What a beautiful day!! Fall is in the air and it is my favorite time of year. Football games, halloween, Thanksgiving, cool mornings, falling leaves, sweaters with shorts, and cool beach days! Fall is a time of new beginnings. What a perfect time to begin a new health routine!
Many of you have mentioned that you have been following along with The Yancey Plan and have given up sugar. REMINDER!!!!! Extreme sugar users may experience withdrawal symptoms. This might include headaches and fatigue! This will only last a few days to a week! HANG IN THERE!
For the "sugar lover" not quite ready to commit to letting go - take one last look at a few more reasons. These came from Dr. Nancy Appleton. She is the author of Suicide by Sugar: A Startling Look at Our #1 National Addiction and Lick the Sugar Habit. She lists 146 reasons to give up sugar but I will only list a few.
Sugar can suppress the immune system
Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children
Sugar can produce significant rise in triglycerides
Sugar contributes to the reduction in defense against bacterial infection
Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function, the more you eat, the more you loose
Sugar can weaken eyesight
Sugar can cause hypoglycemia
Sugar can produce an acidic digestive tract
Sugar can cause rapid rise of adrenaline levels in children
Sugar can cause premature aging
Sugar can cause tooth decay
Sugar can cause arthritis
Sugar greatly assists yeast infections
Sugar can cause gallstones
Sugar can cause heart disease
Sugar can cause multiple sclerosis
Sugar can cause varicose veins
Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis
Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity
Sugar can increase cholesterol
Sugar causes food allergies
Sugar can contribute to diabetes
Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy
Sugar can cause cataracts
Sugar intake is higher in people with Parkinson's disease
Sugar can cause headaches, including migraine
Sugar plays a role in pancreatic cancer in women
Sugar can adversely affect school children's grades and cause learning disorders
Sugar can cause depression
Sugar can contribute to Alzheimer's disease
Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance
Sugar can lead to the formation of kidney stones
SUGAR FEEDS CANCER
Sugar is an addictive substance
Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol
Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with ADHD
High Sucrose intake could be an important risk factor in lung cancer
Sugar causes high blood pressure in obese people
Sugar can increase the amount of food that you eat
Sweet food items increase the risk of breast cancer
Sugar may contribute to mild memory loss
These are just a few! Want a brownie? Knowledge is power. Now - let's share with our families why sugar is only an OCCASIONAL TREAT! Wishing all of you the best of luck with cutting back on this substance!
Blessings -
Emmie
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Have a Coke and a smile?
As we begin The Yancey Plan it is necessary to talk about sodas (coke in the south). According to Dr. Mercola American's drink 49.78 Billion Liters of soft drinks per year. This industry makes $50 Billion per year at the expense of OUR HEALTH!! 21% of all the sugar in the average American diet comes from soft drinks. Drinking one soft drink per day increases the risk of Pancreatic cancer by 87%. Drinking one coke per day increases the risk of metabolic syndrome by 44%. One coke per day increases a child's risk of becoming obese by 60%. Drinking two soft drinks per day increases the risk of gout by 85%. WOW!!!!
Many would assume that Coke is not good for us due to the high amounts of sugar. Each coke contains ten teaspoons of sugar, but not just any sugar, high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup has become the number one source of calories in the United States and is the primary cause of the obesity epidemic.
I realize that many of you will say "no problem" I drink diet. Diet drinks are only a different type of problem. They contain artificial sweeteners and are also linked with obesity. I believe it is best to eliminate soda of any kind on a regular basis.
According to Dr. Parang Mehta soft drinks cause obesity, dental cavities, dental enamal erosion due to acidic nature, and causes a reduction of nourishing foods like milk. This is especially a big concern for our children. Too many soft drinks can cause children to struggle with obesity, tooth decay, headaches, poor sleep, osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer. Having an occasional soft drink is not a problem. However, it MUST REMAIN OCCASSIONAL!
