Spring and Summer 2012

It has been a long time since I have updated my blog. However, it has been a very challenging summer and I am looking forward to a much more pleasant autumn. So far so good as you can see by the pictures I have posted.

Good news first:
I will say that my cancer seems to be in check. It was four and a half years ago that I was diagnosed and in that respect I am feeling very good and thanking God every day for the journey he has sent me on. When you constantly repeat the verse from Jeremiah 29:11, and believe it with all your heart you had better be prepared for your future. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Over the past year, to year and a half, my friend Anita and I have taught and baptized four women. During this time Anita started going to another church but continued to help me with the teachings. Early this spring God put it on my heart to start a Life Group for new believers. I told my pastor but then I kept putting it off...I did not want to teach alone. At the same time I knew we could not leave these ladies wanting more and not getting it - they were hungry for God's Word. Anita came one Sunday to play with the Worship Team so I told her of my plan. She got so excited about it and said that God was also touching her heart to do something with the women. She has come back to South Denver and we are teaching a Life Group together - it is awesome. Two more members are joining us this next week. Pray that we can accomplish God's work in these women and the journey he has designed for us.

Not so good news of the summer:
The death of six friends - three of them within four days of each other. One of them was the lady that stood with me when I was baptized. She was diagnosed in January and died within 6 months - she was only 54. I currently have two friends in hospice, one is Anita's ex-husband. She and her four children are currently in Arizona with him. I have three more friends, here in the apartment building, that have been diagnosed with Cancer. It never stops.

I started a health regimen of walking around Sloan's Lake (about three miles - give or take a little) when suddenly one day my right knee blew out on me. This happened in May and I had a trip planned for Omaha over Memorial Day. I went but it was not the best time that I have had. I was going to the pool at least three days a week when something happened to the heater and the pool was closed most of the summer - very hard to get back in the habit of going.

I have had two bad falls, one at home and one at the church. Both very stupid but both hurt a lot. I fell into the corner of the wall and hit my right shoulder with full force - right in the crease of my arm...tripped on my pajama leg. The fall at the church was right into the corner of a door...and yes I hit on the right side again and over my mastectomy. And I hit my left knee but only had bruises and it no longer hurts...my shoe caught on the carpet while I was setting up the class room...good thing it was not my right knee again.

Last but not least...fires in Colorado with lots of smoke, lack of moisture and lots of heat. I developed allergies after I moved to Colorado and my little cat, Ember, has allergies also. It has been a time of seeing who can out sneeze the other. I feel so sorry for her - I can take pills to help out but I can't get anything down her...she becomes like and octopus - where do all those legs come from anyhow?

Well, this has been my summer in a nutshell. I know that all of you have had your trials also. I pray for my family and friends daily...not all at the same time of course. The Bible tells us that we should 'pray without ceasing' and that is what I do...so, many times the prayers come flowing while I am looking at Facebook - what a terrific reminder to pray for each of you.

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6

　

　

　

Researchers Accidentally Discover Chemo Helps Tumors Grow

Scientists from the Seattle based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have stumbled upon a very inconvenient truth.

Chemotherapy is so damaging to the healthy cells surrounding a tumor that it changes their DNA, causing fibroblasts, those cells involved in wound healing and maintaining connective tissue, to produce a molecule called WNT16B that actually encourages prostate tumors to grow and invade neighboring cells.

The researchers also confirmed these findings for breast and ovarian cancer tumors.

The unsettling findings reported by the journal Nature Medicine in August 2012, helps explain why cancer patients sometimes derive little to no benefit from chemo treatments, essentially enduring the worse than death side effects for naught.
Peter Nelson, the study co-author said, “The increase in WNT16B was completely unexpected”.

It also sheds light on why tumors might shrink from an initial round of chemo only to regrow later becoming resistant to further rounds of the devastating treatment. Peter Nelson confirms the eventual resistance tumors develop to chemo adding: “WNT16B, when secreted, would interact with nearby tumour cells and cause them to grow, invade, and importantly, resist subsequent therapy“.

Professor Fran Balkwill, a UK based expert on the tumor microenvironment commented that these findings are in line with other research which has demonstrated that “cancer treatments don’t just affect cancer cells, but can also target cells in and around tumors”.

Researchers seem unfazed by these disquieting results that, though unexpected, did not seem to give them any pause whatsoever in questioning chemo as a valid tumor treatment for the long term.

Instead, they chose to stick their heads further into the sand suggesting that drugs to inhibit the production of WNT16B were in order for “new and improved” chemo treatments.

If one drug doesn’t work, let’s just add another, then another, then another ….

Apparently, “chemo brain” affects cancer researchers too.

~by Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
~September 22, 2012

The day of the relay, 5-12-12, 6:00 on through to 5-13-12, 7:30 am (Mother’s Day)

I was really looking forward to this day but it was obvious that the weather was not going to cooperate. It did not rain all day Saturday...looking good. The event was to start at 6:00 pm and it started raining at 5:30 and it was cold. I did not want to wear my coat while I was speaking...it stopped raining just before it was time for the opening so I did not have to worry about holding the umbrella and the microphone. Rebecca did video my talk but I am not sure how it will come out because of the feedback from the sound system. I guess it will be better than nothing. I will get it out as soon as she has time to work on it.

I borrowed a large tent from the church and Mike brought his pop-up camper...with a heater. The tent was on the football field and the pop-up was in the parking lot. We were not allowed to anchor the tent with stakes because of the turf on the field. Periodically the wind would pick up and I was not sure it would stand all night.

