I recently watched the documentary America the Beautiful, a film by Darryl Roberts that examines our country’s obsession with outward beauty. It does so by tackling a wide spectrum of issues, including the unrealistic standards of beauty dictated to the public by the media and pop culture, increased interest in plastic surgery, eating disorders and toxic ingredients used in most cosmetics. The film also includes interviews with marketing reps, doctors and regular men and women. All of this is dispersed between clips of a 12 year old supermodel as she vies for fame and recognition among the fashion industry’s top dogs. I found the film to be very intriguing and informative and would recommend it to anyone interested in such a subject. But this film offered me much more than information; it got me thinking about how each of us defines beauty and the standards we hold ourselves to.
As a young woman living in America, I’ve fallen victim to the cycle of flashy imagery.Like most girls, I grew up with confusion about body image and beauty, despite being raised by parents who placed no emphasis on such things. My father always told me I was beautiful exactly as I was and my mother rarely used make-up or cosmetics, but it wasn’t until I got older that I really started to love myself totally. Honestly, I probably came to that realization at a much younger age than most people. Still, as a teenager I would compare myself to every girl I saw in magazines and on television. This is nothing new really, but it seems that with every generation the expectations of beauty become more difficult to live up to. When I was growing up it was teen magazines and acne commercials; today its girls in their early twenties who are opting for plastic surgery to “fix” problem areas. And it’s not just women; men are being bombarded with these ideas too.
If you really pay attention, practically every piece of media we are exposed to is telling us that something is wrong with us and offers a solution. Most of us buy into that logic, not even realizing that we are being “sold”. We spend billions of dollars each year on products that promise to make our bodies look younger, thinner and firmer and our hair sleeker, shinier and stronger. These claims are usually being marketed to us by a beautiful airbrushed supermodel to give the impression that if we use the product, we too can achieve perfection. But when will the quest for the perfect body, hair, face, etc end?
The truth is, it’s easy to blame the media for making us a nation obsessed with outward beauty, and I agree they contribute to it greatly, but I feel we each need to take responsibility for what we allow ourselves to believe. Attempting to live up to someone else’s standard of beauty will ultimately prove to be hazardous to your overall health. When will we realize that health and beauty isn’t about how much we weigh, how big or small our noses or butts are, our bust size, the color of our skin or the clothes we wear? True beauty lies in how we feel about ourselves, inside and out, not in how the world sees us.
If you have time, I suggest checking out the documentary. If nothing else, it will give you a new perspective on beauty. And afterwards, be sure to tell yourself how gorgeous you are. It’s amazing how much better we feel when we stop comparing ourselves to everyone else and start rejoicing in the beautiful things that makes us each unique.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Hidden Advantages of Acupuncture
When I first announced that I wanted to explore alternative methods of treating my cancer and to find better methods of relaxing, a friend suggested I try acupuncture. I’ll admit I was skeptical at first. I held the common belief that acupuncture was only for people experiencing pain. As I felt fine, I really didn’t see how this was going to help me. Still I figured I had nothing to lose. After just one treatment I discovered a whole new world of feeling great.
I set up the initial consultation which consisted of me answering some questions, mostly about the foods I craved, sleep issues, allergies and the like, followed by the actual treatment. First, I was asked to lie down on a soft table as the acupuncturist took my pulse and checked my tongue for color and coating. He then began to place tiny needles into various pressure points on my body – mainly my hands, arms, legs and feet. Contrary to popular belief, this didn’t hurt a bit. I felt little pricks and tingles, but nothing painful or uncomfortable. He put on soft music, asked if the temperature of the room was to my liking and quietly left me to relax for about 30 minutes. He checked on me periodically to make sure I was doing ok. And boy was I ok! I had never been so relaxed in my entire life. It was soothing, serene and extremely therapeutic. The weight of my body seemed to disappear and I felt as if I was gently floating above the table. I was able to calm my thoughts and ease into a peaceful state of mind. Afterwards, he carefully removed each needle and allowed me a few minutes to adjust before getting up from the table. After we decided on weekly treatments, I left the office with my skepticism squashed.
I couldn’t believe how great I felt not only during the procedure but afterwards as well. I noticed a boost in my mood that lasted well into the week and I just felt “lighter” in a sense. My sleep also improved and became more consistent, which was a welcome change to the usual tossing and turning I experienced. I found I was thinking more clearly, focusing better and enjoying a harmony in my life that I never knew existed. The weekly sessions also allowed me to have a block of time all to myself without any interruptions, distractions or feelings of guilt.
