love is health
Community Support, and food7/17/2013 Our Community is Effing Amazing.
You will never find a community of people more awesome than those of roller derby. Or I will eat my helmet. This past weekend my team played against the ladies of High Altitude Roller Derby (HARD) in Flagstaff. While I was unable to play that game (due to prior commitments made), my team informed me it was a sentimental, wonderful bout. Our team color is a lovely pink/ magenta. My co-captain said that the team felt like they were wearing pink for me, given my absence. I thought this a sweet sentiment, and certainly informs me that I am loved and appreciated. The ladies of HARD sent back with them a signed card and gift card for me to help ease some of the inevitable financial burdens coming our way. And this is why the derby community is so awesome. Some of these people hardly know me. There are some, I am sure, I have never met. Nonetheless, when someone in our community is suffering, we inevitably, almost compulsively rally together to ensure their swift return. Its like having an army of 10,000 of the fittest, hottest, most athletic, sassy cheerleaders the world could gather. (While I realistically know that the whole derby community isn't aware that I exist, I still like this imagery). I am not even kidding when I say that, sometimes, I visualize microscopic derby players literally hip checking my cancer cells. (If someone could create a meme of this, I would be forever grateful!) It's like I have recruited the most awesome people on the planet to, at least mentally, help me do this to bad cells: (fast forward to 36 seconds in). Or maybe this (except that Melons is WAY COOLER THAN A CANCER CELL.) More On Food Stuffs On an unrelated note: I have been thinking a lot about diet and cancer. Tonight we watched Forks Over Knives, which details the impact our poor nutrition has had on our health. While I know there is a chance that I am genetically predisposed to cancer, after watching that movie, I couldn't help but feel like I did this to myself. I eat ungodly amounts of animal proteins. Meat and cheese are staples in our household (though we have significantly reduced the amount of cheese/ dairy we consume). This film implied that animal products are huge contributors to health epidemics, cancer included. If you have ever seen me consume animal protein, especially at a BBQ, you know I put away some meat (heheh... wink. ) I can (and I have) eaten a burger, a hot dog, a chicken breast, and a steak within an hour. While I have given up such ridiculous habits, I hope it illustrates just how much meat I can, and have eaten. And suddenly, I am faced with the truth that this ridiculous party trick has only served to tackle my boobies. Depressing as this movie was to watch (because no one wants to see they have caused their own cancer), it did teach me about Ruth Heidrich. While her website is absolutely terrible and makes my eyes bleed, it was so inspirational to see someone like me - an athlete, a fighter, and a strong-headed woman, overcome cancer by saying no to chemo and saying yes to dietary modifications. Her story, and the story of my friend, give me confidence that perhaps I can avoid having to cut and poison my body before healing it. The jury is still out for me on diet-only treatment, but this is all certainly encouraging to see.
6 Comments
Jill ~ Tushy
7/17/2013 04:29:00 pm
I believe in you 100% in all that you take on. You are a remarkable human being & spirit. You paint this world and those around you beautiful.
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Constance WHOOP
7/17/2013 10:31:23 pm
Hip Check Cancer Cells... Only you Maria! Sending love.
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Carla ~ Meanie
7/18/2013 01:01:32 am
I'm envisioning cancer cells being crushed! xoxo
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Adrienne Savone
7/18/2013 01:47:04 am
Awesome post! I am truly inspired by the women around you. Can't wait to see you in a bout again soon!
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Toastie
7/18/2013 04:05:44 am
While I am not vegan for health reasons, Forks Over Knives made me really excited about my diet and lifestyle all over again.
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Toastie
7/18/2013 04:29:53 am
And, furthermore, if you want to do some recipe sharing, let a Toaster know! I cook new recipes 2-3 times a week, always aiming for things that work with our roller derby schedule (aka, easy and quick) but still delicious.
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