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?

Reflections on Turning 43

Today is my birthday.  You see, 43 years ago today my mother, Jean, laboured for just a few short hours before I made an appearance...all purple from having the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck (which my sibs might suggest explains some things about how I am today)...but still ready to face the world and all it has to offer.   I was pretty happy as a little guy...not a care in the world.

And life was good...sure I enjoyed myself...indulged even you might say...

There were plenty of thrills...

Lots of laughs...

Good times with good friends...

 Bad Movember staches...

And moments of quiet reflection...

And just when I thought my life was getting a little dull I met this woman...

And after a short while I knew I had found a partner for life...we fell in love...and we became engaged to be married...

And our life together has certainly been eventful...full of ups, downs, thrills, dizzying highs and crushing lows...a roller coaster of emotions if you will...

And then came the fateful day March 13 2012, 5 weeks before we were to be wed, when we received the awful news after a colonoscopy that would change our lives forever.  "You have a growth...a medium to large growth".  "You have cancer".  "You need surgery".  But "you shouldn't have to carry a bag"  (a colostomy bag).  I still can vividly remember the screams, the tears, the shouts of disbelief, the fear as both Victoria and I as processed these words.

From that day forward soooooooo much has happened that it has all become blurred into one experience...Admission to hospital and my first round of what would be numerous tests including my first CT scan,ultrasounds, chest x-rays, surgery, the scare in-hospital, the terrible day when the Oncologist confirmed our worst fears, the exquisite joy to hear that we were pregnant and expecting in November, my recovery from surgery at home, our wedding...

our mini-honeymoon just before the treatments...

the first meeting with Dr. Lingas and the Oncology team to discuss the full treatment approach, the pathology report for my cancer and the statistics for recurrence and mortality to validate treatment options, the 7 months and 12 cycles of chemotherapy infusions, the PICC line implant then removal, the Port-a-catheter implantation, the home nursing care...

the meetings with the Naturopath, the diet changes...

the CEA test in August, the CT scan in September...the bottoming out of my immune system and my platelets to require Neupogen injections...

the side effects...the hair loss, the neuropathy, the nausea, the mucositis, the fatigue, the puffy face, the loss of appetite, the loss of taste, the extreme sensitivity to cold, the nerve damage in my fingers and toes, the complete mess of my hands and fingernails, the lack of fine motor skills, the constant "I feel like complete shit today"

the excitement of Victoria's pregnancy and planning for our baby's arrival...

the feelings of overwhelm...of bravery...of despair...of determination...of fear.

And then the relief and joy at completing the chemotherapy treatments just a couple short weeks prior to the most amazing life changing event of my life...so much more life affirming than the events of March earlier this year...the birth of my son, Benjamin and all that he brings to my life..

And as I reflect on what my life was life exactly one year ago today...

And stop and pause and reflect on all that I have experienced as a 42 year old man experiencing what life offers...and wonder what my 43rd year will bring...

This past year has definitely tested my faith.

But...for all who Read this...hear this...let me be clear...

I know that the battle isn't over.

But, I will continue to kick the crap out of colon cancer.

I will fight...and will celebrate each round's victory...

And when the battle is won and I have the cancer pinned on the mat and ready to submit...I will demand a 5-count (instead of the standard 3).