The Experts Weigh In: The Healing Power of Giving

Today my good friend Heather Cooper would like to share a few words about something very close to her heart. 

With no further ado, Heather...

BY: HEATHER COOPER, CONTRIBUTOR

We probably all know someone who's had cancer. Sadly, cancer has left a personal imprint on my heart, as my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 17 years ago. When she received her diagnosis, she decided to immediately take care of the spot on her breast. At the time, the doctor suggested a lumpectomy because the cancerous spot was very small, but my mother opted for a mastectomy, fearing the cancer would come back down the road. She underwent the procedure and had full confidence that she had rid herself of breast cancer.

Fast forward to last February... my mother was admitted to the hospital after taking a fall. The tumble led to a subdural hematoma (ie. blood in her brain), which triggered seizures. They gave her medication for the seizures and she had an operation for the blood in her brain, but still, she was not getting any better. The doctors decided to do a bone marrow biopsy to see if something else could be going on beneath the surface. To our surprise, they relayed that her breast cancer had come back and was already at Stage 4.

I was shocked and full of emotion. I honestly couldn't believe that it was possible! My mother began treatment for her cancer while in the hospital, but sadly mom passed away this past April, after being in the Intensive Care Unit for almost six weeks. I cannot help but think that she shouldn't have spent the last few weeks of her life this way.

Since she passed, I have a growing desire to make a difference in EVERY area of cancer, especially breast cancer. In October, I participated in the Avon Walk with my sister, and I'm proud to report that we covered 39.2 miles in 2 days. It was such an exhilarating, powerful experience that made us both feel so close to her. Cancer will always connect me to my mother.

For the New Year, I have committed to running the New York Half Marathon on March 17th and have also signed up for the full NYC Marathon next November. I will be running for Fred's Team because they donate 100% of their proceeds to cancer and they allow me to designate which cause the funds go towards.

I am confident that my experience running and training for these races will allow me to feel close to my mom while also knowing that I am making a difference in someone else's life.

I wanted to share my story with you today to raise awareness but also to encourage you to give to a cause that means something to you. The month of February is all about love... it's a great time to consider giving to others!

And it's true, every gift matters - no matter how big or small.

Heather Cooper lives in New York City and works in the big crazy world of Manhattan real estate. Heather was actually MY broker a few years ago and rented me a lovely little apartment on the Upper East Side. She also succeeded in getting me a job. Now that's the kind of broker you want to work with! In her free time, you can find Heather training for the New York Half Marathon and helping others reach their full potential through Landmark Education. She's quite the busy lady!





One last thing... I know there are many of you out there with similar connections to a cause that hits close to home. One of my goals this year is to use my blog for good, and that's where you come in. If you have a story you'd like to share on my blog in an effort to publicize an issue or raise money for a cause, I'd love to give you the opportunity to share your story in my recurring post Highlight on Giving. Just drop me a line at lauren@strictlynutritious.com. 

Weekend Wrap-Up: Lights, Camera, Chili!

I had an action packed weekend. I accidentally ran a 5K on Saturday (oopsies), then spent the day shooting photos for my new blog with the lovely and talented Linda Peters. I finished the day by celebrating my friend Sarah's new job over cocktails at my favorite Park Slope wine bar, Wolf and Deer.

But Sunday was the true highlight of my weekend! I spent the day eating my heart out at NYChilifest 2013 at the Chelsea Market. This was clearly a splurge, but they must have known I was coming and made sure the beef was locally raised at Wrighteous Organics in Schoharie, New York. Each contestant was encouraged to use only meat from responsibly-raised animals, and the proceeds went to Food Systems Network NYC, an organization that works to ensure universal access to nourishing, affordable food that puts an emphasis on the regional farm economy.

So obviously... it was responsible splurging! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Get ready for a super fun post this week about making your own beauty products!

Accidentally joined a 5K on my Saturday morning run. Worst part? Getting left in the dust by an 8 year old with the legs of an Olympic sprinter. The best part? Getting cheered on as I crossed the finish line by people who clearly mistook me for an actual participant. 

Photo shoot for my new and improved blog... to be debuted soon!

Walter wanted in on the action.

NYChiliFest 2013 started off with the musical stylings of Super Bad Brad. A little 'Kung Fu Fighting', anyone?  I am now determined to have him perform at my birthday party this year. I WILL find you, Super Bad Brad.

They gave us our cups and it was on!

So many people, so much chili.

Oh yes, I'll take a little hot sauce, please!