Maybe you’ve considered giving acupuncture a try. Whether it’s for pain management, stress relief, a chronic condition or just seeking deeper relaxation, acupuncture can be a positive addition to your well-being plan. While I definitely recommend it, I do have some tips on how to make the most of the experience.
I set up the initial consultation which consisted of me answering some questions, mostly about the foods I craved, sleep issues, allergies and the like, followed by the actual treatment. First, I was asked to lie down on a soft table as the acupuncturist took my pulse and checked my tongue for color and coating. He then began to place tiny needles into various pressure points on my body – mainly my hands, arms, legs and feet. Contrary to popular belief, this didn’t hurt a bit. I felt little pricks and tingles, but nothing painful or uncomfortable. He put on soft music, asked if the temperature of the room was to my liking and quietly left me to relax for about 30 minutes. He checked on me periodically to make sure I was doing ok. And boy was I ok! I had never been so relaxed in my entire life. It was soothing, serene and extremely therapeutic. The weight of my body seemed to disappear and I felt as if I was gently floating above the table. I was able to calm my thoughts and ease into a peaceful state of mind. Afterwards, he carefully removed each needle and allowed me a few minutes to adjust before getting up from the table. After we decided on weekly treatments, I left the office with my skepticism squashed.
I couldn’t believe how great I felt not only during the procedure but afterwards as well. I noticed a boost in my mood that lasted well into the week and I just felt “lighter” in a sense. My sleep also improved and became more consistent, which was a welcome change to the usual tossing and turning I experienced. I found I was thinking more clearly, focusing better and enjoying a harmony in my life that I never knew existed. The weekly sessions also allowed me to have a block of time all to myself without any interruptions, distractions or feelings of guilt.
Maybe you’ve considered giving acupuncture a try. Whether it’s for pain management, stress relief, a chronic condition or just seeking deeper relaxation, acupuncture can be a positive addition to your well-being plan. While I definitely recommend it, I do have some tips on how to make the most of the experience.
- Make sure you choose an acupuncturist carefully. This should be someone you feel comfortable with and who has experience and certification. Randomly picking a name out of the phone book without doing any research could end up being more harmful than helpful. Ask friends, family and co-workers for recommendations and review references or testimonials from other clients before making a decision.
- The price of acupuncture can vary, depending on the practitioner and length and frequency of visits. Your acupuncturist should work with you to develop a plan that meets your needs without hurting your wallet. Many insurance companies will reimburse you for treatments so be sure to check with your carrier to see if it’s covered under your plan.
- Be sure to enter each session ready to surrender. Turn your cell phone off or leave it in the car. Don’t eat anything prior to your appointment that might upset your stomach or aggravate your body. And use the restroom beforehand. Leave behind or take care of anything that will hinder your ability to relax.
- Always be honest with your acupuncturist about how you are feeling and keep them updated on any changes in your life. You want to feel the maximum benefits from your sessions and this is only possible if you’re entirely truthful about your state of being.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Thinking Healthy
Attempting to define health can be a challenging venture. Navigating the textbook version and most people’s misconceptions of health as a purely physical term has led me to my own interpretation.
I’ve always been a small framed person, weighing around 110 lbs for the majority of my life. I grew up with the belief that since I was skinny, I didn’t need to worry about exercising or what I ate– that was for overweight people. And, for most of my life, that logic seemed to work. On the outside I appeared to be healthy. I avoided what I perceived to be the biggest health hazards. I didn’t smoke, didn’t drink coffee, rarely had alcohol and I drank lots of bottled water. Besides the occasional headache or back pain most of us experience, I generally felt pretty good. So, it came as quite a shock when I was told that I had cancer. Obviously, this would be shocking regardless of the circumstances, but I was a 26 year old non-smoker. Cancer wasn’t even on my radar. I thought that was the worst news I could possibly hear, until I was told that it had already spread to my liver and bones, instantly upping my diagnosis to stage IV. In a split second, my view of health, among other things, was shattered.