The Weston A. Price Foundation calls ingredients in soft drinks a "witch's brew". High Fructose Corn Syrup, Aspartame (used in diet soda's), Caffeine (stimulates the adrenal gland and in large quantities can lead to adrenal exhaustion - especially in children), phosphoric acid (associated with bone loss), citric acid (contains traces of MSG), and artificial flavors.
"Sports Drinks" are the new industry targeting our youth. Many of these products contain large amounts of sugar (gatorade has more than coke) and are not healthy. If sweating has been extreme, electrolytes can be replaced by simply drinking mineral water and by eating a healthy diet containing celtic sea salt.
Now - here is the fun part. Many people will experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to eliminate soft drinks from their diet. What is the best way to stop? Whatever works for YOU!!!! I believe baby steps are very effective. If you are a heavy soft drink consumer (3 or more a day) start cutting back by one soft drink per week until you are soda free!!!! This is a lifestyle change - not a race!
Here is wishing all of you success on a soda free lifestyle (including the kids). Remember - baby steps! Don't forget the 90/10 rule! A special treat every now and then is OK!
Blessings -
Emmie
Many would assume that Coke is not good for us due to the high amounts of sugar. Each coke contains ten teaspoons of sugar, but not just any sugar, high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup has become the number one source of calories in the United States and is the primary cause of the obesity epidemic.
I realize that many of you will say "no problem" I drink diet. Diet drinks are only a different type of problem. They contain artificial sweeteners and are also linked with obesity. I believe it is best to eliminate soda of any kind on a regular basis.
According to Dr. Parang Mehta soft drinks cause obesity, dental cavities, dental enamal erosion due to acidic nature, and causes a reduction of nourishing foods like milk. This is especially a big concern for our children. Too many soft drinks can cause children to struggle with obesity, tooth decay, headaches, poor sleep, osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer. Having an occasional soft drink is not a problem. However, it MUST REMAIN OCCASSIONAL!
The Weston A. Price Foundation calls ingredients in soft drinks a "witch's brew". High Fructose Corn Syrup, Aspartame (used in diet soda's), Caffeine (stimulates the adrenal gland and in large quantities can lead to adrenal exhaustion - especially in children), phosphoric acid (associated with bone loss), citric acid (contains traces of MSG), and artificial flavors.
"Sports Drinks" are the new industry targeting our youth. Many of these products contain large amounts of sugar (gatorade has more than coke) and are not healthy. If sweating has been extreme, electrolytes can be replaced by simply drinking mineral water and by eating a healthy diet containing celtic sea salt.
Now - here is the fun part. Many people will experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to eliminate soft drinks from their diet. What is the best way to stop? Whatever works for YOU!!!! I believe baby steps are very effective. If you are a heavy soft drink consumer (3 or more a day) start cutting back by one soft drink per week until you are soda free!!!! This is a lifestyle change - not a race!
Here is wishing all of you success on a soda free lifestyle (including the kids). Remember - baby steps! Don't forget the 90/10 rule! A special treat every now and then is OK!
Blessings -
Emmie
Monday, September 27, 2010
A Birthday Celebration
Tonight I was the guest speaker for The American Cancer Society Relay for Life kickoff. I was amazed at the hard work and energy of the leaders for this group. They are donating their time for a cause that they feel is making a difference, and it is! Research is changing every day for this disease. We are so fortunate to have dedicated doctors, nurses, caretakers, and researchers dedicating their lives to this disease. Many are survivors and many are simply wanting to make a difference. Everyday people with a passion for helping others.
My message tonight was about prevention. What can we do to make a difference with our health? We know what we should do, but why can't we do it? Not enough time? Too hard? Not fair to the kids? Too busy? We should begin to live healthier as if our lives depend on it. They do. Our health will continue to decline until we are able to live a healthier lifestyle. Our children's lives depend on it. This generation of children will be the first generation who will not live longer than the generation previously. We must be the example.
