Greetings from Sue's BioLab, Inc. I am doing an experiment and it seems to be working. I love cucumbers and eat them like, well, bananas. I knew that cucumbers have cooling properties (see below snarf from the web), so I've been eating a whole medium-sized cucumber every day, later in the day, and my hot flashes at night are MUCH better! How about that?
I promised myself that I would stay off the computer this morning to rest so this post is primarily snarfage with a few goofy things tossed in the mix. I've been very tired the last few days; I think it's radiation fatigue. That's what it feels like. And, by the way, I keep getting this swirly feeling in my noggin, as if I've just gotten off an amusement park ride. I'm not going to worry about it unless it gets worse. Though, I've been wondering about cancer in my knee, since it hurts when I climb the stairs. These are the things you deal with after you've had cancer. That, and wondering how cancerous anything you eat may be; or how toxic is the water your drink; or if when I use Windex at work am I inhaling cancer causing drops of chemicals --- is it seeping in through my skin? I now wash my hands after and hold my breath during a trip of Windex around the glass cases in the store. Ah, cancer.
CUCUMBER CULTIVATION TIPSIf you would like gardening tips about cucumbers,
Click Here.CUCUMBER COOKING TIPSIf you would like 882 cucumber recipes,
Click Here, and scroll down the page to the long list of links.
WHAT IS A CUCUMBER?The cucumber is a type of melon and comes from the same family as watermelon, zucchini and other squash. It is cylindrical in shape with lengths of approximately 6 to 9 inches. Its skin is very similar to watermelon, ranges from green to white. Inside, the flesh is pale green and very juicy.
The cucumber is a tropical plant but is also easily available in most part of the world. However, in some cultures, cucumber is more often used to make pickles, of which most of its nutrients would have been lost.
CUCUMBER CURIOSITIES
Cucumber has an impressive amount of water (about 96%) that is naturally distilled, which makes it superior to ordinary water. Its skin contains a high percentage of vitamin A, so should not be peeled off.
The cucumber contains alkaline-forming minerals and is an excellent source of vitamin C and A (anti-oxidants), folate, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, silica, sulfur, and lesser amounts of vitamin B complex, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and chlorine.
You have seen beauty practitioners use slices of cucumber on their eyes. It is found that the caffeic acid in this vegetable helps to prevent water retention and when applied topically, helps reduce puffy and swollen eyes.
CUCUMBERS CAREAlso from the web: Many people are ignorant of the immense health benefits of cucumber and would avoid eating cucumber where possible. Fresh cucumber may taste "bland" to some but its thirst-quenching and cooling properties are refreshing. It acts as an anti-oxidant when taken together with fried and barbequed foods. I like to mix cucumber juice with carrot or orange juices.
Acidity: The alkalinity of the minerals in cucumber juice effectively helps in regulating the body's blood pH, neutralizing acidity. The juice is also soothing for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.
Blood pressure: Like celery, this colorless drink can help regulate blood pressure because of its minerals and traces of sodium.
Connective tissues, building: The excellent source of silica contributes to the proper construction of connective tissues in our body as in the bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.
Cooling: During dry and hot weather, drink a glass of cucumber + celery juice.
It wonderfully helps to normalize body temperature.Diuretic: Cucumber juice is diuretic, encouraging waste removal through urination. This also helps in the dissolution of kidney stones.
Fever: The temperature regulating properties in cucumber juice makes it a suitable drink when you have a fever.
Inflammation: The Chinese think that cucumbers are too "cooling" and not suitable for people with rheumatism. But we know now that cucumber can help counter uric acids that are causing inflammation in joints. When cucumber is taken it does its cleaning work at the joints, thus stirring up pain as it eliminates the uric acid. This means it also help other inflamed conditions like arthritis, asthma, and gout.
Hair growth: The silicon and sulfur content in cucumber juice makes it especially helpful in promoting hair growth. Drink it mixed with carrot, lettuce or spinach juice.
Puffy eyes: Some people wake up in the morning with puffy eyes, probably due to too much water retention in the body (or having cried to sleep). To reduce the puffiness, lie down and put two slices of cucumber on the eyes for a good ten minutes.
Skin conditions: The high amount of vitamin C and anti-oxidants in cucumber makes it an important ingredient in many beauty creams for treating eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc.