The rains came...along with the lightening and thunder. They had to clear the field and sent everyone to the auditorium to wait it out for about an hour. I stayed in the pop-up and Laurie and Craig sat in the truck. Not sure how safe any of us were but it seemed that the lightening stopped as soon as every one left the field...we still had to wait. We finally started walking again with sprinkles on and off but it was so cold.

Laurie and Craig only live about a mile from the high school so they went home for a couple of hours and I tried to sleep in the tent on the field. I wasn’t cold but the majority of walkers were high school kids and it was really noisy. After about 45 minutes I went back out walked some more and went up to get some hot tea. I saw that Tim, Andrew and Julianne were walking again and Karen was sitting in the bleachers...I sat there with her for awhile. Then when Julianne did 10 miles and Andrew 13 miles they decided to leave. Tim and Karen said they were going to leave also. Tim probably did 13 miles also because he was keeping up with Andrew (his son-in-law). Stephanie was on the field walking and saw us. Not sure how many miles Mike, Stephanie and Rachel walked. At that time I said that I was ready to leave but I was responsible for the tent and I could not take it down by myself. Tim and Andrew had that tent down in no time. I called Laurie and said the tent is down and we are leaving. Mike was up above closing up the pop-up. Craig and Laurie got back and picked up all of there stuff and we were out of there around 2:30 am. There were other people leaving also.

Since Laurie and Craig live so close to the high school they went back at 5:00 am and all of the tents were down. They were serving the free bagels and hot chocolate and there were no closing ceremonies.

All-in-all it was a very nice event but it was not what I had in mind. I thought it might be a little chili and we could sit around outside and play cards, etc and have snacks. No chance of that.

The team did really good for our first year and raised almost $800. I raised $210 but not all of it got credited to me....that is okay it all goes to the same place.

I had people stopping me all evening while I was walking and thanking me or asking questions. Two high school girls walked up beside me and thanked me and said they wanted to walk a lap with me...then thanked me when we got around.

Steve Heese, my pastor, said that God received the applause...and that is exactly what I was hoping for.

2012 Relay For Life of Littleton CO | Relay For Life

My Reason to Relay
I am participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life because I want to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer.

Almost everyone has been touched by cancer, either through their own personal battle or through someone they love.

Every day, the American Cancer Society is helping us stay well by preventing cancer or finding it at its earliest, most treatable stages. They assist families in finding the best resources to help their friend or loved one deal with a diagnosis and their journey to get well. The American Cancer Society is also rallying communities (like ours!) through events like Relay For Life, to fight back and find cures for this disease.

Please join my team or make a donation to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Together, we can help make sure that cancer never steals another year of anyone’s life!

I have a great team from my church that have signed up to participate in this great event. All have been caregivers within their own families.
Tim & Karen Johns
Andrew & Julianne Boehm
Mike & Stephanie Reed
Gregg & Donna Sutherland

Along with
Craig Macy & Laurie Harbert (Team Captain)
Myrlyn Harbert & Nita LaBarre

Donations can be be given to the team as a whole or to any member of the team.

Most companies will match donations that are made...check with your company.

"For where two or more are gathered in my name,

there am I in the midst of them."

~Matthew 18:20

Relay For Life - American Cancer Society

 

Last year I received a call from my good friend Carol Redel, she wanted to let me know that she had walked for me in the Relay For Life in Avon Indiana. I cannot tell you how much this touched me. When Carol and I reconnected after 25 years I had cancer. Since that time Carol has much had much cancer in her own family and I pray for her and her family daily.

After talking with Carol I wanted to walk. As usual, if you know me at all, I started researching the prospect and I thought it looked good. I called Laurie to see if she would sponsor a team through the Carousel Palette. Her answer was absolutely - she thought it was a great idea, however, it turned out that we were too late for the 2011 season.

A month or so ago I got a call from Laurie and she said we were in, and our team name was the Carousel Palette Crusaders. (The Carousel Palette is Laurie's art studio.) I was so excited that I started making plans immediately and of course doing more research to see what exactly the team does. I knew that Laurie was the perfect person to ask because this is not the first time that she has taken one of my ideas and run with it.

As a new team Laurie received a call from the American Cancer Society. They wanted to know if she knew of anyone that would be willing to tell their story. Laurie knows lots, and lots of people who are suffering with cancer or that are now survivors. She gave them my name. When I talked to the Cancer Society I agreed to tell  my story at the opening ceremony. I still do not have all of the particulars but it is still a month and a half away. May 12th from 6:00pm until 7:30am.

If you would like to walk or if you would like to donate you can sign on to the "2012 Relay For Life of Littleton Colorado". Donations can be made to the team or any team member, including me. It is also just $10 to light a Luminaria for a loved one.

"For where two or more are gathered in my name,

there am I in the midst of them."

~Matthew 18:20

A list of Acid / Alkaline Forming Foods

Your body pH affects everything...

