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Surviving a Terminal Brain Cancer Diagnosis – Alison Gannett

February 21, 2023 Blog, Podcast Comments Off on Surviving a Terminal Brain Cancer Diagnosis – Alison Gannett

It’s been 10 years since Alison Gannett was diagnosed with “terminal” brain cancer and given approximately six months to live.

How has she managed to beat the odds?

Cancer is not a “generalized” disease to be treated like you’re on a conveyor belt.  It’s an “individualized” condition, and Alison credits cancer for waking her up to the root causes of disease that were plaguing her.  She describes her “check engine” light as being on, yet ignored as she tried to push herself and prove herself in life (something we are all guilty of doing whether we have cancer or not).

This incredible story of self-discovery and positivity may be just what you need to hear today.  Join us on today’s podcast as Alison and I talk about the importance of lab testing, knowing and acknowledging your family history, genetic makeup and so much more!

Connect with Alison Gannett:
https://alisongannett.com

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Blocking Cancer Pathways with Off-Label Drugs – Jane McLelland

February 15, 2023 Blog, Podcast Comments Off on Blocking Cancer Pathways with Off-Label Drugs – Jane McLelland

A cancer diagnosis is frightening.  A terminal diagnosis can be absolutely paralyzing.  But when  Jane McLelland was diagnosed with a second aggressive cancer in 1999, classified as terminal, she did not freeze.  Instead she dove headfirst into medical research because she knew she had nothing to lose.

Fast forward to 2021 and find out how Jane is trying to turn the world of oncology on its ear.  She’s not only overcome her diagnoses, but she is thriving and sharing her knowledge that she knows first hand has had a strong, positive impact on her health.

This episode will educate, inspire and encourage anyone who may be on a cancer journey today.  Join me as Jane shares about repurposed/off-label drugs, her Metro Map protocol, the effects of “starving cancer” and so much more!

Connect with Jane on her website:
https://www.howtostarvecancer.com/contact/

Suggested Resource Links:

Listen to the full podcast episode today!

 

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Breast Implants: Should women have them removed?

February 7, 2023 Blog, Podcast Comments Off on Breast Implants: Should women have them removed?

Episode #43
Breast Implants: Should women have them removed?
Today’s episode is about the personal experience of getting and removing breast implants from my friend, Kathryn Gordon.
Kathryn shares openly and honestly about her decision to get breast implants, how it impacted her health, how it impacted her marriage and her decision to have them removed. She also discusses her challenges finding answers for the health issues she was facing due to her implants.
Connect with Kathryn Gordon on Instagram:
Suggested Resources:
breast implant removal
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10 Healthy Travel Tips with Ivelisse Page

January 31, 2023 Blog, Podcast Comments Off on 10 Healthy Travel Tips with Ivelisse Page

No season or virus of the year should stop you from living your best life and seeing and visiting those you love.

We all travel, some of us more than others, and travel can be laced with all sorts of stressors and air-borne illness potential.

As a frequent traveler, I have learned a lot about how to travel and stay healthy in the process.  I’ve found products that lend themselves to helping me keep my immune system functioning at it’s best and this always leads to a more enjoyable trip!

In this episode, I talk about TEN of my most tried and true travel tips.  We’ve linked products to their sites so you can learn more about many of them. Listen to the podcast below or just read the list! It’s a short podcast today, but one that I hope you find helpful as you make your 2023 travel plans!

