Friday, January 27, 2012

Cancer Thrivers: Polly Noble





This is the third entry in my Cancer Thrivers Series. You can check out the first two entries here:


Cancer Thriver: Jess from the Wellness Warrior
Cancer Thriver: Cortney from Green Drink Diaries

Polly has an amazing story and I'm so grateful I have the opportunity to share it with you today. 




I understand this is your second time with cancer; the first you followed the traditional methods. How did you feel when the cancer returned, and what made you decide to explore options outside of chemo? Most people don't even realize they have any, so how did you discover holistic healing?



Obviously being told the cancer had returned was disappointing as no-one ever wants to be told they have cancer, especially not twice in 4 years! But I took it as best I could and vowed to do as much as possible to make myself well again. I refused to let this cancer be my downfall. During my first diagnosis, I had read The Journey by Brandon Bays who healed herself naturally by healing emotional issues that had remained unresolved. This opened up to me a whole new world of alternative healing and the possibility of the body healing itself. From here, I just read and read more books on how the body was designed to heal so when I was diagnosed for the second time and coupled with the fact i had suffered very badly with side effects from conventional treatment such as chemo and radiotherapy, it was kind of a no brainer to try a more natural approach.
How did you family and friends respond to your choice to go the alternative route?
I sat my family down and said, “you may not like nor understand why or what I’m doing but I feel that this is for me to heal naturally. I don’t want to know if you disagree or have concerns - it’s not helpful for me to hear it so please keep it to yourself. I just need to know you love and support me” to which they agreed because they are amazing.
Did you work with a regular Oncologist or some form of holistic doctor? How do you feel you were treated?
I have had to become my own doctor! I am fortunate to have an oncologist who is very understanding and happy for me to do this my way. I have employed a team of practitioners from acupuncturists to energy healers to integrative doctors so that I have a support system available to me as and when i need them but ultimately it’s me that decides what to do and when which I encourage others to do. It’s so easy to give your power away to your doctor but it’s up to the person with cancer to take responsibility and do everything they can to help themselves heal or live with cancer peacefully.
Did you use any detox tools to help move the toxins out, such as enemas, skin brushing, foot bath, etc?
I do daily enemas, skin brushing, far infrared saunas (i bought one for my home), exercise to get the lymph system pumping as well as taking zeolite clay every morning.

Tell us more about the Cancer Journey book and your inspiration behind that?
I began writing The Cancer Journey-Positive Steps To Help Yourself Heal with 2 other people as part of a 21 day challenge to achieve the impossible! It took us a lot longer than 21 days as you can imagine but it was a wonderful springboard to creating a book that is helping many people. The Cancer Journey is a book I wish I had had when I was first diagnosed at 24. Its a very practical guide as to what someone with cancer can do to help themselves whatever route they choose to take - conventional or alternative. There is often a lot of information on diet and lifestyle that oncologists and doctors don’t tell you or simply just don’t know enough about which could actually make a huge difference between healing or not. 



Can you tell us a little bit about the healing program you are now implementing?
My healing program has 2 fundamental parts; detoxification and nourishment. I concentrate on flooding my body with much needed nutrients, vitamins & minerals and detoxing my body of toxins and any other matter, whether physical, emotional or mental - stuff I no longer need. In addition, I use meditation to help me calm my mind, put more attention on stillness and turn down the volume on the crazy fear-fueling thoughts that love to pop up and try to freak me out. I use vision boards, affirmations, exercise and juicy future goals to keep me inspired and motivated. All in all, everything I do is to help my body kickstart its natural healing mechanism which exists within all of us.

