October 2007 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Facts about Breast Cancer:

• 1 in 4 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime
• Over 200,000 will be diagnosed this year
• Over 40,000 will die from it
• It can also occur in men (over 1000 will be diagnosed this year)
• 5-10% of all breast cancers are inherited
• The biggest risk factors are being female and getting older
• 3+ drinks per day increases a women's chance of getting breast cancer as much as smoking a pack of cigarettes! (type of alcohol didn't seem to matter)

Women over the age of 20 should perform monthly self-exams*. For more information about the correct way to do self examinations visit http://www.about.com/ or request a free Breast Exam Instruction Card from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, www.komen.org. They also have extensive information about everything from risk factors to screening options and recommendations, as well as event and volunteer information. Also check out: http://cancer.about.com/.

To prevent breast or any type of cancer research indicates that eating right, exercising/keeping your weight down and reducing stress all help. For tips to relax check our Relaxation Techniques, and for exercise ideas, Exercise/QiGong. Other articles of interest Other articles of interest

Fresh fruits and vegetables: particularly cabbage (see info below), broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and kale which all contain the cancer-fighting cmpound indole-3-carbinol. Those rich in betacotene may also be helpful and include pumpkin (see below), yellow peppers and cantelope. Also mentioned as cancer preventors: green tea and omega-3 rich oily fish, like salmon.

* When doing your monthy breast exam incorporate a little positive visualization - imagine every cell in your breast as healthy and perfect. For those dealing with breast issues add a vision of healing light enveloping every cell in your breasts! For more ideas check out Ruth Stern's Guest Speaker article on how she used EFT to overcome breast cancer, and for additional ideas see Visualization.



CABBAGE IS A WONDER FOOD!

Adding four 1 cup servings of cabbage each week can reduce breast cancer risk by 45%, according to a study in the journal Cancer Reserach. It contains the phytonutrient indole-3-carbinol that prevents the fluctuating estrogen levels that can lead to disease-causing cell mutations.

Cut the risk of heart disease by 40% by eating 1 cup of cabbage each day. Researchers at Harvard University report that it contains a nutrient (folate) that helps to strengthen blood vessel walls, which can result in improved circulation and a decrease in the risk of blood clots.

Cabbage is also a source of sulforaphane - a detoxifying agent that naturally boosts the body's production of an enzyme (myrosinase) that flushes fat-trapping toxins from cells and charges metabolism.

And if you want to get more restful sleep snacking of 1 cup of cabbage before bed - the tryptophan (amino acid) in the cabbage is used by brain cells to manufacture serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that can improve the quality of sleep.



IT'S PUMPKIN TIME!!

You know it's fall when the air is a bit cooler and pumpkins are plentiful! Pumpkins are a good source of Vitamin A, and the seeds are very nutritious - rich in manganese, magnesium, zinc, vitamin K and iron!



WHAT IS YOUR INNER VOICE TRYING TO TELL YOU?

Many of us don't pay attention to our gut instincts, but perhaps we should. Our intuitive powers can help us to make better decisions about our health and all aspects of our lives. Mona Lisa Schulz, M.D., Ph.D. (author of The New Feminine Brain:How Woman Can Develop Their Inner Strengths, Genius and Intuition) says, "intuition is a subconscious mind-body connection that's with us from infancy".
Natural Health Magazine offers these tips to help you to connect with your intuition:

Do A Three Minute Meditation: Sit quietly and calm your mind by focusing on your breathing. Let yourself rest and be in the moment, and notice if any thoughts or images come to you. The more you practice, the more you will be able to hear your body's clear, simple messages.

Keep A Dream Journal: Judith Orloff, MD (Author of Intuitive Healing) says dreams are often hard to interpret, but decoding them can put you in touch with your intuition. She recommends you ask a pointed question, like, "How can I lessen the stress in my life?" before going to bed - then record your dreams in the morning. Before long, you will start to uncover insights that can heighten your self-awareness and help you make better decisions.

My favorite book on intuition is by Laura Alden Kamm, Intuitive Wellness: Using Your Body's Inner Wisdom to Heal. You can get more information on Laura's website: www.energymedicine.org. And look for Laura's Guest Speaker feature in October - my instincts tell me it is a don't-miss read!!



WATCH YOUR WATER INTAKE!!