  1. Supplements
    The first is the day before flying, the day of flying and the day after I fly, I take extra immune boosting supplements. I take between one to three grams of Vitamin C. You can determine how much for you based on your bowel tolerance. I take 40 milligrams of zinc and it’s important to take that with food so that it doesn’t upset your stomach. And lastly, I take believe it or not, 50,000 IUs of Vitamin D3. And again, it’s for the day before, the day of, and the day after. I also like to organize my supplements for the time that I’m gone by day, using these little individual mini baggies so that I can easily access daily and throw them in my pocket or a purse before meals. They just make it really handy to stay on track when you are traveling.
  2. Myers Cocktail Nutritional IV
    I do a Myers Cocktail IV before I fly. If you are unfamiliar with what this is, it’s a nutritional IV that you can either get at your integrative practitioner’s office or even at an IV bar locally. It was originally developed by Dr. John Myers, who’s from Baltimore, was from Baltimore, who used it to help his battling chronic illness. It contains, large amounts of specific vitamins and minerals that can improve your overall health and immunity. It has things like magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, zinc, glutathione and of course Vitamin C. So that is really great and I always try and plan that for a day or two before I fly.
  3. MycoShield Immune Support Spray
    Every day in the winter, whether I’m flying or not, I use MycoShield Immune Support Spray. They have a one ounce size that is perfect to fit in any carry-on. I actually met the founder at the Society of Integrative Oncology Conference one year and, I used their Host Defense Mushroom Capsules actually during my cancer journey, so it was really great to meet him. Mushrooms are a functional food and they help to augment the body’s immune system. It supports stress and fatigue reduction and provides support for daily environmental salts and deliver enzymes to support digestion and absorption of nutrients. So it’s actually all of my kids’ easy and favorite tool as you just spray it into your mouth four or five times. And they have flavors like peppermint and cinnamon, so it’s not like you’re tasting mushrooms. It actually is almost like a breath refreshment. So that is a really cool tool to have for everyday use in the winter, even when you’re not flying.
  4. Purple Coneflower spray by Uriel Pharmacy
    I travel with the Purple Coneflower spray by Uriel Pharmacy. And for sore throats, nothing better if you start to feel something coming on again, nothing better. It’s a spray version and it has the right amount of ounces so you can travel with it, and this spray is made with echinacea, sage, calendula and eucalyptus that helps to soothe and to heal. So when our kids used to get Strep or painful sore throats, this is the only thing that not only soothed it, but also helped to heal it. Telling you it’s a must-have to have in your medicine cabinet or to travel with.
  5. Air Purifying Device
    I bring my compact and portable angel air purifier. This is something new that I got probably about two years ago, and I love it for two reasons. The first being that some hotels and VRBO’s cleaning services use products that are harsh, really strong odors, and they actually affect me. So most hotels I’ve found don’t have windows that you can open, which makes it difficult to get clean, fresh air into your room. So within an hour of being turned on, not only are all the odors eliminated, but it sanitizes any exposed surfaces. So before I had this though, another solution is I would actually bring a portable essential oil diffuser. But this angel air purifier, love it. I travel everywhere with it.
  6. Stay Hydrated
    Staying hydrated can prevent fatigue. That’s a common thing, but a good rule of thumb is one glass of water for every hour you’re on a plane. So wanted to make sure I mentioned that.
  7. Aurum Lavender Rose Cream by Uriel Pharmacy
    One that I have actually used for 14 years and it’s their Aurum Lavender Rose Cream. It is the best to rub over your heart and it’s used to temporarily relieve and protect you from stress and tension, as needed. It’s really a favorite of mine. And it contains homeopathic potencies of horse chestnut, horsetail St. John’s wort, gold and myrrh. It also contains a peat extract, a lavender oil, geranium oil, rose oil, and frankincense, in a non-greasy cream base. Another newer lotion that I use every day is their Solum Aesculus Massage Body Oil. If you haven’t tried that, oh my goodness, it’s amazing too. This body oil not only has a calming effect but especially for me that’s sensitive to it. It helps fight against environmental fatigue and encourages emotional strength. It smells amazing too. And what sold it for me, and I know you might think this is funny, is that I was told by one of the workers at Uriel Pharmacy that it made her legs glisten, like Carrie Underwood’s. And I’m like, okay, anything to make my legs look like hers is definitely a plus! But it’s fantastic. So definitely another one to enjoy and to use.
  8. EMF Protection
    Electronic magnetic fields are everywhere. Now and especially in planes and at airports over the last few years I started to get more and more sensitive to them and even get migraine type headaches. I know I’ve shared this before. I discovered that it was due to the EMF levels while traveling. And even at some hotels, I didn’t realize that they would host the 3g, 4g, even 5G towers on their rooftops. I did a podcast if you’re interested to learn more about this with Dr. Devra Davis with the Environmental Health Trust about the health risks of cell phones and 5g, if you wanna learn more. But when I travel, I make sure to wear protective clothing now. I used to have jewelry that I would wear, which would help too, but my favorite now are the clothing from Lambs. I wear their baseball cap and has been more than scientifically proven and certified to block wireless radiation and UV rays. So it’s the same material that they would actually use for astronauts. So if it can help them, it definitely will help us. So by mitigating the oxidative stress like these EMF with products like Lambs it helps to balance your immune system and to fight off infections. They report that 62% of the people have also an increase in sleep quality too, which is also a great plus when traveling.
  9. Compression Socks
    When I am traveling for long distances, I love compression socks. So definitely a must to have when you’re traveling for several hours and they help to increase your circulation in the legs and also help your feet to prevent from swelling. So definitely something to look into for long flights.
  10. Exercise
    Either in your room or in the hotel gym. There are so many apps available, and sweating is such a great way to detox after a flight. It also helps to sync your circadian rhythm and post-flight information. My newest, favorite app that I’ve been using, and I love it cuz I can use it at home and also when I travel and not have any interruptions into my exercise schedule, is by Peloton, a Peloton app. And even if you do not have a Peloton bike, you can download the app and I believe it’s like $12.99 a month for the app and it has thousands of workouts on there. And if you wanna know my favorite, definitely Robin Arzón, she’s from Puerto Rico. She’s my girl and I love her. She motivates me and has really helped me on my new health journey this year. Great tip for you when you travel.