What is your status today? How are you feeling?
I feel great! The last scan i had, my doctor said was very encouraging as there had been no growth to any organs and no real change. So at least it’s not getting bigger.
What other books would you recommend for the newly diagnosed?
The fist thing I recommend someone do when they are diagnosed is to take inventory of their life and in particular their diet. Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet is super important to reducing and improving the environment in which cancer loves to thrive. Crazy Sexy Diet by the awesome Kris Carr is a great start, Anti-cancer by Dr David Servan-Schreiber, The China Study by Colin Campbell, Healing with whole foods by Paul Pitchford and Healing The Gerson Way by Charlotte Gerson
What lead you to blog and create your own life coaching program?
I was a life coach before I became a holistic health coach so helping people live their best life has always been something I have wanted to do. With my interest and love of food and nutrition it made sense to combine the two to help people use food to improve their health as i feel this impacts every area of life if its out of balance.
Any other tips for newly diagnosed?
Don’t panic, get lots of different opinions and look at all options before making a decision. Whatever route you decide to go down whether that be alternative or conventional, there are always many options available to you. 

About Me..

Polly Noble is a holistic health coach,  raw food coach, inspirational speaker and co-author of "The Cancer Journey". She also writes for The Huffington Post, Passion Magazine and makes regular appearances on BBC Radio. Having been diagnosed with cancer for the second time in February 2010, aged 28, Polly embarked on a kick-cancer-butt mission to heal herself naturally using a more holistic natural approach.

She is passionate about using her journey on the cancer train to help others arm themselves with everything they need to know to create health and happiness and change their diet and lifestyle to make prevention their priority, whatever their health. Having studied and researched extensively not only through books but her studies at The Institute of Integrative Nutrition, she wholeheartedly believes the body can be healed naturally and shares her insights & experience with you here. Polly's kick-ass attitude inspires and motivates people to weed out the toxic crap and get real with the good stuff! Polly's is co-author of "The Cancer Journey - Positive Steps To Help Yourself Heal" which is available from www.thecancerjourneybook.com or Amazon. She is also the subject of a documentary, following her throughout her healing journey.

Mission Statement...To inspire others to live a happier and healthier life and to do everything in their power to achieve this in every moment so they can live a life they love.

Mottos:

Go green, get clean
Become a green juice junkie! 


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Living Nutz Product Review


I recently had the pleasure of receiving a box of Living Nutz samples. These are raw nuts that have been soaked, coated in deliciousness, and dehydrated. They have several flavors, some sweet, some more savory. My favorite is the "Tahitian Vanilla Bean Coconut Creme Walnutz". They just melt in your mouth and are the perfect snack. Other flavors include "I Love Vegan Cheesy Almonds", "Bodacious Banana Bread Walnutz", "Passionate Pesto Walnutz" and several more. Admittedly, I'm more of a sweet than savory, but there is definitely something for everyone here. These are the perfect snack to carry in your purse for when you just need a little something on the run. You can order these nuts at Living Nutz website.


Have you tried Living Nutz? 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

23 Ways to Love Your Body



Get a dry skin brush and brush the dry skin off every day before your shower. As you go over your skin, tell each body part how much you love it, "I love you toes, I love you knees, I love you thighs, I love you shoulders,"


Drink a quart of green smoothie or green juice daily to give you body the nutrients it needs


Close your eyes and visualize yourself surrounded by love. Go inside and thank each cell, each organ, for functioning properly, and send it love


Mediate


Take B12 and Vitamin D supplements to stay healthy


Keep your colon cleanse with enemas; coffee enemas will detox the liver. 


Coat your body with coconut oil after getting out of the shower


Make a spa day and give yourself a facial, get one of those kits for your feet and show your feet some love. Relax in a nice oatmeal bath and sprinkle some lavender essential oil in. 



Love your flaws


Each scar has a story, don't be ashamed of them, send them love


Masturbate


Spend time in the sun

Wear organic clothing


Listen to your body when it tells you it hurts


Rest


Stretch


Do yoga


Exercise


Hug yourself


Look at yourself naked in the mirror and appreciate everything


Get a crazy hairdo


Use quality makeup or go naked, same for other beauty and soap products


Smile often and laugh even more


Monday, January 23, 2012

31 Things #23: Write Myself a Love Letter




Dear Shanna,

You are a beautiful star in this world. Your potential shines bright, and your heart is full of love. I love you. You are my soul, my one and only. We belong together in harmony. I love your/my body, the swing of our hips, our lips, the color of our hair. We are beautiful. We/I am lovely and worthy of love. A beautiful spirit is lifting me. This is the year to heal, to get down with my Spiritual self, get back into my hobbies and spend time with my friends. I am loving that I have started back on my path; coffee enemas, smoothies, and my new Radical Self Love Meetup. I love my laughter, every scar on my body, the beating of my heart. I love my creativity, my ability to read quickly, and my writing. I love me, every cell, every heartbeat, every moment in time, I am loved. I love that I am open to new opportunities and I'm not afraid to go for it. I love that I'm a leader, and a listener, and a good friend. I love myself unconditionally.  

