One in two people will develop cancer of some kind in your lifetime. Half of everyone you know and love. There’s a fifty percent chance that I’lll be one of those people stuck up in the hospital and quite frankly I think that’s insane. But statistics don’t lie, and so I’d like to do everything in my power to ensure that I’m not one of those people missing weeks and weeks of work, having to decline invitations to birthday parties and just generally missing out on the joys of life because I’m not allowed to leave my hospital room. Quite frankly, if there’s anything I can do about that, I’m going to do it. Would you?
“If you think organic food is expensive, have you priced cancer lately?” ~ Joel Salatin, Founder of Polyface Farms
And while he lives in a country where healthcare works a little differently than it does in Canada, Joel is right. Even if your healthcare plan covers every penny of treatment cost, you’re likely still out of pocket. Taking the day off work for appointments early on, missing out on events because you just don’t have it in you to get out of the house and how can you put a price on the sanity and mental well being of your family? Easier just to avoid the whole ordeal, don’t you think?
So lets get started with Mr.Salatin’s advice: to eat organic. We discussed reasons to choose organic in this article but the gist of it is this: do it. Yes, your trip to the grocery store will cost you a bit more, but the benefits of this decision far outweigh the cost. Not only for your health, but for that of the farmers and our dear mother earth as well.
Choosing to feed your body with things that are from the earth will of course benefit your health as well. Limiting processed “foods” and replacing them instead with whole foods such as brown rice, lean protein and lots of colourful produce will get you feeling better today. NCIM has a holistic nutritionist on staff that can help should you need a hand revamping your diet!
Environmental toxins are another contributing factor that can be adjusted to improve your overall health. This article from a few years ago details alternatives to many household & personal care products that may contain harmful ingredients. Whether they be artificial fragrances, parabens, phthalates or otherwise. Your body can only take so much of a toxic load before systems begin to break down and your body becomes vulnerable to developing illnesses. These toxins also accumulate and can be passed onto your unborn baby during pregnancy as well. Don’t you want to provide your new addition with the healthiest of a nest to grow in?
The power of positive thinking has a huge affect on your health, especially when it can be easy to fall into a slump of depression when dealing with something like cancer. Choose to see the good in the world, keep a gratitude journal and spend time admiring the beauty found in nature. Stare at the stars, hug the trees, frolic in the lakes, feel the sunshine on your face & appreciate all that you’ve been given.
An overall springtime detox can be a great way to introduce a mini-reset to your system as well as initiating some of these new healthier habits into your life.
Please note that this article details things you can do to help reduce your likelihood of developing cancer. Following the advice of this article will not guarantee you a lifetime cancer-free as there are many contributing factors to this complex and varied disease. Always consult your doctor pertaining to your health concerns.