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HEALTH

FAMILY/ Love/ Music Renews/ Spiritual

Held Together By The Breath Of Heaven

I have always loved this song, but it took on a special meaning for me last Christmas, as I was weak from finishing 4 rounds of chemotherapy, and knew a double mastectomy was coming my way right after Christmas.  I found much comfort in this song, especially the chorus.  I find myself continuing to cling to the words the last few days.  My MRI was finally approved by insurance, and I will have it on Monday night, results a few days after. 
I honestly don’t know what I would do without the hope of Heaven, and His comfort– His breath whispers to me– as I continue to face my own mortality.  It is a place I don’t like being, but at the same time, it is a place where I have the opportunity to release myself completely to His plan, and to practice a deep trust.  It is a place where I am able to practice what I proclaim, and a place where what I proclaim has become so very tangible and real.  These are the gifts, ones I am beginning to think I would not trade, even for health.  
For my heart is healing, which is so meaningful and life-giving.  Far beyond physical healing.  Of course I would love to stay physically healthy, but I now know deeply what matters.  Would I have been able grasp this without the tangible fear of death? Would “I know, that I know, that I know,” without pain and suffering?   I do not think so.  Would I be able to “remember the works of the Lord” and who He became to me in these moments?  The memories would not be so vivid, they would not “stick” so easily. 
Would I know what it means to be “held together by the breath of Heaven?”  Maybe, but I don’t think it would be as sweet, and I would not allow myself to be held as readily as I do now.
The breath of this God-child, this God who “became flesh and dwelt among us,” to bring hope & healing–this is why I celebrate, and this is why I love Christmas.
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Drinks/ HEALTH/ RECIPES

Matcha Smoothie

{Isn’t the light green color awesome?}
* This is a guest post by Jill from “The 411 at 488”

 All you green tea lovers, be well advised to GIVE THIS SMOOTHIE a go!  I had to make an extra big batch this morning to satisfy  LARGE second helpings for both the Mr. and I!  Whew, I can’t say enough about this refreshing and healthful start to my day!  The earthy Matcha (green tea powder) mixed with the creamy frozen banana and the sweet/tart nectarines came together perfectly to make this one of my favorite smoothies yet!  As always, a big hit of protein powder and ground flax seed filled my stomach and kept me very satisfied until later in the afternoon–even after burning up all of my energy stores during an excruciating 90 minute power yoga session first thing this morning!

If you haven’t already picked up a can of matcha to make my green tea panna cotta or lattes, stop by your local asian grocer the next time you are in the neighborhood–it isn’t cheap, but don’t worry, a small amount of the powder goes a LONG, LONG way!
So the dietitian in me HAS to tell you all about the health benefits of this green powder.  I am sure you have all heard the health buzz on green tea, right??  Well, think about the fact that this powder is 100% ground green tea leaves–NOT just the water that the leaves have been steeped in–giving you concentrated exposure to the ‘good stuff’.  So what is so good about it you ask??  To start, matcha provides a whole boat load of antioxidants to help prevent aging (LOVE IT) and chronic diseases (doubly LOVE IT). Fruits and veggies are great sources of antioxidants, but matcha is unparalleled in comparison. In fact, matcha is packed with exponentially more antioxidants than even fruit’s best performers–pomegranates and blueberries!  Experts at Tufts University have uncovered that matcha possesses an amazing twenty times (yep, I said 20x!!) more so than pomegranates or blueberries.

Even better, matcha contains a unique, potent class of antioxidant known as catechins, which aren’t found in other foods. More specifically, the catechin EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate) provides super-charged cancer-fighting properties. Most importantly, EGCg and other catechins counteract the effects of evil free radicals from the likes of pollution, UV rays, radiation, and chemicals, which can lead to cell and DNA damage. Since over 60% of the catechins in matcha are actually EGCg, a daily matcha regimen can help restore and preserve the body’s integral well-being and balance.  Sound pretty good?  Just wait, there is more!
Over a thousand years ago, matcha came to Japan as an aid to meditation practice.  I know, SNOOZE-VILLE, right!??  Which is why they would routinely drink matcha — to remain alert, yet calm. Modern science has recently confirmed the lessons of centuries of tradition. Matcha is rich in L-Theanine, a rare amino acid that actually promotes a state of relaxation and well-being by acting upon the brain’s functioning. While stress can induce beta waves—an excited, more agitated state—L-Theanine creates alpha waves, which lead to a state of relaxed alertness. And while L-Theanine is common in all tea, matcha may contain up to five times more of this amino acid than common black and green teas. As an additional benefit (and maybe because of this), L-Theanine may help memory and learning ability–I am sure we can all use a little help there!  Simply put, it promotes concentration and clarity of mind without any of the nervous energy found in coffee. So a green tea latte (made with Silk’s vanilla coconut milk, of course) really does make a lot of sense as an afternoon snack/pick-me-up!!