Chili sampling heaven.

And what's a chili fest without a little country music courtesy of The Dixons?

Frito Pie... a Texas specialty!

Too much chili... yikes!

And because it's Monday and everyone needs a little 'pick me up'... 

here are some vids for your viewing pleasure!

Super Bad Brad

The Dixons

Advice From The Experts: Gaining the World Through Giving

This photo from college is as embarrassing as it gets, but it
sums up our relationship perfectly.

My best friend from college is a bit... how do you say it?... eclectic? Courtney Blair was my very first friend when I went off to the University of Georgia. I left the warm, loving nest of my parent's house and fell right into Courtney Blair's topsy-turvy dorm room. She was certainly a sight to behold... beautiful in the most natural way... milky white skin, a mess of freckles, and long auburn hair. To this day (excluding my brother Cale), I've never met anyone with as much personality as her. She's dramatic, funny, kind and serious all wrapped up into one charming little package.

When we met and she discovered that I had no solid nicknames, she deemed this unacceptable for someone my age and promptly nicknamed me 'Laronika'. I hated it... obviously. In an effort to work with me, she shortened it to Laron (eh, ok), then it somehow warped into Ronnie and slowly settled into Ron. Before I knew it, no one was calling me by my given name and people started to pity my luck - what kind of parents name their baby girl Ron?

But jokes aside, I actually have Courtney to thank for the fact that I live in New York. She accompanied me on my first trip to the concrete jungle, and I think it was that trip that planted the seed in me. I knew I loved New York. Maybe it was the fact that we got some airtime on MTV's Total Request Live, or the fond memory of accidentally eating someone else's food at a communal table in Chinatown or quite possibly the fact that the Soup Nazi resided here. But whatever the reason, I ended up here and I have her to thank.

Courtney and Chermie in Kenya.

Tomorrow I am thrilled and honored to have Courtney as a guest contributor. Courtney went on a life-changing trip to Africa during college, and I asked her to share her amazing experience with you. I'm sure she'll be the first to tell you that when she made the choice to give of herself and her time, she gained the world in return.

Be sure to check out Courtney's article tomorrow! You won't want to miss it!

Saturday Splurge: Cafe Jonah & The Magical Attic (Atlanta, Georgia)

Finally! A Saturday Splurge for my readers who live in the Atlanta area! If you haven't been to Cafe Jonah then frankly, my friends, you are missing out! I was introduced to it this week by my very dear friend David Prado (who also happens to double as my spin instructor and blog guest contributor). David, being a man of many talents, is also finishing his last year of law school, and we all know that law school requires lots of study hours spent nursing multiple cups of joe. If anyone should know the best place in town to get coffee and other treats, it's David!

The moment you walk into Cafe Jonah you feel as if you stepped into your mother or grandmother's house. It instantly gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling. You might even be tempted to go wearing your pajamas and bedroom slippers. It truly feels like you are in someone's home because.... well, you are! The cafe uses every room in the house. There is a large communal table in the entry room and wooden tables scattered throughout the other rooms. There's even a inspirational library upstairs if you're so inclined.

And the best part about Cafe Jonah is the fact that every Sunday they have a 'Pay What You Think It's Worth' brunch, and they give 10% of the sales to charity. Fantastic idea and even better food!

I sampled the kale and goat cheese quiche with a side of steel-cut oatmeal topped with brown sugar and a dollop of yogurt. The quiche was good, but let me tell you... the oatmeal was TO DIE FOR! Next time, I'd order the large portion alone and call it a day. It was so hearty, healthy and delectable!

Oh... and Cafe Jonah has a garden in the back, where rumor has it they grow fresh herbs and veggies to use in the kitchen. That's about as local as it gets!

Cafe Jonah would be a great place for a weekend brunch, a coffee and some computer time, or an afternoon snack. You'll feel like you're at a friends, and you'll leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Definitely stop by next time you're in the area!

Cafe Jonah & The Magical Attic

3188 Paces Ferry Place

Atlanta, Georgia 30305

404-343-4107

www.cafejonah.com

Highlight on Giving: Prostate Cancer Foundation

Image courtesy of www.prostatecancerfoundation.com

Charitable giving is somewhat of a touchy subject in New York, at least for me. This is a city where you are constantly asked to spare a dollar, a dime, even a penny. I can't walk through Midtown Manhattan without being stopped by some sort of organization, asking if I will donate to their particular cause. This happens so often here that I suspect most of us start to tune out the cries for help. How do we know our money will be used responsibly? How can we be sure that the person receiving it will not squander it? At the end of the day, giving is a very hard sea to navigate...

