The Benefits of Growing An Organic Garden ...

Some of the "buzz" words in the culinary world are GMO and organic.  It has been proven that toxins found in foods can cause cancer.  Several years ago I did a complete overhaul with my nutrition plan, which included eating organic produce when available.  

Last year I started a "mini" garden,  and this year I now maintain an organic garden that includes a wide variety of vegetables.  This summer's focus is on summer squash.  Because I plant in organic soil (can be purchased at local nurseries) and do not use any type of pesticides, my produce is plentiful and healthy-looking, and very flavorful ... not like store-bought vegetables.  

The summer squash is a very versatile vegetable.  It can be added to soups, stews, salads or used as an appetizer.  The larger sizes can be stuffed, and baked for 20 minutes.  They are great when broiled: 

Not only do these summer, golden gems taste good, they also have several health benefits:

WEIGHT REDUCTION:  These vegetables are very low in calories, high in fiber, high in potassium, and zero cholesterol.  They are excellent as snacks.  Prepare bowls of these natural snacks, and eat to your heart's content without gaining an ounce!

CANCER PREVENTION:  High in anti-oxidants, these squash will protect your body from mutated cells.  

HEART HEALTH:  Summer squash are high in magnesium which helps reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, plus reduces high blood pressure. 

EYE HEALTH:  Contains vitamins and nutrients to help prevent cataracts. 

COLON HEALTH:  Do you suffer from constipation or occasional irregularity? Summer squash provides the appropriate bulk to help keep the colon flowing regularly. 

HEALTHY BONES:  As individuals age, they become more susceptible to bone injuries.  Bones tend to degenerate.  Summer squash aids in maintaining healthy bones due to the high levels of manganese and vitamin C.  

If you do have have a garden, you can grow plants indoors in large pots.  

Welcome Summer and all the wonderful produce you provide!

Plant those lemon seeds!

There is that old saying, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."  After my initial cancer operation, I personalized that saying to fit my situation, "When life hands you lemons, make lemon meringue pie."

I took inventory of my recreational / social life, and make adjustments.  I was accustomed to the outdoor life:  long walks on the beach, long hikes, swimming in the community pool, water skiing.  I was forced to make a drastic change, but instead of being gloomy, I opened up my life for new opportunities. I was working in the corporate world at the time.  I focused my energies on creating education packages for new employees.  

Then in 2004 I became ill again.  This time my motto became "When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemon Chicken."  Again, I re-invented "the wheel" by focusing on creating healthy recipes.    With the assistance of a pain management specialist, I began using light weights until I could lift 30 pounds.  This process took four years.

I adjusted to my "new life"  which included adopting a marvelous chihuahua, Rocky Balboa, in April 2009.  Seeing life from the viewpoint of a dog gave my life new meaning.  I looked forward to daily power walks with my ferocious furry friend.  Eventually, I was physically able to rejoin a gym.

I looked great.  My hair was finally growing back.  Life was full of fun surprises.  I even started dating again, until my December 2011 mastectomy.  The post-operative side effects lingered; it was intolerable.  I could barely walk, sleep or eat.  The doctors didn't know how "to put me back together."  I was recommended for permanent disability, and the Social Security physician suggested I look within for unique opportunities.  

Now that my body is starting to stabilize, I have the clarify of mind to think.  Last month, I awoke thinking "I can create my own pirate hat for the upcoming festival."  After several trips to the craft store and local antique shops, not to mention my collection of "odds and ends" in my "treasure chest junk box", I was able to create my ideal pirate hat.  It took almost three weeks to complete this worthwhile project.  

A new creative side of me had opened up.  I had the urge to create more hats.  In 2000 after I completed my last round of radiation, I purchased a pink cowgirl hat.  I never wore it, and it was literally collecting cobwebs in the spare closet.  I dusted it off, looked in my "junk box", visited the antique store, and created the Cowgirl Ropes Cancer hat. 

Earlier this year I joined the Red Hat Society.  At one event everybody was wearing very glamorous hats.  I decided I would create my own style.  Here is my first attempt. 

I am attending a black tie event in a few months.  The hat theme is black and white hats.  I created a Phantom of the Opera theme which includes a white mask with imitation pearls and silk roses.  

I converted a drab sun hat into a more elegant one with a butterfly theme. 

Friends and family members encourage me to start my own hat fashion line.  I am grateful for the opportunities that have unfolded before me.  Recovering from a very serious, complicated operation has provided me with the time to look deep within.  Life is such a miracle with countless blessings. 

What would Shirley Temple do?