The pH scale is from 0 - 14 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 healthy 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Balancing the pH is a major step toward well-being and greater health. Human blood pH should be slightly alkaline ( 7.35 - 7.45 ). Below or above this range means symptoms and disease. A pH of 7.0 is neutral. A pH below 7.0 is acidic. A pH above 7.0 is alkaline. An acidic pH can occur from, an acid forming diet, emotional stress, toxic overload, and/or immune reactions or any process that deprives the cells of oxygen and other nutrients. The body will try to compensate for acidic pH by using alkaline minerals. If the diet does not contain enough minerals to compensate, a build up of acids in the cells will occur. An acidic balance will: decrease the body's ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the energy production in the cells, decrease it's ability to repair damaged cells, decrease it's ability to detoxify heavy metals, make tumor cells thrive, and make it more susceptible to fatigue and illness. A blood pH of 6.9, which is only slightly acidic, can induce coma and death. The reason acidosis is more common in our society is mostly due to the typical American diet, which is far too high in acid producing animal products like meat, eggs and dairy, and far too low in alkaline producing foods like fresh vegetables. Additionally, we eat acid producing processed foods like white flour and sugar and drink acid producing beverages like coffee and soft drinks. We use too many drugs, which are acid forming; and we use artificial chemical sweetners like NutraSweet, Spoonful, Sweet 'N Low, Equal, or Aspartame, which are poison and extremely acid forming. One of the best things we can do to correct an overly acid body is to clean up the diet and lifestyle. To maintain health, the diet should consist of 60% alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods. To restore health, the diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods. Generally, alkaline forming foods include: most fruits, green vegetables, peas, beans, lentils, spices, herbs and seasonings, and seeds and nuts. Generally, acid forming foods include: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, grains, and legumes. Shifting Your pH Toward Alkaline... This chart is for those trying to "adjust" their body pH. The pH scale is from 0 to 14, with numbers below 7 acidic ( low on oxygen ) and numbers above 7 alkaline. An acidic body is a sickness magnet. What you eat and drink will impact where your body's pH level falls. Balance is Key !!! This chart is intended only as a general guide to alkalizing and acidifying foods. ...ALKALINE FOODS... ...ACIDIC FOODS... ALKALIZING VEGETABLES Alfalfa Barley Grass Beet Greens Beets Broccoli Cabbage Carrot Cauliflower Celery Chard Greens Chlorella Collard Greens Cucumber Dandelions Dulce Edible Flowers Eggplant Fermented Veggies Garlic Green Beans Green Peas Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce Mushrooms Mustard Greens Nightshade Veggies Onions Parsnips (high glycemic) Peas Peppers Pumpkin Radishes Rutabaga Sea Veggies Spinach, green Spirulina Sprouts Sweet Potatoes Tomatoes Watercress Wheat Grass Wild Greens ALKALIZING ORIENTAL VEGETABLES Daikon Dandelion Root Kombu Maitake Nori Reishi Shitake Umeboshi Wakame ALKALIZING FRUITS Apple Apricot Avocado Banana (high glycemic) Berries Blackberries Cantaloupe Cherries, sour Coconut, fresh Currants Dates, dried Figs, dried Grapes Grapefruit Honeydew Melon Lemon Lime Muskmelons Nectarine Orange Peach Pear Pineapple Raisins Raspberries Rhubarb Strawberries Tangerine Tomato Tropical Fruits Umeboshi Plums Watermelon ALKALIZING PROTEIN Almonds Chestnuts Millet Tempeh (fermented) Tofu (fermented) Whey Protein Powder ALKALIZING SWEETENERS Stevia ALKALIZING SPICES & SEASONINGS Chili Pepper Cinnamon Curry Ginger Herbs (all) Miso Mustard Sea Salt Tamari ALKALIZING OTHER Alkaline Antioxidant Water Apple Cider Vinegar Bee Pollen Fresh Fruit Juice Green Juices Lecithin Granules Mineral Water Molasses, blackstrap Probiotic Cultures Soured Dairy Products Veggie Juices ALKALIZING MINERALS Calcium: pH 12 Cesium: pH 14 Magnesium: pH 9 Potassium: pH 14 Sodium: pH 14 Although it might seem that citrus fruits would have an acidifying effect on the body, the citric acid they contain actually has an alkalinizing effect in the system. Note that a food's acid or alkaline forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. For example, lemons are very acidic, however the end products they produce after digestion and assimilation are very alkaline so, lemons are alkaline forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test alkaline before digestion, but it leaves very acidic residue in the body so, like nearly all animal products, meat is very acid forming. ACIDIFYING VEGETABLES Corn Lentils Olives Winter Squash ACIDIFYING FRUITS Blueberries Canned or Glazed Fruits Cranberries Currants Plums** Prunes** ACIDIFYING GRAINS, GRAIN PRODUCTS Amaranth Barley Bran, oat Bran, wheat Bread Corn Cornstarch Crackers, soda Flour, wheat Flour, white Hemp Seed Flour Kamut Macaroni Noodles Oatmeal Oats (rolled) Quinoa Rice (all) Rice Cakes Rye Spaghetti Spelt Wheat Germ Wheat ACIDIFYING BEANS & LEGUMES Almond Milk Black Beans Chick Peas Green Peas Kidney Beans Lentils Pinto Beans Red Beans Rice Milk Soy Beans Soy Milk White Beans ACIDIFYING DAIRY Butter Cheese Cheese, Processed Ice Cream Ice Milk ACIDIFYING NUTS & BUTTERS Cashews Legumes Peanut Butter Peanuts Pecans Tahini Walnuts ACIDIFYING ANIMAL