Of course, I felt lost, angry and terrified. Cancer changes your whole perspective. I now found myself questioning everything I thought I was certain of. But, I slowly started to realize that I needed to take charge of my life and my health, and that meant much more than just the physical aspect. As I wrote in my last post, I began eliminating processed, sugary and hormone laden products from my diet and added more whole grains, fresh vegetables and vitamins. I also implemented exercise into my daily routine, something I had never done before. All of this helped me to lead a healthier life, but I knew it wasn’t enough. After a considerable amount of reading and soul searching, I finally came to the conclusion that true health is about overall well being – body, mind and spirit.
Negativity is just as detrimental to your health as eating junk. Your brain needs good food in order to thrive, so if you’re constantly complaining or looking at the bad side of things, how do you ever expect to be healthy? Just as you can slowly adjust your eating habits to reflect healthier choices, you can slowly adjust your thoughts to be more supportive of the life you want to live. Again, the question is where to begin. Everything I was reading was telling me I needed to get happy. Feeling happy and being healthy go hand in hand. The truth was I thought I already was happy. I appreciated the good in my life. But like most people, that happiness wasn’t constant and was usually dependent on outside sources. We like to look to our friends, spouses and material possessions to give us joy but most of the time those things fall short of what we’re looking for. The first step for me was admitting this to myself. It was also the hardest, but once I did I felt much freer. It helped to tell myself that I had nothing to lose by attempting to get happier.
I began starting my day with positive thoughts. Instead of waking up to a rainy day thinking “today is going to suck”, I would smile and say “what a beautiful morning”. Think of it as beginning your day with a healthy breakfast. Throughout the day I would pay close attention to my thoughts and try to shift them if they veered off of my path. If I was stuck in traffic, instead of getting angry and stressed out, which doesn’t change the situation and only makes you feel more miserable, I would look at it as an opportunity to have more “me” time. This may seem like a bunch of malarkey to you, it did to me at first as well. I challenge you to try it for one week. You’ll notice how your life begins to change and how much better you will feel when you replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Of course, this doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen. It just means dealing with those things in a better way.
It’s important to remember that this isn’t about putting on a fake smile and pretending to feel something that you don’t. It’s about genuinely deciding to take control of your happiness and realizing that the only thing affecting your bliss is you. Looking for the positive in every situation really helps to shift your way of thinking and in turn, your reality.
I’ve always been a small framed person, weighing around 110 lbs for the majority of my life. I grew up with the belief that since I was skinny, I didn’t need to worry about exercising or what I ate– that was for overweight people. And, for most of my life, that logic seemed to work. On the outside I appeared to be healthy. I avoided what I perceived to be the biggest health hazards. I didn’t smoke, didn’t drink coffee, rarely had alcohol and I drank lots of bottled water. Besides the occasional headache or back pain most of us experience, I generally felt pretty good. So, it came as quite a shock when I was told that I had cancer. Obviously, this would be shocking regardless of the circumstances, but I was a 26 year old non-smoker. Cancer wasn’t even on my radar. I thought that was the worst news I could possibly hear, until I was told that it had already spread to my liver and bones, instantly upping my diagnosis to stage IV. In a split second, my view of health, among other things, was shattered.
Of course, I felt lost, angry and terrified. Cancer changes your whole perspective. I now found myself questioning everything I thought I was certain of. But, I slowly started to realize that I needed to take charge of my life and my health, and that meant much more than just the physical aspect. As I wrote in my last post, I began eliminating processed, sugary and hormone laden products from my diet and added more whole grains, fresh vegetables and vitamins. I also implemented exercise into my daily routine, something I had never done before. All of this helped me to lead a healthier life, but I knew it wasn’t enough. After a considerable amount of reading and soul searching, I finally came to the conclusion that true health is about overall well being – body, mind and spirit.
Negativity is just as detrimental to your health as eating junk. Your brain needs good food in order to thrive, so if you’re constantly complaining or looking at the bad side of things, how do you ever expect to be healthy? Just as you can slowly adjust your eating habits to reflect healthier choices, you can slowly adjust your thoughts to be more supportive of the life you want to live. Again, the question is where to begin. Everything I was reading was telling me I needed to get happy. Feeling happy and being healthy go hand in hand. The truth was I thought I already was happy. I appreciated the good in my life. But like most people, that happiness wasn’t constant and was usually dependent on outside sources. We like to look to our friends, spouses and material possessions to give us joy but most of the time those things fall short of what we’re looking for. The first step for me was admitting this to myself. It was also the hardest, but once I did I felt much freer. It helped to tell myself that I had nothing to lose by attempting to get happier.