I heard a saying one time that "God doesn't make junk"!! Every person in this world is a beautiful creation by God. We all have special gifts and talents to contribute. God also did NOT make junk food. God intended for us to eat fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Walk on the outside of the grocery store shelves. Skip the inside. Our lives depend on it.
Change is hard and requires baby steps. Today I made a vow that I will go for my yearly checkup that I have been avoiding (Sorry Dr. Walker - I don't want to be weighed). PREVENTION. I am still watching my sugar and trying to eat whole foods. What change do you need to make in your life. Don't make twenty - make one. As we walk together through The Yancey Plan we will continue to make healthy lifestyle changes.
The American Cancer Society is celebrating every birthday as a victory. We know that life is a gift. Celebrate each and every moment. Take care of your loved ones. Nourish yourself with healthy foods and exercise. Practice patience and honor your body. Live in the moment. Take charge of your nutrition as if your life depends on it. It does.
Blessings -
Emmie
P.S. Mom - it wasn't about sugar:) Love you.
My message tonight was about prevention. What can we do to make a difference with our health? We know what we should do, but why can't we do it? Not enough time? Too hard? Not fair to the kids? Too busy? We should begin to live healthier as if our lives depend on it. They do. Our health will continue to decline until we are able to live a healthier lifestyle. Our children's lives depend on it. This generation of children will be the first generation who will not live longer than the generation previously. We must be the example.
I heard a saying one time that "God doesn't make junk"!! Every person in this world is a beautiful creation by God. We all have special gifts and talents to contribute. God also did NOT make junk food. God intended for us to eat fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Walk on the outside of the grocery store shelves. Skip the inside. Our lives depend on it.
Change is hard and requires baby steps. Today I made a vow that I will go for my yearly checkup that I have been avoiding (Sorry Dr. Walker - I don't want to be weighed). PREVENTION. I am still watching my sugar and trying to eat whole foods. What change do you need to make in your life. Don't make twenty - make one. As we walk together through The Yancey Plan we will continue to make healthy lifestyle changes.
The American Cancer Society is celebrating every birthday as a victory. We know that life is a gift. Celebrate each and every moment. Take care of your loved ones. Nourish yourself with healthy foods and exercise. Practice patience and honor your body. Live in the moment. Take charge of your nutrition as if your life depends on it. It does.
Blessings -
Emmie
P.S. Mom - it wasn't about sugar:) Love you.
Friday, September 24, 2010
No sugar or splenda? Now what?
OK - day two of no splenda in coffee - only a little sugar. Since the beginning of time we as humans have gravitated to sugar. The sweet stuff! Sugar occurs naturally in foods such as grains, beans, vegetables, and fruit. Who doesn't love a sweet potato? When unprocessed, sugar contains a variety of minerals, enzymes, vitamins, and proteins. UNPROCESSED!!!! That means carrots, brown rice, whole grains, sweet potatoes, apples, oranges, etc.
So......what unprocessed can I put in my coffee? Here is the truth. I will list some sugar alternatives that are more natural, or unprocessed, choices. Some of these I adore - just not in my coffee. I am slowly making the change - but change is hard. Baby steps will have to take place with my coffee. I will stop talking about it after today, but it is a problem for me.
Here is a rundown of some naturally occurring sweeteners, rather than artificial. This information came from Joshua Rosenthal.
Agave Nectar -
Agave Nectar is a natural liquid sweetener made from the juice of the agave cactus (the same plant used in making tequila). It is 1.4 times sweeter that refined sugar, but does not create a "sugar rush", and is much less disturbing to the body's blood sugar levels than white sugar.
Honey -
One of the oldest natural sweeteners, honey is sweeter than sugar. Depending on the plant source, honey can have a range of flavors. Raw honey contains small amounts of enzymes, minerals, and vitamins.
