What Did October Mean to You and Your Children?

I’m catching up on emails and come across Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s blog entry on breast cancer awareness month.  Dr. Fuhrman is a family physician specializing in nutritional medicine.  He has been an active leader in the movement to educate the public on nutrition (a.k.a. vegetable-based diet) and healing disease.

As you can see from this blurb, he feels strongly that breast cancer awareness month is for the birds. 

He says, “Hysterical wasn’t it that Southern Cancer Fried Chicken was selling pink buckets of the cancer-causing (junk food fried) chicken to raise money for breast cancer awareness? A skull and crossbones on the chicken bucket would have made more sense than a pink ribbon, but what do I know? I am sure next year we will see a pink Big Mac with a ribbon around it, and we will be encouraged to drink Pepsi for breast cancer awareness. I say let’s have some pink-ribboned cigarettes, and whiskey in pink bottles, too. I wonder if the cocaine pushers will get in on the act. Why not? Maybe even we can get the lawn service technicians that spray toxic weed killer on the neighbor’s lawn to dress in pink.” 

Wow, he is frustrated!  You can read its entirety at http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/breast-cancer-october-was-breast-cancer-awareness-month-didnt-you-hear.html

After reading Dr. Fuhrman’s blog, I asked my children, ages 9, 6 and 6 what they understood breast cancer month to be.  My oldest said October was about raising money for breast cancer.  When I asked her what cancer is, she said “it’s when you eat wrong”.  My mouth winced.  Hmmm…..  I thought.  Is this all I want her know about cancer because I certainly don’t believe that the definition of cancer is when you eat wrong.  I sat down with my kids and had a ‘kid-style’ reminder of what cancer is.  You may or may not agree with my approach because I am concrete and speak openly with my children.  This is what I told them 3 years ago and what I will continue to tell them until they are older:

Everyone’s body is made of cells, lots of them.  Cells are small circles that you can only see under a microscope.  All cells have jobs, and cells work hard at their jobs every day to make our body work.  Sometimes cells lose their job (they become unemployed!).  They can move into a part of your body and cause trouble.  They might try to get other cells to join them; if this happens they become a group (like a party).  The group can grow slowly or fast.  When the group gets to a big size, it is called a lump or a mass.  If the lump is really sick (it doesn’t want a good job anymore) and tries to stop your body parts from working properly, this is cancer.  Mommy had breast cancer, so I had a party of cells in my breast that were all unemployed!  (they think this is really funny)      

We then discussed some of the things that can put your body at risk for getting cancer.  Things like smoking, eating the wrong foods, lack of exercise, breathing harmful air and stress.  And for those of you out there who smoke, my kids frequently come home and tell me “mommy, _______ had smokes”.  They are watching……!  I have told my kids that the chemotherapy, surgeries and radiation killed my breast cancer; however, mommy has to live a healthful life to keep the cancer away.  And if mommy tries to live healthfully, the whole family has to tryJ.  My oldest also understands that people can die from cancer.  You might think this is sad…. having to discuss cancer with children.  I think it empowers them and has helped with our healing.  There are some great resources out there on educating kids on cancer.  One of these days I will get working on my resource list to share with you.  In the meantime, you can find some good tools on http://kidskonnected.org/.

Breast cancer awareness month can be interpreted so many ways.  For the Waltz Family, we will continue to participate in fundraising to promote wellness, healing, prevention, education and treatment.

I thought you would enjoy seeing our ribbons, Butterfly Kisses and Waltz Warriors and some of the places they toured on the Pink Ribbon Parade.

Breathe Cure Conference

Dr.Bridgitte Lee and Vision Optique

Pearland Chickfila

Kelley's Country Cookin'

Dobie High School

We also had the opportunity to visit The Breast Summit at United Way, Lights in the Heights and Komen Race for the Cure.
Be Well,

Living With Cancer

Hi Everyone,

If you or a loved one is living with cancer, read this.  This is a wonderful article by Kris Carr who is full of hope, motivation and spirit.  Almost 9 years ago Kris was diagnosed with a stage IV incurable liver cancer.  She dramatically changed her lifestyle and now travels the world spreading her knowledge and zest on preventing cancer.  Love, love her book Crazy Sexy Diet!
http://www.oprah.com/own-supersoulsunday/blogs/A-Note-from-Kris-Carr#ixzz1bHQJbdCU

I hope you are participating in breast cancer awareness month.  The Waltz Warrior and Butterfly Kisses ribbons continue to tour Houston.  Today they are at the breast summit at United Way.  Here is a photo from a recent trip to Vienna, Austria.  This enormous pink ribbon is currently displayed on the parliament building in downtown Vienna- love it!