So there you have it. Today was just a very short snippet, but I really wanted to make sure I got this out there and making sure that you’re prepared. Next time you fly. I’ll make sure to add the links to the items I mentioned in the show notes in case you are interested in learning more. So have a great day and thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support our podcast, please subscribe and share it with others. Be sure to visit believebig.org to access the show notes and discover our bonus content. Thanks again and keep Believing Big!

 

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*Medical Disclaimer: The information that I will be sharing today is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a qualified licensed professional. 
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Why Sustainable Farming Is Important Today!

January 24, 2023 Blog, Podcast Comments Off on Why Sustainable Farming Is Important Today!

Farmer Lee Jones & Dr. Amy Sapola – Why Sustainable Farming Is Important Today!

  • How often do you consider the produce you purchase to eat?
  • How often do you consider the quality of the soil it’s grown in?
  • Have you ever thought about the nutritional value of your choices or do you just assume you’re getting adequate nutrition from ANY produce you purchase?

Today on the podcast I welcome two guests who will enlighten you and challenge any thoughts you may have about the nutritional value of the produce we have available for purchase.

Farmer Lee Jones and Dr. Amy Sapola of The Chef’s Garden in Ohio, discuss regenerative farming, the practices required for sustainable farming, the importance of our growing soils and much more!  You will appreciate what they both have to share, especially their passion for the work they do!

Connect with Farmer Lee Jones and Dr. Amy Sapola:
https://www.chefs-garden.com/

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Jenny Bradley – Living With Breast Cancer & Thriving

January 18, 2023 Blog, Podcast Comments Off on Jenny Bradley – Living With Breast Cancer & Thriving

Is it possible to LIVE with cancer?  The answer is YES!

Today’s podcast guest is Jenny Bradley, and she has been living and thriving with cancer for quite a number of years.  Proving that cancer does not have to be a “life sentence”.  She’s living her best life giving back to other cancer patients and proving that life does go on even after a diagnosis.

In her own words:  “I’ve been living with cancer for at least 7 years.  I was diagnosed 5 years ago, and misdiagnosed for 2 years before that.  But that bump didn’t get there overnight.  So I’ve probably been LIVING with cancer for a decade or so.”

Connect with Jenny Bradley on her website:
https://shrinkthemutant.com/

Suggested Resource Links:

Listen to the podcast below:

 

Here’s a great share too from our friend Dr. Tims on the top 5 things a cancer patient can do now to help themselves!

1️⃣ Get SUNLIGHT. This might seem counterintuitive, but the key here is to be wise. This is NOT about spending hours in the sun and burning. This IS about getting 🆓 SUNLIGHT ☀️ on your eyeballs 👀 to help REGULATE your CIRCADIAN RHYTHM, improving your SLEEP and getting SUNLIGHT ☀️ on your SKIN to support your MITOCHONDRIAL function (the powerhouse of the cells). There are apps you can use to help you know how long to be in the sun & when to cover up.

2️⃣ SLEEP is a critical part of healing. Give yourself an environment that promotes GOOD SLEEP by making your 🛌❄️ bedroom COOLER temp at night, DARKER to not let light be fooling your body that it should be awake, and REDUCING STRESS STIMULATING factors like watching tv/movies 🚫📺 in bed that put your body in fight, flight, fawn, or freeze mode stirring up your stress hormones. Reducing electronics 📱🤳🏻, EMFs, and WiFi around your bedroom can also be beneficial for better sleep.

