We have met so many lovely people through blogging. After more than eight years here in Mexico and going on ten years of blogging, our blogging friendships have become quite strong.
It’s been a hard time lately for bloggers in México, though.
In January, San Miguel de Allende blogger Shannon passed away from cancer. I knew Shannon and her husband Todd from their blogs although I never have met either of them in person. Shannon and I bonded a bit over how to tie turbans over bald heads and shared a few laughs, too. She was so positive and generous, just a delightful person.
Just recently a Mazatlan friend and former blogger Bob passed away from cancer. He and his wife Bonnie haven’t blogged since 2011 but we were introduced to each other because of our interest in blogging. Bob was well loved and passed away way too young.
Just today I got word that another blogger, Elliott from the Lake Chapala area had passed away from cancer. Her original blog was long abandoned (but hilarious!) and her newer blog (also hilarious but much more than that) is a real treasure. Elliott was a talented dancer and was always leading some kind of fun event including a Thriller Zombie Dance fund raiser. I don’t think I have ever seen a picture of her when she wasn’t smiling, she was a brilliant star who will be missed.
Along with my own run-in with cancer, Theresa in Merida also had her own cancer journey. And I spent an hour last Saturday talking with a friend of a friend exploring options for his own cancer treatment. It just seems to be everywhere, doesn’t it?
Recently President Obama asked Vice President Biden to lead the charge to find a cure for cancer. What a joke! Do you think big pharma would allow a cure to be found? Cancer is big business, and they like it that way. A better way to spend that 1 BILLION dollars would be to change the system to remove the profit motive keeping cancer such a money-maker.
As you know, I am very interested in health and read and investigate natural healing a lot. I believe that the reason there is so much cancer these days is that there is too much poison and toxicity in the environment, and that reducing our exposure to these and eating a natural, unprocessed diet with as few GMOs and chemicals as possible is the way to go. Thank heavens for our Mazatlan Organic Market and the Mercado Verde!
I recently read an excellent book How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease
I am also watching a couple of videos available for free at The Truth About Cancer. Sign up on the right side of the page and you’ll get an email with links to the first two videos. They are really eye opening, I promise. The rest of the series will be available later but these two are so worth it if you care about living a long healthy life or if you are facing a cancer challenge right now. For the best health information website, I love Mercola.com. They have a daily newsletter that I always read and appreciate.
I hope a day will come when cancer will be way less common, and I know my blogger friends would agree. But in the meantime you might want to examine your habits and see if some diet and lifestyle changes might help you to stay cancer free.
Wendy Kain
February 3, 2016Yes, too many cancer deaths, I can’t believe the friends I’m losing. Thanks for your thoughts, I have no doubt your point of view will be proved correct.
Nancy
February 3, 2016Thanks so much to all of you for your comments. Judith, I am glad you liked the book, it really is an amazing resource. And Lindy – I was skeptical of Mercola too since he sells supplements but he doesn’t push it and his information is really good.
Kathi McCaw
February 3, 2016Thank you Nancy! I think this is very well written(as usual). Cancer affects everyone. Mercola.com is a new site for me. I will check it out. I am so very glad you are doing well!
Kathie
February 3, 2016Thank you not only for your blog about also for your point of view. Agree whole-heartedly.
Marty
February 3, 2016Just like a long-retired surgeon in my area said, “There’s no money in a cure!” My naturopath and I are working on my blood pressure in the hopes that I don’t have to step up the pharmaceuticals. So sorry you’ve lost so many. I did happen to see the Zombie Thriller video, a friend who lives in the Chapala area sent it to me. What an enterprising lady she was, I’m sure the Lake Chapala Society misses her a lot.
judith
February 3, 2016Nancy, I am so sorry for your losses. I agree with everything you say. I have read How Not to Die on your Goodreads recommendation, and it was a life changer for me. I also check in with Dr. Mercola daily. I will watch the Truth about Cancer videos, thank you for the info on that. I am so glad that you are doing well.
Lindy
February 3, 2016I am with you all the way! I believe food and lifestyle are a huge part of the equation.
I have been leery of Mercola and am interested in why some of you have confidence in the information from them.
Gracias!
Kim G
February 3, 2016Hola Nancy,
I think I can only conclude from this post that it’s blogging that causes cancer, and that if I know what’s good for me, I’d best stop, pronto. Or maybe moving to Mexico, who knows?
But in all seriousness, I’m on the same page with you. I’d like to see a steep sugar tax, and a junk food tax in general. To be honest, I don’t think the problem is as much things like preservatives as it is the underlying junky and toxic foods people eat all day long. Along with sugar (which I believe is challenging tobacco to be public health enemy #1), people eat too much meat, too much bread/pasta/other flour products, and too little vegetables and other unrefined plant food.
Here in Mexico due to being in a hotel, I’ve been eating yogurt and other packaged foods for breakfast. And those foods are unfortunately PACKED with sugar. I haven’t gained any weight since I’ve been walking 12KM a day, but I just feel like my diet has gone to hell.
Hopefully I’ll get an apartment soon and can go back to eating beans and rice and salads and the like.
Saludos,
Kim G
DF, México
Where you can see sugar’s devastation on peoples’ hips.