PROTEIN Bacon Beef Carp Clams Cod Corned Beef Fish Haddock Lamb Lobster Mussels Organ Meats Oyster Pike Pork Rabbit Salmon Sardines Sausage Scallops Shellfish Shrimp Tuna Turkey Veal Venison ACIDIFYING FATS & OILS Avacado Oil Butter Canola Oil Corn Oil Flax Oil Hemp Seed Oil Lard Olive Oil Safflower Oil Sesame Oil Sunflower Oil ACIDIFYING SWEETENERS Carob Corn Syrup Sugar ACIDIFYING ALCOHOL Beer Hard Liquor Spirits Wine ACIDIFYING OTHER FOODS Catsup Cocoa Coffee Mustard Pepper Soft Drinks Vinegar ACIDIFYING DRUGS & CHEMICALS Aspirin Chemicals Drugs, Medicinal Drugs, Psychedelic Herbicides Pesticides Tobacco ACIDIFYING JUNK FOOD Beer: pH 2.5 Coca-Cola: pH 2 Coffee: pH 4 ** These foods leave an alkaline ash but have an acidifying effect on the body. UNKNOWN: There are several versions of the Acidic and Alkaline Food chart to be found in different books and on the Internet. The following foods are sometimes attributed to the Acidic side of the chart and sometimes to the Alkaline side. Remember, you don't need to adhere strictly to the Alkaline side of the chart, just make sure a good percentage of the foods you eat come from that side. Brazil Nuts Brussel Sprouts Buckwheat Cashews Chicken Corn Cottage Cheese Eggs Flax Seeds Green Tea Herbal Tea Honey Kombucha Lima Beans Maple Syrup Milk Nuts Organic Milk (unpasteurized) Potatoes, white Pumpkin Seeds Quinoa Sauerkraut Soy Products Sprouted Seeds Squashes Sunflower Seeds Tomatoes Yogurt * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease; research is ongoing. Here's a chart that ranks foods from most alkaline to most acidic. Ranked Foods: Alkaline to Acidic Extremely Alkaline Lemons, watermelon. Alkaline Forming Cantaloupe, cayenne celery, dates, figs, kelp, limes, mango, melons, papaya, parsley, seaweeds, seedless grapes (sweet), watercress. Asparagus, fruit juices, grapes (sweet), kiwifruit, passionfruit, pears (sweet), pineapple, raisins, umeboshi plums, and vegetable juices. Moderately Alkaline Apples (sweet), alfalfa sprouts, apricots, avocados, bananas (ripe), currants, dates, figs (fresh), garlic, grapefruit, grapes (less sweet), guavas, herbs (leafy green), lettuce (leafy green), nectarine, peaches (sweet), pears (less sweet), peas (fresh, sweet), pumpkin (sweet), sea salt (vegetable). Apples (sour), beans (fresh, green), beets, bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage, carob, cauliflower, ginger (fresh), grapes (sour), lettuce (pale green), oranges, peaches (less sweet), peas (less sweet), potatoes (with skin), pumpkin (less sweet), raspberries, strawberries, squash, sweet Corn (fresh), turnip, vinegar (apple cider). Slightly Alkaline Almonds, artichokes (jerusalem), brussel sprouts, cherries, coconut (fresh), cucumbers, eggplant, honey (raw), leeks, mushrooms, okra, olives (ripe), onions, pickles (homemade), radishes, sea salt, spices, tomatoes (sweet), vinegar (sweet brown rice). Chestnuts (dry, roasted), egg yolks (soft cooked), essene bread, goat's milk and whey (raw), mayonnaise (homemade), olive oil, sesame seeds (whole), soy beans (dry), soy cheese, soy milk, sprouted grains, tofu, tomatoes (less sweet), and yeast (nutritional flakes). Neutral Butter (fresh, unsalted), cream (fresh, raw), cow's milk and whey (raw), margine, oils (except olive), and yogurt (plain). Moderately Acidic Bananas (green), barley (rye), blueberries, bran, butter, cereals (unrefined), cheeses, crackers (unrefined rye, rice and wheat), cranberries, dried beans (mung, adzuki, pinto, kidney, garbanzo), dry coconut, egg whites, eggs whole (cooked hard), fructose, goat's milk (homogenized), honey (pasteurized), ketchup, maple syrup (unprocessed), milk (homogenized). Molasses (unsulferd and organic), most nuts, mustard, oats (rye, organic), olives (pickled), pasta (whole grain), pastry (whole grain and honey), plums, popcorn (with salt and/or butter), potatoes, prunes, rice (basmati and brown), seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), soy sauce, and wheat bread (sprouted organic). Extremely Acidic Artificial sweeteners, beef, beer, breads, brown sugar, carbonated soft drinks, cereals (refined), chocolate, cigarettes and tobacco, coffee, cream of wheat (unrefined), custard (with white sugar), deer, drugs, fish, flour (white, wheat), fruit juices with sugar, jams, jellies, lamb. Liquor, maple syrup (processed), molasses (sulphured), pasta (white), pastries and cakes from white flour, pickles (commercial), pork, poultry, seafood, sugar (white), table salt (refined and iodized), tea (black), white bread, white vinegar (processed), whole wheat foods, wine, and yogurt (sweetened). More Ranked Foods: Alkaline to Acidic Highly Alkaline Forming Foods Baking soda, sea salt, mineral water, pumpkin seed, lentils, seaweed, onion, taro root, sea vegetables, lotus root, sweet potato, lime, lemons, nectarine, persimmon, raspberry, watermelon, tangerine, and pineapple. Moderately Alkaline Forming Foods Apricots, spices, kambucha, unsulfured molasses, soy sauce, cashews, chestnuts, pepper, kohlrabi, parsnip, garlic, asparagus, kale, parsley, endive, arugula, mustard green, ginger root, broccoli, grapefruit, cantaloupe, honeydew, citrus, olive, dewberry, carrots, loganberry, and mango. Low Alkaline Forming Foods Most herbs, green tea, mu tea, rice syrup, apple cider vinegar, sake, quail eggs, primrose oil, sesame seed, cod liver oil, almonds, sprouts, potato, bell pepper, mushrooms, cauliflower, cabbage, rutabaga, ginseng, eggplant, pumpkin, collard green, pear, avocado, apples (sour), blackberry, cherry, peach, and papaya. Very Low