Love, 

ME


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Coconut Secret: Chocolate Bars Product Review


Recently I received a package from Coconut Secret, asking me to review their new line of chocolate bars. Since chocolate and coconut and two of my favorite things, I readily agreed. The bars come in 4 flavors, Coconut Macaroon Bar, Almond Coconut Bar, Mint Chocolate, and Classic Coconut. All all vegan, except the Macaroon bar, and they are also all gluten free. These bars have very little sugar, and of course the sugar used is coconut sugar. I decided to try the Mint Chocolate bar first and all I can say is.....DIVINE. Real mint flavor with real coconut, raw chocolate, my taste buds were tingling with all the different flavors coming my way. To say I loved this bar would be an understatement. I also found the bars to be filling in just a few bites, and decided to save the rest for later. I think you could easily eat off one bar for a week, just savoring each bite. I highly recommend checking these out. I imagine they are available at Whole Foods, and if not, ask your local Whole Foods or nature store to carry them.


I also requested to try the Coconut Flour. I found a brownie recipe that uses Almond Flour and just switched it out. Delicious! The one thing about using the coconut flour, is that you either have to mix with other flours, or if used on it's own the recipe must include eggs. I plan on getting a book on coconut flour recipes so I can make more deliciousness.


Coconut Flour Brownies

Ingredients(Makes 1 8 x 8 pan):
  • 3/4 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules(optional)
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 7oz baking chocolate, divided OR 3/4 cup chocolate chips
    Method:
    1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
    2. Mix together the almond flour, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder and set aside.
    3. In a separate bowl, melt together 4 ounces of chocolate or a scant 1/2 cup chocolate chips with the butter.
    4. White the chocolate is melting, beat together the eggs, sugar, vanilla and coffee granules if using.
    5. Slowly pour the melted chocolate and butter into the egg/sugar mixture while whisking until fully incorporated. Don’t go too fast so that the raw eggs don’t cook upon contact.
    6. Pour the chocolate mixture in with the dry ingredients and mix completely.
    7. Pour the batter in an 8 x 8 pan.
    8. Sprinkle the top with the remaining chocolate and gently press it into the batter.
    9. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Let these cool completely before cutting in.

      To Learn more about Coconut Secrets Products click here


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

50 Ways To Feel Like A Goddess Again


Again, I'm not sure what site I got this from, but I thought it was beautiful...



Write yourself a permission slip… What do you need to give yourself permission for?
Create something just for you…
Have a green smoothie! Greens are good for the soul AND our moods!
Reach out to five people and tell them how much you love them and are grateful for them.
Stand outside when it is sunset or sunrise… the colours and light will heal your chakras and energy…
Go for a drive to a place you haven’t been before… Even if it’s just a road, park, shop or river. Let your spirit see new things!
Switch off for the day and remember joys which are screen-free.
Write a love letter to the Goddess in You.

Give away or donate three things you own that don’t make you feel magical.
… or watch ridiculous 1980′s comedies or silly romantic-comedies or kid’s movies… feel good movies!
Dream up, organise and host a gathering of goddesses.
Make a raw dessert.
Find a place you can have a campfire. You don’t have to camp out all night… just stay for the best bits of fire-gazing and marshmallow-burning!
Mark in your calendar an LBW. My hunky invented these – Lazy Bastard Weekends. A weekend where you have total permission to do as little as possible. In pyjamas. Then nap. It’s muchos healing and restorative!
Ask your Mama to tell you your birth story.

