Showing posts with label health issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health issues. Show all posts

Thursday, December 18, 2008

You Can't Juice an Avocado

Marilyn and I recently purchased a new juicer and she is juicing practically every morning. I began juicing years ago when my second wife Anne and I learned that she had cancer.

The two primary treatments for cancer are radiation and chemotherapy. Both treatments harm a person’s entire body, as well as the cancer cells, and most patients soon lose their appetites and desire to eat. Anne used to say that most foods tasted like the working end of a ball peen hammer.

An oncologist told me once that many cancer patients die of malnutrition because ice cream and a few cold desserts are the only foods they can tolerate eating. As Anne’s cancer progressed, this became a problem.

Some friends of ours had juiced for years and suggested that I get a juicer. My cousin gave me a basic recipe that included soy protein, but it was much too bland and doughy. I would not eat it myself, so I knew it was a lost cause trying it out on Anne. I devised my own recipe instead and I began making it for her every morning. It did not cure her cancer, but I feel strongly that it kept her alive, and with a better quality of life, for at least an extra six months. Here is the recipe:

The Juice

2 apples, any variety
1 pear, any variety
3 carrots
1 broccoli stalk and crown

I would often add grapes, blackberries, blueberries, red bell peppers, etc. Try these out for yourself. I like to experiment, and sometimes the ingredients that I like make others wince.

Other Ingredients

½ cup of soy protein
½ cup of green stuff *
1 banana (a mango, papaya or other similar type fruit can be used instead – be creative)
½ blender of ice

I think this product is Source of Life, but I cannot really remember. It came in a large round can with a pop-off top. The product itself was dry, like flour, and green. It contained practically every nutrient, enzyme, and vitamin known to humanity and was very expensive (about fifty bucks). The product did not have an appetizing look and I don’t mind telling you that I thought about the movie Soylent Green every time I opened the package.

Put all the ingredients in the blender and then pulse until thoroughly blended. Makes 2 large shakes.

Along with Anne, I drank variations of this concoction for over a year. I never got sick during this time, not even a sniffle. My blood pressure was perfect, as was my cholesterol, my body weight, etc. I also had exceptional strength, and I believe I could have lifted the front end of a heavy car if I’d had to.

There is no good disease, and in the case of cancer, sometimes the side effects of the attempted cure are almost as horrible. I am not a juicing spokesperson here, but if you are trying to care for a person with an appetite destroyed by radiation and chemo, try my shake on them. If you are simply looking for a healthier life, try it yourself. You might even like it.

Hey, if you try to juice an avocado, it'll just turn into pulp. Use it instead to make guacamole.

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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Last Tango in Heidelberg

The results of my recent yearly physical showed two adverse things: my cholesterol is high and my blood sugar is elevated. While I’m not diabetic I am moving in that direction. I was told to start eating like a diabetic or else become one.

I began assessing my diet but didn’t have to go far to discover at least one major reason for my condition. The culprit is beer. I love the beverage and not just the light American variety. My favorites are darks and ambers, most with the consistency of highly refined motor oil. The problem is they are all loaded with carbohydrates.

It’s hard to believe that one little beer can cause major health problems but for a person with a tendency toward obesity and an exercise ethic that consists of little more than walking from the dinner table to the computer screen, it can become a death threat, especially if you drink several six-packs, or more, every week.

I haven’t drunk a beer since last Wednesday and the regimen is beginning to play havoc with my writing. Why? I can’t think of anything else except quaffing a pint of Bass or Beck’s, or one of the many wonderful American brews such as Anchor Steam or Full Sail. Sorry if I didn’t mention your favorite brewski as - in good Oklahoma and Will Rogers fashion - I personally never met a beer I didn’t like.

For all my faithful readers out there I don’t mean to make light of a serious health problem. The possibility of becoming diabetic frightens me to death and I intend to deal with it. I guess I’ll just have to start making do with a shot glass of Guinness once every week or so.

http://www.EricWilder.com