Maple syrup -
Maple syrup is made from boiled down maple tree sap and contains many minerals. It adds a great flavor to foods and is great for baking. Be sure to check the labels for 100% pure maple syrup, and not maple-flavored corn syrup.
Maple Sugar -
Maple sugar is created when the sap of the sugar maple is boiled for longer than is needed to create maple syrup. Once most of the water has evaporated, all that is left is the solid sugar. Maple sugar is twice as sweet as processed sugar, but much less refined. (This sounds good for my coffee)
Molasses -
Organic molasses is probably the most nutritious sweetener. It is derived from sugar cane or sugar beet, and is made by a process of clarifying and blending the extracted juices. The longer the juice is boiled, the less sweet, more nutritious, and darker it becomes. Molasses has a very distinct flavor.
Stevia -
Native South Americans have used this leafy herb for centuries. The extract from stevia is 100 to 300 times sweeter than white sugar. It can be used in cooking, baking, and beverages. Stevia does not affect blood sugar levels and has zero calories. Stevia is available in a powder and liquid form. Be sure to get the green or brown liquids and powders. The white and clear versions are highly refined.
I want to emphasize that there is no "evil food". We as a society have become fanatical with our food choices causing overeating, eating disorders, binge eating, and an overall unhealthy vision of food. If we really want a chocolate chip cookie, or fried chicken, or a burger, it is okay within an overall healthy diet. ON OCCASSION!!!!! It is not what we eat some of the time that is the problem; it's what we eat most of the time that makes a difference.
Come join me on The Yancey Plan and try a new natural sweetener next week. I am going for stevia, agave nectar, and honey. What will be your choice?
Blessings -
Emmie
So......what unprocessed can I put in my coffee? Here is the truth. I will list some sugar alternatives that are more natural, or unprocessed, choices. Some of these I adore - just not in my coffee. I am slowly making the change - but change is hard. Baby steps will have to take place with my coffee. I will stop talking about it after today, but it is a problem for me.
Here is a rundown of some naturally occurring sweeteners, rather than artificial. This information came from Joshua Rosenthal.
Agave Nectar -
Agave Nectar is a natural liquid sweetener made from the juice of the agave cactus (the same plant used in making tequila). It is 1.4 times sweeter that refined sugar, but does not create a "sugar rush", and is much less disturbing to the body's blood sugar levels than white sugar.
Honey -
One of the oldest natural sweeteners, honey is sweeter than sugar. Depending on the plant source, honey can have a range of flavors. Raw honey contains small amounts of enzymes, minerals, and vitamins.
Maple syrup -
Maple syrup is made from boiled down maple tree sap and contains many minerals. It adds a great flavor to foods and is great for baking. Be sure to check the labels for 100% pure maple syrup, and not maple-flavored corn syrup.
Maple Sugar -
Maple sugar is created when the sap of the sugar maple is boiled for longer than is needed to create maple syrup. Once most of the water has evaporated, all that is left is the solid sugar. Maple sugar is twice as sweet as processed sugar, but much less refined. (This sounds good for my coffee)
Molasses -
Organic molasses is probably the most nutritious sweetener. It is derived from sugar cane or sugar beet, and is made by a process of clarifying and blending the extracted juices. The longer the juice is boiled, the less sweet, more nutritious, and darker it becomes. Molasses has a very distinct flavor.
Stevia -
Native South Americans have used this leafy herb for centuries. The extract from stevia is 100 to 300 times sweeter than white sugar. It can be used in cooking, baking, and beverages. Stevia does not affect blood sugar levels and has zero calories. Stevia is available in a powder and liquid form. Be sure to get the green or brown liquids and powders. The white and clear versions are highly refined.
I want to emphasize that there is no "evil food". We as a society have become fanatical with our food choices causing overeating, eating disorders, binge eating, and an overall unhealthy vision of food. If we really want a chocolate chip cookie, or fried chicken, or a burger, it is okay within an overall healthy diet. ON OCCASSION!!!!! It is not what we eat some of the time that is the problem; it's what we eat most of the time that makes a difference.