Whenever I am in need of healing, I read SARK’s Transformation Soup. It’s my favourite of hers to bring joy, healing & rejuvenation into my life. Sparkle SARKle!
Get a reading by someone you either know already, or who comes recommended. Readings always help me get back on track again when I lose my way.
Go swimming. Even if swimming just means sitting in the spa at your local health club. That totally counts!
Drink more water. Chances are you are dehydrated. Love your friendly water police!
Stop complaining for today. Start saying you are AWESOME… You will begin to feel it!
Give your crystals a good cleansing with water and salt, sunlight or moonlight.
Decide to forgive someone.

See if you can find music you were obsessed by as a kid or teen. (My sisters know all the words to the Lion King soundtrack! I was more in love with Rick Price, Ace of Bass and Joshua Kadison). Listen to them again… maybe even sing a long!
Make a pile of your favourite healing books and lie in amongst them.
Find a crystal and make it your healing crystal. Keep it in your pocket during the day, sleep beside it at night. Let it become a beloved companion! Amethyst, jade and green calcite are especially good healers, but trust your intuition as to what YOU need!
Thank someone from your past who was special to you. (I once wrote a letter to my fourth grade teacher Miss Collins thanking her for making a gifted and talented writers class and asking me along. That class meant so much to me!)
Make space in your life for magic to enter by doing some divine decluttering!
Go on a retreat. One that’s run by you, or a group one. Retreats are oh so good!
Organise a breakfast date with your favourite person.
Decide on a new hobby to play with that you haven’t tried before… Horse riding! Scrap booking! Disco bowling! Knitting! Ice skating! Creative writing! Ze possibilities are endless…


Cuddle a puppy or meow-meow.
Marry yourself.
Find your totem animal.
Go have a book picnic outside and get distracted by the clouds!
Create an altar that feels supportive, uplifting and inspiring… a collection of all the lovely things you want to remind yourself of…
Create a gift basket for your best friend.
Take 100 deep breaths. One after the other.
Write on a piece of paper what you are willing to let go of. Burn it.

Make one new friend for the day – who cares if it is online or offline. Connection is goooood!
Make your bedroom into a sanctuary.
Give yourself a superhero name for ze day! I am Queen Megatron! I can bounce with the power of a thousand pogo sticks and a hundred Tiggers!
Take yourself on an Artists Date for lunch!
Let someone else decide what book you should read next.
Paint an angel and put it beside your bed.
Write letters. The kind that need stamps. Apply stickers by ze boatload. Embrace your inner penpalling eleven year old self!
Play dress-ups.
Sleep in the moonlight – either keep your curtains open or sleep outside. Or if you can’t do either – step outside for a moment before going to bed just to say goodnight to Grandmother Moon.
Take a media break.
Write a list of your own favourite ways to heal and get sparkly again…
Ready? Set! Go! Time to create magic!!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

My Intention Letter


My mother is a healer and an expert on the law of attraction and achieving miracles. She has a weekly newsletter that discusses anything from Reiki to Angel therapy, and lessons from the Universe. This week's newsletter had an amazing suggestion on manifesting your 2012 goals. 






Pretend that it is the end of the year and you are writing a Christmas letter telling your friends about all the wonderful things that have happened in your life that year....make sure you include how to FELT when they happned. Get into that exquisite place of pretend....allow your heart to lead you into that feeling place beyond judgement, doubt or fear. Always state your intentions in a positive "feel good" manner. Some example statements might be, so many wonderful things have happened to me this year: I lost all that excess weight and now I am at my best weight ever! My wedding was even more perfect and beautiful that I ever imagined it could be! I have the best relationship ever with a partner who is beyond my wildest dreams' I am having so much fun making more money than I could ever spend! you get the idea...Once you have written your "intention letter" post copies in places where you will be sure to see them to remind you of what your are creating...always get into that feeling place when you read them. 




To learn more about my Mom, Rhonda and Awakening Wellness and to sign up for her newsletter, check out her website: http://www.awakening2wellness.com. 