Alkaline Forming Foods Ginger tea, umeboshi vinegar, ghee, duck eggs, oats, grain coffee, quinoa, japonica rice, wild rice, avocado oil, most seeds, coconut oil, olive oil, flax oil, brussel sprout, beet, chive, cilantro, celery, okra, cucumber, turnip greens, squashes, lettuces, orange, banana, blueberry, raisin, currant, grape, and strawberry. Very Low Acid Forming Foods Curry, koma coffee, honey, maple syrup, vinegar, cream, butter, goat/sheep cheese, chicken, gelatin, organs, venison, fish, wild duck, triticale, millet, kasha, amaranth, brown rice, pumpkin seed oil, grape seed oil, sunflower oil, pine nuts, canola oil, spinach, fava beans, black-eyed peas, string beans, wax beans, zucchini, chutney, rhubarb, coconut, guava, dry fruit, figs, and dates. Low Acid Forming Foods Vanilla, alcohol, black tea, balsamic vinegar, cow milk, aged cheese, soy cheese, goat milk, game meat, lamb, mutton, boar, elk, shell fish, mollusks, goose, turkey, buckwheat, wheat, spelt, teff, kamut, farina, semolina, white rice, almond oil, sesame oil, safflower oil, tapioca, seitan, tofu, pinto beans, white beans, navy beans, red beans, aduki beans, lima beans, chard, plum, prune and tomatoes. Moderately Acid Forming Foods Nutmeg, coffee, casein, milk protein, cottage cheese, soy milk, pork, veal, bear, mussels, squid, chicken, maize, barley groats, corn, rye, oat bran, pistachio seeds, chestnut oil, lard, pecans, palm kernel oil, green peas, peanuts, snow peas, other legumes, garbanzo beans, cranberry, and pomegranate. Highly Acid Forming Foods Tabletop sweeteners like (NutraSweet, Spoonful, Sweet 'N Low, Equal or Aspartame), pudding, jam, jelly, table salt (NaCl), beer, yeast, hops, malt, sugar, cocoa, white (acetic acid) vinegar, processed cheese, ice cream, beef, lobster, pheasant, barley, cottonseed oil, hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, fried foods, soybean, and soft drinks, especially the cola type. To neutralize a glass of cola with a pH of 2.5, it would take 32 glasses of alkaline water with a pH of 10. A list of Acid / Alkaline Forming Foods Alkaline Forming Foods VEGETABLES Garlic Asparagus Fermented Veggies Watercress Beets Broccoli Brussel sprouts Cabbage Carrot Cauliflower Celery Chard Chlorella Collard Greens Cucumber Eggplant Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce Mushrooms Mustard Greens Dulce Dandelions Edible Flowers Onions Parsnips (high glycemic) Peas Peppers Pumpkin Rutabaga Sea Veggies Spirulina Sprouts Squashes Alfalfa Barley Grass Wheat Grass Wild Greens Nightshade Veggies FRUITS Apple Apricot Avocado Banana (high glycemic) Cantaloupe Cherries Currants Dates/Figs Grapes Grapefruit Lime Honeydew Melon Nectarine Orange Lemon Peach Pear Pineapple All Berries Tangerine Tomato Tropical Fruits Watermelon PROTEIN Eggs (poached) Whey Protein Powder Cottage Cheese Chicken Breast Yogurt Almonds Chestnuts Tofu (fermented) Flax Seeds Pumpkin Seeds Tempeh (fermented) Squash Seeds Sunflower Seeds Millet Sprouted Seeds Nuts OTHER Apple Cider Vinegar Bee Pollen Lecithin Granules Probiotic Cultures Green Juices Veggies Juices Fresh Fruit Juice Organic Milk (unpasteurized) Mineral Water Alkaline Antioxidant Water Green Tea Herbal Tea Dandelion Tea Ginseng Tea Banchi Tea Kombucha SWEETENERS Stevia Ki Sweet SPICES/SEASONINGS Cinnamon Curry Ginger Mustard Chili Pepper Sea Salt Miso Tamari All Herbs ORIENTAL VEGETABLES Maitake Daikon Dandelion Root Shitake Kombu Reishi Nori Umeboshi Wakame Sea Veggies Acid Forming Foods FATS & OILS Avocado Oil Canola Oil Corn Oil Hemp Seed Oil Flax Oil Lard Olive Oil Safflower Oil Sesame Oil Sunflower Oil FRUITS Cranberries GRAINS Rice Cakes Wheat Cakes Amaranth Barley Buckwheat Corn Oats (rolled) Quinoa Rice (all) Rye Spelt Kamut Wheat Hemp Seed Flour DAIRY Cheese, Cow Cheese, Goat Cheese, Processed Cheese, Sheep Milk Butter NUTS & BUTTERS Cashews Brazil Nuts Peanuts Peanut Butter Pecans Tahini Walnuts ANIMAL PROTEIN Beef Carp Clams Fish Lamb Lobster Mussels Oyster Pork Rabbit Salmon Shrimp Scallops Tuna Turkey Venison PASTA (WHITE) Noodles Macaroni Spaghetti OTHER Distilled Vinegar Wheat Germ Potatoes DRUGS & CHEMICALS Aspartame Chemicals Drugs, Medicinal Drugs, Psychedelic Pesticides Herbicides ALCOHOL Beer Spirits Hard Liquor Wine BEANS & LEGUMES Black Beans Chick Peas Green Peas Kidney Beans Lentils Lima Beans Pinto Beans Red Beans Soy Beans Soy Milk White Beans Rice Milk Almond Milk More Ranked Foods: Alkaline (pH) to Acidic (pH) Alkaline: Meditation, Prayer, Peace, Kindness & Love Acid: Overwork, Anger, Fear, Jealousy & Stress Extremely Alkaline Forming Foods - pH 8.5 to 9.0 Extremely Acid Forming Foods - pH 5.0 to 5.5 9.0 Lemons 1, Watermelon 2 8.5 Agar Agar 3, Cantaloupe, Cayenne (Capsicum) 4, Dried dates & figs, Kelp, Karengo, Kudzu root, Limes, Mango, Melons, Papaya, Parsley 5, Seedless grapes (sweet), Watercress, Seaweeds Asparagus 6, Endive, Kiwifruit, Fruit juices 7, Grapes (sweet), Passion fruit, Pears (sweet), Pineapple, Raisins, Umeboshi plum, Vegetable juices 8 5.0 Artificial sweeteners 5.5 Beef, Carbonated soft drinks & fizzy drinks 38, Cigarettes (tailor made), Drugs, Flour (white, wheat) 39, Goat, Lamb, Pastries & cakes from white flour, Pork, Sugar (white) 40 Beer 34, Brown sugar 35, Chicken, Deer, Chocolate, Coffee 36, Custard with white sugar, Jams, Jellies, Liquor 37, Pasta (white), Rabbit, Semolina, Table salt refined and iodized, Tea black, Turkey, Wheat bread, White rice, White vinegar (processed). Moderate Alkaline - pH 7.5 to 8.0 Moderate Acid - pH 6.0 to 6.5 8.0 Apples (sweet), Apricots, Alfalfa sprouts 