3️⃣ EAT MORE FRUITS & VEGGIES! 🥗 Your immune cells need good fuel to function well. NOURISH your body well with the good ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTICANCER, GUT HEALTH supportive nutrients found in 🥦🍎🫐🥕🥬🥥🧅🧄 fruits & veggies!

4️⃣ MEDITATE or PRAY 🙏🏼 There’s more to a cancer journey than just the physical body. Tending to the MIND & SPIRIT is just as important, maybe more, as treating the body. Practicing re-orienting 🤍 one’s-self throughout the day can have helpful impact, especially when dealing with the stressors of LIVING with cancer.

5️⃣ Get the TOXIC CHEMICALS OUT of your HOME! If you haven’t been ditching the toxic chemicals and switching to healthier options, NOW IS THE ⏰ TIME. Start with the things that go ON or IN YOUR BODY EVERYDAY. Daily EXPOSURE 🔁 to endocrine disruptors and carcinogens IS harmful and NOT HELPFUL FOR HEALING.

*consult your own practitioner*

✨ THERE IS HOPE. ✨
⬇️⬇️⬇️
FOLLOW @doctorlucas and @shrinkthemutant for MORE INTEGRATIVE CANCER TIPS & INSIGHTS and
🔛 TURN ON your NOTIFICATIONS for our Instagram posts & reels to Get our Integrative Oncologist & Cancer Thriver perspectives!

#naturopathiconcology #integrativewellness

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Be Personally Involved & Proactive

December 16, 2022 Blog Comments Off on Be Personally Involved & Proactive

We are grateful for the men and women who serve in our conventional medical system. When it comes to your health, it’s important to be personally involved and proactive to ensure medical errors do not occur.

Here are some tips on how to avoid them from Dr. Dagmara Beine and Believe Big.

  1. Be your own advocate. Yes, we need to listen to the wisdom of our doctors, but we also need to listen to our bodies to know what is best for us.
  2. Be the squeaky wheel.  Research and ask questions.
  3. Be respectful but be the patient that makes everyone double check their work.
  4. Ivelisse’s best tip – Make sure you have an advocate or helper that can be with you during your stay at the hospital. The advocate’s role is to be present when you are interacting with your medical care team so the advocate can ensure your needs as a patient are met. They can also confirm that the medications you are receiving are the ones being given. There are several medical staff shift changes and communication between hospital staff can break even at top hospitals. They can write instructions into the notebook you bring to keep all medications and instructions clear. Make sure that the staff knows how to reach your family too.

For more hospital stay tips (module 2) watch our newly released video series “I Have Cancer, Now What?”.

View the portal now: www.believebig.org/patientportal

 

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Coffee where? 😀Here’s the scoop on Coffee enemas…

December 13, 2022 Blog, Podcast Comments Off on Coffee where? 😀Here’s the scoop on Coffee enemas…

For many of us, our morning “cup of joe” is non-negotiable.

Did you know that coffee also has a slightly more unconventional use? And instead of just giving you a morning boost, it’s also a powerful way to detox your body?

After our podcast with Dr Lori, our founder Ivelisse did a coffee enema.  She had never done one before because her practitioner wanted her to weigh the time involved and during her time with cancer wanted her to prioritize living life too.  He was able to support her liver and body with things like NAC (N-ACETYL CYSTEINE).

After doing one time, doing once a week will be easy to do. My biggest immediate benefit besides detoxifying and increasing my glutathione by like 500% was mental clarity.  I was super clear!

A few things to note, make sure you use mold free, chemical free organic coffee!  I used Wilsons and the benefit of theirs is that it came in like little tea bags so you don’t need to filter the grounds after you make the coffee.   I also used the Medisential Premium Enema Kit that was toxic free and easy to use.

 

 

 

 

Benefits:

Toxic elimination of up to 500%.

Increases peristalsis, improves digestion, and cleans the colon.

Promotes weight-loss.

Increases energy, improves mental clarity, and stabilizes mood.

Helps with depression, mood swings and sluggishness.

Helps kill parasites and candida.

