To celebrate our 2-year anniversary of being a nonprofit, Lacuna Loft is bringing back our top 31 articles from our archives! The countdown to our top post is continuing today with Flashback #3: Motivational Desktops, written by Mallory. These 31 articles are the best of the best and we’re very happy to share them with you again! The countdown continues tomorrow!
….Learning how to be a survivor, or going through that which needed surviving…those are tough times in life. As I continue living through survivorship, little motivational happy thoughts really help me re-correct my outlook on something if I seem to be straying into negative musings. I like the continual, gentle reminders that life is tough, but we are here to survive….and that even through the tough times, life can be very beautiful. What kind of reminders do you like to keep your outlook on life as positive and happy as possible? I, for one, love a good motivational poster………
To celebrate our 2-year anniversary of being a nonprofit, Lacuna Loft is bringing back our top 31 articles from our archives! The countdown to our top post is continuing today with Flashback #10: A 2 Step Easy Smoky Eye, written by Mallory. These 31 articles are the best of the best and we’re very happy to share them with you again! The countdown continues tomorrow!
….Don’t you just love a makeup tip that only involves two items, is super easy, and results in a great look?! (Me too!) For a young adult cancer survivor, sometimes it is hard to feel like yourself. I found that when I took care getting myself ready in the morning, I looked better…and felt better. Sometimes that little bit of eye makeup can really help to brighten up your face, helping you to look more like yourself..…
To celebrate our 2-year anniversary of being a nonprofit, Lacuna Loft is bringing back our top 31 articles from our archives! The countdown to our top post is continuing today with Flashback #11: How To Create Natural Brows During Hair Loss, written by Anna. These 31 articles are the best of the best and we’re very happy to share them with you again! The countdown continues tomorrow!
….Hair loss can be devastating and it is an unfortunate side effect of most chemotherapy cocktails. Luckily, there are wigs, head scarfs, and hats if you don’t feel comfortable rocking your bald head. You may become surprisingly comfortable with the bald head look like I did. Losing your eyebrows, on the other hand, can be a bit more challenging. I felt like I looked like ET — bald and brow-less. Don’t despair!!! There are wonderful products that can be used to create natural looking brows, even when you only have a few lonesome brow hairs left. Due to sparse brows and over plucking as a teen, I have been filling in my brows for years and I have learned a lot along the way. I hope you find the products and suggestions below helpful. I have also provided some links to my favorite YouTube brow gurus.…
To celebrate our 2-year anniversary of being a nonprofit, Lacuna Loft is bringing back our top 31 articles from our archives! This is Flashback #16: Styling Pixie Cut Hair, written by Mallory. These 31 articles are the best of the best and we’re very happy to share them with you again! The countdown continues next week!
….My sister-in-law is getting married this weekend! With my short hair, I was worried that my options for wedding worthy style were limited…boy was I wrong! There are SO MANY different ways to style pixies and quite a few video tutorials to help you along the way. Whether short hair is your jam, or you’re growing your hair out after chemo treatments…you definitely have more than a few ways to style your pixie cut!…
To celebrate our 2-year anniversary of being a nonprofit, Lacuna Loft is bringing back our top 31 articles from our archives! This is Flashback #21: Dressing For Short Hair, written by Anna. These 31 articles are the best of the best and we’re very happy to share them with you again! The countdown continues tomorrow!
….The thing about short hair is that it changes your entire look. it’s a domino effect as this great Vogue article explains. Changing your hair drastically has a large impact on your personal style. Many women rely heavily on their long hair for confidence and femininity. I found that once my hair was gone, the outfits that looked great before no longer looked great on me or brought me that same feeling of confidence. My long hair was very much a fashion statement, projecting the “girly’ and feminine style I embraced. Bald & short hair presented a new challenge. How to accent my body and my face in new ways. I had to find creative ways to represent my femininity….
Sephora is proud to launch Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer, its newest Class for Confidence. This free 90 minute class teaches soothing skincare routines and quick fix make up tricks to help restore glow, and the appearance of brows and lashes that may be affected by cancer treatment. Bring your friends and family to join in the fun. Find a class and sign up here: https://goo.gl/bD1G3k!!!
Lacuna Loft is proud to help spread the word for Sephora and Sephora Stands. Let us know if you join a class near you!
Growing your hair out after chemo can be a painful process. The hardest part, is having to relearn your hair at each length and figure out what products to use and what styles to attempt. As I approach the 1 year mark, my hair is finally long enough to purposely style my hair instead of simply smoothing or scrunching it into submission.