Be Well,

Giuliana Rancic

This story is sounding all too familiar.  Pray for Giuliana and her husband Bill.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/44928433#44928433

Be Well,

Happy Birthday

Hello Everyone,

Happy Birthday from Celine Dion http://morebirthdays.com/artist/celine-dion and bravo to the American Cancer Society for fabulous marketing on the blessing of a birthday.  Here’s to getting older- CHEERS!  

I was at my old stomping grounds yesterday The Methodist Hospital of Houston for an educational program on breast cancer.  (I just love this art that is in the foyer of the hospital)

The program's panel of docs included Drs. Barbara Bass, Angel Rodriguez, Aldona Spiegel, Bin Teh, Luz Venta and Jenny Chang- three of whom were part of my treatment team.  I was surprised how comforted I was to see them again.  Part of me wanted to scream “I’m still alive!”  The panel led an interesting and important discussion on breast cancer.  I found the following especially mucho importanto!

Henda’s Law.  Two years ago a woman in Dallas by the name of Henda Salmeron was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.  She had had a mammogram earlier, but it missed the 4 cm tumor in her breast due to the dense tissue.  She never was informed of the density of her breasts.  As a result, she lobbied lawmakers in Austin to approve a bill that would require institutions to provide patients with information about dense breast tissue.  Basically, letting patients know that if they have dense breasts additional scans might be beneficial.  Cancer and density appear white on a mammogram so detecting a tumor can be difficult.  According to the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN), 40% of all women undergoing screening mammography have dense breasts. Breasts tend to become less dense as women get older, but some women continue to have dense breast tissue throughout life. Over 50% of women under the age of 50 and one-third of women older than 50, have mammographically dense breasts.

If a tumor is missed year after year on a mammogram, it is often discovered much later when the tumor is large enough to be felt. This delayed diagnosis can take years and cancers caught at a later stage have been proven to be both less treatable and survivable. Newer breast imaging technologies have been developed and can see right through breast density. With the supplement of newer imaging tools, such as Ultrasound, MRI (which Dr. Venta described as the Bentley of all scans), or Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI), tumor detection has increased when compared to mammography in women with dense breasts.  WOW!  Ladies, ask your doc if you have dense breasts and if you do, request (demand) additional screening.   Need I say more??  I will. 

I had my first mammogram the summer of 2007 which was ‘normal’.  My tumor was detected by me at the end of January 2008- then 1.5cm.  I was told I had dense breasts after my diagnosis.  Hmmm, Henda where were you when I needed you!  I have to wonder would my cancer have been caught earlier had I been informed on the density that summer of 2007.  Henda’s Law passed in the state of Texas on September 1, 2011 and will be fully implemented by January 1, 2012.  In my opinion, this is empowerment at its best.  And no, density does not care how large or small your breasts areJ. 

Currently, a woman living in the US has a 12.15%, or a 1 in 8, life­time risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. In the 1970s, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer was 1 in 11. This increase in the likelihood of being diagnosed with breast cancer is due to longer life expectancy, as well as increases in breast cancer incidence due in part to changes in reproductive patterns, menopausal hormone use, the rising prevalence of obesity, and increased detection through screening.

Factors that increase the risk for breast cancer in women:

• Age (65+, although risk increases across all ages until age 80)

• Biopsy-confirmed atypical hyperplasia

• Certain inherited genetic mutations for breast cancer (BRCA1 and/or BRCA2)

• Mammographically dense breasts

• Personal history of breast cancer

• High endogenous estrogen or testosterone levels

• High bone density (postmenopausal)

• High-dose radiation to chest

• Two first-degree relatives with breast cancer

• Alcohol consumption

• Ashkenazi Jewish heritage

• Early menarche (<12 years)

• Height (tall)

• High socioeconomic status

• Late age at first full-term pregnancy (>30 years)

• Late menopause (>55 years)

• Never breastfed a child

• No full-term pregnancies

• Obesity (postmenopausal)/adult weight gain

• One first-degree relative with breast cancer

• Personal history of endometrium, ovary, or colon cancer

• Recent and long-term use of menopausal hormone therapy containing estrogen and progestin

• Recent oral contraceptive use

Whew!  Give a girl a break!  MD Anderson lists suggests some ways here to reduce your risk-

http://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/issues/2011-october/bustbreastcancerrisk.html?utm_source=Bronto+at+MD+Anderson&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Get+advice&utm_content=Amylwaltz%40yahoo.com&utm_campaign=Test+-+Focused+on+Health+Oct.+2011

And, as you know I strongly believe that lifestyle and environment play a huge role in any kind of cancer.  Pick up a copy of Anticancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber and Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr.