The year was 1972.  I remember hearing on the news that Shirley Temple Black had undergone breast cancer surgery.  I admired her for her inner strength when she announced she still had much to accomplish in her lifetime.  And she certainly did!  What a trooper to not only have survived cancer for 42 years, but she was an amazing diplomat who represented the United States with such grace, kindness and charm.

I had the privilege of meeting Shirley in 1988 during her book signing in San Francisco. I was excited to meet this iconic actress / humanitarian.  In fact, I scheduled a half day vacation and waited in line at the book store for almost three hours to meet this amazing woman.  She had this glow that radiated her inner beauty, and a very unique inner strength.  She was strikingly beautiful. I had the opportunity to speak with her before the actual book signing began.  I was humbled by this down-to-earth, extraordinary woman ... a true humanitarian.  She talked with me as if we had been friends for many years.

In December 2011, I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time.  Due to the complications I am unable to work a "regular job" and was classified as "disabled" by the doctors due to physical restrictions and limitations.  I was feeling frustrated.  The Social Security Disability doctor shared with me methods to "reinvent" myself.  During this process I thought of Shirley Temple, and asked myself, "What would Shirley Temple do?"  At a young age, Shirley's acting career came to a halt, but that did not stop her.  She became "larger than life" as she entered the arena of politics. She became an ambassadress, and in 1981, U.S. Secretary of State George P. Schultz, appointed Shirley Temple as first Honorary Foreign Service Officer in this nation's history. 

One night I was searching for a book in my study room when I found Shirley Temple Black's signed autobiography.  It was that spark I needed to proceed in finding a new Life Project.  I am no longer in the corporate world, but I have several opportunities that have been presented to me. 

Thank you, Shirley, for being my inspiration.  You will forever be in my heart as of one the first angels I met on earth. 

I'LL Trick 'Em with Tissue"

People asked me if I would continue dating post-mastectomy, and if so, how would I tell a man about my operation.  It has been amusing to experience men's reactions when I tell them I'm missing a boob.  The look on their faces is priceless.  100% of the men have been shocked.

I've had the opportunity to share stories with other cancer survivors.  Some have supportive husbands and boyfriends.  While others have found themselves alone on their journey to recovery. 

Included in my mastectomy package was a consultation with a plastic surgeon.  He was shocked when I politely said "no" to the reconstruction surgery.  I was unwilling to risk my life for a perfect set of boobs.  (The risk was very high because of my past surgeries and high dosages of radiation.)  

If a man's main focus is on a female's anatomy, then it is not worth pursuing a relationship.  I share some of my feelings with this poem.  Enjoy! 

"I'll Trick 'Em with Tissue"

            by

  Sandra Fernandez-Henderson (2/29/2014)

"Listen up, Ladies!

I have something important for you to hear.

To the schmuck who left

because of the mastectomy,

"I hope roaches crap in your beer!"

Ladies, it is not worth it

to shed even a tear

for a guy who cannot value

all you are worth.

As I told that schmuck,

"Kiss me where the sun cannot shine.

Me and my dog will be more than fine." 

I admit, I can be a bit crass.

I am much more than a set of perfect 38's.

I'm a self-sufficient, smart, deserving,

sensuous lass

who deserves a man who appreciates her inner fire.

A man who, in spite of her missing boobs,

still has the desire

to fill her life with memorable days,

Who is able to show in numerous ways

that inner beauty is what truly matters.

A man who sizzles her life with passion;

Who accepts her chest tattoos as a

new fashion.

A man who appreciates her pizzazz,

and knows she has

more than a body to share.

A man who is willing to caress her bare

skin with all the scars.

Until then, I'll stuff my bra with tissue.

And if a guy cannot accept me without any tits,

I'll smile while I walk away and say,

"Your loss!  You can kiss my grits!"

Would You Treat The Stomach Flu with Beef Stew?

I thought medicine would help me feel better.  I thought treatment plans were to help me feel stronger.  I thought a combination of a nutrition plan and medicine would give me strength.  I was in for a rude awakening when faced with cancer.  I explained to the doctors and oncologists the side effects, especially extreme vomiting.  Eventually, I stopped taking all meds and treatments plans ... I was getting worse instead of better.  Why were the doctors prescribing me a treatment plan that caused me to become weaker and more sick?  Would they prescribe beef stew to a patient with the stomach flu? Of course not!

"Would You Treat The Stomach Flu with Beef Stew"

by

Sandra Fernandez-Henderson

Upchuck!  Upchuck!

How I detest

my days and most nights

without any rest

because of those meds.

Even with hot tea it's a heave-ho.

Nothing, even plain broth stays down.