I had wavy hair before chemo and after chemo, I was blessed with the infamous “chemo curls”. I absolutely loved my chemo curls. Styling was easy with my favorite curl cream. Occasionally, I would go in with my mini straightener to shape a few pieces, but mostly I would wake up and go. Eight months after chemo, my hair started to boast some serious length, and my curls began to disappear. Now, when I wake up my hair is a MESS and I actually have to put effort into styling my hair.
Since I have never had short hair before, I have been forced to spend time learning about this length. I have watched endless Youtube videos, read millions of product reviews and experimented with countless tools and products. As I get the hang of certain styles, I want to share them with you for inspiration. For this post, I have documented 4 different styles you can easily create with pixie length hair and I have included tutorials for how to create these looks.
Stock up on cute headbands, head wraps and clips. Go for something with feminine details to elevate the look and move away from the casual workout look. Hair accessories can be used to create a quick, easy and polished look. Nordstrom and Amazon have some great options: Jeweled headband, Colorful head wrap, Pearl headband, Crystal Embellished headband, Bow headband.
In my life and herbal medicine practice, I have come to view health challenges as opportunities to connect more deeply with nature– particularly with plants that offer support and nourishment for body and spirit. This is the second article in a series of three, exploring plants that nature offers those of us living with and recovering from cancer.
Nourishing Tonic Herbs
In the herbal Materia Medica—the array of medicinal plants in our tool kit— I admit that I play favorites. Though I’m grateful for potent, low-dose plants during times of illness, I champion tonic herbs. Rather than aiding healing during brief periods of sickness, tonics are incorporated into one’s regular diet to support wellness. They are gentle and nutrient-dense. When used casually, tonics are nutritious food. When used regularly, research and traditional knowledge demonstrate notable “medicinal” effects on various body systems.
Stinging Nettle Leaf
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is the tonic I use most commonly. It grows like a weed in moist, partly shaded places, especially along creeks. Nettles have a reputation for being rich in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamin C. Though some nutritious leafy herbs have a bitter flavor (ie. dandelion leaf), I find nettles slightly sweet and pleasant.
Nettles are a mild, nourishing tea for anytime.
According to David Hoffman’s Medical Herbalism, “Nettle is one of the most widely applicable plants in the materia medica. The herb strengthens and supports the whole body. Throughout Europe, nettle is used as a spring tonic and general detoxifying remedy” (591). When used regularly, the leaf has a reputation for easing arthritis, seasonal allergies, skin ailments, anemia and more (Gilbert, 303).
Though nettle tea is readily available to purchase, nettles are easy to wild-harvest yourself. Be sure of identification; a quick brush of the hand along its stinging hairs will serve as confirmation. Wear gloves when you harvest, unless you desire the circulation-stimulating sting that some intentionally seek! (It’s called “urtication.” Think bee sting therapy). Once nettle leaves are crushed, cooked or dried, they lose their sting and are as safe to eat as spinach. Harvest in spring or early summer before they flower.
Red Clover
I often see Red clover (Trifolium pratense) blooming in open fields during the summer. The bright pink flowers are edible, slightly sweet and nutritious. Like other legumes, the plant contains a range of isoflavones, or phytoestrogens (plant estrogens).
Phytoestrogens can outcompete more aggressive estrogens for estrogen receptors in the body. They may also offer a gentle estrogenic presence when our body is low on its own estrogens. Some practitioners recommend eating soy for these phytoestrogens, suggesting they can ease menopausal symptoms and prevent certain cancers for some. However, many practitioners caution that conventional soy products are poorly digested unless they are fermented, as tempeh and miso are.
Red clover bridges the gap between these camps. The phytoestrogens in red clover flowers are much more gentle than those in soy. Though red clover leaves can be tough on some stomachs, the flowers are easily digested for most people. Plus, those pretty blossoms are irresistible in a teacup, or tossed into salad.
Feel free to harvest red clover blossoms yourself. Eat or make tea from fresh flowers, or thoroughly and quickly dehydrate them. If any of the flowers look brown, discard them.
Oat Straw
Oat straw (Avena sativa) comes from the same plant that produces our hot breakfast cereal. For those less familiar with herbs, I love offering such a common plant in a different way. The straw has traditionally been used as mild and mineral-rich tea. According to Dr. Sharol Tilgner, the plant is rich in calcium, iron, manganese, and zinc. The developing seed of the plant, or “milky oats,” are a source of protein, and used as a calming nervous system tonic (Tilgner, 128).
