Apology

July 15, 2008

Wow, did I make a mistake! I am sooooooooooo sorry I offended some of you for my talk about vegan eating. I can only explain, and then apologize again.

I have cancer. If I stay obese, I will probably die. I became disabled 2 years ago due to breathing problems. I also have bilateral pulmonary embolisms. If I don't lose weight and get healthy I might die. I have had my two daughters on the phone crying and begging me to live.

Therefore I spent a lot of time researching healthy eating. I spent time with the director of the Lifestyle Medicine department of my local hospital. My understanding, which was clearly in error, was that "vegan" eating was a synonim for "healthy" eating. Well, maybe it is. But I have been corrected to understand it mostly means not eating or using animal products. I was sincerely surprised to see so many vegan recipes with sugar and oil. I didn't understand and was trying to figure it out.

I never meant to blame anyone for being overweight. How could I do that, when I myself am overweight? How could I be that cruel?

All I can say is that I never meant that at all. I was truly trying to clarify what vegan eating is. And frankly, I am still confused. But most of all I am very, very sorry that I was so thoughtless with the words I chose. I did not come on this site to browbeat people, but to learn. It is me that knows the least about the subject.

Shelley H

July 15, 2008

Shelly,

It sounds like you have limited time to get maximum nutrition for your calories. I personally do not have any calories to waste at the moment, as I am in a healing crisis also. My husband has also had cancer (melanoma) and high cholesterol, triglycerides and is carrying around extra weight. I understand your dilemma. And, I have had a few breast biopsies, and a few more pelvic ultrasounds.

I heard cancer thrives on sugar (which tastes too good). Therefore, I am learning to get maximum nutrition for minimum calories with whole foods although I do not really count calories. Vegetables and vegetable juices seem to be the best way to do this.

Some soups I like are:

green beans steamed

onion steamed

cool for an hour or so

undercook, because they will cook more after turned off

blend in a high quality blender.

As you may have seen previous posts about blender soups - they are very easy to make and highly nutritious meals. They work with just about any veggies and enough cooking water to blend. Be careful not to blend with the HOT water, as they blender lid will fly off, and anyone or anything nearby will get a HOT bath in veggie soup, including the ceiling!!!

Bonappetit!