TUESDAY TIDINGS - The Importance of Healthy Eating and Exercise

While I was at the breast cancer retreat this last weekend, the other survivors and I were able to sit down and talk to a doctor for about an hour and a half, and get a bunch of our questions answered. One of the things the doctor told us is that the most important thing for a survivor to do is get healthy and stay healthy by exercising and eating right.

This reminded me of a quote I read recently from singer Sheryl Crow, a breast cancer survivor: "Anyone who's diagnosed with anything will agree that such news is not only a showstopper, but also an opportunity to recreate the way you live and how you look at life."

Sheryl recently co-wrote a cookbook focusing on tasty and nutritious food, titled "If It Makes You Healthy".

In the forward of this cookbook, Sheryl talks about the fact that before her cancer diagnosis, she had always been healthy and fit, but hadn't been a healthy eater. She has re-invented the way she eats, and talks about being on what she calls the "Eskimo Diet" - salmon, brown rice, and colorful vegetables - the more colorful, the better.

A few of the helpful hints in the book: use spices that have cancer-fighting properties, such as cinnamon and cumin; meet with a nutritionist; learn the benefits of nutrients like Omega-3 and lycopene; it's ok to be a little indulgent once in a while - eat dessert! Just make it a healthy dessert.

There are so many other great things in this cookbook. It's full of good, healthy recipes. I can't wait to try some of them.

(If you are interested in reading the article about Sheryl Crow in Prevention Magazine, it's called "Sheryl Crow's Change of Heart", and can be found in the May 2011 issue. Click HERE to go to Prevention's website and read the article.)

We also talked to the doctor about exercise. I can't remember exactly what she said (thank you, chemo brain), but I do know that even just walking 3-4 times a week can make a big difference. You don't have to be an exercise nut to gain benefits.

There were a lot of things I learned during the retreat that will change my life for the better. The suggestion to eat healthy food and exercise are some of the most important!