But, wouldn't you know

they prescribe me meds

so that not even dry toast

can I digest. 

Yet they tell me to trust them.

They know what's best.

I detest

that the painful spasms do not stop.

I cannot even clean the mess with a mop

because I am weak.

I ask, "Would you give beef roast

to someone with the stomach flu?"

Of course not! 

Yet they prescribe me with the treatment plan

that continues to rot

any food I ingest.

My eyes lack luster; my tongue is dry.

I am tired, but cannot rest

because of all the pain. 

When I am able to sleep,

I am abruptly awakened by the smell.

"Am I in hell?"

I ask.

I attend the routine exams, and they frown.

My pulse is shockingly down.

"This is my life!  It is not a game!"

I scream.

Yet they continue with the same

treatment plan

because they say they know what is best.

I am living a horrible dream.

Each day I move forward and pray

that they find a more humane way

to cure this horrible disease.

 

"Removing My Puppet Strings"

My third (and final) breast cancer surgery was the most frustrating of all, not only because of the mastectomy but also because of the confusion and emotional trauma associated with the operation.  To add to the high level of anxiety, the doctors had no answers to my many questions, such as, "When would the nausea and vomiting stop?" and "When will the numbness in my left arm, chest and side disappear?"  I did not get  concrete answers to my questions.  Instead, I was told why I should not be experiencing the side effects that were preventing me from leading a normal life. It was even suggested that I receive psychiatric attention because, perhaps, my pain was self-perpetuated.  

Emotionally, I felt as if I had been pushed into a corner.  Nobody would listen.  Instead, I was offered a variety of medications, each one causing my symptoms to worsen. Then I decided to take a stance: I was no longer going to be treated as if I was a puppet. I chose an alternative treatment plan, that includes seeing a Tibetan doctor.  My current team of alternative practitioners listen, and are committed to my full recuperation.  

"Removing My Puppet Strings"

by

Sandra Fernandez-Henderson

01/26/2014

"I was treated as if I was not real,

like a puppet that does not feel

pain or emotions.

They would bring

me meds that made me sick.

I was like a puppet on a string

who had no voice

or choice

on how my body would heal. 

They treated me as if I was not real.

They tried to convince me I was out of my mind,

when in fact they could not find

a treatment plan to ease the pain

so I could feel wholesome again.

Sadly, they shook their heads

and treated me like a puppet who was not real.

They said what I needed was a shrink,

that the pains and symptoms were

made up in my head.

I expected them to be compassionate,

wouldn't you think? 

Yet they pushed me to the brink

of almost giving up hope.

But I regained my hope and

hung onto my Faith

as I saw that flicker of inner light

that gave me the strength to fight

back. 

I cut the strings from the selfish puppeteers.

I set forth on my journey to find a cure

and no longer endure

needless pain.

I survived, and am here today

to share with you my story...

that there is a way to recovery

that will set you free 

from the disease

and the strings of the puppeteer."

 Sandra Fernandez-Henderson 01/26/2014

 

"THE CLOUDS AS MY PILLOWS"

It is truly devastating to lose a loved one to cancer.  There are no words that can take away the emotional pain and the void a person feels from such a loss.  Many people battle the disease for several months and even years ... frequently, facing days and weeks in severe pain.  

My dad suffered from cancer for three decades. I found it a relief when his suffering came to an end.  I knew he was in a much better place when he passed.  Although it is difficult to let go of a loved one, we can find comfort in knowing they are at a place where they are no longer in pain. Here is one of several poems I have written on this topic.

"The Clouds Are My Pillows"

by

Sandra Fernandez-Henderson

Please, no tears; do not cry.

Just look above and you will see

that I am at peace

and happily free

with the clouds as my pillows.

Although I am gone,

and I also will miss you,

that I cannot deny,

please do not shed tears.

I will tell you why.

Among the heavenly clouds

I am allowed to embrace me.

I am free

of any pain.

I am adorned with sparkly angel wings

that allow me to soar

higher than a majestic eagle.

My voice is mightier than a lion's roar.

I wear dazzling rainbows

that adorn my heavenly wings.

Each morning I am joined by heaven's choir

that sings

of love and inner peace

in hopes that in the stillness you can hear me. 

I beam from remembering such heart-felt days

with you

while I glow in the sun's rays. 

I dance to my own celestial tune

as the colorful angel who plays

the harp not no other.

Remember me as the free-spirited one

with the loving smile.

Know that it will be just a while

until we meet again.

Until then, glance upwards to know

I am in a peaceful place

where I can rest my face

on heavenly clouds.

@copyrighted 1/20/2014