Come join me on The Yancey Plan and try a new natural sweetener next week. I am going for stevia, agave nectar, and honey. What will be your choice?
Blessings -
Emmie
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Yes - I am a hypocrite!
Every morning I have 2 or 3 cups of coffee with 2% milk and SPLENDA!!!! Hey - wait a minute - it's not sugar! I NEED IT!!! I NEED THE COFFEE! I NEED TO FUNCTION! IT'S GOOD FOR ASTHMA! Right? The news said so. After looking at the research I have decided that I am ok with coffee. So - that's settled - then what's the problem? SPLENDA!!!!
Increasingly more people have begun to understand the need to find alternatives to sugar. This has created a huge demand for artificial sweeteners, like saccharin (Sweet'N Low) and aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet). Although these products have been linked to serious health problems, like cancer, public demand for sugar substitutes has increased. BECAUSE OF OUR ADDICTION TO SWEET!!!! Yes me too - splenda in the coffee! Splenda is the latest to hit the market or Sucralose. It has become the nation's #1 selling artificial sweetener in a remarkably short period of time. Splenda claims to be the perfect sugar substitute with no calories, no surge in insulin, and no side effects or long-term damage. Some health advocates do not agree.
Splenda is a synthetic compound discovered in 1976 by British scientist attempting to create a pesticide!!! Yes - A PESTICIDE!!! Sucralose is made from sugar in a patented five-step process that substitutes three atoms of hydrogen-oxygen, converting sugar into a fructo-galactose molecule. It is a chlorinated molecule, which is basis for DDT, and can accumulate in body fat. This type of molecule DOES NOT APPEAR IN NATURE, and therefore your body does not know how to assimilate it. This is why it has zero calories. Questions about the safety of this product have been raised, but it is too early to know the long term effects. ONE CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THIS WILL NOT ENHANCE HEALTH.
So I am a hypocrite. I know all of this - yet I still use Splenda in my coffee - until tomorrow!!! I vow to all of you that I am swapping to sugar. We do not need endless amounts of sugar in our diet, so I will use my two teaspoons on my coffee. WOW!! Change is so hard! Follow us on The Yancey Plan!!!! Change is hard - Life is good.
Blessings -
Emmie
Increasingly more people have begun to understand the need to find alternatives to sugar. This has created a huge demand for artificial sweeteners, like saccharin (Sweet'N Low) and aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet). Although these products have been linked to serious health problems, like cancer, public demand for sugar substitutes has increased. BECAUSE OF OUR ADDICTION TO SWEET!!!! Yes me too - splenda in the coffee! Splenda is the latest to hit the market or Sucralose. It has become the nation's #1 selling artificial sweetener in a remarkably short period of time. Splenda claims to be the perfect sugar substitute with no calories, no surge in insulin, and no side effects or long-term damage. Some health advocates do not agree.
Splenda is a synthetic compound discovered in 1976 by British scientist attempting to create a pesticide!!! Yes - A PESTICIDE!!! Sucralose is made from sugar in a patented five-step process that substitutes three atoms of hydrogen-oxygen, converting sugar into a fructo-galactose molecule. It is a chlorinated molecule, which is basis for DDT, and can accumulate in body fat. This type of molecule DOES NOT APPEAR IN NATURE, and therefore your body does not know how to assimilate it. This is why it has zero calories. Questions about the safety of this product have been raised, but it is too early to know the long term effects. ONE CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THIS WILL NOT ENHANCE HEALTH.
So I am a hypocrite. I know all of this - yet I still use Splenda in my coffee - until tomorrow!!! I vow to all of you that I am swapping to sugar. We do not need endless amounts of sugar in our diet, so I will use my two teaspoons on my coffee. WOW!! Change is so hard! Follow us on The Yancey Plan!!!! Change is hard - Life is good.
Blessings -
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Let there be cake!