Finally (I know this blog entry is way too long!) here are some fun things I have seen this month that support efforts to fight breast cancer.

 

 

 

Be Well and if you are in Pearland, visit Chickfila this weekend to see Butterfly Kisses!

Food Rules

Hi Everyone,

Michael Pollan, guro on food is answering your questions this week.  You can read the questions he has answered thus far in the New York Times Magazine.  I love his passion and committment towards clean eating for all!  http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/10/02/magazine/29mag-food-issue.html?ref=magazine&ref=magazine#/pollan  ( I found it very interesting that he won't eat tomatoes that have been in the fridge )

His expanded version of Food Rules comes out on November 1, you can pre-order your copy on Amazon.  http://www.amazon.com/Food-Rules-Eaters-Michael-Pollan/dp/1594203083/ref=sr_1_1_title_2_h?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317586239&sr=1-1

Fall is in the air.  Look for these fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables at your market:
shell beans
long beans
broccoli
cauliflower
brussel sprouts
broccoli rabe
green cabbage
arugula
spinach (buy organic)
chard
kale (buy kale)
sweet potatoes
beets
celery root
turnips
rutabagas
radishes
PUMPKIN
kabocha squash
fennel
leeks
green onions
tomatoes (don't put in fridge)
chiles
avocados (a good fat)
mushrooms (superfood )
artichokes (yummy in salads)
blackberries
raspberries
cranberries
limes
blood oranges
tree fruits- apples (buy organic), etc.
grapes (buy organic if imported)

My family will soon be telling me "no more soup mommy!".  I love soup and the cool weather means the Waltz soup kitchen is open for business.  The reasons I love soup:
1. Easy
2. Inexpensive
3. Loaded with antioxidants
4. Leftovers
5. Can feed alot of people

Typical soup in the Waltz kitchen:
Heat chopped onion and garlic in broth (I purchase organic free range chicken broth, Pacific brand.  Costco has it in bulk at a great price)
Add sliced carrots and celery (add more broth as needed)
Let veggies cook for a bit then add the entire quart of broth, plus one more
Add 1/2 can of diced tomatoes (or whole tomatoes )
Cook on low and add any other veggies you love (mushrooms, cabbage, kale, spinach, etc)
Add pasta or brown rice
Add kidney beans
Depending on the flavor you are going for you can add cilantro or basil
Salt & pepper (maybe some tumeric)
Eat with crackers, corn bread, tortilla chips or tortillas:)
Yummy!

Have a great week and be well,

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Hi Everyone,

Pink is in the House!  Tomorrow marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  If you didn’t know, BCAM was founded in 1985 between the American Cancer Society and a pharmaceutical company that was making several anti-breast cancer drugs.  The pink ribbon was first used to symbolize breast cancer in 1991 at a Susan G. Komen race.  It formally became the symbol for breast cancer when Estee Lauder established The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993. 

If you are participating in the Houston Race for the Cure tomorrow, look out for the life size pink ribbons that are part of the Pink Ribbon Parade.  Waltz Warriors and Butterfly Kisses will be there.  I’ve attached photos below of both of them from the press release at City Hall held two weeks ago.  Mayor Annise Parker along with municipal and state politicians, members of the press and family and friends gathered to kick off the inaugural parade.  Checks were presented to the charities benefitted by the sales of the ribbons.  Waltz Warriors and Butterfly Kisses were honored to be a part and handed our funds over to Pink Ribbons Project with joy.

I haven’t spoken much about the Waltz Warriors ribbon because I have been so taken back by the process that Isabella and Hailey have gone through with Butterfly Kisses.  They have grown so much and this opportunity has molded them in ways I never imagined.  The WW ribbon has always been in the back of my mind and I always knew that my friend and artist, Kermit Eisenhut would paint it.  I had a vision for this ribbon of warriors marching through a breast cancer storm- armed in pink camo, ready to take on the stormy skies.  On the other side of the ribbon, I wanted the warriors to continue their march as cohesive heroes that had overcome strife.  Kermit took my vision and created a beautiful piece of art that reflects the battle with cancer.  If we had the time, I would have him draw faces of all of you as the warriors. 