Dispels gas and bloating Detoxifies and heals the liver

 

                    Purchase the Premium Enema Kit >

 

Listen to the Podcast:

Connect with Dr. Lori Bouchard at the Inside Health Clinic:
https://www.insidehealthclinic.com/our-team/dr-lori-bouchard-dickson/

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Macadamia Nut Hummus

December 7, 2022 Blog, Recipes Comments Off on Macadamia Nut Hummus

Another version of a low carbohydrate ketogenic hummus. Similar to a Cauliflower Hummus recipe, the high carbohydrate garbanzo beans are replaced with keto friendly ingredients. This version is rich and delicious. You can blend this completely smooth or leave it a little on the crunch side. So easy you can’t go wrong!

 

INGREDIENTS

125 grams (1 cup) macadamia nuts – roasted
30 grams (2 tablespoons) Tahini,100% ground sesame seeds
15 grams (1 tablespoon) extra virgin olive oil
9 grams (2.5 teaspoons) lemon juice
2 grams (1 clove) garlic
salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Grind macadamia nuts in a blender until finely chopped.

2. Add remaining ingredients and blend until desired smoothness is achieved. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

 

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A LOW CARB THANKSGIVING?

November 16, 2022 Blog, Recipes Comments Off on A LOW CARB THANKSGIVING?

We have heard great things about adding these two options to your thanksgiving this year. Maybe try them out yourself first and then WOW your friends and loved ones. A cranberry kale salad brings some much needed greens to the table and then some low carb cauliflower mash. Save the calories for the dessert 🙂 See if anyone even notices the difference with the ‘potatoes’.

Cranberry Kale Salad

Ingredients

  • 2 cups organic kale, chopped
  • 1⁄8 tsp sea salt
  • 3 tbsp organic olive oil
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 3 tbsp organic orange juice
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • ½ (2 oz.) organic red onion, sliced
  • 1⁄3 cup fresh organic cranberries or pomegranate seeds
  • 1⁄3 oz. (11⁄5 tbsp) pumpkin seeds, roasted and salted

Instructions

  1. Add the kale, salt, and 1/3 of the olive oil to a large bowl. Use your fingers to massage the salt and the oil into the kale. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, use a whisk to mix the dressing ingredients; mayonnaise, olive oil, orange juice, and zest until creamy and smooth.
  3. Approximately 5-10 minutes before serving, add the onion, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds to the bowl with the kale and toss with the salad dressing to combine.

Tips

This salad is equally delicious using lemon juice and lemon zest or 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar in place of the orange juice and orange zest.

If you prefer, use toasted pecans instead of pumpkin seeds for a deep, harvest flavor.

And if you’re not a fan of kale, substitute fresh spinach or other crisp greens.

General tips for luscious raw kale salads

Chop the kale in small bite-sized pieces to make eating the salad easier.

Reserve the tougher rib portions from the kale to stir into a pot of soup or to sauté. Use the outer, softer pieces for the raw salad.

Rub or massage the kale with a small amount of salt or olive oil before dressing. The oil wilts the kale a bit and makes it more tender and removes some of the bitterness as well.

Dress the salad 5-10 minutes before serving to let the flavors permeate the kale.

 

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Low Carb Cauliflower Mash

Ingredients

  • 2 (8 oz.) organic yellow onions, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp butter or Ghee, for frying
  • 3 lbs organic cauliflower
  • 1½ cups heavy whipping cream (Cottage cheese alone can be a good substitute for heavy cream)
  • 2½ cups (10 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese, or dairy free cheese alternative
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 4 oz. (½ cup) unsalted butter or Ghee, for browning

Instructions

  1. In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, fry the onions in the butter or Ghee, until soft and golden. Set aside in a bowl to cool.
  2. Shred the cauliflower with the coarse side of a grater or divide into smaller florets and chop in a food processor until rice sized. Process a few florets at a time.
  3. Pour heavy whipping cream (or cottage cheese) in a pan. Stir in the cauliflower rice and boil on medium heat. Let simmer for 10–15 minutes or more, until the cauliflower is thoroughly cooked, and the cream has reduced. This will give the mash a more neutral flavor.
  4. Salt and pepper to taste. Add fried onion and shredded cheese. Mix well and keep warm.
  5. Melt butter on medium heat in a skillet until amber-colored for a nice nutty taste. Serve the butter with the mash.

Tip!

You don’t have to remove all the leafy parts—use the entire cauliflower head for making mash! Just be sure to take off the outside leaves. You can also use ready-made cauliflower rice from the grocery store, fresh or frozen. Two pounds will be enough.

 

 

 

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