Somewhere over the rainbow...aka kicking butt with food and supplements II

Wow...what a response I got from this post about my diet and supplement strategy...some of you have even been so kind as to send me links to websites for other alternative therapies, suggestions for adding to my regimen (thanks, Meag! - keep 'em coming!!!!!).  Please know that I appreciate every suggestion and link and forwarded message even if I don't incorporate the suggest therapy myself or even challenge it.  I am an information junkie these days.  I research and surf the web whenever someone points me to information or an article or a paper or a blog or an opinion to support my battle with cancer.  I strongly believe that I have to be my strongest advocate and knowledge is power.

I don't agree with everything I read. If I did I would stick to an all-asparagus diet since apparently it cures cancer.  But the pharma companies, the government and the doctors don't want us to know this as it wouldn't be good for business, right?.  It is hard to convey sarcasm in written text but it is there.  I don't mean any disrespect to those cancer battlers who put faith in these alternative therapies and believe that they have produced positive results...after all, the most important thing of all is what you believe in.  If you believe it to be true it is your reality, your truth.  So although I read everything with a grain of salt I do glean my own truth and create my own unique and personal "battle plan".  I consult with my Oncologist and my Naturopath and I defer to their respective expertise.  We are a team.  We are all working in my best interest to kick the crap out of my cancer.  But I do not hesitate to bring something to them for discussion - especially if I believe that there is enough "truth" to be discussed.  

Anyway....I am ranting again as I am apt to do...I really just wanted to continue my previous post which outlined my diet since I left out some things....

Somewhere over the Rainbow

I believe in the "Rainbow Diet" or at least a Dave Brown version of it.  From Livestrong.com, the Rainbow Diet is named for its inclusion of a variety of foods that have wide-ranging colors. In particular, fruits and vegetables rich in deep hues, such as reds, yellows, oranges, purples and greens should form the foundation of a healthy diet. In addition to being low-calorie, a source of dietary fiber and all-natural, fresh produce is a source of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for normal body functions and a healthy immune system. Furthermore, fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, which help protect against diseases and certain cancers. Include a rainbow of colored vegetables in your diet plan, such as red apples, strawberries and red bell peppers; dark, leafy greens; blueberries and onions; squashes and citrus fruits

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/500179-rainbow-diet-plan/#ixzz2IxbwYRNb

 So...let me list those fruits and vegetables from the "Rainbow" that I have incorporated into my diet and consume regularly:

Reds: peppers, strawberries, apples, tomatoes, raspberries
Orange: peppers, carrots
Yellow: peppers, lemons, bananas, onions
Green: peppers, apples, kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, spinach, swiss chard, cucumbers, asparagus, avacadoes, green matcha tea powder, green tea, wheatgrass powder
Purple/black: blackberries, beets
Blue: Blueberries

Legumes and pulses, nuts and seeds

You remember the old rhyme from your childhood?

Beans, beans, they're good for your heart
the more you eat the more you fart
the more you fart the better you feel
beans, beans for every meal.

Well...Victoria may disapprove of the results of a high fibre / legume rich diet but I make it a point to add legumes and pulses to my diet and try to consume at least two or three helpings a week.  I add chick peas and lentils to my quinoa salads and I use red kidney beans and chick peas in my chili.  Legumes are a great source of protein and fibre which is important for my anti-cancer diet and contain lots of great vitamins and minerals such as the B Vitamins and folate and are rich in anti-oxidants.

I also eat almonds and pumpkin seeds regularly - rich in good fat and high in nutrients such as iron.

Fats and Oils

I really only use a couple of oils for either cooking or using as a dressing in salads - either extra virgin olive oil or unrefined sesame oil (for Asian cooking).   Check out this article that espouses the benefits of olive oil and you will see why I favour it so http://www.wellsphere.com/healthy-eating-article/defending-olive-oil-8217-s-reputation/1389200

Occasionally I will use coconut oil for cooking eggs and daily I consume 2 tablespoons of organic virgin coconut oil straight up.  I also have no issue with using organic unsalted butter for cooking.  Avacadoes are also in.  Organic cold-pressed flax oil is also in.   Bring on the mono and poly unsaturated fats!!!

Plants oils such as vegetable, corn, safflower, canola are all OUT.
Soybean oil is OUT.
Margarine even if it is Becel or Celeb is OUT.



But before you go on thinking that I have a completely strict and pure diet I also believe in indulging and rewarding myself with a cheat meal or treat every now and then...McD's chicken McNuggets are my weakness...shhhhh....don't tell my Naturopath.

Kicking butt with food and supplements...aka "What the heck do you eat anyway?"

This post is for all of you that have asked me about my diet, or have respectfully tried to accommodate my confusing dietary choices whether it be for family meals or dinners out or food drop-offs for Victoria and I.  Just recently my family planned a wonderful dinner to celebrate all the January birthdays in the family ('cause that's what the Browns do!) and we tried to plan a meal to accommodate everyone...those with gluten-free diets, my dietary restrictions, kids with their own unique likes and dislikes...and what a challenge that can be in my large family.  A shout out to my family who respects and tries to accommodate all - sometimes resulting in multiple meals being prepared to please everyone.  I think personally that there is a lot of confusion over what I can or cannot eat...or rather choose or choose not to eat...after all it's not easily categorized like some diets.  Oh it would be nice to just say..I follow the paleo diet, or I am a vegan, or a lacto-vegan...something that at least brings a more concrete definition to it...but those that know me know that I like to make things complicated ;-)

Back in July last year I posted about meeting with my Naturopathic medicine doctor and detailing a food and supplement strategy  - but at the time to help manage through the chemotherapy treatment and all its wonderful side effects. Our plan was designed to complement and not conflict with the chemotherapy regimen so certain supplements and treatment approaches were a no-go especially on days immediately before, during and after treatments.  I point to two supplements as examples: pro-biotics and bovine colostrum.  There is some debate over introducing flora into the system of someone who is immune compromised as I was for so long so we decided against it until after treatments were complete.  The same can be said for bovine colostrum as we decided to wait using this natural immune boosting / stimulating supplement until we were assured that there would be no conflict with the chemotherapy and Neupogen therapy.  My Oncologist and I agreed to hold off adding any new supplements or natural therapies to my arsenal until at least one month to six weeks after my last infusion.  So...after my blood analysis in December which gave my team a picture of the recovery status of my immune system and red blood cells/platelets.  When we saw that the immune system was recovering nicely we agreed to add the pro-biotic and colostrum supplements to my regimen.