Today is my 41st birthday and the day started out great! Coffee in bed, breakfast cooked by my sweet husband, and a terrific lunch with my friends! I decided to have my favorite desert for my birthday - key lime pie - delivered by my good friend Mary!!! What a perfect day!!! Let me go on record that I believe in the 90/10 rule!!! Eat clean and healthy 90% of the time - but we must indulge every now and then - like your birthday!!! Now I am writing this while my husband cooks supper. LUCKY ME!!!!
My family went to Williamsburg, Virginia this spring break and had a wonderful time. In one of the museums there was a skeleton of a woman. They could tell by the skeleton that she was wealthy. Can anyone guess how? Anyone? They could tell that she was wealthy because she only had a few teeth. She was able to purchase sugar which was a luxury. She ended up passing away in her 40's with only a few teeth. Not a great future!
I am not here today to tell you that sugar is bad for your teeth. I am here to tell you that sugar is bad for our bodies. It is a NONFOOD! When Yancey was diagnosed with cancer we were sent to MD Anderson to meet with an oncologist. The first thing he told Yancey was to GET OFF SUGAR. Sugar FEEDS cancer. Wow!!! Don't we all have unhealthy cells in our body? Could sugar feed all of those cells? Aren't chemo patients supposed to have ice cream and milk shakes? NO!!!
I will spend more than one day on this topic but let's consider the words of William Duffy, author of Sugar Blues. "Like heroin, cocaine, and caffiene, sugar is an addictive, destructive drug, yet we consume it daily in everything from cigarettes to bread." And consume it we do. The United States is the largest consumer of sweeteners and one of the largest global sugar importers. The average American now consumes more than 100 pounds of sugar and sweeteners per year.
Addictive? Aren't you overreacting? Sugar is addictive because eating even a small amount creates a desire for more, and suddenly quitting causes withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, mood swings, cravings, and fatigue. Don't believe me? Try getting off sugar for one week and then let's talk.
Today sugar is in all of the usual places - candy, cookies, key lime pie! But you will also find it in canned vegetables, baby food, cereals, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, bread, etc. Sometimes it is in fancy language - corn syrup, dextrose, maltose, glucose, or fructose. Even "so-called" healthy foods have sugar. Ever looked at the label of a Clif Bar?
Refined table sugar (sucrose) lacks vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and thus requires extra effort from the body to digest. The body must deplete its own store of minerals and enzymes to absorb sucrose properly. Instead of providing the body with nutrition, it creates deficiency. This toll on the body can cause havoc on our blood sugar level - causing excitability, nervous tension and hyperactivity - and then our sugar drops - causing fatigue, depression, weariness, and exhaustion. This is what we feed our kids? No? How many of us send our kids to school with Lucky Charms?
Remember the 90/10 rule. A treat every now and then is great! Eating sugar, cookies, cakes, crackers, processed foods, and dextrose, maltose, glucose, fructose, etc. is not what our bodies need to be healthy. Cancer patient? Lay off the sugar. Eat what God made. Fruits, vegetables, whole wheat, lean meats, and foods in their most natural form. Don't want to punish the kids? Then lay off the junk!!
Noone said this would be easy! Come join me in The Yancey Plan! Not only for our health but for our families! And remember - on your birthday - let there be cake!
My family went to Williamsburg, Virginia this spring break and had a wonderful time. In one of the museums there was a skeleton of a woman. They could tell by the skeleton that she was wealthy. Can anyone guess how? Anyone? They could tell that she was wealthy because she only had a few teeth. She was able to purchase sugar which was a luxury. She ended up passing away in her 40's with only a few teeth. Not a great future!
I am not here today to tell you that sugar is bad for your teeth. I am here to tell you that sugar is bad for our bodies. It is a NONFOOD! When Yancey was diagnosed with cancer we were sent to MD Anderson to meet with an oncologist. The first thing he told Yancey was to GET OFF SUGAR. Sugar FEEDS cancer. Wow!!! Don't we all have unhealthy cells in our body? Could sugar feed all of those cells? Aren't chemo patients supposed to have ice cream and milk shakes? NO!!!
