Mary and Ian it is wonderful that you both beat cancer. Ian that must have been a very difficult decision to have the chemo. Sometimes we have to do it. I have thought that if I get liver cancer, a common problem with my genetic condition, that I would refuse chemo. But after reading your story I will keep an open mind. Hopefully I'll never have to make the decision. I had a precancerous uterous, had surgery and did not need chemo, they caught it early enough.
Renee I'm glad you found something that is working for you. Life is too short for self loathing because of our weight. I could never accept myself or be happy with myself when I am overweight. I have always had a obsessive compulsive eating disorder since childhood. Who needs love when we got creme cheese, ice cream and Hot Tamales?
What I like about counting calories is you can save calories for the evening munchies. I don't get hungry much during the day but at night I crave food. Even though I eat mostly raw I make sure I have some splurges. My favorite is 88% Extreme Dark Chocolate Endangered Species brand organic chocolate bar. 22 heavenly calories per squares.
I believe what you said about organic Ian. I know that it still has contamination of some sort. Here in Southern California the organic fields get contaminated by a strong strain of ecoli that was in the agriculteral water. It comes from the cattle factory farm feedlots water runoff. I get angry when they try to blame it on the organic produce instead of where it belongs. Even the media is ignorant of the facts and will lead people to believe somehow ecoli grows on produce. The USDA has it's hands dirty with factory farm kickbacks.
I think there are more nutrients in organic because of the better managed fields and absence of pesticides. The quality here of the local organic produce is incredible! I love the Farmers Market. We even bought some daisy's a month ago there and they are still fresh and alive! I keep thinking they must have rooted to look so good. My 4 year old grandaughter chose them and I told her she chose some magic flowers! Who knows how old grocery store produce is.
My biggest problem is eating out. Often I can explain what I want and get it, but all too often they mess it up and I'll get sick. My favorite place to eat makes an incredible vegan tempeh reuben with organic salad. But other than that it is a gamble. At Chinese restaurants I ask for vegetables lightly steamed without any salt or sauce with tofu, Indian and Thai I ask for it without creme.
Today I took my 16 year old Aussie dog to the vet for a check-up. I am as focused on my animals diets as I am on my own. The vet said he has never seen a dog as old as Speedy! He said he has never seen an old Aussie in this good of condition either. He said diets make all the difference.
My parrot really bitches about his diet. JWD poster Perry is an avian expert and he helped me learn about bird diets. when I changed our rescued African Senegal's diet he screamed at me and still complains everytime he eats. He throws some food out and does this high pitched screetch...lol When I try to get him to eat his veggies he makes a hilarous gagging sound and turns away.