We all know how important it is to drink enough water, but many experts are now cautioning that it is possible to harm the body by drinking too much water. Georgetown University Medical Center studied athletes engaged in endurance sports like marathons, triathlons and long distance cycling, and found that many are are drinking too much water when exercising and risk developing a serious condition known as exercise-induced hyponatremia. Their advice is to respect your personal "thirst meter", and to consider the amount of sweating you are doing during a workout to see how much water you actually need to replace body fluids. Remember too that sports drinks are basically water with additives such as sodium, postassium and carbohydrates in the form of sugar, and should be considered when determining the amount of fluids you need.

A general rule of thumb for normal activity levels is to drink half your weight in ounces - for example if you weigh 150 lbs. drink approximately 75 ounces (9-8 ounce glasses) of water per day, according to Healthy Edge Magazine. Of course when the weather is warmer you may require more water, and when it is cooler, less.



REV UP YOUR METABOLISM

According to Michael O'Shea with Parade Magazine's The All America Get Fit Program, eating five smaller meals spaced throughout the day rather than fewer larger ones will help you to lose weight or maintain your current weight. Going too long without food actually slows your metabolism, since it doesn't give your body the necessary fuel to function properly. Smaller meals spaced at regular intervals will help your body burn calories at a steadier pace and you will not experience the dip in blood sugar that can cause fatigue and overeating.

For tips on losing weight, toning up and basic fitness check out Parade's website, www.parade.com.



FAIR TRADE

More companies are offering products made "with a conscience", with concern for the environment as well as for the people who make them. Two such companies have recently been added to my Recommended list: Fair Indigo (www.fairindigo.com) and The Y Catalog (www.theYcatalog.com). Both offer selections of clothing made in ethical factories and cooperatives and support businesses whose mission is to help those in our world who most need it. You will find organic cotton clothing, eco-friendly products and great inspiration, so check out both of these companies.

And it is also wonderful to see so many "mainstream" companies offering organic cotton and bamboo bedding and bath products...two new additions to my Recommended List include The Company Store (www.thecompanystore.com) and West Elm (www.westelm.com). Don't forget you can also find these type products at Pottery Barn (www.potterybarn.com) and Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com).



EMOTIONAL FREEDOM WORKSHOP

If you are lucky enough to live in or be visiting the Central Florida area on September 29th, Dr. Shelley Lynch is conducting an Emotional Freedom Workshop based on her book, Emotional Freedom, from 9:30 to noon. Dr. Lynch believes that “life mirrors what you think, feel and believe” and during the workshop she will help you to identify your intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual blocks, as well as to release emotional pain and create a joyful life. I have personally worked with Dr. Lynch and think she is amazing. If you are interested in more information contact her at 407-645-5448.

COLOR YOUR WORLD!!

According to Feng Shui color can have a great impact on your mood and surroundings…here are some tips to help you choose colors that will work best for you.

RED stimulates brain activity and increases heart rate. It is a good color to wear when we have colds or poor circulation as it awakens us physically. Wearing red emits power and confidence. In your home you can add red accents like pillows or ceramics.

ORANGE is the color of joy and wisdom. It gives an energy, stimulates appetite. Wearing orange emits fun and creativity. Display a bowl of fresh oranges to invite cheer and optimism into your home.

YELLOW energizes, relieves depression, improves memory and stimulates appetite. Spiritually, it is the color of wisdom. Wearing yellow emits cheerfulness and happiness. Try using yellow dish towels or hang yellow curtains in a place where you want to be uplifted and encourage creativity.

GREEN has a calming effect and balances the nervous system. It is soothing, mentally and physically relaxing. Spiritually, it is the color of love. Wearing green emits nurturing or earthiness. Houseplants are a great addition to any room…or what about a thick green area rug??

BLUE is also calming and cooling. Spiritually, it is the color of health. Wearing blue emits calmness and serenity. Choose blue curtains, bed linens or carpet in places you are trying to create a sense of peace and hope.

PURPLE is the color of cleansing, strengthening, and awakening. Spiritually, it is the color of faith. Wearing purple emits uniqueness. Add some purple candles or artwork in a place you want to encourage wisdom and intuition.

BLACK/GRAY is actually not a color but a shade as it absorbs all colors of the visible spectrum and reflects nothing back. Wearing black emits invisibility, professionalism, being conservative.

WHITE is the reflection of all of the colors of the visible spectrum. Wearing white emits a desire for brand new beginnings (thus the white wedding dress).