Becoming more than A Foodie

About the time I was diagnosed in December 2012 I was forced on a liquid diet. Mainly I had to down gross Ensure drinks and sustain from eating any food. This was in preparation for the operations. After I got out of the hospital It became apparent that it would take a great force of nature to get me back into eating solid foods. Not to mention I had just started this intensive chemotherapy regime.
 It was an over daunting task just to get small bites of food into my mouth. At some point when I returned for a check up my sergeant and she made mention that if I did not start eating I was headed to hospice car. It was clear that no matter what I did or tired I my life would be cut drastically short At least that was her point of view. But Deanne and I sad the hell with that Idea. The next day I finally ate a waffle and egg. It felt wonderful to food into my empty belly. Even though this transition had taken awhile it felt good.
  With the assistance of Deanne I have found a new life passion, which is cooking. I juice just about every day. Drinking a wide verity of veggies. Eating a reasonable amount of fruit. Limiting on processed foods and Animal products. But we still really enjoy eating fish. Getting into the kitchen to cook a meal has become very therapeutic. It takes my mind away from feeling sick and calms my mind. Best said from A Chief (taken quote from Cooking Light, ) "I believe that we are born with talents-passions and when you have these passions for something your're at its mercy." I'm at the mercy of food and its nourishing me back to health.

Wish Granted

Since I have been battling cancer I have been reaching out to charities and organizations that can provide assistance. With that in mind one of the stipulations with a wish granting charity is to post my story online through my networks and such. Please share my post.   

Wish Acceptance Story

Many know or don't know that I have been going through a health crises for the last few years. Facing Cancer for the second time now at the age of 33 is not something that I had on my bucket list or wish list, but I have had great support from family, friends, and local organizations like Three Little Birds, which grants wishes. Its difficult for me because I would rather give back to the community and local organizations, but since I have been sick I guess its okay for me to accept assistance. However, Deanne and I have been operating our own blog offering information on staying healthy, so I hope that this will be of help to cancer patients and survivors. In addition to giving back eventually we plan on raising funds not only to offer to other charity organizations, but also help cancer patients that like myself are facing a financial crises.

I have not been working. Officially on SSI. It has been difficult to pay our bills on time, and have had to let some things fall behind like not having car insurance or being able to have my own phone plan. I also estimate that I need about fifteen hundred dollars to repair issues on the jeep. Its in very bad shape. SSI wont pay me more than 590 a month. Yikes. No wonder even with Deanne working its become difficult to cover rent and other bills. Very daunting aspect of our lives, and not something that I should be losing sleep over, which I have.

My main focus besides treatments has been changing my eating habits and focusing on heating healthy, and since I have become sick I have become more interested in cooking. Though most of the time I am unable to really get into the kitchen and cook because I'm not feeling well enough, but no doubt its become a new found love. I've been cutting out recipes and dreaming of the day that I can afford reliable cookware and have the financial backing to purchase food.

But I also am continuing my pursuit as an artist. Keeping my attention on my projects has kept me in a positive-mental state. It is with these ideas that though my first wish would be able to meet Casandra Peterson AKA Elvira. (Deann and I love her movies and her since of humor.) I have another top of the list wish. But second: The idea of launching a pop-up store for a week (if I am well enough to do so) would give me a way to sell current and new inventory of my photography and fine art is also a wish that I would like to have granted by Three Little Birds. With sales of my work it would allow me to get back on track in the financial spectrum and continue with creating new works and or updating technology is is very much needed. I have perused a career in graphic design, and until I go into remission that part of my life has taken a back seat.

Though, other wishes would include traveling to Europe, but I'm sort of on the no fly list as with my health it would not be possible to travel. I also have always wished to own a 1968 mustang and or some other classic car as for some reason I have been drawn to the 1968 Volvo Coup. However, I do own a 1954 Chevy that my grandfather gave me, but have been trying to sell it as I don't have the funds to finish the restoration. It makes me sad, but contact me in regards to get my asking price.

In addition I have been now writing for a number of years. I have published four books containing my poetry. However, I have about eight new manuscripts of poetry and many short narrative stories. Even though I self publish the cost of editing is rather difficult to pay at this time. If anyone wishes to purchase my current published works follow the link. The earnings from the sales would also help get caught up on bills or pay for other pursuits such as my new found love of cooking. http://nicholasrlewis.blogspot.com/

Please share this story. Give back to Three Little Birds and if anyone can offer further ideas or assistance regarding my wishes please let me know. Also like my Facebook pages and visit my websites.

Summary:

1. Meet Elvira
2. Pop-up Store
3. Publish new works
4. New/refurbished classic car

http://nicholasrlewis.blogspot.com/

Makers Diet

"Disease can arrest your dreams and place your life on hold." Absolutely true. As I have been battling Cancer my life has been put on hold. I do have good days when I can focus on being creative or getting out, but a majority of the time the Treatments knock me down. "Breaking the vicious cycles"  Its all important that you break the vicious cycle of consuming all the bad foods that are filled with sugar and Fructose. I have read this book a few times, and I find it reassuring that going back to a basic diet while eliminating unhealthy foods will break that cycle and restore you back to optimal health.

       -Nick

Energy Healing

Behind the Food Labels

I grabbed this book the other day and in a way, since I had already watched a few documentaries knew about the hidden-secretive world of raising food for consumption.  But like anything; we need to read books like this in order to understand more about how animals are being treated. The ethics that are being used as I put it "harvesting" defenseless animals for consumption.
   We have gone half way into becoming more vegans then anything and sure I can get my protein from plant based foods its still important to eat some beef or poultry. Its just important that you understand how to read labels and find the companies that treat animals humanly.
  I rather like as stated in the book-referring to Socrates in Plato's Republic. "Bread, cheese, vegetables, olives, figs, and moderation of wine." This sounds like an excellent daytime snack!

Sustainability

In the September issue that I picked up at Natural Grocers I came across an article covering the issues and problems many are faxing when trying to get fresh sustainable produce; organic produce that is.
  The USDA states "24 million have no access," to fresh goods. Though it has not been an easy task many organizations/agencies have cropped up like the Financing Initiative to provide grants to co-ops.
  It takes initiative to put together business and farms that grow organics and can provide to everyone in the surrounding area. Its an important step I believe to create a healthy reduced cost lifestyle.
 Head on down to Natural Grocers and pick up a copy, but don't forget to do a little healthy shopping.

Crazy Life

During my continuous research on the web I cam across Kris Carr Website who also went through Liver Cancer back in 2003. Recently I picked up Prevention Magazine (Feb 2013) and found an interview with Kris. I agree with what she states in the article and if you have time you should read it..
  It took awhile for myself to get out of my funk when I was diagnosed in 2012, but now I have good thoughts about life and for me its all about attitude.  
  Kriss changed her life style and diet much as what I have done. I had over extended myself before I was diagnosed.  I got into some bad habits. Not eating right. Staying out all night drinking and not getting very much sleep. By the time I really started getting sick I could hardly function.
   Check Out her website: KRIS CARR