Sunburn: When there is a sunburn, make cucumber juice and rub it on the affected area for a cooling and healing effect.
Water retention: It supplies the necessary electrolytes and restores hydration of the body cells, thus reducing water retention.
CUCUMBER CONSUMPTION TIPS
Choose cucumbers that are dark green in color and firm to the touch. Avoid those that are yellowish or are wrinkled at either ends. Thinner cucumbers have fewer seeds than those that are thicker. Store cucumbers in the fridge to retain its freshness. Cut cucumbers should be kept wrapped up or in an air-tight container and kept in the fridge. Consume within a day or two.
CUCUMBER CAUTION
Where possible, buy organic as cucumbers may be waxed or have pesticides. If non-organic, wash cucumber under cold running water and scrub gently with a vegetable brush. It might help also to soak it for 5-10 minutes with 1-2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.
Cuke out,
Sue
Dear friends and family,
Hello friends and family,
Hi. Last night I felt a strong urge to get out my manuscript about this cancer odyssey, and this morning I awoke at 7:30 a.m. to dive right in. I feel motivated and on purpose with this project. I realized I have something to SAY to women. I know it's been SAID many times before, but my voice is unique, my story is unique and this blog is unique. If publishing it in book form will make the information more accessible, then all the better. With that, I'm off to walk the dogs, work a few hours for Jack, then return home to the manuscript. I feel excited!
Why can it be challenging to do nothing? I took the day really off today and spent a bunch of time watching The Office at Jen's house. She has Roku, which is one of greatest inventions of humankind, and I finally finished all of season two. Love that show. After about five episodes I started to feel odd and out of it. I suppose that's probably a normal reaction to that much TV. Now I'm home and don't quite know what to do with myself. You see, for the last several weeks I've worked in some capacity every day, even on my days off. What I really need is to get to be early, like now, and read and take a sleeping medication and get a good night's sleep. Why does that feel weird?
Greetings from Sue's BioLab, Inc. I am doing an experiment and it seems to be working. I love cucumbers and eat them like, well, bananas. I knew that cucumbers have cooling properties (see below snarf from the web), so I've been eating a whole medium-sized cucumber every day, later in the day, and my hot flashes at night are MUCH better! How about that? 
CUCUMBER CULTIVATION TIPS
You have seen beauty practitioners use slices of cucumber on their eyes. It is found that the caffeic acid in this vegetable helps to prevent water retention and when applied topically, helps reduce puffy and swollen eyes.
Cooling: During dry and hot weather, drink a glass of cucumber + celery juice. It wonderfully helps to normalize body temperature.
CUCUMBER CONSUMPTION TIPS
Hola Amigos! It's official: Jen and I are going to Vieques, an island off of Puerto Rico. I am staying for two weeks, she for one. We've found a cute little rental apartment--very reasonably priced--just one hundred feet from the beach in a tiny pueblo called Isabel Segunda. It's a small and simple one-bedroom apartment with a futon in the living room, with a full kitchen and is within walking distance to the supermercado. I can't wait to see and experience the town and speak SPANISH. I love Spanish. Believe it or not, the owner of the apartment asked me if I wanted to house-sit for her the week after we are renting, so that she can go away and use her timeshare!!!! So, yes, I am staying on a tropical, Caribbean island for one week FREE. She has two dogs - one is a Great Dane, the other a Dachshund. Funny combination. Her house is three stories, with the rental apartment on the bottom floor. So, Jen and I will rent from January 15 to 22nd, then I'll move upstairs into her house for Jan. 22 to Jan. 29. Amazing. 
Here is the house. The apartment is on the bottom floor. When she asked me to house-sit I almost started crying, my heart swelled so with gratitude for her generosity, and for the miracles o of life. I then told her about the cancer and how hard the year has been, and how this is just a perfect blessing and gift. She is thrilled to be able to use her timeshare, which apparently she sometimes can't because she can't get away. So, everyone wins! She's as excited about getting away as I am about house-sitting for her. Here are some photos of her place as well as the nearby beach. I know Jen and I will have a great time. We won't even need a rental car. We can walk to everything from the house. We can even walk to the house from the ferry dock! I can't wait to speak Spanish and be around a different culture. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time. Perhaps I will rent out her apartment for a month next January and house-sit again. This would be a dream for me.