I will spend more than one day on this topic but let's consider the words of William Duffy, author of Sugar Blues. "Like heroin, cocaine, and caffiene, sugar is an addictive, destructive drug, yet we consume it daily in everything from cigarettes to bread." And consume it we do. The United States is the largest consumer of sweeteners and one of the largest global sugar importers. The average American now consumes more than 100 pounds of sugar and sweeteners per year.
Addictive? Aren't you overreacting? Sugar is addictive because eating even a small amount creates a desire for more, and suddenly quitting causes withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, mood swings, cravings, and fatigue. Don't believe me? Try getting off sugar for one week and then let's talk.
Today sugar is in all of the usual places - candy, cookies, key lime pie! But you will also find it in canned vegetables, baby food, cereals, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, bread, etc. Sometimes it is in fancy language - corn syrup, dextrose, maltose, glucose, or fructose. Even "so-called" healthy foods have sugar. Ever looked at the label of a Clif Bar?
Refined table sugar (sucrose) lacks vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and thus requires extra effort from the body to digest. The body must deplete its own store of minerals and enzymes to absorb sucrose properly. Instead of providing the body with nutrition, it creates deficiency. This toll on the body can cause havoc on our blood sugar level - causing excitability, nervous tension and hyperactivity - and then our sugar drops - causing fatigue, depression, weariness, and exhaustion. This is what we feed our kids? No? How many of us send our kids to school with Lucky Charms?
Remember the 90/10 rule. A treat every now and then is great! Eating sugar, cookies, cakes, crackers, processed foods, and dextrose, maltose, glucose, fructose, etc. is not what our bodies need to be healthy. Cancer patient? Lay off the sugar. Eat what God made. Fruits, vegetables, whole wheat, lean meats, and foods in their most natural form. Don't want to punish the kids? Then lay off the junk!!
Noone said this would be easy! Come join me in The Yancey Plan! Not only for our health but for our families! And remember - on your birthday - let there be cake!
Monday, September 20, 2010
The #1 Thing to give up for better health!!!
I wanted to blog about something different today but Yancey wanted me to talk about smoking. SMOKING!!!!! It has such a powerful hold on so many people. Yancey gave up Merit's the day he found out he had cancer. He wants you to all know that he still wants one - he drafts every chance he gets! Drafting? Walking behind a smoker in order to get a whiff! We know this is the one most important thing to give up if you are a smoker, weekend smoker, drinking smoker, etc. I myself have food issues not smoking. I encourage any smoker to quit NOW!!!!
The National Cancer Institute says that smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States with 438,000 deaths or 1 out of 5 people in a year. 38,000 deaths are due to second hand smoke. Smoking increases the risk of throat, mouth, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix cancer. Lung cancer? 90% of men and 80% of women who die of lung cancer were smokers. Smokers are 6 times more likely to suffer a heart attack! OK - this is not enough? You also have bad breath, yellow teeth, smelly clothes
stinky cars, and leave the dinner table 10x during dinner to smoke!!! Sorry - lived with a smoker!!
Did smoking cause Yancey's cancer? No. But we do know that we should take every precaution in order to care for our bodies BEFORE we get sick.
I challenge all of you smokers to make an effort to throw out those nasty CIGS once and for all!! Yes your family will complain, and yes you will be grouchy, but you will be saying YES TO LIFE!!