Ok, so here is my "intention letter." I'd love to see what you do as well!


Dear Friends,


2012 has been the most incredible year of my experience. I have done superb on my 2012 intentions; I feel great, my career has just grown, I've gained a brand new family; life is good.


My blogs have all reached over 300 followers, and more than that on Facebook. Collectively I receive over 30,000 hits a day. I have so many review requests that I'm barely able to keep up. I've been making the most incredible vegan dishes and throwing taste testing parties; they are a big hit. I recently started an Etsy page and have been selling baked goods and some knitting projects. Yes, I learned to knit and what fun! I'm part of a weekly stitch 'n' bitch group, have made several scarfs a super awesome hat and have several other projects in the works.  Next stop: learn to crochet.


Yoga has given me so much; not only can I touch my toes (ha!) but it's just opened so many doorways spiritually and physically for me. I feel incredible and have an amazing amount of energy. My tumors are no longer visible (woot!) and the sores have healed on my legs. My fluid issue from last year is gone; and so therefore I am a fashion diva again! My hair has grown thick and silky, and yes, I dyed it purple this summer.  My parents freaked, but I loved it. 


I've read more than my 52 books, including a good portion of A Course in Miracles. What an amazing journey that has been. I have an incredible group of friends and my social life is "off the hook" as they say. This past fall I finally went on that Missouri trip with some of my gal pals and what fun it was! So many things that I had no idea about.


The highlight is still my summer weekend in Kripalu. I attended Gabby's Loveatarian workshop and; moved, just moved. I am forever changed. And the relationships; forever baby.


All in all, life is incredible. I'm healthy, I have a great living situation and a new family due to my father's new wife, a job I love, and what better way to spend your free time than with a good book?


I hope your year has been as generous to you as mine.


Much Love,


Shanna

Monday, January 16, 2012

The Daily Love on Forgiveness and Grace




If you've never read The Daily Love, you are missing out. It's a blog, a newsletter and a movement. The newsletter comes daily with links to blog posts from inspirational bloggers, quotes, and a beautifully written post from Mastin Kipp himself. Most of the same content can be found on the blog. I am constantly inspired by his journey and the way he connects with his readers. He's created a special email address for readers to send in stories and questions and sometimes he will post them. Often his posts are inspired by them. The more outlets to spread love, the law of attraction, gratitude, forgiveness, etc., the better. The Daily Love is one of the best I've seen, and I'm looking forward to it's continued growth. 



Recently Mastin discussed Forgiveness. Here's his take: 

Forgiveness A - means that we are willing to forgive whoever hurt us. This includes forgiving ourselves. This doesn't make it right what they did, but it does begin to free us from the pain and sadness cycle. We forgive them, not for them and not to let them off the hook, but to free ourselves. After a while, if we do not do this, we are actually letting them win by holding on to the pain. The best way to get back at someone who hurt you is to forgive him or her, because then you get to take your power back and they no longer hold dominion over your life.

As we step into Forgiveness A - life gets better. We are beginning to move on. It's not as bad as it used to be - the charge is less. And most people stay in Forgiveness A - which is totally fine and perfect. And if you can get here, you've made a MAJOR win.

But Forgiveness B - that is the place that is the hardest to get to, yet to the most rewarding - and the most confronting. Forgiveness B takes forgiveness to a whole new level - when you forgive from a place of Forgiveness B - this is the level of forgiveness that Jesus, Buddha and the like would do. And it's hard. Level B Forgiveness asks us not only to forgive those who hurt us, but also Love them. And see that from their point of view, they are in tremendous pain and their act against us was just a very messed up request for Love. So, we step into Loving those that hurt us. This doesn't mean they have to become out best friends; we can Love them from a distance, but if we get here - we are totally free. And we can express our forgiveness to those who have hurt us most - which will help to set them free as well. Because they are still suffering from the event, just as you are.

And when we step into Forgiveness B - we also see that what we once thought was a horrible event, we now see as Grace - and an event that shaped our lives in a way that - even though it was extremely difficult - was a part of our lives that happened to help us grow. When we see past events that hurt us as Grace - then we are totally free and nothing will ever be able to touch us again.