This month as we all think about how we have been touched by breast cancer, I encourage you to participate in a local or national event to help spread the word about breast health.  It will touch your spirit in a great way!  More importantly, schedule your mammogram.  If you are young, talk with your physician about when to have your baseline scan.  My gynecologist recommends age 35, which I had and was glad I did.  Consider a mammogram party with your friends where you go in together for your scans.  Methodist Hospital has several clinics that will host you!

Be Well

We Made It!

Hi Everyone,

We made it!  We have raised over $10,000 for the 2011 inaugural Pink Ribbon Parade!  Our wine tasting event at Nos Caves Vin brought in much more than we had hoped.  As you can imagine, we are thrilled! 

I want to acknowledge individuals and businesses that contributed to our fabulous silent auction:

Central Market

Nicole Choi

Commercial Cleaning Solutions

Loubel Cruz-Galik

Emily Eager Interiors

Kermit Eisenhut

Kevin & Katy Holt

Lora Meier

Darrell & Kathleen Pennington

Rob & Tara Tomicic

Melanie Smith

We cannot thank you enough for your support to Waltz Warriors in our mission to support breast health organizations. 

I also want to give a HUGE thank you to the following individuals who helped with our wine tasting event:

Fielding Cocke who introduced us to Brent Sloan with Nos Caves Vin

Fredna Manney who provided us a delicious food menu

Golden friends Tara and Kathleen for helping with yet another fundraiser

Mark Garza with Delectatio Wines

The Pink Ladies of Pearland

And finally, to the Waltz, Longoria and Moore families.  For seeing the vision of Waltz Warriors with me through this past year.  You held your to tongue and always supported me with only positive answers!  The cooking, the lemonade stands, the mailings, the art events, the emails, the sewing, the raffle tickets, the marketing and on and on.

I love you Brett and I am so proud of how we have guided our children through the world of cancer.

Tomorrow, September 13 at 9:30, the Breast Health Collaborative of Texas will host a press conference at Houston City Hall to kick off the Pink Ribbon Parade.  The seven foot tall ribbons will be gathered around the reflection pool in Hermann Square. 

Waltz Warriors and Butterfly Kisses will be presenting checks to Pink Ribbons Project, the beneficiary of the funds we raised.  We will also be acknowledging our artists, Betsy Miller with Colors of the Heart studio in Friendswood and Kermit Eisenhut of Houston.  Stay tuned!   

For I know that plans I have for you says the Lord.  Plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

                               

                                     

                                     

 

Be Well,

Anticancer Grilling

Hi Everyone,

My husband and I are going to a BBQ tonight and I’m already wondering what the choice of foods will be.  Is it rude to eat before we go??  I have read a lot on the relationship between grilling and cancer- and it has been on my list of topics to blog.  It just so happens that the summer issue of MD Anderson’s Promise came through my inbox yesterday.  Take a look at their tips for healthful grilling:

1. Avoid processed meats.

Cancer-causing substances form when processed meats such as bacon, ham, pastrami, salami, sausage, hot dogs and pepperoni are preserved, says the American Institute for Cancer Research. Eating these meats can damage DNA, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer.

2. Limit red meat.

Eating too much red meat such as pork, lamb and beef can raise cancer risk. Try grilling skinless chicken breasts, fish, fruits and vegetables.

3. Trim the fat.

Cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) form in the smoke when fat from meat, poultry or fish drips onto the heat source. That PAH-filled smoke then coats your food.

4. Don’t char or burn meat, poultry or fish.

Charring, burning or grilling meat, poultry and fish over high temperatures causes heterocyclic amines (HCAs) to form. HCAs can damage genes, raising the risk for stomach and colorectal cancers.

To avoid HCAs:

Use a marinade. Marinating meat in vinegar, lemon juice and/or herbs can reduce HCA formation by as much as 96%.

Stick with fish. Fish contains less fat and cooks faster than meat and poultry.

Lightly oil the grill. This keeps charred materials from sticking to your food.

Pre-cook food. Less grill time means less exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

Lower the temperature. Spread coals thinly or prop the grill rack on bricks. Barbecue briquettes and hardwood products (hickory, maple) burn at lower temperatures than softwood (pine) chips.

