Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Food...the event...how we help.

Cancer…to me is a 4-letter word. Google describes it as “the disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body” and even “a practice or phenomenon perceived to be evil or destructive and hard to contain or eradicate”. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. While we know certain cancer development involves genetic alterations which some may think means they are doomed if in their family history, there is something called epigenetic markers that can give, even the strongest family history, hope. Epigenetics can switch genes on and off. They are influenced by age, the external environment and what we choose to do with our bodies. Thus, epigenetics provides a link between the environment, diet, and cancer development. For example, the food we eat either contributes directly to cancer prevention by preventing cells from abnormal cell division or could even contribute to it.  Take a cruciferous vegetable like broccoli or brussel sprouts (not laden in butter and salt). They contain sulforaphane that belongs to a well-studied group of anti-cancer compounds called isothiocyanates (ITCs). Cruciferous vegetables are packed with ITCs! A cancerous cell is also acidic. If your body is in a constant state of over-acidification, it becomes impossible for healthy cells to regenerate therefore, abnormal cell replication can occur. It’s why drinking soda and most “flavored drinks”, regular or diet, should have no place in your daily life in addition to a list of other acidic-causing foods. The good news- at anytime, genomic and epigenomic damage caused by exposure to cancer-causing agents such as toxins, free radicals, radiation, and infectious agents could be repaired if it occurs before abnormal cell replication.

This year, as has been in every year since the DNR Shoe Hunt began, we have a different theme to the night. We have a food and wine theme. Though our goal is to assist you in pairing your foods with the correct wines with the inspiring wine educator Sharon Templeton, we also hope to provide you with the 80/20 alkaline/acidic balance the research has suggested to keep your cells in a healthy state! That means lots of water and cruciferous veggies. And even some wonderful tea as a to-go thank you! We don't want you to leave acidified!!! We would love to see you there. We also hope you bring  some friends. If you have emailed or called me with 3 people coming with you, your $30 admission will be free!!!

After the tasting, the night will continue with our Shoe & Accessory Hunt Fundraiser Party all to benefit Chix 4 A Cause. Over the years we have been able to assist many people with the diagnosis of cancer with gifts of love. We are hopeful to make this as special as it has been in years past and maybe even more personal. We have heard the stories of how these gifts of love touch those with cancer. Their stories are clear examples of how, though it is true, cancer is evil, as Stuart Scott had said during his acceptance speech when he was awarded the 2014 Jimmy V Perseverance award at the ESPYs in 2014, “You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live. So live, live, fight like hell. And when you get too tired, [lie] down, rest and let someone else fight for you.”  We are hear to help in the fight as we are not afraid of a 4-letter word.

RIP Stuart Scott.