 One of the hardest days in a cancer journey is the initial diagnosis. It’s a shock to the system, not just yours but your family and friends too. Cancer is one of those diseases that just kicks you in the gut. The chances of getting the diagnosis these days is 1 in 2. That’s a shocking amount of people in the same position as me, so I hope by sharing my journey it might help another’s.
From a young age my mother instilled the idea that no one sets our limits but us. My older brother was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth and had a very rough journey through childhood with operations and more. Mum never accepted a limitation put on him by others, be that Dr, specialist, teacher or stranger. She made him feel that he could do whatever he set his mind too, and he did and more. When I injured my neck whilst nursing, the Dr’s told me it would never heal, and my mother’s lessons kicked in again, I wouldn’t accept that limitation, I kept looking and I found my cure. Now I find myself there again, I have been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer with 5 different metastasis, my specialist has I will have to live with cancer for the rest of my life, stay on treatments for the rest of my life. I find that lesson rising again, I’ve never accepted the limitations others have put on me (or tried) and I don’t intend to now. This is what helps me on this journey, the possibilities of what I will find I am capable of and how I will get rid of this cancer inside of me. This is my journey and I'm facing it in the best way I know how. Everyone will come at their journey form their perspective and their experiences. No one is right or wrong, we are all just doing our best. Big love to all my fellow warriors out there, whatever the illness or situation you are facing, know you are not alone! This is general advice, if you have a medical condition please check with a professional before commencing any new treatments or lifestyle plans. To find out more go to the website at www.itsanaturalchoice.com Follow my journey on Facebook & Instagram – It’s A Natural Choice Join The Natural Health Tribe on Facebook
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 I think every herbalist has a favorite herb, one they just have an affinity for. For me it’s the 2 herbs I prescribe more than any other and for good reason. So what are they? Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) – this a mucilaginous and demulcent herb (in plain English it lines and soothes the digestive tract). I have heard it called an internal bandage. It is best used as a powder, capsule or poultice. The herbs is taken from the inner bark. Mainly found in North America. Conditions used for – GERD, IBS, IBD, Burns, stress, inflammation, pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and more This herb is also wonderfully nutritious and is a prebiotic. Marshmallow (althea officinalis) – not the sweets, although the sweets were originally derived from the plant. This herb is also very demulcent, anti-diarrhoeal, emollient and more. This herb is so gentle yet so strong. It’s main action is to soothe irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes. It a lovely herb to soothe digestive problems but also helps to soothe respiratory and urinary issues to by soothing the linings. It is thought to counter excess acid whilst also helping to thicken the lining of the stomach to stop acid related issues. The herb is taken form the leaf and root mainly, found in Central and southern Europe, including Britain, to North Africa and Western Asia. Conditions used for – coughs, digestive discomfort, GERD, constipation, ulcers, skin irritations and more Gut/digestive issues are normally present in my clients when they come in, whether it’s acid reflux, heartburn, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, poor digestion, bloating, wind, GERD, IBS, IBD. Gut issues can often be the root cause of a large number of common health issues, so you can understand why these two beauties are the top of my list. This is general advice, if you have a medical condition please check with a professional before commencing any new treatments or lifestyle plans. You can follow carina at www.itsanaturalchoice.com Follow her journey on Facebook & Instagram – It’s A Natural Choice Weight management plan - Bodytype plan
€99.00
Have you tried the usual suspects when it comes to diets? Have they worked for a while but then you just go back to old habits? Did it work well for someone you know but you didn't get great results? That's because we are all different and have different needs. I have been working with Bodytypes for over 10 years now with great results. The individual approach means you get the plan that will work best for you A comprehensive healthy eating plan to help you regain control of your body. Follow the plan for:
The plan includes:
Vegan in a Nutshell
€99.00
A Vegan program, packed with great recipes, written by a Vegan Nutritional Therapist. I share what works for me and my clients and take the guess work out of it Set yourself up to succeed and start right, with support This program includes:
30 day Detox
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Are you
This 30 day Detox can help you feel like a new person by simply changing your diet for the next 30 days! Detox the natural way. This 30 day plan includes:
30 day detox A natural detox to help bring your body back into balance, plenty of recipes, juices and meal plans. No gimmicks just healthy clean eating to help your body's own detoxification system work as it is meant to, remove the toxins and have you feeling great again! Written by a Nurse, Nutritional Therapist, Naturopath and Herbalist. Immune Support Program