Scrub the grill. Cleaning after each use prevents harmful chemicals from building up and transferring to food.

Enjoy the rest of your summer (mine feels like 110 today) and Happy Grilling!

Be Well,

And the Winner of the Quilt is........

Roberta Torres!  Out of over 300 tickets, Pearland resident Roberta Torres won the pink quilt.  We are so happy for Roberta and know she will cherish the quilt just as much as we have.  Look for photos to be posted soon.  Way to go Hailey, Isabella and Valerie!

 

Breast Cancer Awareness month is just around the corner.  Pink buzz is generating in our city to beat this %$#@* disease!  This is the 4^th year for Waltz Warriors to raise money for breast cancer organizations during pink month.  The first year we gave $25,000 to Komen, the second we funded a program for children touched by breast cancer called Pink Alive Kids and last year we funded a week of mammograms at UTMB. 

Please consider supporting us at a wine tasting event on Thursday September 1 from 7:00-9:00.  We are hoping to raise the remaining funds for our two ribbons which total $10,000.  Our ribbons will be there for all to see and we will have breast health information as well as pamphlets from the organizations we are giving our proceeds to.  Tickets are $100 and can be purchased through Eventbrite.     

Waltz Warriors Wine Tasting Event

www.eventbrite.com

For your donation, you will get to enjoy 4 fabulous wines paired with yummy food.  Nos Caves Vin- a.k.a. the perfect venue is hosting Waltz Warriors and we are so thankful to them.  They are a swanky wine storage and meeting place.  The wine lockers are really neat to see and the gathering space is sa-weet!  A friend from church along with his business partner will be our sommeliers for the evening- Thank you Fielding and Brent!   

Lastly, I wish for every child to have happy and healthy school lunches this year.  If you are like me- it was a last minute run to Costco today.  The building must have been near capacity because my cart inched along the store with hundreds and hundreds of folks.  Nonetheless, I found what I needed to get started on some great school lunches.  I hope you have chosen to make your child’s school lunches this year too!  Here are some ideas I have:

Hummus (individually packed from Costco) with baby carrots, cucumbers and snap peas or Nut Thins (gluten free nut cracker in variety of flavors)

Boiled eggs (make on Sunday night to have readily available)

Almond butter sandwiches with or without fruit preservatives (Justin’s brand sells individually packaged almond butter packs- great for lunches)

Fruit kabobs- pineapple, grapes, watermelon, melons, etc.

Pirate’s Booty cheese snacks

Cheese sticks/ string cheese

Pretzels or Annie’s snacks

Tortilla (I like Whole Foods brand) with spinach, hummus and turkey rolled up and cut in half

Dark chocolate square (70% or higher) from Endangered Species brand

Stonyfield organic yogurt squeezes

Quesadillas- tortilla with melted cheese & spinach, side of salsa & guacamole with blue corn chips

Mixed nuts/ trail mix that the kids make

Hot lunches in thermos-  rice & veggie soup, rice and beans, chili beans

Drinks- ½ sparkling water with ½ fruit juice

There are a lot of foods I plan to try out in my kids’ lunches this year.  Things like tofu and more salads!  Don’t forget to look at labels and stay away from high fructose corn syrup, nitrates, artificial colors, preservatives and hormones.

Be Well, 

Anticancer SoCal

Hello Everyone,

My family is enjoying one last summer hurrah before the school bell rings.  We have left the humidity and heat of Houston to the perfect weather of So Cal… H-E-L-L-O Gorgeous!  I have brought along my Healthy Highways Traveler’s Guide to Healthy Eating and my handy app from happycow.net.  I am determined to eat healthfully despite minimal meal planning for this trip.  We arrive at Bush IAH only to hear my kids start whining “I’m staaarving, wah, wah, wah.”  I take deep breaths and give Brett “the look.”  We stop in the club to grab some fruit, cheese and crackers.  Already I foresee a week of working extra hard to ensure my kids have decent meals.  Right now all they want is crackers.  Anticancer Amy tells Amy “pick your battles.” 

I’m not feeling 100%.  We moved the week before and I just feel run down.  I haven’t practiced yoga in over 7 days and my deep breathing is missing.  I have had several unwelcomed visits from my enemy anxiety lately.  He comes and goes but for some reason this visit just won’t end.  I attribute it to losing my friend Theresa and hearing of the death of my hero David Servan-Schreiber.  Who knows.  This vacay to some clean beach air might be just what I need.