Peggy Fitzgibbon harvests milky oats from her garden in western NY
Red Raspberry Leaf
If you enjoy the taste of black or green tea, Red Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) is the herb I recommend to you. Its tannins are reminiscent of a delicate black tea, without the caffeine. Tannins create an astringent effect, gently toning the tissue of the gastrointestinal and reproductive systems (Hoffman, 578). Like the other herbs we’ve discussed, it is highly safe and shown to be suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers (Gilbert, 316).
Raspberry leaf carries a nutritional bonus. One study found that the leaf is significantly higher in antioxidants than the berry, pound for pound. It is rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and a range of trace minerals and vitamins (Wilkins).
Sourcing and Preparation
All of these herbs shine when consumed in tea form. A longer steep is required to extract minerals and other desirable constituents. Place 1 tsp – 2 Tbsp herb per cup of water in a jar or mug. Pour boiling water over the herb, cover with a lid or plate, and steep 4-12 hours. Strain and enjoy warm or cold. A little honey is a nice way to jazz up your cup.
Though these plants can be harvested yourself, they can easily be purchased as well. Mountain Rose Herbs is an affordable and ethical source of a range of dried herbs. Feel free to mix and match to make your own tea blends. Since the herbs we’ve discussed are mild in flavor, I like to add peppermint or holy basil to my blend for an aromatic kick.
Happy sipping!
For educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
Cech, Richo. Making Plant Medicine. Williams: 2016. pp. 231-232.
Gilbert, Cyndi, ND. The Essential Guide to Women’s Herbal Medicine. Toronto: 2015. pp. 303-305, 316.
Hoffman, David. Medical Herbalism. Rochester: 2003. pp. 578, 591.
Tilgner, Sharol. Herbal Medicine: From the Heart of the Earth. Pleasant Hill, 2009. pp. 128, 142.
Wilkins, Elena. “Benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea.” Vegalicious. May 2014. www.vega-licious.com/benefits-red-raspberry-leaf-tea/
Please remember this post is the opinion of the author and should not be replaced for actual medical advice or attention. Please learn more and always speak with your physician before making lifestyle changes yourself. Lacuna Loft supports healthy living. Find what works best for you!
In my life and herbal medicine practice, I have come to view health challenges as opportunities to connect more deeply with nature– particularly plants that offer support and nourishment for body and spirit. This is the first article in a series of three, exploring some plants that nature offers those of us living with and recovering from cancer.
Fu Zheng Pei Ben
There are herbs to support all phases of an individual’s experience with cancer—including mid-treatment. In my herbal medicine practice, I often ask myself, “How can I support and nourish this individual without interfering with existing medications or therapies?”
China’s medical system offers an excellent model for supporting those receiving cancer treatments. As in the US, many forms of cancer are treated with radiation and chemotherapy. In China, it is considered good practice to curb side effects and nourish the body while administering such strong treatment. Out of this belief came a therapy approach called fu zheng pei ben, which translates to ‘support the normal qi and strengthen resistance.’
Fu zheng pei ben uses many adaptogen herbs. Adaptogens are a category of herbs that enhance the body’s response to physical, mental, and emotional stressors. Most are supportive of a range of body systems, including the cardiovascular, endocrine, and digestive systems. Adaptogens are considered non-toxic, stamina-boosting, and safe for long-term use. Each contains constituents shown to be chemoprotective and radioprotective, antioxidant, and immune-boosting. Adaptogens are used to mitigate side-effects of cancer treatments, including nausea, fatigue, low red blood cell count, immune suppression, and decreased white blood cell count.
Below are three of my favorite fu-zheng herbs, plus two herbs from India that fill a similar niche. Their gentleness also makes them appropriate during mildly stressful times of life—anytime, really. They are most effective when taken daily over a longer period of time (4-6 months, or much longer).
Astragalus root has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine. Studies demonstrate its ability to increase low red blood cell formation, increase white blood cell count, and stimulate a range of immune functions. It is frequently used in combination with medications to reduce side effects and toxicity.
Most adaptogens are nourishing roots of medicinal plants.
In a clinical study, eleuthero root was shown to reverse bone marrow suppression and leukopenia—common conditions among patients receiving radiation and chemotherapy. Eleuthero is liver-protective, immune-boosting, and may improve digestion and nutrient absorption.
Studies demonstrate Reishi mushroom’s ability to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. This herb is also used to support the “shen”—one’s emotional and mental balance. Anxiety, insomnia, and mild depression may all be supported by Reishi.
