" Seeing things ... "

A hundred years will never ease

Hearing things I won't believe

I saw it with my own two eyes ...

I used to dream

Of better days that never came

Sorry ain't nothin' to me ...

So please I've done my time ...

'Cause I'm seeing things for the first time

I"m seeing things for the first time

Oh I'm seeing things for the first time

Yeah, seeing things for the first time

In my life, in my life ...

Black Crowes ~ Seeing Things ~

***

doctor: “well, this is a perfect check-up ... I don’t say it often but your eyesight has actually gotten better”

me: “oh wow, that’s great! ... do you think it might be all the carrots I juice?”

doctor: “no, no ... that would only help with your eye health, but not with vision”

me: “ oh okay ... well I guess it can’t hurt right?”

doctor: “sure all those vegetables are probably a good thing”

***

Yes, this is actually a real conversation.  One I had last week with my eye doctor during my annual check-up.  Mixed emotions as I was relieved to hear that all was good, yet disappointed that he didn’t feel my current lifestyle & diet had anything to do with it.  Just once, wouldn’t it be nice to have a believer ... open to the possibility that maybe just maybe it could play a part good health?

Now that is not to say that I haven’t met wonderful, supportive health practitioners on my current health journey ... I just remember growing up and hearing “eat your carrots, they are good for your eyes”.  So you’d think juicing 50lbs a week “can’t hurt”?

Let’s see, perhaps a recap of the benefits carrots and juicing them ...

• juicing carrots allows you to take in more vegetables at one time than you would by eating raw or cooked vegetables
• carrots have two obvious nutrients vitamin A and beta carotene
• beta-carotene is also a major antioxidant
• vitamin A and beta-carotene help maintain vision along with the carrots' fair share of lutein 
• beta-carotene also maintains epithelial tissue, the tissue surrounding internal organs ... (epithelial tissues are susceptible to cancerous growths)
• carrots are also rich in poly-acetylene anti-oxidant falcarinol
• research at the University of Newcastle has shown carrot falcarinol destroys pre-cancerous cells in tumors
• carrots do help keep cancer away
• carrots are also rich in B vitamins and folate
• folate is the natural and safe provider of folic acid
• carrots help restore the liver - our body’s master cleanser
• carrot juice has been called the "golden juice of healing"

***

Again ...

doctor: “no, no ... that would only help with your eye health, but not with vision”

me: “ oh okay ... well I guess it can’t hurt right?”

***

Thankfully, over the weekend I shared this story at a neighbours gathering with a friend who is a dietitian.  She seemed about as confused as I did.  She understands the benefits of good nutrition.  I appreciated her openness to this and my health journey.  Not many are and that is okay.  I have learned to pick and choose who to share with ... no need to open yourself up to negativity and fear as I take care of that on my own during my dark times.  And who knows, maybe it was a fluke check-up ... but I heard of another lady, upon successfully completing Gerson, with improved vision.

Nonetheless, it was nice to hear the word “perfect”, as I realized how many conversations are played over and over again in my mind, and how they affect me subconsciously.  What perfection is doesn’t really matter ... just knowing that this path is heading in a positive direction is the key.  

" Loose Leaves ... "

There are stories in the soil, loose leaves cover the ground

There's volumes in the forest, no one reads out loud

If I could take them down off of that mountain shelf

We used to climb but no one tries to go up that far now yeah ...

I guess I'm moving faster now or that's what they said

And though some days still take forever I can't disagree

Because it seems to me that I wake up and sleep

Look in the mirror have no idea what happened in between

~ Bright Eyes ~ Loose Leaves ~

***

I had a good laugh today when I told Russell I was heading out to pick up Dandelion Leaves from the grocery store.  He had just spent some time in the yard taking those suckers out of the grass!

Believe it or not, dandelion leaves are one of the most nutritious foods you can eat.  Not only are they the most cultivated greens, they have a wide array of health benefits that make them the perfect all around nutritional boost ... particularly, dandelion leaves are rich in vitamin A, fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamine, riboflavin, and protein.

