I love Thanksgiving for all the gratitude and kindness it brings into the world. It’s a perfect time to be feeling grateful for the important things in life.

And when I say things, I don’t actually mean things.

“The first wealth is health.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson says it all.

Today is a great day to think about all that we have to be grateful for, even if this year has been especially hard on us.

This year has brought turmoil, chaos, strife, and loss. Loss of jobs, loss of comfort, loss of security, and loss of loved ones.

And yet, there were silver linings…

Today, I am grateful for the things that are still going well; the things that are still right with the world. I’m grateful for wellbeing, for time spent with family, for loving and caring friendships, for kindness from unexpected places, and for the ability to live a humble life.

Feeling grateful for the important things to me includes cancer-fighting foods, being physically active, and getting adequate rest so my body has a chance to repair and refuel.

“One of the most sublime experiences we can ever have is to wake up feeling healthy after we’ve been sick.”

Rabbi Harold Kushner

This doesn’t mean having cancer. If you’ve ever had the flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, or COVID you can relate.

And, health is not just the absence of disease. “Good health is vitality, vigor, high energy, emotional equilibrium, mental clarity, and physical endurance.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

In short, it’s being physically and mentally able to do what you want, when you want, with who you want, with the intensity you want. Maybe it means hiking a 14er, maybe it means taking a walk in the park. Maybe it means participating in a bike race/ride, or maybe just going for a joy ride with a friend. (And by the way, they are ALL joy rides.)

In this episode, I talk about my favorite anti-cancer foods and why they are so important as part of an anti-cancer diet and lifestyle.

This episode is a bit of a departure from my usual episodes and I would really love to hear from you if it is something you would like me to continue.

In addition, I am grateful for you!

I say this every time at the end of the podcast and it really is true. If you weren’t listening, there would be no reason for me to bring my knowledge and experience to the world.

I see my purpose as bringing awareness and knowledge, born from experience, on how to reclaim your health and your life to those who need to hear that message.

It’s not for everybody, but if it’s for you, I’m glad you’re part of my community!

Highlights from the episode and a link to the whole episode are below.

Here are some highlights from our conversation:

• 1:40 Gratitude as a path to healing.
• 2:18 1825 Days of Gratitude.
• 4:14 Health, sickness, and gratitude.
• 4:30 Simple Abundance book.
• 5:00 Supportive network of friendships and community that bring us health.
• 5:48 The kindness of strangers for bolstering healing.
• 6:26 Health as a primary blessing.
• 7:35 Health is not just the absence of sickness.
• 8:57 Gratitude for the people on my healing journey, meaningful work, helping others, and making the world a better place.
• 10:30 The blessing and lesson of nutrition and lifestyle as a path to wellness.
• 13:25 The three-legged stool of health – diet, physical activity, and rest.
• 14:00 The Mediterranean Diet, the healthiest diet on earth for most people and my favorite cancer-fighting foods.

Links mentioned in today’s podcast:

• Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach

A new podcast will be released every second and fourth Thursday of each month.

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I am so grateful for your thoughts. If you’ve got an extra minute, I sure would love to hear from you! Head on over to iTunes and leave me a review. Your review will help others find my podcast too. You can also leave me a comment or topic you’d like to hear about in the future right here. Thank you for all the love and support!