Here at Coalition HQ in Minnesota spring has finally (maybe?) sprung! The grass is green, the birds are singing, the sun is shining. While we continue to stay sheltered-in-place to protect ourselves and loved ones from this virus, a few minutes outside in the fresh air helps to raise our spirits. A walk with the dog, a car ride along a river, anything to break up the monotony of the same four walls day-after-day.
In week three of our Safer-at-Home series find new ways to move your body, take a mini-musical vacation, and try a new skill. Plus this week we link to loads of delicious recipes! Don’t forget to take time for yourself.
And from everyone at the Colon Cancer Coalition, please take care.
Mind
Music | Free Online Concerts
Each week National Public Radio (NPR) updates a list of live concerts in all musical genres that you can watch and enjoy for the comfort of home!
Relaxation | Breathing to the 4 Corners
Get Your Rear in Gear – Charlotte grant recipient Wind River Wellness Retreats & Programs presents Tai Chi Mike, Breathing to the 4 Corners. Filmed outside at the Wind River Retreat, take some time to breathe in the great outdoors.
Social Media | #SongsOfComfort
“In these days of anxiety, I wanted to find a way to continue to share some of the music that gives me comfort.” -Yo-Yo Ma
Started by famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, #SongsofComfort can be found by searching his accounts on social media, or by searching the hashtag to find soothing musical performances not only by Yo-Yo Ma, but other talented musicians wishing to bring some calm into your home during this time.
Facebook | Yo-Yo Ma Twitter | Yo-Yo Ma Instagram | Yo-Yo Ma
Mediation | Sound Bath with Leslie
Sound meditation is where you allow your body to bathe in the healing vibrations of a variety of ancient instruments. A pillow, blanket, loose clothing is recommended for comfort. Presented by The Cancer Support Center, a grant recipient from funds raised at Get Your Rear in Gear – Tinley Park serving patients in Illinois.
Family Time | Art Hub for Kids
This isn’t just for kids, it’s for the artist in all of us! Wish you were one of those people who could doodle something people would recognize? How about a break sitting down with the kids and learning how to draw a popular character or image from Frozen or Star Wars? This is the place and we promise with a few simple strokes and some basic instruction, the whole family will have something worth placing on the fridge!
App | CALM
Recommended by: Tessa Rittberg, Graphic Design & Marketing Coordinator
I usually have a hard time falling asleep at night, and the guided meditation, soundscapes, and audio story recordings really help me relax my mind and fall asleep at night. If audiobooks put you to sleep, the recorded stories will knock you out! I really like that you can add a sleep timer to the soundscapes so they aren’t playing all night long. There are different meditations available for sleep, anxiety, stress, focus, and there is even a section for kids. I’ve found taking 10 minutes out of my day to calm my mind has made a positive change in my anxiety and how I’m dealing with my emotions during this time!
Many CALM functions are free, $12.99/month to unlock the entire app.
Community Connections
Fight Colorectal Cancer & Cancer Support Community
Our friends at Fight CRC and the Cancer Support Community have temporarily extended hotline hours during this crisis. Staff is prepared to answer questions about coronavirus and coping with social isolation.
This is a free call line available in English and Spanish, which additional translation services for more than 200 languages. Live assistance is available from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
TOLL-FREE LINE: 1-877-427-2111
Body
Cancer Wellness for Life | Summer Strength Challenge Week 3
Last summer we partnered with Get Your Rear in Gear – Kansas City grant recipient Cancer Wellness for Life to create a workout program focused just on cancer patients and survivors working to build strength and stamina. Each week some simple yet effective exercises are introduced by trainer Sami and Jerry Mansfield that can be done in your home with stuff you already have on hand. Plus a delicious new recipe every week.
Atrium Health | CANcer-VIVE Fitness Core, Glutes, and Upper Body
Get Your Rear in Gear – Charlotte grantee Levine Cancer Institute Cancer Exercise Specialist Laura Coleman with CANcer-VIVE Fitness leads cancer survivors through 3 short 10 minute videos to help build basic strength in the core, glutes, and upper body.
Nutrition
Recipes from Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Get Your Rear in Gear – Tulsa presenting sponsor Cancer Treatment Centers of America sent over a list of popular recipes packed full of taste and nutrients! From healthy smoothies to perfect side dishes, each recipe ensures the patient, survivor, or anyone sitting down to enjoy the meal has a healthy and delicious choice! How-to videos included! YUM!
Cancer Dietician | Apple Curry Chicken Salad
Julie Lanford MPH, RD, CSO, LDN with Get Your Rear in Gear – Winston-Salem grant recipient Cancer Services offers nutrition help to cancer patients and survivors on how to eat well during and after treatment. Here is one of her latest recipes – this time from Chef Malena Douthit.
Apple Curry Chicken Salad | by Chef Malena Douthit
Ingredients
3-4 boneless (skinless chicken breasts)
¼ cup plain yogurt
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 apples (grated)
1-2 TB curry powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Cucumber rounds or crackers for serving
Instructions
To prepare the chicken, place chicken in a saucepan and add enough water to cover the chicken.
Bring water to a boil then reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer until chicken is no longer pink (15-20 min).
Drain cooked chicken and shred.
Add chicken to a bowl and add yogurt, mayonnaise, apples, curry powder, salt and pepper.
Stir to combine.
You can read more about nutrition and find more recipes from Julie at cancerdietician.com.