We arrive in San Diego and the air is refreshing and soothing.  Aaaah, this city already feels healthy.  We check in to our downtown hotel and head to dinner at Fish Market which is located on the water.  The views are stunning and the menu is full of fresh fish- our waiter reports much of it was caught today.  Yay, my kind of restaurant!

There are many places for the traveler to visit in and near San Diego.  We start out at La Jolla Cove to check out the seals that live there.  My kids love it and I am enthralled by all the local folks who have come to the beach to relax, socialize and listen to the band that is playing.  There is a sense of calm and I am convinced the climate is the underlying boost.  The people of this town are walking, riding bikes, jogging and surfing.  Lots of longevity points here!  Every now and then one of the Waltz kids is complaining that they want to be held, they are tired of walking and start whining.  Really?

Turns out I have strep.  My throat was on fire so the family and I visit an urgent care center.  Ugh, always something, but it could be worse so I’ll take it!  And, after only 24 hours I feel so much better.  Thank you God for health care and thank you Mr. Gates for incredible insurance.  The strep doesn’t hamper any of our plans and we are off to Legoland.  My radar is on for signs of an anticancer theme park.  Is there such a thing?  I notice immediately that there are Odwalla drinks and energy bars on the food carts.  Okay, this is much better than snickers, coke and cheetos.   For lunch, the menus are decent- a panini made with mozzarella, pesto, fresh basil and tomatoes on whole grain wheat berry bread sounds delicious.

Day 4, the San Diego Zoo.  I Love this place- everything about it is uplifting- the exercising, the weather, the food (they sell fruit with every kids meal, lots of vegetarian options and Pirate’s Booty at the snack carts!) and of course the animals.  I’ll spare you all the details of the animals, but can’t resist the story of the cheetahs.  At this zoo, every cheetah is paired with a puppy when they are born.  The cheetah and the puppy grow up together.  Today we see a white dog, part husky and part golden retriever.  The animals are cuddling and licking each other.  I am amazed and could stay and watch this duo all day!  I can’t stop thinking about this friendship and the marrying of wild and domestic.  I wonder how this affects their health and longevity.  Speaking of longevity.  We are near Loma Linda, California which is home to a blue zone.  If you recall in my previous postings, the blue zones are regions in the world where the highest percentage of centurions live.  A centurion is an individual who has lived at least 100 years.  Loma Linda is a Seventh Day Adventist community which focuses on the Sabbath rest, an active lifestyle, socialization, good nutrition and volunteerism.  Many follow a vegetarian diet and as a whole have low blood pressure, low cholesterol and low cardiovascular disease.  On a side note, my maternal grandma Guadalupe is turning 100 in November!  Woo Hoo, a centurion in Anticancer Amy’s family!  

And we are off… to Huntington Beach.  I pick up a USA Today and on the front page is a study on processed meat and diabetes.  Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health analyzed data and found that a 2 ounce serving a day of processed meat (hot dog, bacon, salami or bologna) increased the risk of diabetes by 50%.  A 4 ounce serving a day of unprocessed red meat like hamburger, steak, pork or lamb was associated with a 20% increase in diabetes.  Other studies have linked red meat and processed meat to increased risk of heart disease and cancer.  This reminds me of Adam Richman on the reality show Man vs. Food.  Does anyone know if he has diabetes?  I can’t imagine his blood levels- this guy eats pounds of meat in one sitting!                           

It’s Day 5 and twin B, Julia has just had her 7th tantrum of the day.  She is just plain tired as her thumb has not left her mouth since she woke up.  She and Daddy stay at the hotel while I take the others to dinner.  I find a restaurant, True Food on happycow.net in nearby Newport Beach.  We walk up to the establishment and I can tell this is going to be good (looks do make a difference).  There is a large eating area outside with long fireplaces and swanky seating all around.  The inside is airy with beautiful natural wood furnishes, natural lighting and a pop of lime green in the couches.  The menu is incredible!  There are 2 restaurants in Arizona and 2 in California.  It turns out this is Dr. Andrew Weil’s restaurant.  Dr. Weil is a physician known for his work with integrative medicine, which is about treating illness with both alternative and conventional medicine.  He runs a website (http://www.drweil.com/) and has written many books.  On each table is an anti-inflammatory food guide pyramid and tips on an anti-inflammatory diet.  I really am shocked at this new age place- it’s packed in here with people of all ages.  And no, they aren’t hippies wearing t-shirts that say “Keep Austin Weird.”  The food turns out to be fabulous, including the kids’ meals which by the way do not include the words:  tenders, french, with cheese, pepperoni, potato, nacho, soft or chip. http://www.truefoodkitchen.com/public/pdfs/biltmore-fashion-park/TrueFood_kids_Web.pdf

