If you have cancer and want to learn more about health-affirming foods and eating strategies, you are welcome to attend the next Cooking Up Wellness food demonstration at 10:30 on August 14. Click here to sign up.

With further study, these findings may lead to new approaches to promote health, treat chronic medical conditions, better inform clinical decisions and further the understanding of effective mind-body medicine, said lead author Chenchen Wang, from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston.

Read more her about Tai Chi. If you have cancer and would like to attend a Tai Chi, Qi Gong (similar to Tai Chi), or yoga class, see the Wellness House Mind Body Movement classes.

Because of the many source of stress that children can potentially be exposed to, it is important to know about helpful strategies for reducing their stress.

1)    Children should get plenty of sleep.

2)    Children should get some form of exercise every day.

3)    Children should eat a healthy diet.

4)    Children should have time every day to be a child and play.

5)    Children should learn and practice relaxation techniques.

6)    Encourage children to ask for help.

7)    Encourage children to communicate their feelings.

8)    Provide children with healthy and positive coping outlets (such as athletic activities or other hobbies they enjoy).

9)    Be realistic in the demands and expectations you are placing on your child, and try to ensure they do not feel overburdened.

10) Help children identify sources of support in their lives (family members, teachers, coaches etc) that they can talk to about their feelings and worries.

For more information please contact Betsy Rubenstein at brubenstein@wellnesshouse.org or by phone at 630-654-5118

The recent study is so impressive because it is prospective in nature, meaning that researchers studied the eating habits of large numbers of people, in this case women over 50, who did not have breast cancer to see which women would develop breast cancer. After reviewing data gathered over several years, those women who had regularly taken omega-3 fish oil supplements were significantly less likely to have developed breast cancer than women who did not take these supplements. Check out the article on Medscape (you may need to set up a free Medscape account to access it).

1.    Communicate your needs to your partner

2.    Be clear about what is important to you

3.    Have fun together, find activities that are pleasurable to the both of you

4.    Laugh – you can never laugh enough!

To learn more about your partner and their needs consider attending Couples On The Journey Workshop Series starting on Thursday, July 15^th from 7-8:30pm. Come in to enjoy some quality time with your partner while learning valuable tools to enrich your relationship. You will have an opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with your partner during this workshop communicating and discussing what matters the most to You. Don’t forget to stop for some tea or coffee at your favorite café after the workshop for a simple but satisfying date night.

“Cancer survivors – including those currently undergoing treatment – can experience a multitude of benefits from exercise”,  announced by the American College of Sports Medicine.  “Historically, clinicians have advised cancer patients to rest and avoid activity; however, current science shows this guidance is outdated”.  Cancer survivors experience improved body image, better aerobic fitness and strength, decreased fatigue, and increased quality of life as a result of a regular physical activity program. Exercise is proving to be a crucial part of recovery for cancer survivors.

If you have cancer and would like to begin exercising in a safe and supportive environment, contact the Exercise Program at Wellness House (630 654-5114 or msinclair@wellnesshouse.org) for more information on free exercise classes located in Hinsdale, Western Suburbs of Chicago.

According to Julie Fulton, from Mint Condition Wellness and Training Center, arugula, also known as rocket, is a dark, beautiful leafy green, a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) and a relative of watercress. Before 1990, arugula was barely cultivated; you’d mostly find it growing in the wild. Now, with its increasing popularity, you can find it in many grocery stores across the country. It’s delicious on sandwiches, in salads and wraps and even good stirred into hot cooked pasta, rice or vegetable dishes. And because it has a sharp bite, it’s a good palate cleanse, making it a nice addition to that occasional rich meal. You can purchase it on its own or as part of a salad mix such as combination packages of mixed baby greens or mesclun mix.

Nutritionally speaking, arugula gets an A+ for being low in calories, fat-free and delivering vitamins A, C and folate, as well as calcium, potassium and magnesium. It’s also packed with antioxidants that help protect your cells, heart and immune system.

Cherry-Arugula Salad with Almonds and Tarragon

Serves 6

Cherries and almonds are a classic pair and make a delicious salad combination with tart arugula and fragrant tarragon.

Ingredients

2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 small shallot, chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon water

6 tablespoons slivered almonds, divided

1/2 pound cherries (about 2 cups), pitted and halved, divided

2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

5 ounces baby arugula

1 1/2 cups cooked whole grains (e.g. barley, farro, wheat berries, wild rice)

Method

In a blender, combine vinegar, shallot, mustard, water, 3 tablespoons of the almonds and 1/4 cup of the pitted cherries. Blend until very smooth, about 1 minute. Stir in tarragon.  Combine arugula, cooked grains and remaining cherries in a large bowl. Toss with the dressing and garnish with the remaining 3 tablespoons almonds.

Nutrition Per serving (about 4oz/122g-wt.): 130 calories (35 from fat), 4g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg

cholesterol, 40mg sodium, 21g total carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 6g sugar), 4g protein

Recipe from www.wholefoods.com

Dr Lee Jones, from Duke University’s Center for Cancer Survivorship, points out exercising might be a little tougher for patients undergoing treatment.  It is important to note, though, that exercise programs can be personalized to suit the individual.  Dr Jones added that he would like to see exercise become part of the standard of care for cancer as well as customized depending on the type of cancer diagnosis.

The article appears in Medscape Medical News.

In this randomized controlled study at the University of Rochester in New York, cancer survivors reported reducing their need for sleep medication once they began a yoga program.

Participants in the yoga program were able to decrease their use of sleep medication by 21%, compared with the control group, who increased their use of sleep medication by 5% during the same interval.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/722387?sssdmh=dm1.618992&src=nldne&uac=4068CK