Dolly Parton makes me so happy. Really it’s her music and quirky personality that I love most, but I also love that she’s petite (almost 5’2″) like me and rose from very humble beginnings to global stardom.

Listening to Dolly this afternoon as my daughter relentlessly begged me for an orange- inspired this smoothie. No, I know what some of you are thinking. It’s next ingredient isn’t melons. (:

This smoothie is sunny and sweet. And since Dolly’s live album from 2002, Live and Well opens with the classic bluegrass tune, “Orange Blossom Special,” this smoothie got its name. Continue Reading

Yes. That is me posing for this picture, oblivious to my daughter stuffing a giant strawberry into her mouth.

The Doobie Smoothie was birthed out of some experimentation in the kitchen, and since my daughter, Ruby-Claire absolutely loves it so much, I named it after her.

Don’t let your mind wander too much…her nickname “Doobie” resulted out of pure rhyming thematic of course! “Ruby” rhymes with what else but…”doobie.”

And, oh yes…I am completely aware of the other meaning of “doobie.” Makes me think of two things…and the latter sings “China Grove.” Continue Reading

I hear it all the time when cancer survivors ask me about beating cancer without chemotherapy or radiation.

“I didn’t know that there were any other options, so I just followed my doctor’s recommendation.”

Sometimes this comes from caretakers who have already lost their loved ones to cancer or perhaps to the cancer treatment itself.

The 5 questions I discuss today should be pondered by EVERY individual given a cancer diagnosis. It does not matter how old or young, male or female, aggressive cancer or slow-progressing. An informed decision must be made, and these questions will help you make it.

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A few weeks ago my husband bought “Best of He-Man: Volumes 1 and 2″ from Target. We had gone in to buy sponges and paper towels. That’s how Target works though, right? I even threw yoga socks into the cart and tried to bribe him. “I will put my yoga socks back if you put the He-Man DVD’s back.” My attempt at reverse-psychology was not successful.

He-Man is now my daughter’s favorite thing to do with her dad. They are now the dynamic duo that has set a new 21st century record for He-Man watching.

After I finally got over my initial parenting worries of He-Man: 1. Not being educational, 2. Having a false representation of what men and women are supposed to look and dress like (cone bras anyone?) and 3. Being a waste of time for my husband, I Let He-Man inspire me. He’s “the most powerful man in the universe”, right? If He-Man knew the cancer-fighting, nutritional density, powerhouse of antioxidants that IS the green smoothie, Skelator would never have stood a chance! Continue Reading

“March Madness” has begun at my school. If anyone has had children in public schools under “No Child Left Behind,” then you know what I mean: STANDARDIZED TESTING! And the crunch to prepare 25 children to show what they learned throughout 8 months of a school year- on ONE test.

“No Child Left Behind”  could have also been named “No Teacher Left Behind,” because that’s how I feel today. BE-HIND…and overwhelmed.

Yesterday afternoon I realized it was time to change the month on my board today- I have a laminated “MARCH” with a smiley and rainbow coming off of it into a pot of gold- which also has a smiley face on it. I wish March made me feel smiley! I really will write about my commitments today…eventually. Continue Reading

I tend to come across my best recipes as I’m running out of food in my refrigerator. This one is no exception. We all enjoyed this one and had plenty of leftovers. If you’re trying to go “meatless” some days of the week or attempting Weekday Vegetarianism, this meal is EASY (about 30 minutes to make) and is easy to clean up, too. Enjoy!

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There are very few things I haven’t disclosed about my cancer diagnosis, treatment, remission, and life after alternative cancer treatment.

There is one thing though- why on Earth would I have gotten pregnant during this time?

Thanks to Diane at Raw Living Fuel you will find out! Read my interview with her HERE.

So, just in case anyone is noticing- it’s February! Where did January go??!! I feel like I just finished Green Drink Commitments 2012 series and here it is the second month of this opportunistic year!

Just in case you were wanting in on the action- it’s never too late to make a “Commitment”. In my 4th grade classroom, we make and break commitments all of the time. That’s the point. You keep it at the forefront of your day, but if you mess up (or “whoops” as I call it,) there’s tomorrow to start fresh with clarity. The KEY is to remind yourself of your commitment(s) daily so that you are convicted of stagnance or complacency.

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Elderberry syrup is an essential I keep in my “Crunchy Medicine Cabinet,” especially during the winter months. Today Brittany from The Pistachio Project joins me with a better, cheaper, and homemade version of this winter essential! Be sure to hop over to Brittany’s blog and gather some of her natural living wisdom!

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This week last year I wrote my first post for Green Drink Diaries! Since then I have written 101 more, driven with a PASSION to teach others about the effectiveness of alternative cancer therapies and natural living.

To help celebrate, here is a recap of what Green Drink Diaries has featured this year!

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