...Especially when you feel that you have nothing TO give. Maybe you're struggling with the loss of a job or a job that doesn't pay well (been there, done that). Maybe you have a family to feed OR maybe you really, really need that pair of Christian Louboutin heels (hey, I'm not here to judge). We all have things vying for the attention of our wallets, but I've found that if you give of your money or your time, it will come back to you ten-fold. This has proven true in my own life (as I was not always a consistent giver), and I'm sure it will prove true in yours.

Image courtesy of 180coaching.blogspot.com

Initial studies have suggested that the act of giving seems to stimulate the part of the brain associated with pleasure. The more you give, the more satisfaction you feel. A study done by the Harvard Business School found that happier people tend to give more, and in turn, giving makes people happier. It's what you call a positive feedback loop.

Today will be the first post in a regular series on my blog. I know many of you have connections to charities, causes or even people that need our support. I'd like to write about those causes in my recurring post 'Highlight on Giving'. My hope is that if you are inspired by a story and feel a personal connection to it, then maybe you will find it in your heart to give AND can feel good about doing it. 

And please... if you know of a cause or a person in need, reach out to me directly through the 'Contact Me' tab on the homepage and I would be happy to include them in a future post.

Linda and Howard Cleveland

This week, I'd like to start with a cause that hits very close to home, down the street to be exact. I lived in the same neighborhood my whole life and grew up playing on the cul-de-sac with the Cleveland Family - Howard, Linda, Curtis and Hannah. Linda is my mother's best friend, and I consider the Cleveland's my other family. Two years ago, Howard was diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer. He was experiencing abdominal pain and problems with frequent urination. After a few days of doctor visits, CT scans confirmed that Howard had prostate cancer. Unfortunately, the cancer was discovered after it had invaded the bone and lymph nodes, making surgery out of the question. Instead, Howard was given a shot of Lupron, a female hormone treatment (in the treatment of prostate cancer, female hormones are used to attack the testosterone levels and hopefully curb the cancer growth, but men undergoing the treatment unfortunately start to experience symptoms of menopause).

After receiving his first Lupron shot, Howard began seeing an Oncologist. He was kept on the shots every 3 months, but after about 6 months, his body started to build defenses against the drug, making it less effective. At this point, his doctor decided to supplement the Lupron shots with radiation to the spine and regular chemo treatments. Thankfully, Howard tolerated the chemo well. It made him tired, and he began losing his hair, but he responded fairly well considering. During this period he also started a new drug (at the whopping cost of $5,800/month), but it quickly became ineffective and the cancer on his spine began to grow again. After receiving 10 more rounds of radiation, Howard began to experience major issues. He lost almost 40 lbs., along with a lot of muscle mass. His energy levels dropped drastically as well.

The runners who participated in the Dash4Dad event this summer (Hannah Cleveland is in the very front row, far left).

But the good news is that Howard has begun working with a physical therapist to build up his strength and for the past 3 months, he has been on a new clinical trial drug, which he has responded very favorably to. Just recently the drug was approved for production so more men will be able to benefit from its use.

Curtis Cleveland, far right.

Howard and his family are taking things day by day. This summer, they formed a team for the Dash4Dad Atlanta 5K in celebration of Howard and some other members of the family who had been diagnosed. Their team, Flo Mo, raised over $9,000 and was second in the country for fundraising for the event. 

I wish I could have been there. Honestly, when I received the news about Howard, I was devastated. I can't express how much this man means to me. Howard is my biggest fan (well, other than my own parents) and I am his! Even in the midst of dealing with cancer, he is a pure joy to be around.

In honor of Howard's 64th birthday on September 29th AND because it is Prostate Awareness Month, I'd like to invite you to give to the Prostate Cancer Foundation if you feel led.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is the leading philanthropic organization funding prostate cancer research globally. They provide funding for research, as well as support for families dealing with the cancer prognosis. They are an established organization with full financial transparency when it comes to fund allocation. Check them out on Charity Navigator.

If you would like to donate, you can do so here: Donate Now. If you would like to send a note to Howard with your gift, send me a message via the 'Contact Me' page, and I will happily provide the address.

If you choose to give, please accept my deepest gratitude. If you offer up a prayer for Howard instead, I'll be equally as grateful. Thank you.

"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." - Charles Dickens