{Creamy smooth, lightly sweet, and full of healthy ingredients!}
Guys and gals you are going to LOVE THIS…one of the most unexpected benefits matcha drinkers experience is a boost of energy through the day. In one study, researchers had thought that this was from the caffeine in matcha, but they found that it was actually the combination of matcha’s natural properties. Another recent study in particular found that matcha even improved physical endurance by 24%. Even if you aren’t facing a grueling workout, matcha can help you through the everyday marathon, whether it’s that project due the next day or getting the kids from school to soccer practice.  Oh, and on top of that a recent study shows that if consumed regularly, matcha may boost metabolism and burn calories up to as much as 4 x!
Whew, I am FINALLY done!  So, can you think of anything with health benefits comparable to matcha–all for next to ZERO calories??  Me either!  Fire up your blender and get ready to FEEL the beauty of this sensible, yet delicious breakfast or afternoon drink!  If you discover different scrumptious ways to use your matcha powder please send me a note with the details–I would love to hear your ideas!  Cheers!


Matcha Smoothie
Serves: 2
1 fresh banana
1 frozen banana
1 cup frozen nectarines or peaches (mango could work, too!)
1 scoop ground golden flax seed
2 scoops beneprotein (or your favorite protein powder)
1 tsp. matcha powder (add more to taste)
1-11/2 cups coconut milk (depending upon your desire consistency)
____________
Throw it all in your blender or smoothie machine and let it rip!  Drink and ENJOY!!

Jill has an awesome food diary, The 411 at 488, full of healthful and delicious meals.  I met Jill through a friend (what up, Coop!) and I am so glad to know of her and her awesome site.  She is a registered dietitian and knows what she is talking about when it comes to health.  Visit her at her site and tell her Amy said “Hi!”

HEALTH/ Healthy Eating/ How-Tos/ RECIPES

Finding Healthy Fast Food

Tis the season to be out and about, finishing up the Christmas shopping and enjoying the season. I try to eat at home as often as possible, but I find myself running around and sometimes in need of a fast meal.

 I thought I would share some of my favorite places to find fast food that is more on the healthy side.  I have been eating a plant based diet the last 6 months, which is why you will see me suggest no cheese or meat and seeking out as much plant based, simple foods, as possible.  Even if you are a meat and dairy eater, it is good to avoid them at times. It gives your digestion system a rest, and cuts calories and cholesterol.

Noodles & Company
Bangkok Curry!
Sweet coconut curry, broccoli, carrots, red pepper, onion, mushrooms, a light portion of rice noodles, served on cabbage with black sesame  I am addicted to this stuff.  I get a small bowl with no meat, and ask for extra broccoli in place of mushrooms.  I am not a mushroom fan.  Most of the Asian bowls are on the healthier side..stay away from the mac and cheese, and don’t be tempted to top your bowl with chicken that is breaded, processed and fried!

Subway
Veggie 6 inch sandwich.  Ask for the wheat bread, and use vinegar but no oil.  They now have guacamole at Subway, so I use that in place of mayonnaise.  I ask for extra spinach, and have lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomato and banana peppers. This has often saved me on road trips! Delish.


Chipotle
Wraps with no cheese, meat or sour cream. Rice, of course. Ask for their fajita vegetables, it adds so much flavor. Use guacamole for creaminess, and beans in place of meat. Salsa is a must!

Taco Bell
This is a tough one! Hmmm.. Fresco bean burrito, no cheese?  Chips and salsa for a snack until you get home?  Careful if you click on the link..the bell rings.  Loudly.  I just about jumped out of my chair.

Wendy’s
Bake potato topped with their chili.  YUM!

Pizza
Find a place that is made to order.  Try to stay away from chains and find a local pizzeria. Load it up with veggies and ask for half the cheese, or if vegan, no cheese.  Make sure to get a side salad with it, but only if it is made with dark green leafy lettuce or spinach.  Go easy on the dressing.