Ashwagandha root is used to mitigate the depletion of white blood cells that can occur during cancer treatments. Like Reishi, it is often used for its calming effects on the nervous system. Ashwagandha is also rich in iron, and may be helpful for those with iron-deficient anemia.
Holy Basil (Tulsi): Drinking a delicious tea like Tulsi can be as uplifting as the properties it contains. Fragrant holy basil is revered and heavily-used in India. A holy basil alcohol extract was shown to have a “significant antistress” effect in mice. It may help protect against damage induced by chemotherapy and radiation. It has a reputation for improving digestion and mental clarity.
Due to their food-like nature, adaptogens can be fun to “take”! This adaptoballs recipe has a nut butter and honey base. It can be tweaked to include whichever herb powders you, your doctor, and an herbalist agree work best for you. Be sure to store powders in the freezer to maintain their potency. Adaptogens are frequently taken as tinctures (alcohol extracts) as well. A local herbalist may offer a much lower cost than store bought tinctures.
Talk with your doctor before adding adaptogens to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that most US medical schools no longer require herbal medicine training. Be prepared to present studies and articles about your herb(s) of choice to your doctor. An herbalist should be consulted in choosing the best herbs for you.
Sources:
1.) Hoffman, David. Medical Herbalism, Rochester: 2003. pp. 532, 545.
2.) Ming Li, Pan. “Cancer Treatment with Fu Zheng Pei Ben Principle.” Fujian Science and Technology Press, 1992.
3.) Winston, David and Stven Maimes. Adaptogens. Rochester: 2007. pp. 95-98, 140, 159, 169.
Please remember this post is the opinion of the author and should not be replaced for actual medical advice or attention. Please learn more and always speak with your physician before making lifestyle changes yourself. Lacuna Loft supports healthy living. Find what works best for you!
When I was a kid, I used to read anything I could get my hands on, whether it was suitable for my age or not! I just loved reading and my mother would often find me tucked away in a corner with a book. My room had 3 bookcases and even that wasn’t enough to hold all of my books!
But when I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 14, I stopped reading. Just stopped completely.
Obviously, the shock of my diagnosis had a massive impact and I just didn’t feel like picking up a book at all. I listened to music and read magazines about celebrities, travel, and real life. Things that didn’t require much thought.
I really missed reading a good story, getting involved with the characters lives, and becoming engrossed within the plot. It was strange for me because books had always been my escape into another world and suddenly, there was only my life to concentrate on.
Thankfully, all of that changed about two thirds of the way through my treatment.
Someone, just by chance, had left a copy of The House at Riverton by Kate Morton in the hospital kitchen. I’d never read the book but I’d talked to a friend at school about it a few months earlier and she’d said how brilliant it was. The House at Riverton is quite a chunky book so I wasn’t sure whether I’d be up for reading it or not. Plus I wasn’t even sure who the copy belonged to!
My mother suggested that I take it back to my room and just give it a go. So, after trying and failing to locate the owner of the book, I told a nurse that I had it and if anyone was looking for it, to come and find me. Like a gangster.
As soon as I got back to my bed, I climbed in (with a bit of help!) and started reading.
I didn’t stop for a week! Seriously, if you’re looking for a book to read while you’ve got chemo brain, The House at Riverton is the one!
Like all of Morton’s books, it’s set between two time periods and it tells the story of an aristocratic family in 1920’s England from the perspective of an ex-housemaid who is now in her 90s. A film crew want to make a movie about the tragic events that unfolded at the family home and Grace, the housemaid, holds the answers to many of their questions.
It’s a gripping book that you haunts you for a long time after you’ve put it down and it has many twists and turns that keep you enthralled.
While I was reading, I was in a country house in England and not in a hospital bed, hooked up to chemo. The book took me away from everything around me and I finally realized what I had been missing by not reading books.
After I finished The House at Riverton, I made a note of Kate Morton’s name and now I’ve read all of her novels! They are written in such a compelling way that I just devour them. Reading that first book – that I did return to the kitchen, by the way! – made me want to read all the other books that I’d pushed aside and from then on, I went back to doing what I love – reading.
For an hour a day, I wasn’t a kid with cancer stuck in a hospital bed. I was a ballerina in London, I was getting off the train at Hogwarts, I was soaring above Neverland.
I love to write and create my own worlds but books are definitely the next best escape.
Stock up on cute headbands, head wraps and clips. Go for something with feminine details to elevate the look and move away from the casual workout look. Hair accessories can be used to create a quick, easy and polished look. Nordstrom and Amazon have some great options: 