9, Arrowroot, Flour 10, Avocados, Bananas (ripe), Berries, Carrots, Celery, Currants, Dates & figs (fresh), Garlic 11, Gooseberry, Grapes (less sweet), Grapefruit, Guavas, Herbs (leafy green), Lettuce (leafy green), Nectarine, Peaches (sweet), Pears (less sweet), Peas (fresh sweet), Persimmon, Pumpkin (sweet), Sea salt (vegetable) 12, Spinach 7.5 Apples (sour), Bamboo shoots, Beans (fresh green), Beets, Bell Pepper, Broccoli, Cabbage;Cauli, Carob 13, Daikon, Ginger (fresh), Grapes (sour), Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (pale green), Oranges, Parsnip, Peaches (less sweet), Peas (less sweet), Potatoes & skin, Pumpkin (less sweet), Raspberry, Sapote, Strawberry, Squash 14, Sweet corn (fresh), Tamari 15, Turnip, Vinegar (apple cider) 16 6.0 Cigarette tobacco (roll your own), Cream of Wheat (unrefined), Fish, Fruit juices with sugar, Maple syrup (processed), Molasses (sulphured), Pickles (commercial), Breads (refined) of corn, oats, rice & rye, Cereals (refined) eg weetbix, corn flakes, Shellfish, Wheat germ, Whole Wheat foods 32, Wine 33, Yogurt (sweetened) 6.5 Bananas (green), Buckwheat, Cheeses (sharp), Corn & rice breads, Egg whole (cooked hard), Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Oats, Pasta (whole grain), Pastry (wholegrain & honey), Peanuts, Potatoes (with no skins), Popcorn (with salt & butter), Rice (basmati), Rice (brown), Soy sauce (commercial), Tapioca, Wheat bread (sprouted organic) Slightly Alkaline to Neutral pH 7.0 Slightly Acid to Neutral pH 7.0 7.0 Almonds 17, Artichokes (Jerusalem), Barley-Malt (sweetener-Bronner), Brown Rice Syrup, Brussel Sprouts, Cherries, Coconut (fresh), Cucumbers, Egg plant, Honey (raw), Leeks, Miso, Mushrooms, Okra, Olives ripe 18, Onions, Pickles 19, (home made), Radish, Sea salt 20, Spices 21, Taro, Tomatoes (sweet), Vinegar (sweet brown rice), Water Chestnut Amaranth, Artichoke (globe), Chestnuts (dry roasted), Egg yolks (soft cooked), Essene bread 22, Goat's milk and whey (raw) 23, Horseradish, Mayonnaise (home made), Millet, Olive oil, Quinoa, Rhubarb, Sesame seeds (whole) 24, Soy beans (dry), Soy cheese, Soy milk, Sprouted grains 25, Tempeh, Tofu, Tomatoes (less sweet), Yeast (nutritional flakes) 7.0 Barley malt syrup, Barley, Bran, Cashews, Cereals (unrefined with honey-fruit-maple syrup), Cornmeal, Cranberries 30, Fructose, Honey (pasteurized), Lentils, Macadamias, Maple syrup (unprocessed), Milk (homogenized) and most processed dairy products, Molasses (unsulphered organic) 31, Nutmeg, Mustard, Pistachios, Popcorn & butter (plain), Rice or wheat crackers (unrefined), Rye (grain), Rye bread (organic sprouted), Seeds (pumpkin & sunflower), Walnuts Blueberries, Brazil nuts, Butter (salted), Cheeses (mild & crumbly) 28, Crackers (unrefined rye), Dried beans (mung, adzuki, pinto, kidney, garbanzo) 29, Dry coconut, Egg whites, Goats milk (homogenized), Olives (pickled), Pecans, Plums 30, Prunes 30, Spelt Neutral pH 7.0 Ñ Healthy Body Saliva pH Range is between 6.4 to 6.8 (on your pH test strips) Butter (fresh unsalted), Cream (fresh and raw), Margarine 26, Milk (raw cow's) 27, Oils (except olive), Whey (cow's), Yogurt (plain) NOTE: Match with the numbers above. 1. Excellent for EMERGENCY SUPPORT for colds, coughs, sore throats, heartburn, and gastro upsets. 2. Good for a yearly fast. For several days eat whole melon, chew pips well and eat also. Super alkalizing food. 3. Substitute for gelatin, more nourishing. 4. Stimulating, non-irritating body healer. Good for endocrine system. 5. Purifies kidneys. 6. Powerful acid reducer detoxing to produce acid urine temporarily, causing alkalinity for the long term. 7. Natural sugars give alkalinity. Added sugar causes juice to become acid forming. 8. Depends on vege's content and sweetness. 9. Enzyme rich, superior digestibility. 10. High calcium content. Cornflour substitute. 11. Elevates acid food 5.0 in alkaline direction. 12. Vegetable content raises alkalinity. 13. Substitute for coca; mineral rich. 14. Winter squash rates 7.5. Butternut and sweeter squash rates 8.0. 15. Genuine fermented for 11Ú2 years otherwise 6.0. 16. Raw unpasteurized is a digestive aid to increase HCL in the stomach. 1 tablespoon, + honey & water before meals. 17. Soak 12 hours, peel skin to eat. 18. Sundried, tree ripened, otherwise 6.0. 19. Using sea salt and apple cider vinegar. 20. Contains sea minerals. Dried at low temperatures. 21. Range from 7.0 to 8.0. 22. Sprouted grains are more alkaline. Grains chewed well become more alkaline. 23. High sodium to aid digestion. 24. High levels of utilizable calcium. Grind before eating. 25. Alkalinity and digestibility higher. 26. Heating causes fats to harden and become indigestible. 27. High mucus production. 28. Mucus forming and hard to digest. 29. When sprouted dry beans rate 7.0. 30. Contain acid-forming benzoic and quinic acids. 31. Full of iron. 32. Unrefined wheat is more alkaline. 33. High quality red wine, no more than 4 oz. daily to build blood. 34. Good quality, well brewed - up to 5.5. Fast brewed beers drop to 5.0. 35. Most are white sugars with golden syrup added. 36. Organic, fresh ground-up to 5.5. 37. Cheaper brands drop to 5.0, as does over-indulgence. 38. Leaches minerals. 39. Bleached - has no goodness. 40. Poison! Avoid it. 41. Potential cancer agent. Over-indulgence may cause partial blindness. Coral Calcium and pH Balance | All Natural Cancer Therapy Note: No claims are made regarding the therapeutic use of this product... Plus, These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Chart Originating From Essence-Of-Life.com