Grocery Store Salad Bar
Eat the rainbow.  Choose dark leafy spinach and greens, peppers, broccoli, carrots.  Top your salad with fruits or eat fruit as your dessert.  Most of these type of bars have soup–steer clear from the heavy, creamy type, go for for the bean soups and chili.

Hospital
Sounds funny, but I have been taking my girl to therapy for a knee injury at our local hospital.  It is a beautiful place, one that I am very familiar and comfortable with.  We have visited the cafeteria quite a bit. They have a wonderful salad bar, yogurt/granola bar, & veggie burgers.  There is a lot of junk food, too, so you have to be disciplined.  I find the price is really great for what you get in hospitals!

Coffee Shops
I have been drinking my coffee black.  It is so much cheaper than those pricey lattes that are full of sugar. I don’t do dairy or soy, and most coffee shops do not carry almond milk, so black it is for me.  I have slowly gotten used to it, and now prefer it!  Even better, get hot tea.  I personally can’t smell the coffee and not get any, so I save the tea sipping for home.  If you are hungry, ask for oatmeal or a whole grain bagel, skip the cream cheese.  Avoid most muffins, they are usually loaded with white flour, white sugar and oil.

Health Food Stores
I am fortunate enough to live right by a great co-op, and it even has a deli with vegetarian and vegan offerings.  I often get their wraps or veggie burgers.  They have all kinds of salads full of grains and vegetables.  If your local health food store does not have a deli, it still is a great place to stop and get a healthy snack.  Grab a banana or apple, a Larabar and a bottle of Kombucha.  It will keep you satisfied and away from the golden arches down the street!

Water
It seems like a no brainer, but skip the pop.  It is just plain nastiness.  High-fructose corn syrup in regular, and nasty aspartame in diet.  Water is cheap, and once your body gets used to it, you won’t be able to handle highly sweetened or artificially sweetened beverages anymore, and you will crave water.  I was told this and didn’t think it would happen, but it did!

Do you find yourself grabbing fast food often?
Do you have any other ideas for me?

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Cancer Journey/ HEALTH/ Love/ Music Renews/ Spiritual

Health Update

{my momma came and took some pics of me}

Well, I saw Dr. M today, my Oncologist.  She is the most calming person!  She walks in and brings her smile, knowledge and care with her, which I always appreciate.

She felt my lump area, and was able to push through it and find a 1/2 centimeter area that she is wondering about.  It is in the same area that a lymph node was found in my upper chest, right under my old port incision.  She wants to look into it further with a breast MRI next week.  I have an appointment on Monday and will have results a few days after that.  Even if it is just a lymph node, it is right in the path between where my old tumor was and positive nodes under my arm, so she wants to keep a close eye on it.  She also said that usually you should not be able to feel lymph nodes, and this is the second time in a month that she has, so an MRI is the way to go.

{It snowed today! Snow boots rock!}

She still feels like the largeness and roundness of what I can see in that area is due to radiated tissue moving around and bunching.  That was relieving, in that if we do find cancer, its not this large tumor growing out of me.  I’d much rather be dealing with cancer in a lymph node than a secondary tumor.  I breathed easier when I realized this.

I could feel the area roll under her fingers as she felt around and it was a small bit tender.  It gave me the ebee-jeebies when she would do it.  Blech.

My initial blood work came back perfect.  All white and red cell counts are right on!  I look really healthy on paper, and feel pretty healthy, so I have decided to stop worrying (as much as possible) and act like I am healthy!
{reading blood test results}

I am doing much better emotionally.  I say this every time– but the minute I let you all know about any health concerns, I am blanketed in peace.  I know this is your prayers for me and it really is amazing.  You help remind me that God has been and is so close and has brought so many amazing things my way while dealing with this cancer crap.  He knows what He is doing, so I can let go.  Why do I so often forget this??

Love to you all.

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Cancer Journey/ HEALTH/ Love/ Spiritual

A Health Update & A Confession

Lately, I have lost my grasp of center.  So much of it has to do with how I am spending my time and what I am ingesting– and I’m not speaking food here.  No recipes in this post!

 Does this make sense?