On the family front - healthy meals are a challenge. In order to stay accountable - we are having stuffed bell peppers, salad, and broccolli for supper. I can already hear the gagging children. Oh well...there is always breakfast:)
Blessings -
Emmie Jernigan
The National Cancer Institute says that smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States with 438,000 deaths or 1 out of 5 people in a year. 38,000 deaths are due to second hand smoke. Smoking increases the risk of throat, mouth, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix cancer. Lung cancer? 90% of men and 80% of women who die of lung cancer were smokers. Smokers are 6 times more likely to suffer a heart attack! OK - this is not enough? You also have bad breath, yellow teeth, smelly clothes
stinky cars, and leave the dinner table 10x during dinner to smoke!!! Sorry - lived with a smoker!!
Did smoking cause Yancey's cancer? No. But we do know that we should take every precaution in order to care for our bodies BEFORE we get sick.
I challenge all of you smokers to make an effort to throw out those nasty CIGS once and for all!! Yes your family will complain, and yes you will be grouchy, but you will be saying YES TO LIFE!!
On the family front - healthy meals are a challenge. In order to stay accountable - we are having stuffed bell peppers, salad, and broccolli for supper. I can already hear the gagging children. Oh well...there is always breakfast:)
Blessings -
Emmie Jernigan
Sunday, September 19, 2010
What is "The Yancey Plan"?
After much thought I have decided to blog about our family's experience into healthier living. We are a family with three active boy's and busy lives. We were brought to a sudden stop recently when my husband was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer. My own father died of Multiple Myoloma, a bone cancer, when he was only 58. My own answer to stress and trauma is stress eating - and I don't mean eating broccoli. I now realize that my own children will be watching me to see how I handle this situation. I choose to be healthy and a good example. I also choose to help my husband conquer his disease with a healthy lifestyle and eating. Why not blog about it so that perhaps this journey will be useful to someone else?
I asked my husband permission to use his name in my plan because there is such an important link between lifestyle and cancer. I feel it is important for my own children to become aware of this link so that they are better able to defend themselves from this disease in the future. Are we avoiding cancer by having a healthy lifestyle? Perhaps not. But we are giving our bodies an important advantage in resisting disease.
I do believe that this journey will be the hardest one of my life. I cannot help but believe that God intends for us to help others around us and we can only do that by sharing our journey in all honesty. Please be gentle on my thoughts, spelling, and honesty. I can only do my best.
I am reading a book by Max Lucado "Out Live your Life". After reading this prayer that I will share I felt compelled to begin this blog. Perhaps this is my plan. Perhaps it is not. I only pray that it will reach one person and be helpful.
"O Lord", what an amazing opportunity you have spread out before me - a chance to make a difference for you in a desperately hurting world. Help me to see the needs you want me to see, to react in a way that honors you, and to bless others by serving them gladly with practical expressions of your love. Help me be Jesus' hands and feet, and through your Spirit give me the strength and wisdom I need to fulfill your plan for me in my own generation. In Jesus' name I pray, amen." Max Lucado
Blessings -
Emmie Jernigan
I asked my husband permission to use his name in my plan because there is such an important link between lifestyle and cancer. I feel it is important for my own children to become aware of this link so that they are better able to defend themselves from this disease in the future. Are we avoiding cancer by having a healthy lifestyle? Perhaps not. But we are giving our bodies an important advantage in resisting disease.
I do believe that this journey will be the hardest one of my life. I cannot help but believe that God intends for us to help others around us and we can only do that by sharing our journey in all honesty. Please be gentle on my thoughts, spelling, and honesty. I can only do my best.
I am reading a book by Max Lucado "Out Live your Life". After reading this prayer that I will share I felt compelled to begin this blog. Perhaps this is my plan. Perhaps it is not. I only pray that it will reach one person and be helpful.
"O Lord", what an amazing opportunity you have spread out before me - a chance to make a difference for you in a desperately hurting world. Help me to see the needs you want me to see, to react in a way that honors you, and to bless others by serving them gladly with practical expressions of your love. Help me be Jesus' hands and feet, and through your Spirit give me the strength and wisdom I need to fulfill your plan for me in my own generation. In Jesus' name I pray, amen." Max Lucado
Blessings -
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)