I began starting my day with positive thoughts. Instead of waking up to a rainy day thinking “today is going to suck”, I would smile and say “what a beautiful morning”. Think of it as beginning your day with a healthy breakfast. Throughout the day I would pay close attention to my thoughts and try to shift them if they veered off of my path. If I was stuck in traffic, instead of getting angry and stressed out, which doesn’t change the situation and only makes you feel more miserable, I would look at it as an opportunity to have more “me” time. This may seem like a bunch of malarkey to you, it did to me at first as well. I challenge you to try it for one week. You’ll notice how your life begins to change and how much better you will feel when you replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Of course, this doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen. It just means dealing with those things in a better way.
It’s important to remember that this isn’t about putting on a fake smile and pretending to feel something that you don’t. It’s about genuinely deciding to take control of your happiness and realizing that the only thing affecting your bliss is you. Looking for the positive in every situation really helps to shift your way of thinking and in turn, your reality.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Art of Change
Deciding to make lifestyle changes is hard, whether it’s the foods you eat, the products you use or the thoughts you think. Throw in cancer and it gets even harder and more imperative. With so many options, it’s tough to know if you’re making the right choices.
It was the beginning of 2008, once the reality of my diagnosis set in, when I really decided to start making serious changes in my daily life. I began by doing a little research and quickly found myself overwhelmed with all of the information out there. It was like sitting in the middle of a room surrounded by a mess to organize. I didn’t know where to begin. Thankfully, I had help. My husband was my biggest advocate, supporting me and helping me to navigate the overload of options. He was also one of my biggest obstacles. He quickly mounted a plan to completely cut all sugar, alcohol, dairy and meat from my life, while simultaneously attempting to shove broccoli down my throat every chance he got. I understood that his attempts were just his way of having some control over a situation that made him feel helpless. Still – it was annoying. He would look at me as if I was putting a gun to my head every time I ate a piece of candy. And in rebellion, I would go to the opposite extreme, exerting my own control over my life by binging on sugar and denouncing broccoli, stating that it made me feel better. The truth was it didn’t make me feel better. I knew my eating habits weren’t healthy and I wanted to change, but not so drastically that it made me miserable. What I eventually realized and was able to convince my husband of, was that balance is the key to making changes you will stick with for the long term.
Choosing one thing at a time to work on can help you stay focused and ease you into the transition. So, how do you decide where to begin? I like to make a list of goals, then break them down into smaller goals and start with the least difficult. For me, that was red meat. I didn’t eat that much red meat anyway, so giving it up was fairly simple for me. And, by choosing something that was easy for me to change, it felt like I had accomplished something and kept me motivated while moving on to the next item on my list. Another thing I learned was how to balance removing something from my life by adding something new. Since red meat was out I added more vegetables, many of which I had never tried before. Learning new ways to prepare the vegetables made the transition more exciting as well.
It’s important to remember to start off small and to try reducing before eliminating completely. I started eating less dairy by trying out milk alternatives like soy and almond milk and opting for organic yogurt. By replacing regular milk with a milk alternative it felt more like I was making better choices and less like I was giving something up. It also helps to treat yourself after you’ve accomplished a goal. Being healthier and feeling better doesn’t have to be your only incentive to continue with changes. Small rewards can go a long way. Again, moderation is important here. Indulging in old habits will just defeat your purpose. One thing I incorporated into my life was the special occasion treat. For example, I don’t eat red meat, but I allow myself to have a few pieces of corn beef and cabbage around St. Patrick’s Day. I‘ve eliminated most candy, but I still enjoy a vanilla butter cream egg from Mary Sue around Easter. And I’ve stopped drinking alcohol, but I still use a Natty Boh when making beer bread. Following these practices will allow you to create lasting change and give you a feeling of control over your life.
And remember, making changes is supposed to make you feel good. Be sure that you’re changing for the right reasons and not just because you feel pressured by outside sources. Making yourself happy should be the primary goal. Quitting anything in your life for anyone other than yourself is not the way to reach your happy medium.
