Things Don't Always Go As Planned

It’s so funny how life works.  After I sent out my last blog on tips to reduce cancer risk, with several tips about reducing exposure to toxic chemicals, two things happened that would normally send me into a tailspin. First, my son spilled nail polish all over my bathroom floor (no, he wasn’t using it but was trying to get a band-aid out of the linen closet and the nail polish came crashing down!) Besides the smell of the polish, the only thing I knew that would get it out was nail polish remover. The whole bathroom stunk and all I could think about was the fumes we were inhaling.  Then a few days later I was at the gas pump and as I took out the nozzle, some gas came pouring out!  It was then that I knew the universe was trying to tell me something.

We can try our best to do all the right things but some times things happen beyond our control.

As a 15-year cancer survivor, I am the first to admit that I get uptight when I’m around cigarette smoke, air pollution and other environmental toxins as is the case with many of my clients.  But this is just one piece of the puzzle when trying to remain healthy.  According to Lissa Rankin, M.D., author of Mind Over Medicine, every day our bodies make cancer cells and every day we are exposed to pathogens, bacteria, fungi and viruses.  Our bodies have natural self-repair mechanisms that help us from getting sick.  These mechanisms only work when the body is in Relaxation Response.  So, if we are constantly worrying, are in difficult relationships, or miserable in our jobs, we are hindering our body’s natural ability for healing to occur.

So next time you’re having a stressful experience that is beyond your control, get that Relaxation Response going by breathing in some fresh air, meditating or thinking about something that makes you laugh. 

It also doesn’t hurt to eat plenty of antioxidant rich foods like this refreshing Lemony Kale Salad:

·      1 bunch organic kale (~ 1 pound), tough stems removed

·      1 small shallot, minced

·      1 chopped red bell pepper or tomato, seeded and chopped

·      3 -4 TBS extra virgin olive oil

·      Juice of 1 lemon

·      ¼ tsp dried thyme

·      1/3 cup shelled hemp seeds

·      Sea salt and pepper to taste

Chop kale into bite size pieces.  Toss together with shallot, red pepper or tomato, olive oil, lemon juice, thyme and hemp seeds.  Season with salt and pepper.  Rub dressing onto the kale with hands until kale softens, then serve.

Hope you enjoy!

p.s. For those of you who enjoy a manicure here is a line of nail polish that I like containing no phthalates, toluene or formaldehyde.

http://www.sparitual.com

p.p.s. This non-toxic remover looks like it’s worth a try!

http://www.karmaorganicspa.com/Soybean-Oil-and-Lavender-Nail-Polish-Remover_p_9.html

Looking for someone to take the confusion out of what it takes to remain healthy, vibrant and cancer-free? Please visit my website at www.revivewellness.com for more information.

Hayley Dubin, Certified Nutrition and Wellness Coach, is the founder of reVIVE wellness.  She is a mentor and health coach to cancer survivors as well as individuals with a strong family history of cancer.  She teaches her clients how to create a cancer resistant body so they can let go go the fear and live their best, healthiest lives.