When Erika and I were dating, we both were off and on with our diets. We would follow a particular program and dropped it to start a new one (we all have done this I'm sure). The one diet that I've always believed in but stopped for some reason were consuming more green leafed plants and fresh fruits and vegetables. My father, being a village farmer and medicine man back in Cambodia, always preached to my brother and I to eat mostly green plants and anything that is bitter. "The more bitter the better," he would say. I remember my first attempt in making a green smoothie, back when I was 24 or 25, I blended mint, basil, Chinese broccoli, and kale with bananas. Freaking disgusting. Do not attempt to mix those ingredients unless you want to practice your gag reflex. When I was dating Erika, I improved the taste of the green smoothie, at least for me, but Erika could not take it down, so we stopped.
Back in 2010 I remember watching a documentary called "Food Matters" and it was an eye opener. We both started to make green smoothies and increased our fruits and vegetables portion of our diet. But when you have so much love for meats, you'll end up falling back to your old habits and them delicious sweet and tangy baby back ribs were sunken back into my teeth (dang just thinking about it my mouth is salivating). Early last year in 2012, we watched another documentary called "Forks Over Knives," about two doctors who have done their own separate studies throughout their lives, one clinical and the other scientific, about the correlation between diet and cancer. This was another eye opener. Yet, our eyes stayed opened for a short period as usual, until now.
Organic bananas, mandarin orange, lemon juice, parsley, kale, celery, apple, two cups of Naked Juice Green Machine, two scoops of Amazing Grass Berry Super Green, and a cup of ice. |
Sitting in the hospital chair, tired, exhausted, and feeling helpless that I can't do anything to help Erika, the idea of food as medicine came back. Everything my father has taught me, things I've read, and those two documentaries started to flow back into my mind. I whipped out my phone and watched both "Food Matters" and "Forks Over Knives" on Netflix. I can do something to help. I can help Erika with her diet. In Erika's room we now have a Vitamix blender. This Wednesday the 23rd, Erika decreased the amounts of meats and dairy in her meals. Her portions of fresh fruits and vegetables have dramatically increased. I made Erika her first green smoothie that same night. Yesterday we followed the same diet plan.
Erika's red cell was always at a slow decline, neutrophils (immunity cells/white cells) was at a 0, and her platelets were also at a slow decline. This morning, the doctor came in with an excited tone of voice, told us that Erika's red cells have maintained count, platelets have increased slightly, and her neutrophils is now 100. Is this related to the increased fresh fruits and vegetables? Is it the green drink? Either way, we will continue with the diet in hopes that her blood count improves.
Brendon I can't help but smile & feel so overjoyed while reading this. Your father was a man of wisdom. What your father was trying to teach about food is found in the Bible or Torah in Hebrew.
ReplyDeleteIt is said that soy products, which contain genistein and other isoflavones, may offer protection against leukemia. Good soy foods include tempeh, roasted soy nuts, soy powder protein, and miso. The bioflavnoid quercetin has been found in numerous studies to have anti-leukemia properties. Genistein has shown positive effects in destroying leukemia cells in laboratory tests. Low selenium levels have been associated with a greater risk.
There are also studies that have shown that vitamin A, having a diet that consists of Omega-3, and Charoset (black-walnut shells that contain a crystalline compound called ellagic acid) are all agents in helping to fight cancer.
I Am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Revelations 21:6
One of his disciples, Andrew...said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that among so many?" Jesus said, "Make the people sit down."...so the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to the people as they sat there. He did the same with the fish, and they had as much as they wanted. John 6:1-13
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree..Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish...They shall bring forth fruit in old age. Psalms 92:12-14
Our prayers have been answered & we will continue.
We love you.
I'm glad it made you smile. :)
DeleteBoth Erika and I haven't had any soy products for it is more acidic. We are trying to stick to a more alkaline types of food, for now. It is hard for we both love tofu, especially ABC Mandarin's spicy bean curd.
My father's wisdom is based on Buddhism and their vegetation diets. If it's found in the Bible, then even better. At this point, both Erika and I are willing to try anything.
Way to go man! My mother was a big believer in the green veggies as well and taught me to love what the earth gave. Our grandmother used to keep quite the garden and now I'm trying to do the same as an adult. You're doing a great job taking care of Erika.
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