Two compelling reasons to re-think what you eat: my mom and my dad

It’s really hard to change the way you eat and take care of yourself in the absence of a motivating force.  A busy schedule, demanding job, and better things to do with your time are all real obstacles most of us face when it comes to making a lasting change in favor of health.  But I’m here to report that it can be done, it can be fun (yep, fun), and it will be the best thing you’ve done for yourself in a long time.

If you take good care of yourself already, kudos to you!  Keep it up!  But if you’re like most people and you’ve gotten some less than glowing feedback from your doctor, or you just know there’s more you could be doing, then listen up… maybe these two reasons will be the ones that tip the scales for you.  

Reason #1: My mom 

I told you back in my post on 12/17/11 that my mom’s cancer is 50% gone.  That progress doesn’t make itself known in most cases like hers, much less in 3 months, and she’s not finished!  We’re not stopping til it’s 100% gone.  She’s exceptional, in every sense of the word.  And we know (yes, we know) that her progress has to do with much more than drugs!  She chose the path less traveled.  No traditional chemotherapy in her body, so her immune system remains in perfect condition, as does her gut, her hair, her wits, and her happy smile.  But she’s also got what many others in her situation don’t:  a mind that is set on healing, faith that her prayers will be answered, a yoga regimen and attention to breath that she’s never had before, and daily decision to consume only foods that help her body to heal itself and to say no to those that harm it.  Full transparency: seven months ago, that would’ve all sounded very nice and yet very squishy but not very real to me.  But guess what?  It’s real.  50% gone, 100% real.  

What you eat has an impact on your risk for developing cancer, and your ability to fight it should it come your way.

Reason #2: My dad

As of last week, we have one more reason to celebrate in the Campo family.  My dad, who does not have cancer but did have concern-worthy high cholesterol, has started adopting the way of eating I endorse on this blog and in life: little to no animal products (exceptions are oily fish and eggs), no dairy, and tons and tons of fibrous fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  He hasn’t gone whole hog, he still likes his occasional pork chop or piece of homemade Italian sausage, and forget about denying him parmesan with his pasta!  But the sugary and refined foods have been largely ignored, his trips to the vending machine at work the same fate, and McDonald’s is off limits.  Best of all, he reports feeling really good. 

Hot off the presses, his cholesterol figures are below for your perusal: Wow!  Go dad!  

What you eat has an impact on your risk for developing (and ability to reverse) heart disease, diabetes, and a whole host of other chronic conditions.  

If you can't see the picture that well: 

- Far left: report date 6/4/2010; cholesterol 221 (that's bad, note up top the report says "Abnormal")

- Middle: report date 3/15/2011: cholesterol 185 (that's the effect of the drugs they asked him to take, there were no dietary changes.  Better...)

- Far right: report date 1/16/2012: cholesterol 150.  That's all diet!  Who needs drugs when you can do that with food?