It was the beginning of 2008, once the reality of my diagnosis set in, when I really decided to start making serious changes in my daily life. I began by doing a little research and quickly found myself overwhelmed with all of the information out there. It was like sitting in the middle of a room surrounded by a mess to organize. I didn’t know where to begin. Thankfully, I had help. My husband was my biggest advocate, supporting me and helping me to navigate the overload of options. He was also one of my biggest obstacles. He quickly mounted a plan to completely cut all sugar, alcohol, dairy and meat from my life, while simultaneously attempting to shove broccoli down my throat every chance he got. I understood that his attempts were just his way of having some control over a situation that made him feel helpless. Still – it was annoying. He would look at me as if I was putting a gun to my head every time I ate a piece of candy. And in rebellion, I would go to the opposite extreme, exerting my own control over my life by binging on sugar and denouncing broccoli, stating that it made me feel better. The truth was it didn’t make me feel better. I knew my eating habits weren’t healthy and I wanted to change, but not so drastically that it made me miserable. What I eventually realized and was able to convince my husband of, was that balance is the key to making changes you will stick with for the long term.
Choosing one thing at a time to work on can help you stay focused and ease you into the transition. So, how do you decide where to begin? I like to make a list of goals, then break them down into smaller goals and start with the least difficult. For me, that was red meat. I didn’t eat that much red meat anyway, so giving it up was fairly simple for me. And, by choosing something that was easy for me to change, it felt like I had accomplished something and kept me motivated while moving on to the next item on my list. Another thing I learned was how to balance removing something from my life by adding something new. Since red meat was out I added more vegetables, many of which I had never tried before. Learning new ways to prepare the vegetables made the transition more exciting as well.
It’s important to remember to start off small and to try reducing before eliminating completely. I started eating less dairy by trying out milk alternatives like soy and almond milk and opting for organic yogurt. By replacing regular milk with a milk alternative it felt more like I was making better choices and less like I was giving something up. It also helps to treat yourself after you’ve accomplished a goal. Being healthier and feeling better doesn’t have to be your only incentive to continue with changes. Small rewards can go a long way. Again, moderation is important here. Indulging in old habits will just defeat your purpose. One thing I incorporated into my life was the special occasion treat. For example, I don’t eat red meat, but I allow myself to have a few pieces of corn beef and cabbage around St. Patrick’s Day. I‘ve eliminated most candy, but I still enjoy a vanilla butter cream egg from Mary Sue around Easter. And I’ve stopped drinking alcohol, but I still use a Natty Boh when making beer bread. Following these practices will allow you to create lasting change and give you a feeling of control over your life.
And remember, making changes is supposed to make you feel good. Be sure that you’re changing for the right reasons and not just because you feel pressured by outside sources. Making yourself happy should be the primary goal. Quitting anything in your life for anyone other than yourself is not the way to reach your happy medium.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Write What You Know
I’ve started a blog before and never kept up with it. This is my second attempt and I’ve promised myself that I will blog at least once a day. I think it will be much easier now that I’ve found something I will enjoy writing about. With the advice of a very good friend, I’ve decided to change the path of my blogging into something that fits me better. I think Stephen King gave the best advice when he said “write about what you know”. This is what I know.
I decided after being diagnosed with cancer that I needed to make some significant changes in the way I lived my life. It started with the food I ate and from there it grew. The more I researched the more I discovered the truth about what is really in the products most of us use every day. I also realized that living a cleaner, healthier life is about much more than just the food we eat. Knowing where to begin can be overwhelming but along the way I’ve found that balance is the key to making significant changes.
In this blog, I’ll discuss the sometimes daunting search for the best ways to improve our lives and hopefully I’ll help to define what living healthy really means. I’ll also throw in product reviews and some reviews of local, national and international organizations that want your hard earned dollar, telling you which non-profits deserve your money. And I’ll give tips about how to stay motivated even when facing adversity, something I’ve become quite an expert in. It is my hope that you will join me in my search for a happier medium. Read and enjoy!
I decided after being diagnosed with cancer that I needed to make some significant changes in the way I lived my life. It started with the food I ate and from there it grew. The more I researched the more I discovered the truth about what is really in the products most of us use every day. I also realized that living a cleaner, healthier life is about much more than just the food we eat. Knowing where to begin can be overwhelming but along the way I’ve found that balance is the key to making significant changes.
In this blog, I’ll discuss the sometimes daunting search for the best ways to improve our lives and hopefully I’ll help to define what living healthy really means. I’ll also throw in product reviews and some reviews of local, national and international organizations that want your hard earned dollar, telling you which non-profits deserve your money. And I’ll give tips about how to stay motivated even when facing adversity, something I’ve become quite an expert in. It is my hope that you will join me in my search for a happier medium. Read and enjoy!
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