[as seen in the Oxford Review January 27th, 2012] According to the most recent data available it is the unfortunate reality that the rates of cancer continue to rise. I have personally had a few family members die as a result of cancer and I have a personal mission to find out what I can do to help stop this disease.

While researching the causes of cancer I discovered that there are a minority of cancers that are caused by factors that cannot readily be controlled. When I say not ‘readily’ controlled I mean behaviours and situations that are not immediately available to be changed now; things like environmental pollution, viral infection, and genetic factors. The generally accepted number place about 30% of all cancers under this umbrella.

Conversely, many factors directly related to choices of lifestyle, such as smoking, lack of physical exercise, obesity, dietary habits and the immoderate use of alcohol directly cause the onset of approximately 70% all cancers. Even a very casual inspection of the data (that is the number of people afflicted worldwide) show great variation in the rate of cancer depending on where you look on the globe. This is good news since we can discover some epidemiological truths about cancer by analyzing this variance.

Peter Wentzel, in his book Hungry Planet, showcases the almost unbelievable differences in diet around the world. It is beyond doubt (or argument) that we, in North America, eat a diet heavily laden in processed foods. We eat according to the energy content of food and the fuel it provides. In stark contrast to this those in the East (statistically significant cancer rates are much lower) eat food for the health benefits and for the disease prevention it provides.

Our diet here in the West is generally characterized by a relative lack of fruits and vegetables and it appears that the very same plant foods we lack do play a critical role in the prevention of most (if not all) cancers. It is my opinion that we need a national agenda to get more truly fresh fruits and vegetables into our bodies. There is no substitute for the daily addition of these plants foods to our meals.

The bleak reality is that in spite of decades of dedicated and determined research, financed to the tune of billions of dollars, a large number of cancers remain impossible to treat. It is my belief that the miracle drug (or procedure) to cure cancer will never come. The responsibility firmly rests upon our shoulders to take matters into our own hands and make some good choices for change.

We must make the lifelong decision to eat more vegetables, be more active, and get high quality rest. As a nation, if we ever want to address the cancer problems we have in this country, we must look at ourselves in the mirror, stop making excuses, and start living a lifestyle reflective of what we already know is true.

You might have been expecting me to list off a bunch of foods that will nourish your body and block cancer from developing in the first place. While I am going to give you my time 5 foods – the truth is you already know. You have heard it hundreds of times before – fresh vegetables and fruits have been written about extensively. They are all good for you. No more excuses. Take control now. Commit half of every single plate of food you eat to fresh veggies and fruit. Once-in-a-while just won’t cut it. The reality is you need to eat them on a very regular basis, over a lifetime, to get the benefits. It is the daily, day-in-day-out, choices you make which have the greatest impact on you.

I will finish up by giving you my top 5 cancer fighting foods – but we have to make a deal first. The deal is that you must commit to adding these foods to your diet now. Please. I would actually get down on my knees, if I could, that is how strongly I feel about this.

The top five cancer fighters are: cruciferous veggies (broccoli), garlic and onions, turmeric, green/white tea, and omega-3’s. If you need more information on how to get these foods in your diet please email me at info@vitalityplus.com.

We can change the broken health system one meal at a time.

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[as seen in the Oxford Review December 31st, 2011] The word January comes to us from Roman mythology and means a doorway to the new year. The Roman god Janus had two faces: one which looked backward and one which looked forward. The 1st day of January gives us just that – an opportunity to look back at the year just finished and an fresh look a future yet unspent. New Years Day is a time for new beginnings. A bold and fresh look into the future of possibilities. It is time to make something happen this year. It is time to fulfill your desires and dreams. It is time to think about Mark Twain. It was Twain who said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Now read that quote again. Then read it again. And again. Choose only one thing this year that you will commit to getting started on. Choose one thing this year that you will see through for the entire year. When you are trying to loose weight or go to the gym, getting started means doing it day-in and day-out all year long. Losing weight and getting fit are the culmination of many hours of sweat equity. There is no shortcut. Don’t listen to any of the infomercials. They lie. The important thing about getting started is gaining momentum towards your goals. There is not much that compares to feeling the energy and sizzle of new beginnings. If you’ve wanted to lose weight and get into amazing shape, why not use the energy of this moment to your advantage? Momentum is one of the most underrated factors in achieving a better body.  It can give you what you need to start an exercise program, stick with it and reap major rewards. The hardest part is always getting started. But once you begin, once you start losing the pounds, once you get going at the gym, you will be noticeably harder to derail. You will be taking the first steps to actually making a permanent lifestyle change. You will look and feel so much better than you ever thought possible. Trust me I know! I want you to get excited! As you know, it’s very easy to do something when you feel excited about it. Learn to use this excitement to your advantage and allow it motivate you to even greater heights. When you consider the world of possibilities there are just so many things to get excited about.  Running groups, fitness classes, Zumba, yoga, and Highland Bootcamps (my very own bootcamp) to name a few. It can be scary getting started, but it is oh-so worth it when you stick it out. The pride and power that goes with accomplishment, and a job well done, makes an impact not only on your own sense-of-self, but also on those around you. You must keep in mind that the initial excitement does wear off eventually. The big secret  of everything in life is just sticking to your program whatever it is. That honestly IS the big secret, the magic bullet, the pill, the easy way, the shortcut to getting ahead – get started and stick with it!! Blessings. Remember – Eat Well. Exercise Hard. And Smile. Read More

[as seen in the Oxford Review October 7th, 2011] Fall is one of my favourite times of the year. I love the crispness and the coloured leaves. The morning sunrises are beautiful and breathtaking. There is a smell of smokey fireplaces in the air, and there are orange pumpkins everywhere. Fall is a time of harvest, thanksgiving, and change.

Fall is also a time for new beginnings. There are new classes to attend, new curriculum to design, new programs to begin – fall is a new start. Thinking of beaches, barbeques, and some baseball you have probably relaxed over the summer and now you’re ready to reach higher and push further. The kids are in school (although they might not like that), so you’ve got a bit more time to get to the gym. You’re pumped. You’re excited about starting a new season. You’re ready to tackle new challenges.  Yes, I know that Christmas is just around the corner, but now is the time to get started – get ready for that little Christmas dress now! No more excuses!

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