So...in case you were curious as to my "diet"...what is in and out...here goes....

Sugar -  (still) OUT.  No sugar, no sweeteners unless naturally in a food (i.e. fruit) and even then I try and keep to foods that are lower in sugars or is lower in terms of GI (glycemic index).  My lay person's understanding continues to be that the goal is to deprive the cancer cells of their energy source.  I have since substituted sugar in my coffee for agave syrup (organic and raw).  It actually takes sweet and has a very low GI.

Dairy - OUT.  This directive continues to be supported by a lot of information out there that I had read previously...but admittedly there is a great deal of controversy over milk (and milk products) and their health value to our bodies...the thought here is that pasteurized milk is responsible for unhealthy impact to the mucosal layer of the colon / GI tract particularly because the act of pasteurization eliminates enzymes and bacteria that otherwise would healthily assist absorption of milk and it's protein / nutrients.  Soy Milk is also out...the thinking there is that soy milk is a man made processed liquid that offers no real value to my body.  Almond milk is in as long as it is unsweetened!!!!  

Since last August I have added back kefir (low fat organic kefir) to get great nutrients and pro-biotic value.  I have also added back plain greek yogurt to the mix...the way that plain greek yogurt is made seems to not trigger an inflammatory response in the GI tract and colon AND has great protein and calcium.

White Starch - OUT.  Any starch that quickly converts to sugar in the body such as white pasta, white potatoes, white rice are to be drastically reduced if not limited for the same reason as the removal of sugar from my diet.  So...I have pretty much made the switch completely to brown rice - whether it be brown basmati, brown long grain or brown and wild rice - and to whole grain pasta such as kamut.  Only rarely do I consume white pasta or white rice...if in my control I would choose the brown or whole grain option.  I have also added quinoa / quinoa blends and the occasional bowl of oatmeal.  My mother in law, Luba, has introduced me to kasha / buckwheat and cooked with mushrooms and onions it friggin' rocks.


Meat?Contrary to popular belief I still eat meat - red meat even.  BUT and this is key... I am very picky about the type of meat:
Beef? Yes - if in my control I keep to pastured, grass-fed beef.  Believe me it is hard to find and quite pricey but I strictly avoid the feedlot beef or the corn-fed beef in most grocery stores.
Chicken / Turkey? Yes - free range, organic


Fish?  Yes - wild salmon, wild trout or wild whitefish.  Farm raised ONLY if organic. No shellfish, no bottom-feeding fish.
Pork?  NO...and man I miss my bacon on the weekends!

So what else is in then?
i) Garlic, onions, lots of spices and herbs like basil, ginger, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, oregano, cilantro, cinnamon.  Victoria and I are reallllllllyyyyyyyy digging the cilantro these days - I put it in my quinoa salad.  Yum! 

ii) Dark green veg with every meal if possible / cruciferous veg - I eat lots of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower (thanks, Jeff for the great baked cauliflower recipe - Vic and I love it), spinach, swiss chard, bok choy...etc.

iii) Fruits - blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries. Almost daily.  And occasionally I will add half an organic banana and grannysmith apple to a health drink I consume throughout the day. 
iv) Green tea and LOTS of it.  I have really gotten into Japanese green teas like sencha, genmaicha, matcha and drink on average three to four cups a day.   Coffee...as long as it is organic.  According to my ND, coffee beans are one of the more polluted foods with pesticide sprays so organic is a must. 

v) Cacao (raw) or raw chocolate powder, Dark chocolate (as long as it is organic and minimum 75% cacao) and the occasional glass of red wine for its resveratrol (that's my story and I am sticking to it ;-))

Recently I have begun preparing a liquid shake which I drink throughout the day incorporating:

• one scoop (37g) whey protein
• 2 scoops of Douglas Labs Greens and Reds powder which is full of phytonutrients and anti-oxidants
• a cup of almond milk unsweetened vanilla
• two to three cups water
• half an organic grannysmith apple
• half an organic banana for sweetness
• two tablespoons raw cocao powder
• one tablespoon sprouted flax and chia seeds
• one cup of frozen mixed berries - strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries
• one cup of 0% fat Kefir (for pro-biotics)
• one cup of spinach
• one tablespoon of matcha powder

Supplements

I take a lot of supplements...here is my current roster:

- Vitamin D- Vitamin C powder (1000mg 2X daily)
- Curcumin with (1000mg 3X daily)
- Douglas Labs Greens and Reds (2 scoops a day)
- Coconut Oil Organic Virgin (One tbsp 2X daily)
- Probiotics

- AOR All-Life Bovine Colostrum 






My ND and I are currently exploring a super-immune stimulator by AOR called Immune Ultra which is engineered specifically for those of us with cancer who are trying to prevent metastases and to encourage apoptosis (cancerous cell death).  This may replace some of the others listed above.

So...not much special here ;-) Easy to understand, right?!  I bet you cannot wait to invite me over for dinner.

Seriously though...anyone have a great tasting whole wheat, dairy-free, lasagna recipe?