It’s always the right time to be proactive about your health and it’s always the right time to start preventing. This isn’t about grand detoxes or cleanses, though they do work when done correctly. The important stuff is what we do every single day. Summer is in full force and we know your schedules are packed, but that’s no excuse to throw your health to the wayside. Small habits can make a big difference in the long run. Here are 4 simple things you can start doing to help prevent breast cancer today:
CHOOSE NOT TO BEAUTIFY WITH POISON
Many conventional moisturizers are chock full of some serious poisonous stuff. When we get out of the shower, we massage lotion into our skin, breasts included, and often these products contain carcinogenic ingredients, which become even more hazardous when combined with the oil base. The oil acts as a shuttle, bringing these toxins straight into the bloodstream, where they seek fatty tissue to settle in. Our breasts are right there, ready and waiting. There are many natural options out there to use instead: one of the simplest and best is coconut oil. Coconut oil can be used to make virtually any beauty product you could ever need. We’ve got a go-to guide on how to make anything you could ever need using coconut oil, a fantastic substitute for so many of the ingredients currently used in products.
END YOUR TOXIC RELATIONSHIP WITH PLASTIC
This terrible product is just everywhere nowadays! Plasticizers including BPA have been linked to a slew of ailments including hormone-disruption which may increase the risk of breast cancer. Guess what? BPA-free plastic is not necessarily any safer than plastic with BPA! In fact, BPA-free is a load of B(P)S! Literally. Many manufacturers have replaced BPA with its chemical-cousin, BPS, which has the same nasty record.
USE A DRY SKIN BRUSH
This is one of the easiest ways to detoxify. By giving your bod an awesome daily brush up, you support its natural elimination processes. The skin is the largest and most important elimination organ in the body- always working to get rid of all that toxic goop we build up. It’s super quick, simple, and invigorating, taking up only two minutes of your day. You can get one of these brushes at your local health food store, beauty supply shop or buy one online.
MASSAGE WITH A LITTLE LOVE
Oh, castor oil, how I love you. Turmeric, you’re fab too. When rubbed onto your skin, castor oil has the ability to penetrate deeper than any other essential plant oil. This makes it a super powered detoxifier with the ability to boost lymph circulation. Bright yellow turmeric is the most amazing cancer prevention spice. It modulates the immune system and decreases inflammation. Massage castor oil, perhaps mixed with some turmeric into your breasts, armpit, and neck area and then if you have the time, let it soak in and lightly rinse off while hanging in a warm bath.
LIMIT YOUR DRINKS
Alcohol, consumed even in small amounts, is believed to increase the risk of breast cancer. Most doctors recommend cutting back on wine, beer, and hard liquor. A recent study showed the link between drinking and breast cancer was especially strong in the 70% of tumors known as hormone-sensitive.
GET MOVING
It is recommended that you exercise at least three times a week (more often is even better). And when you do exercise, work to keep your heart rate above its baseline level for a minimum of 20 continuous minutes. Long walks are nice too, but it’s the more vigorous exercise (expect to sweat!) that really helps your heart and cuts your cancer risk.
SIP ON MAGIC
Delicious beverages can be cancer preventative when they pack a nutritional-powerhouse punch like the one below. The key is to get in loads of alkalinizing green goodness. The body loves to be in an alkaline state, but all too often we load it down with diet standards such as refined flours, sugar, dairy, and alcohol. Cancer has a dance party in acidic internal environments. The key then is to pack in the greens and a power drink is one of the easiest ways to do it. Check out the recipe below for the Green with Envy smoothie, one of the many amazing recipes in our Quick and Clean Salads & Smoothies cookbook!
Photo courtesy of @EatingBirdFood
Green with Envy Smoothie
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1-2 tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 4-5 leaves kale, stems removed
- 1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple
- 1 frozen banana
- 1” piece of ginger, peeled and grated
- 1 tbsp. chia seeds
- 1-2 pitted medjool dates, or raw honey for added sweetness (Optional)
- 1 tsp. unsweetened green superfood powder (Optional)
Blend all the ingredients together and you’ve got a super delicious detoxifier.
Do you do any of the above-mentioned strategies daily? What are you doing to help reduce your risk? I’m sure you know a few women who could benefit from this info (including yourself). Spread the love and share it!
