I mustache you a question… let’s talk prostate prevention!

movember[Photo Credit: AussieGall]

The famous Movember movement is upon us and I really do love how much awareness this has created for men’s health over the last several years. Based on a little research I did from the Movember official website, they state that prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death in men in Canada, and 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. That is a pretty high statistic if you ask me! Too high of a number for us to not do anything about it.

Since it’s prostate cancer awareness month, let’s really dig into prevention. That’s what we aim for right? Disease and illness is not something we need to be faced with, so creating awareness and living as healthy as possible is vital for overall health. I absolutely love and am passionate about holistic medicine because it’s practices are rooted in prevention! How empowering is that? To know you have the power to prevent a potential illness based on your decisions today. I know that is a scary concept for some, but that’s really what holistic nutrition is all about!

So, let’s talk prostate cancer prevention…

There is so much convincing evidence on the role of diet in prostate cancer that Dr. William Fair and colleague from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre went so far to suggest that prostate cancer may be a nutritional disease. Wow! A nutritional disease that can be prevented if we put a bit of effort into what we choose to consume most of the time. Remember, it’s what we do most of the time, not ALL of the time. I too have my days, but it’s important to not beat yourself up over it and simply commit to choosing the healthiest options MOST of the time.

So gentlemen (and loving wives, girlfriends, partners and daughters), here are 8 tips to live a healthy lifestyle and reduce your risk of prostate cancer:

  1. Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids- wild caught fish, hemp seeds, chia, quality fish oil supplement
  2. Increase intake of isothiocyanates from vegetables in the brassica family – such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, chard
  3. Increase intake of grape seed extract or other sources of proanthocyanidins – grape see extract is a great anti bacterial and strengthens immunity
  4. Increase intake of green tea polyphenols – simple, just drink some green tea!
  5. Introduce more Mediterranean-style foods – such as wild caught fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, quality olive oil, lots of herbs and spices
  6. Increase intake of lycopene rich foods – easy! Enjoy some delicious tomatoes
  7. Eliminate or reduce intake of processed, grilled or broiled meats – unfortunately charred meats can increase cancer risk
  8. Eliminate or reduce intake of dairy products – unless you can get your hands on organic raw sources, go for it. Otherwise, most dairy today is loaded with antibiotics and hormones, so it’s best we avoid it. 

 If you have an important male in your life, share this short blog with them and maybe it will inspire them to practice prevention instead of reaction. I truly believe if we put as much effort, time and resources into prevention as we do with finding a cure, those statistics mentioned earlier would be a heck of a lot lower!

Check out our delicious Prostate Cancer Prevention Tomato Sauce recipe with mushrooms and swiss chard! It’s easy to make and loaded with cancer protective nutrients. 

If you would like more detailed information on prostate cancer and further tips for cancer prevention, check out The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael T. Murray N.D and Joseph Pizzorio N.D.

 

Happy Movember! 

Stephanie xo

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Matcha Obsessed! Green Matcha Iced Tea

Within the last 8 months or so I have been absolutely matcha obsessed!

My matcha green tea has been a part of my daily ritual for a while now and I have been enjoying every sip along the way, guilt free (even if it’s been breaking the moderation “rule”).

Earlier this year I learned that I have a severe sensitivity to black tea… yes black tea… coming from the girl who’d drink at least one chai a day you can imagine this was not good news. I had to stop drinking black tea and find a much healthier alternative. I drink a ton of herbal teas (which are great and alkalizing for the body) however, I needed another substitute. Most recently the matcha green tea has been my go-to drink of choice and it’s been doing just the trick!

If you are wondering what matcha is, it’s a fine green tea powder originating from the Japanese culture. We all know the benefits of regular green tea so does matcha green tea top it? Let’s find out:

The 3 Main Health Benefits 

 1. Antioxidants

Matcha green tea actually has three times the amount of antioxidants than regular green tea. Wowzers! This is mostly due to the fact the entire leaf is ingested opposed to the steeped tea leaves alone, which means higher amounts of the good “stuff”. Also, I love that it comes in powdered form because I don’t have to worry about the hidden chemicals used on the tea bags, like chlorine. 

2. Catechins

Matcha green tea has catechins, which are forms of antioxidants called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg). These EGCg’s are antioxidants known for their cancer fighting properties.

3. L-Theanine

Another factor is the high amount of L-theanine present in matcha green tea, which has been shown to relieve stress and increase mental alertness. L-theanine produces dopamine and serotonin- our feel good hormones! This could be why I am so addicted to this satisfying drink!

How to Enjoy it

I love matcha green tea lattes with almond milk, but you can also enjoy this health filled powder with hot water, by adding it into your smoothies or by baking with it. I have made some delightful green tea matcha cookies! The options are limitless…

For a cool down drink this summer, try a matcha green tea over ice!  

Green Matcha Iced Tea
Serves 1
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Total Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 tsp Green Tea Matcha Powder (more or less depending on your preference)
  2. 2-3 cups spring water
  3. 1 tsp raw honey (optional, stevia or coconut sugar work too)
  4. Ice
Instructions
  1. Pour 1 tsp. of matcha powder into a bowl.
  2. Fill the bowl up with water.
  3. Whisk the powder and water mixture until all the clumps have dissolved.
  4. Keep it sugar free or add in a teaspoon of honey for a sweeter taste and continue to whisk.
  5. Fill a cup with ice and pour the matcha mixture into cup. More water can be added if needed.
  6. Viola! All done!
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
Where can I find it?

This increasing popular ingredient has become much more widely available. There are a ton of brands out there now making matcha. A few brands I am familiar with that I would definitely recommend are DoMatcha, Pure Matcha and Eden. Go to the tea aisle in any health food store and you’ll see several matcha green tea options. Many Asian grocers also carry the tea and typically at a cheaper price.

 What about quality?

Good quality matcha is bright spring green in color. The brighter the green indicates the higher antioxidant levels and usually a much better flavor as well. Some of the brands out there add in cane sugar to sweeten it and sometimes even flavouring. Stay away from those ones and go with the purest organic matcha you can find.

 Now, go get your matcha on!

Stephanie xo

 

 

 

 

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