In honor of breast cancer awareness month, i thought about ways i could contribute to the cause. As someone who has seen many loved ones affected by this (and other) cancer, the subject was pressing on my heart. Just in time, i was asked by a fellow church member to create a presentation to educate others on the importance of holistic eating and its impact on breast cancer prevention. I was so honored to be approached and wanted to share with you. *

Healing requires an approach of wholeness to achieve wellness

Detection is key, and its truly easier to prevent disease rather than cure it. However it does not mean that healing is not achievable. This includes (but not limited to), medical treatments, emotional support of family and friends, light exercise, spiritual balance, a healthy diet and doing activities that one loves. Experts have proven that patients who have a well rounded course of treatment do better than those who only choose one.

Things that cause disease in the body: Free Radicals

Oxidative stress is when the body contains too much oxygen, giving a chance for free-radicals to develop in the body. Free radicals are unhealthy cells that travel throughout the body and allow cancerous cells to develop and thrive. This occurs when our bodies are bogged down by stress, sedentary lifestyle, environmental factors (such as exposure to heavy metals, smoking, and using unhealthy grooming products) and nutrient empty foods.

Two ways to drastically reduce oxidative stress in the body is through healthy eating and exercise.

Though eating whole, fresh foods can be more expensive than eating processed food, in the long run, you safe time, energy and money.

Exercise is free! You don’t have to pay anyone to move around.

Healthy eating rules of thumb

Eat the rainbow. antioxidant rich foods. Antioxidants are substances that promote heathy cell regeneration, reduce inflammation of the body, and improve the your overall health.

Antioxidant rich foods are usually fresh, including color-rich produce, like green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, berries, seeds, nuts and more. When in doubt , eat meals that contain a variety of color and is close to unprocessed as possible.

See: *beet cous cous pilaf*

Frozen over canned if you do not have access or time to prepare raw fruits and vegetables for cooking, opt for frozen over canned. Frozen produce is quick-frozen after picking, rather than cooked during the canning process.

How to eat fresher for cheaper. If you do not have the budget for organic or non-go produce. Try to eat produce that is abundant for the season you are in ie, tomatoes and berries for the summer, leafy greens in the fall and peas in the spring. Growing produce within season is usually requires fewer pesticides herbicidesand less processing/transport. those savings get passed on to you .

Last but definitely not least. stay hydrated! If you’re thirsty, it means your body has already told you its craving more water. A good rule of thumb for the amount of water you should be drinking is one fluid oz for half your body weight. So, if you weigh 180lbs, divide that by half for 90lbs and convert to 90 fl. oz. The body is made of 70% water and needs ample water to maintain proper functions in the body. Infused waters are a great way to incorporate more water to your diet while adding flavor and some extra vitamins to your daily beverage rotation.

Check out the recipes provided and please share with a friend! has adopting a healthier lifestyle helped you in your journey of disease prevention/recovery? i’d love to hear in the comments!

*I am not a medical professional these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Please use your own judgement and consult your medical practitioner for more information regarding your health.