Wherever you are on the Forgiveness Arc - it's ok and perfect for this moment. One of the worst things we can do is try to rush this process. Forgiveness is an acceptance process and it is very personal.

Grace by definition is "Favor or goodwill". Favor by whom? Well, I'm going to say The Uni-verse. We were created by The Uni-verse to express our gifts and to collaborate with each other to help each other reach our highest expression of creative freedom. Each person has been created for a specific purpose and reason - and NO other person can fulfill this purpose other than YOU. In this way, we are all children of The Uni-verse and favored.

This is not something we have to earn. This is something that is given to us freely from a place of Love. And the cool thing about Grace is that Grace can cancel Karma. Karma is the law of cause and effect - every action creates and equal and opposite reaction. But that isn't how Grace works. There is no action that requires Grace to come forth and there is no negative effect that Grace can't stop.

The other thing that it's important to remember is that from our limited point of view, we can't always see in the moment what is best for us. So - what seems to be a total disaster can actually be Grace in action.

Sometimes our biggest problem is the greatest act of Grace. What seems like horror, terror or really bad luck is the event that we needed in order to heal our wounds, step out into our power and then use our experience, strength and hope to help other people come out of their darkness. Grace can feel like a soft feather and sometimes Grace can be a kick in the teeth (or worse). But over time and with enough practice, we can begin to see the dual nature of life playing itself out on the human plane and know that even in the worst of it, we are a Light in the world, and perhaps the purpose of all this darkness is the opportunity for us to discover our own Light.



Powerful isn't it? Here are a few tips on Forgiveness:
  • Start with yourself. If you can't forgive yourself you will never properly forgive others
  • Write a letter to yourself, write every horrible, shameful, thing you've ever done that you've yet to let go of. Then sit with it, and find the gratitude. Every experience is a lesson and no matter how horrible, we grow from it. Then write down your gratitudes. Finally, forgive. Write it, believe it. Once you are truly forgiven, burn the letter and send the ashes out to the Universe.
  • Use the above exercise to deal with the people you need to forgive.
  • Download Gabby Bernstein's "forgiveness" meditation and "cord cutting" meditation to help move forward
  • Check in with yourself and make sure you are still clear. If you still need to clear out some emotions, try EFT. 
  • Write your gratitudes daily. The more grateful you are, the less negative energy will come your way and the less you will have to forgive. 
  • Ask the Universe to take away your anger, send out a prayer, and get a good nights sleep
  • When you are ready, visualize the situation and everyone involved with LOVE. Send out white light, wrap them in it, and believe in the power of Love to heal.


Are you ready to Forgive?

Sunday, January 15, 2012

The Versatile Blogger Award




If you are nominated, you’ve been awarded the Versatile Blogger award.
  •  Thank the person who gave you this award. That’s common courtesy.
  •  Include a link to their blog. That’s also common courtesy — if you can figure out how to do it.
  •  Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly. ( I would add, pick blogs or bloggers that are excellent!)
  •  Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.
  •  Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.
Well first, WOW!!! Thank you to The Perks of Having Cancer for my nomination. What a beautiful gesture!


Lovely Blogs
1. All the Live Long Day
2. Austenesque Reviews
3. Yes and Yes
4. Almost Vegan
5. The Caffeinated Cupcake 
6. Green Beans and Yam
7. Kind Over Matter
8. Laura's Reviews
9. Life is a Canvas
10. Nourish Thyself
11.The Grateful Life
12.The Wellness Warrior
13.Walkstrong
14.The Purple Carrot
15.Chick Lit Plus

Seven Things About ME!


My first word was doggie


I detest mushrooms

My girl crush is Clea Duvall, ever since But I'm a Cheerleader. If I were to ever have a lesbian experience, she's my gal. ;) 

I've never chewed a piece of gum

I was a competitive pianist

I had a couple poems published in literary magazines in my early 20's


I'm addicted to Trader Joe's red licorice; it's not TJ brand, just something spectacular they carry 


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