Alkaline Lemon Cooler Protein Shake

Alkaline Lemon Cooler Protein Shake Recipe

As I've mentioned before, protein intake needs to be balanced by increased intake of alkaline foods. This quick shake is great for a portable meal at the gym or on the go.

• Liquid (Water/Milk/Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk/Carb Countdown)
• 1-2 servings of vanilla whey protein powder (20-40g protein)
• 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (depends on your protein powder)
• Optional: 1/2 cup plain yogurt (low fat, greek or full fat - depending on your calories/carbs)
• Splenda, powdered erythritol or stevia to taste
• Lots of ice

Protein in an Alkaline Diet

I am afraid that I may have made the Acid/Alkaline Diet look like it is easy. I have to admit that it is anything but easy. This is the reason that I stress so much that each individual has to research for themselves. I wish that this was not called a diet but a Life Change.

First - I have a very difficult time with the green vegetables which are at the top of the list. However, they are full of Vitamin K, a blood thickener. I am on Coumadin/Warfarin and I have to watch my intake very carefully. This past week I had the same symptoms I had when I had my blood clot last time. I decided that I had better go get my blood drawn and sure enough my blood was too thick. This has not happened in over a year and I really don’t know how to account for it this time - I am usually so careful. "Know your body."

Second - I have a very difficult time with Protein in this diet. I am in no way a vegetarian so I do still eat small amounts of meats. But I cannot do that three times a day. Most health plans stress that you have to have protein in the mornings and also protein in the evenings. Hmmmm!

Third - I am not advocating that anyone give up therapy to do this diet. It worked for me with God’s help but the diet will work for anyone even if you are going through treatment. It is a start.

Fourth - You can get the pH strips on-line at Swansons or at Vitamin Cottage. You can get the book on-line at Amazon or Vitamin Cottage.

Protein in an Alkaline Diet Protein is often equated with animal food products, but legumes, grains, nuts, seeds and vegetables contain protein, too. If you are aiming for a diet that helps achieve acid-alkaline and pH balance, protein sources should include these healthier non-meat options. In addition to protein, they are rich in minerals and vitamins that the body needs to function efficiently and effectively.

About pH
Although pH values vary throughout the body, the body maintains a slightly alkaline 7.4 pH in the blood. An internal buffer allows for this balanced 7.4 pH no matter how poor your diet may be. Over time, however, eating a diet rich in acid-metabolizing foods and lacking in alkaline-metabolizing foods, can cause acid buildup in the tissues, leading to symptoms such as chronic heartburn, back pain, exhaustion and gastritis.

Protein Sources Animal products such as red meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products are protein-rich foods. Soy products are also an excellent source of protein, and a better alkaline-forming alternative, found in foods such as tofu, soy beverages, soybeans, veggie burgers and soy sauce. Legumes, nuts, seeds and grains also provide protein, but less than animal products. One 3-oz. serving of cooked beef chuck contain 21.4 g of protein, while 1 cup of cooked lima beans contain 11.97 g. Potatoes are also a source of protein, providing about 12.4 g in 1 cup of au gratin prepared potatoes.