The combination of trace elements, vitamins and other biologically active substances make it a food that is optimal for excellent health.  Recent studies have shown the following benefits:

• prevent or cure liver diseases, such as hepatitis or jaundice
• act as a tonic and gentle diuretic to purify your blood, cleanse your system, dissolve kidney stones, and otherwise improve gastric-intestinal health
• assist in weight reduction
• cleanse your skin and eliminate acne
• improve your bowel function, working equally well to relieve both constipation and diarrhea
• prevent or lower high blood pressure
• prevent or cure anemia
• lower your serum cholesterol by as much as half
• eliminate or drastically reduce acid indigestion and gas buildup by cutting the heaviness of fatty foods
• prevent or cure various forms of cancer
• prevent or control diabetes 
• reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis, cataracts and stroke. 
• contains anti-inflammatory properties which may provide benefit to those with asthma and other inflammatory diseases.

So besides your backyard, where do you find them .... try your local health food stores, co-ops and farmers markets.  Remember to select unblemished, dark green leaves or bunches when purchasing them in the store.  When foraging, young greens that are harvested before the flower head appears will be less bitter.  And be sure to harvest them from land that has not been treated with pesticides, herbicides or other contaminants ... of course, organic is your best option.  

So how do you introduce them into your daily meals?  Well you can use dandelion greens in smoothies and juices.  Due to their bitterness, I recommend blending them with sweet flavorful fruit like banana, strawberries, mango or pineapples.  

And while dandelion is generally considered safe, some people do experience side effects such as heartburn, diarrhea, and upset stomach depending on allergies and/or ailments regarding bile ducts and gallbladder ... as usual, always check with your health care practitioner first.  

Happy weeding!!

" I'm the Cure ... "

"Tell all your friends I'm the cure
Tell them again and again
Watching the walls, spinning in doors
I can bring you peace of mind ...
Waiting around for something to happen
Bring you this instant relief"

~Midnight Oil ~ I'm the Cure ~

***

Whenever I discuss with a friend about how the Gerson Therapy works, there are loads and loads of questions about the restricted diet.  It is silly to think that a "diet" alone will cure cancer, but it is a huge factor shaping our health.  We are what we eat and food is our fuel.  And for some it may be a surprise as to why while following the Gerson programme, the only we are allowed is Flaxseed oil.  

So why flaxseed oil?  Well, it is a natural oil that is considered to be nature's richest source of omega-3 fatty acids that are required for the health of almost all body systems.  Some nutritionists believe that it could be the most important health-promoting supplement next to a multi-vitamin, supporting cardiovascular, immune, circulatory, reproductive and nervous systems, as well as joints.  Studies shown  that omega-3 fatty acids:

• help lower cholesterol and prevent clots in arteries.  
• protect the body against high blood pressure, inflammation and water retention
• shorten recovery time for fatigued muscles after exertion
• accelerate the healing of sprains and bruises
• ease weight loss in people afflicted with obesity
• stimulate brown fat cells and increase the metabolic rate, burning off fat

In regards to the Gerson Therapy, the following information is provided by the Gerson Institute:

"Dr. Gerson realized the need for the right type of essential fatty acids. He experimented with many types of oils and found that in all cases fats other than flax seed oil stimulated tumor growth and even the regrowth of tumors that had resolved. 

Flax seed oil is an omega 3 fatty acid containing linolenic and linoleic acids that inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipid mediators and thus reduces inflammatory responses in the body. It attracts oxygen at the cell membrane assisting in transport of oxygen into the cell. It also helps carry vitamin A through the blood stream. Lignans come from part of the fiber of the seed and are high in protein. Although they can provide health benefits for certain conditions, high lignan flax oil is not allowed on the Gerson Therapy as it introduces too much protein. 

Seeds, including flax seeds, have an important substance in them called an enzyme inhibitor that keeps them dormant until they are in the right environment to sprout. This enzyme inhibitor can also inhibit human digestive enzymes and interfere with good digestion."


As for me, currently, I am allowed one tablespoon at lunch and another at dinner.  After making sure my potatoes are a room temperature, I drizzle the the oil on and then add a great green sauce (Gerson approved) made up of garlic, onion, cilantro and apple cider vinegar.  Shakes up the monotonous taste of potatoes twice a day while allowing me to get the full benefit of the flax seed oil.




ALWAYS consult your health practitioner when considering any form of supplement, medication, synthetic or herbal.  I for one am not in favour of self-medicating, yet am in favour of understanding what you are feeding your body ... and know the benefits and side effects to determine if it is right for you.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” ~ Hippocrates