All in all I give SoCal a thumbs up with hot pink nail polish for an incredible climate and many ways to live out an anticancer lifestyle.  Even Disneyland has fruit stands sprinkled throughout the park!  Seems as if Mickey is on to living a healthier life.  I’m impressed!

Look out for another posting today or tomorrow as we announce the winner of the pink quilt!  We are trying to get a hold of the winner now.

Be Well,

Waltz Warriors fund Mammograms

Hi Everyone,

This week was a special week for Waltz Warriors.  The money that we raised in the fall was finally put to use!  You, our supporters helped us pay for 50 mammograms at the UTMB clinic in Pearland.  We visited the clinic along with Megan from Pink Ribbons Project and delivered baskets full of healthy snacks and breast health information.  My kids were able to see the mammography machine which they responded with "Eeeew!".  Clearly they weren't impressed.  

Our next fundraising opportunity will be a wine tasting event in September.  Nos Caves Vin has offered to host us for wonderful and fun evening.  We are hoping to raise the remaining funds needed for the Pink Ribbon Parade.  Speaking of, one of our ribbons Butterfly Kisses will make its debut this evening at White Linen in the Heights.  This event in Houston is expected to bring in 50,000 people to celebrate culture and art in Houston.  For the first time, there will be a designated street called Pink Street for breast health organizations.  Look out for Butterfly Kisses to be on the stage on Pink Street, we are thrilled!

And finally, Isabella and Hailey are still selling $5 raffle tickets for their pink quilt.  It is beautiful and one lucky winner will be announced on August 15th.  Let me or Keely know if you would like one or more tickets, we have sold close to 300! 

Take care and Be Well,

An Anticancer Legacy

David Servan-Schreiber, doctor, neuroscientist, advocate and incredible inspiring author died at age 50 this week from a malignant brain tumor.  David changed my life when his book Anticancer: A New Way of Life was recommended to me after being diagnosed with breast cancer.  I have since lived by many of his beliefs of taking care of the body, mind and spirit as means of fighting cancer.  He truly was one of my heroes.  He was diagnosed with brain cancer 20 years ago and was only given 6 years max to live.  After a recurrence, he made a drastic change in his lifestyle and went on a crusade to teach others.  Last year in May, the brain cancer came back and had spread to other organs.  As reported in the LA Times, at the time of this second recurrence he stated: "Death is part of life. It happens to everyone. Profit from now, do the important things.  I am convinced that 'Anticancer' has played an important role in the fact that I survived cancer for 19 years when the first diagnosis gave me only six at the most." 

As I sit here this morning with my berries and green tea, I am thinking about these last 3+ years of my life.  A flash of a colorful collage goes through my mind of all the anticancer changes I have sought to implement.  I owe many of these changes to David.

I will pray for his wife and his three children that they will celebrate their daddy all the days of their lives, knowing that he touched many in this world, promoting hope and life.

You can read more about David at http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/scimedemail/la-me-david-servan-schreiber-20110726,0,5480879.story

Be Well and Live,

BIG Money!

Hello Everyone,

July is a BIG month for Butterfly Kisses and Waltz Warrior ribbons.  We have to raise BIG money (over $4,000) this month for the pinkribbonparade.org.  We are starting to get notice of events that the ribbons will be touring.  A press release will be at City Hall on September 13^th with our ribbons- what an honor!  There are many ways to help us support The Breast Health Collaborative of Texas and Pink Ribbons Project.

1.       Make a donation on the Waltz Warrior website through PayPal http://www.goicd.com/waltzwarrior.htm

2.       Purchase a raffle ticket for the quilt that Isabella and Hailey are sewing with Ms. Valerie.  Tickets are $5 each, you may pay with cash or a check payable to The Rose.  Drawing date is August 15, need not to be present to win!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuSE-wOYzyo

3.       Mail a donation to me.  Contact me for more information at amylwaltz@yahoo.com

We are thrilled to be a part of this event in Houston!

Be Well,