Alkalinity and Protein SourcesAll food products contain some acid and alkaline-forming properties, and all protein sources are acid-forming to some degree. Legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, soy and potatoes, however, are better choices for an alkaline diet than animal products, which are highly acidic. Potatoes are a highly alkaline-metabolizing food that contains good amounts of protein. Nuts and seeds such as almonds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are alkaline, but debate exists about the alkalinity of other nuts and seeds. Legumes are acidic, but to a lesser degree than animal protein sources and the legume flageolet beans are alkaline-forming. Grains such as buckwheat, millet and quinoa are alkaline-forming, as are soy milk and tofu.

Fats and Protein In a balanced alkaline diet, it's best to keep fat content low because fats are neither acid or alkaline-forming, but neutral. Protein sources such as legumes, grains, nuts and seeds are excellent choices because they contain much less fat than animal proteins. Animal proteins are high in saturated fat, while legumes, grains, nuts and seeds are low-fat and contain a lot of fiber and other vitamin and minerals
Source
Livestrong.com

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live."

~Flora Whittemore

How I Am Surviving My Cancer

Happy Valentine's Day

My journey started in July of 2008. I was diagnosed with a rare cancer that was metasisizing and my outlook was not good. I decided to stop treatment after my fifth chemo treatment; it just was not worth it to me. I decided on quality of life over quantity of life – no more treatments of any kind.  I put my life in God’s hands. Only He could bring me through this.

I was given lots and lots of advice about different treatments that someone or another heard would work –I was not willing to spend money on something that was not proven. The Acid/Alkaline diet was mentioned to me so I started researching it. It made sense and so I bought my first book.

Many people are asking me to send them my diet for themselves or someone they know. It is not that easy. Everyone has to research it for themselves and make their own decisions on what kinds of food they eat. I have to work around the green vegetables because it would be too much vitamin K and I am on Coumadin. That is one reason people have to follow their own plan on the Acid/Alkaline Diet.

My suggestions to anyone interested in following this plan:

1st of all - Purchase the book "Alkalize or Die" by Dr Theodore A Baroody. That is the best starting point that I know of.

2nd - This diet was not suggested by my doctors - they know nothing about it and are scratching their heads trying to figure out why my cancer is not active. I did 5 rounds of chemo and then refused further treatment and did my own thing. I just recently told my internist what I was doing and he just smiled.

3rd - If you like fruits and vegetables you will survive this diet - it is not hard to follow and it did save my life. Most all fruits and vegetables are Alkaline and everything else is Acid. This does not mean that you cannot eat Acid foods - it is a 20/80 diet. And no, citrus fruits are not acid - they are alkaline.

I will give you some real quick suggestions. Give up sugar altogether - cancer lives on the sugar in our bodies. No sugar, no bread products, no dairy products. If you do eat these items it has to be in very extreme moderation - not more than 20% a day. Read labels - everything has sugar in it but you can find your favorite items if you just keep reading the labels. No more fast foods.

As you will find out when you read the book that cancer cannot live in an Alkaline body, but thrives in an Acid body.

The key to staying Alkaline is to test every day. I have pH strips and I make sure my body stays Alkaline.

The real key is to research, research, and research some more. I cannot stress that enough - I still research even after two years of being on this diet. By this means you will decide figure out which are the best foods to consume for cancer and out of that you will discover the foods that you really like. This is the way I will live the remainder of my life.

In the past several months I have put several postings on my blog. That is where I send most people. To read the whole thing would probably be very boring but it is the journey of my cancer - my journal.

I give the Glory to God. It is because of Him that I consider myself a miracle. That is so nice to say, “I am one of God’s Miracles.” For the second time, I feel very honored.

Christmas Picture

When they said they were going to do pictures here at Francis Heights, for a very nominal fee, I decided to do it so I could use it in my Christmas letter. As I thought about it I decided that I did not want to be in the picture alone. I knew that I could never get a picture with my little cat, Ember, so I chose my neighbors dog. Klondike is a Great Pyrenees. Normally you cannot have a dog that large where I live, however she is a full certified service dog, and yes, I do give her hugs whenever I can - she is so gentle.

My friend that takes care of Ember, when I am out of town, called me as soon as she got my letter. I had signed hers Katherine and Ember - my mistake. She wanted to let me know that something was wrong with Ember - she looked like a big white fluffy dog. We had a good laugh.

I did not send out my letter until the middle of January because I did not get my pictures until I got back from Omaha. I did not send a letter to everyone, just the people that I received a card, letter, or Christmas picture from. I do love to hear about what has gone on in your life for the past year.

For those that did not receive my New Years letter.
January 2012

Okay! I know that I am late getting out a Christmas Greeting. But I still have    time for a New Year’s greeting. I have always heard that it is better to be late than never at all. So here I am.

The Christmas Cards are fewer each year and I so understand the reasoning behind that. I have become guilty of not sending a blessing to each of you annually. I have no excuse since I am retired and have a lot of time to myself. I do want to thank each one of you that sent a card, a letter, or a picture of your family. I absolutely love to read about what has happened in your family the past year. I have decided to take the pictures from over the years and put them in an album so that I can see the difference from year to year.

I don’t really have much to say about myself since I write on my blog every month or so. http://katherinescancerjourney.blogspot.com/

I spend most of my time trying to stay healthy and keeping the cancer out of my life. I do not want it back and with God’s love it will stay away.

I am sure God has many blessings in store for you this New Year…And I hope they last for a lifetime! Happy New Year