I read an article in the New York Times this morning about the link between breast cancer and hormone replacement therapy, and I’m thinking I’ll be going sans hormones when I hit menopause. There was a significant decrease in new cases of breast cancer therapy that coincided with a decrease in the use of a hormone replacement drug, Prempro I think.
This got me to thinking about staying natural as much as possible. I’d love to buy all organic foods, but they are often twice or three times as expensive. Maybe if I had the endless bank account, I would go all organic, but I have to balance that with capital outlay for groceries.
And then every time I look in the mirror and see all that gray in my hair, part of me wants to get it colored. But there have been links to certain types of cancers from use of hair coloring, particularly dark colors which is what I’d have to use. So, I guess I’ll go gray gracefully. Vanity isn’t worth upping my risk of cancer. If there’s an all-natural way to color hair, please someone tell me. If not, I hope I’ll go as beautifully gray as my friend Maureen.
One thing I have done is give up soda pop. I pretty much drink all water now with the occasional pineapple-orange juice or lemonade. Come Jan. 1, I’m going to cut out sweets. I’m going to limit myself to only one sweet per month, and if I can go without that I will. Sugars sometimes feed cancers, contribute heavily to weight gain, and can lead to diabetes — none of which I want, thank you very much.
And exercise. This time of year, everyone seems to get on an exercise kick. I started mine early, the week after Thanksgiving. I joined Curves and have been going four times a week. The other days I try to either ride our stationary bike or walk on the treadmill. I can read while I do either of those, so I’m killing two birds with one stone.
So, do any of you have any health-related changes you’re going to make in your life? I’m not going to say New Year’s resolutions because those often are abandoned by Valentine’s Day.
***
Whedonverse Quote of the Day:
“Neural clamping. That sounds skippable.” — Xander, Buffy
December 27th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
Trish - wow, THANKS for the info there. I had no idea that hair dye is tied to cancer! My gosh! I don’t colour my hair at all, but since spotting the odd grey hair I’ve been thinking about doing it in the future sometime… now, not so sure.
I know what you mean about trying to go as natural as possible though. I drink as much water as I can and only a bit of Diet Coke. I don’t touch McDonalds, KFC and that sort of stuff - actually haven’t for almost 2 years now.
Walking is GREAT. I walk as much as I can. We try to squeeze in at least one walk every day and have started eating more salads and fruit.
Ah, asides from that we yoga 3 times a week and try to do weights at least 2 times. And it all works very well. It’s helped me lose almost 20 kilos in the last 18 months and feel a whole lot healthier. Well, except for that breathing prob thing… but I know have a reason for that. So that’s cool.
Take care and I’ll chat to you later!
December 27th, 2006 at 6:45 pm
Sounds like you’re doing great, Y. Awesome!
December 27th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
I think henna is natural. My hairdresser has severe environmental illness (related to mercury poisoning of unknown origin) and she can’t use hair dyes anymore. But she does do henna. My mother had dark hair and used henna to cover her grays.