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Whether it's the Coronavirus or seasonal flu, the common cold or you keep acquiring infections one after the other. This program is a nutritional program tailored to support your immune system. 30 day nutrition and juice program
30 days to stronger immune health Your body has it's natural defences so help them work as well as they can Weight management - Bodytype 3 month program
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Have you tried the usual suspects when it comes to diets? Have they worked for a while but then you just go back to old habits? Did it work well for someone you know but you didn't get great results? Tired and don't feel you have time? Need something that the rest of the family will eat? That's because we are all different and have different needs. I have been working with Bodytypes for over 10 years now with great results. The individual approach means you get the plan that will work best for you A comprehensive healthy eating plan to help you regain control of your body. Follow the plan for:
The plan includes:
Once payment is made your Nutrition consultant will email you to arrange your 1-1 consultation to start off your program  We have all done it! Sabotaged ourselves when we are trying to do something good. I see it all the time in the clinic, but sometimes all it takes to stop is to recognize what you are doing and to decide enough is enough So what are the top 9 sabotages I see with clients? 1. Skipping meals – you always make up for the calories and more, and with unhealthy food because you feel you deserve the treat. Skipped meals lead to binge eating, especially late at night 2. Binge eating at the weekend – we all know someone who is a food angel during the week and a food devil by the weekend, that bottle of wine, takeaway, nights out and hangover food. 3. You become too focused on your weight – it becomes too big, a pressure, an unachievable goal. In reality like most things if you just concentrate on the small steps in front of you, you are more likely to succeed. 4. You weigh yourself too often - weight fluctuates naturally, and the second you think it is going the wrong way you binge or give in. 5. Power of advertising – you buy into the claims of healthy food advertising. Many so called healthy big brand foods are not completely healthy. Granola bars, breakfast biscuits, fruit drinks 6. First hurdle and you fall –Think of anything else you achieved first time you tried it, not too many things will come to mind 7. All or nothing – this makes it impossible 8. Exercise – if you use it as a reward or punishment. Make it about what you put in your mouth, not what you have to do to burn it off 9. Time – it took a long time to develop bad habits but we do not give ourselves the same time to break them. Small consistent steps are the key to any healthy changes, anyone can do this, it just takes time and a strong enough desire to make the change. To find out more, you can contact Carina email her at[email protected], check out her website at www.itsanaturalchoice.com Follow my journey on Facebook & Instagram – It’s A Natural Choice  A good brown bread can be such a comfort food and it doesn’t have to feel unhealthy. Over the years I have tried many recipes but the one my mum uses has always been a favorite so I decided to adapt it so it could be made in a traditional way, as a plant based version and a gluten free version. (My favorite gluten free brands - Doves farm, Bob’s red mill, Sowens) Ingredients Traditional 350g wholemeal flour 115g cream flour 1 heap tsp bread soda Pinch of salt 1 heap Tbsp treacle ¾ pint buttermilk/kefir milk Plant based 350g wholemeal flour 115g cream flour 1 heap tsp bread soda Pinch of salt 1 heap Tbsp treacle ¾ pint plant milk 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar Gluten free 350g gluten free wholemeal flour 115g gluten free white flour 1 heap tsp bread soda Pinch of salt 1 heap Tbsp treacle ¾ pint buttermilk/kefir milk/plant milk 1 Tbsp Apple cider vinegar if using plant milk Method 1. Mix all the dry ingredients together – sift the white flour and bread soda through a sieve. Mix the dry ingredients with your hand, making a claw with your hand and lifting and turning the ingredients 2. Heat the treacle in a pan till melted, then add the milk (and apple cider vinegar for plant based) and removed from heat. Mix well 3. Combine the dry and wet ingredients together with a wooden spoon, gently until completely mixed. This mix is wet 4. Pour into a 2lb loaf tin (line with parchment paper) 5. Give the tin a shuffle to settle the ingredients 6. Place in a preheated oven at 170º in the center of the oven for 50 mins 7. Remove the loaf from the tin and place back in the oven on a tray for a further 10 minutes 8. Remove from the oven and rest on a wire rack to cool 9. Slice, put on your favorite topping and enjoy To find out more, you can contact Carina email her at[email protected], check out her website at www.itsanaturalchoice.com Follow my journey on Facebook & Instagram – It’s A Natural Choice |
AuthorCarina Kennedy was formerly a Nurse, now a Nutritional Therapist and Herbalist living in the west of Ireland. Her passion is food, health and teaching clients to gain control of their life with simple techniques. Archives
July 2024
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