian to ensure that whatever regimen you choose to follow will work for you, there is also the issue of being tired. Some of the treatments along with the illness can leave one feeling drained. To this end, the site also advises that you do what you can to limit the chances of not sticking with the diet. Stock your house with nothing but healthy foods. Have a few easy-to-cook meals available for the really tough days. If you know that a particular treatment or medication will leave you feeling too tired to cook, prepare the meal in advance.
It's your body and nobody will have as much of a vested interest in ensuring it stays healthy than you.
Jillian Mckee
Amen to that! I just want to add that eating and living a healthy lifestyle is not only important while going through cancer; it is also very important in the prevention of cancer. The U.S. spends an overwhelming majority of its budget on the treatment of medical issues. Wouldn't it make more sense to spend money on prevention instead of waiting to treat our illnesses? I thought these photos shared by Fooducate on Facebook the other day fit very well with this topic...So much truth!
Alright now for what you've really been waiting for...the recipe! I've been making variations of this sandwich for quite awhile now (sometimes with cheese or pesto or an everything bagel thin), but I decided to share it today because it goes along nicely with what Jillian had to say. Lots of veggies and whole grains. :) Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 slice 100% Whole wheat toast
1 sliced Tomato
1/2 sliced Cucumber
2 tbsp Cream cheese (reduced fat or fat free)
To taste:
Basil
Garlic powder
Oregano
Salt
Pepper
Directions:
1. Spread cream cheese on toast.
2. Sprinkle on desired seasonings.
3. Top with a hearty layer of tomato (an inch thick slice of my dad's garden tomatoes is my favorite!).
4. Add cucumber on top and dig in! Don't forget a napkin! You are definitely going to need it. :P
Nutrition Facts:
No nutrition facts today sorry! There are too many variations in the ingredients and how you personally make your sandwich.
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