The mind is powerful, and what we choose to think on, listen to, and read has way more impact on us than what we might think.  I’ve become a bit sloppy when it comes to what I was allowing into my thoughts, mind etc. Maybe lazy is the word?  Don’t get me wrong..a bit of mindless t.v. is a-ok by me, but when what I am reading, music I am listening to, and things that I am watching all have the same negative message, it does eventually affect me!  I find my thoughts gradually become more cynical, I react to life instead of respond, and my sense of center, of peace, slowly dissipates.

Intention.

Living an intentional life is what I so desire.  In order to do this, I need to be grounded in truth, which means ingesting truth on a regular basis.  This doesn’t just mean ingesting the Word, but also His Words through other people, through music and through reading. It means seeking out what I want my brain to be filled with.

When I am not living life with intention, I feel weak and vulnerable.  Storms of life come and I’m blown over pretty easily.  That happened this last week.  We are in the process of again, checking a lump that we have been watching.  I had a scan that lit up a bit, but is borderline.  I meet with my Oncologist on Thursday to discuss the “now what.”  It may be another biopsy or more scans or both.




I sure wish I could say that I respond well to these situations. You would think by now I would. This time I think my body just shut down and I took a 7 hour nap the day after the scan.  It is amazing how emotions can affect the physical body, which makes being grounded and centered, at peace, even more important.

Confession time:
Another thing that has taken my peace is pride.  God through husband revealed a couple areas that I need to be more intentional in.  They have to do with money, and I immediately go into excuse mode for my actions.  I am a very frugal person if compared to the average Joe, and I just want to hide behind that instead of admit I could have been more intentional with my spending this month.  I also want to blame food prices and cost of holidays.  I want to blame anything but me, but if I am truly honest with myself, I can do better and need to.  This revelation came in the middle of all the other static my health has created.  Not great timing, kinda ticks me off really, but I think I am ready to open my hands and be responsible for what is mine.  Closed fists creates blame and denial.  Pity parties inhibit growth.

I’m starting to unclench

which means I am almost done with my pity party 😉 and I feel His Spirit working within to change my thought patterns.  Nuggets of truth here and there.  Gifts dropped in my lap from friends.  A surprise visit from my Mom.  An exciting opportunity to travel, speak and share my story come the New Year.  These are all whispers, (some shouts) from God to me, some tangible, others not, but they all remind me that:

~He will never leave me or forsake me
~He knows the plans He has for me
~He has shown up in the past, within my pain
~He weaves stories, turning ashes into beauty
~He always forgives
~He meets my confession with compassion
~I can do anything through Him who gives me strength
~His promises extend to my children, and He cares for them more than I can imagine
~He is good, ALL the time.  All the time, He is good.
~He makes ALL things, work together for my good!
~There is meaning and purpose in all that passes through His hands to me.

I will let you all know what Doc thinks after my Thursday appointment.
In the meantime, I am holding to the truths in this song, lately with 2 fingers, but soon to be with both hands, empty..

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FAMILY/ Love/ Music Renews/ Parenting/ Spiritual

For My 3 Lil’ Lovlies

My babies are now 12, 10 and 9!  I just can’t believe it!  Where do the years go?  I am loving every minute of being a mom.  I feel so very lucky to call these little lovelies mine, always remembering that they ultimately are His.  I know He will always take care of them.
I love you, my three beauties!

I remember singing this hymn as a child, for it was sung to me. 
This remake of it is so pretty.
Love.
Be not dismayed what e’er be tide

God will take care of you
Beneath His wings of love abide
God will take care of you

God will take care of you
Through every day, o’er all the way
*He will care for you*
God will take care of you

Through days of toil when heart doth fail
God will take care of you
When dangers fierce your path assail
God will take care of you

God will take care of you
Through every day, o’er all the way
He will care for you
God will take care of you

God will take care of you
Through every day, o’er all the way
He will care for you
God will take care of you

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Cancer Journey/ HEALTH

Health Update

Nothing too exciting, just wanted to update you all after writing about my stomach scans at this post.

I had an ultrasound of my stomach and they found no gallstones large enough to show up.  I was scheduled for a stomach scan to rule out metastasis, but I cancelled it.  My stomach pain has gone away, and I did not want to add to our medical bills with another scan.  I have a full set of scans coming up at the end of the year, so as long as I am pain free, I will wait for those.

I still do think it was gallbladder related.  I have been taking steps to flush the gallbladder naturally and I no longer feel any discomfort or pain.

Thanks for caring!  Blessings to you all.

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