I don’t read many books on health. A while back, however, I came across The Truth About Cancer and decided to read it. I was interested in it because cancer is one of the top killers in the modern age. More personally, my mom passed away because of cancer. I also have two friends who passed away because of cancer at the young age of 32 and 33.

I’m glad I read the book. Honestly, the content of the book is not what I expected. I expected a positive attitude toward popular cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. But the book is actually against them. It’s eye-opening for me.

You might want to read the complete book yourself, but here are ten key ideas from the book:

1. Cancer is widespread.

Cancer is now one of the top killers in the world. About 40 percent of the general population will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.

The most common type of cancer for a woman is breast cancer. For a man, it’s prostate cancer.

2. The standard treatments do more harm than good.

The standard treatments for cancer are chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Unfortunately, they often do more harm than good.

Chemotherapy, for instance, has a low success rate. Only about 2 percent of patients survived for more than five years after undergoing chemotheraphy. Chemotherapy is literal poison to the body that harms both bad and good cells.

3. Money is the main reason behind the standard treatments.

If they aren’t effective, then why are those treatments still used widely? The short answer is money. There is a lot of money to be made through them, and the industry just won’t let it go.

4. Beware of the screening movement.

There is now a widespread screening movement that encourages people to do regular checkups for cancer. Unfortunately, the standard screening procedures also do more harm than good. Mammography, for instance, could actually cause cancer.

5. There are better ways for early detection.

If the standard screening procedures are not recommended, then what should we use? Fortunately, there are good alternatives.

For mammography, a good alternative is thermography. For many other types of cancer, a good alternative is a combination of AMAS test and ONCOblot test.

6. “Alternative” treatments are often more effective than the standard ones.

Similar to the case of early detection, there are good alternatives to the standard treatments. Some of them are oxidative therapy, virotherapy, and metabolic theraphy.

7. The best way to handle cancer is to prevent it.

Prevention requires you to adopt a holistic, anticancer lifestyle which includes your mind, body, and spirit.

8. The most important aspect of prevention is nutrition.

Nutrition is the “fuel” that your body uses. That’s why it’s the most important aspect of cancer prevention.

For this, keep in mind that there are only two types of food: cancer-fueling and cancer-fighting. In general, processed food falls under the cancer-fueling category while organic food falls under the cancer-fighting category.

9. Regular exercise is essential.

In addition to nutrition, you need to make sure that you have regular exercise. Exercise causes your body to sweat which helps your body eliminate toxins. An especially good form of exercise is rebounding.

10. Have enough sleep and stay hydrated.

Having enough sleep and staying hydrated reduce your cancer risk.

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I hope you find these nuggets of information useful. Stay healthy and live your life to the full!

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Note: This post is written by Gabriel Fishbein

Having a family is one of the most fulfilling accomplishments; it’s a whole new chapter of life. Whether you have one child or more, you probably know that as rewarding as being a parent is, it can also be tough sometimes.

Saving for holidays, a new house, or even a car can be a challenge when you’re no longer just thinking about yourself. That’s where some money-saving advice could help you to reach your financial goals, so you can enjoy your next family trip to the Bahamas, or tucking your kids into their new bed.

Here are five money-saving habits every family needs to adopt.

1. Cut Down on Junk Food and Processed Food

People usually have the assumption that to cut down on your food bill you need to buy less food. This isn’t really the case. Instead of cutting down on everything, simply learn to say no.

Instead of buying a packet of cookies and a bottle of soda, stick to fruit and veg. By cutting out processed foods that have no nutrients, you’ll notice how your grocery bill decreases.

Cut down, or eliminate fast food and takeouts altogether and opt for cooking at home instead. Just think that every weekly takeout that costs around $20, could add up to around $100 by the end of the month.

2. Spend Less on Clothes and Shoes

If you have growing children, then you know how tricky it can be when you’re trying to buy them clothes that fit and they won’t grow out of too quickly.

One of the best ways to get them everything they need is to make a list for autumn/winter and again in spring/summer. Make a note of everything they need for the season, such as a winter coat and boots.

By getting them everything season by season, you will avoid shopping constantly week to week and spending excessive amounts on clothes your child may never wear.

3. Cut Down on Toys and Make Memories Instead

Next time you’re in a store with your kids and they try and guilt trip you into buying toys, say no. Instead of accumulating useless things that they’ll get bored of after a few days, plan experiences or family bonding time instead, which is free, or could cost significantly less than the latest video game.

Take your kids to the park for a picnic or a game of football, as opposed to indulging them with the latest toy or gadget that they’ve seen advertised on TV.

4. Reuse as a Household

One way your kids will learn the value of money is by understanding that throwaway culture is not good for your wallet or the environment.  So instead of buying new clothes, keep a few good-quality pieces so that you can pass them down to your next child.

This will save you money in the long term and the same rule applies to toys and games. Reuse them by passing them down, rather than hoarding toys and constantly buying new ones.

When it comes to household items, you’ll be surprised at how much you can save by using reusable tea clothes and dust clothes, rather than buying kitchen paper and wipes every week.

If you’re thinking of redecorating or want to add a few things to your house, then as an alternative to buying more pieces of furniture, have a look at vintage and antique stores. You’ll be able to find treasures for bargain prices.

5. Teach Your Kids to Decrease Their Carbon Footprint

Show your kids the importance of turning off light switches and appliances that they’re not using, and they should know not to leave electronics on charge.

After your whole family becomes energy smart, you’ll not only have taught your kids a valuable life lesson but you’ll also notice your electric, water and gas bill decrease.

***

With a few simple household changes, you’ll see the difference in your savings account and your kids will eventually appreciate the fun memories, tasty home cooked meals and their pre-loved and quirky furniture.

By making a few little changes you could be on your way to a more financially stable future as a family.

– About the Writer –

Gabriel Fishbein is the lead content marketer at GiftCardio. He graduated with two degrees in Marketing and Information Systems from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at University of Maryland. He is persuasive, logical, and deliberate but not lackadaisical when making decisions.

– Related Resources –

• The One-Page Financial Plan: A Simple Way to Be Smart About Your Money
• Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties

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Note: This post is written by Zak Khan

It is an unfortunate reality that most schools don’t teach learners how to succeed at life in a realistic and practical manner.

Sure, an elaborate understanding of Mathematics and Science can open many doors but when challenged with real life problems, most of us crumble and fall into stagnancy.

Over the last 7 years since finishing school, I’ve been through quite a few ordeals. Overcoming a life-changing disease was just one of the battles I won and you can read about that in a previous post I wrote for Life Optimizer (3 Ways to Overcome Adversity).

What I care to share with you today are the laws of success that often go overlooked. These are the laws that celebrities and entrepreneurs obsess over on a daily basis which brings about ridiculous success and rewards. If you’re sick and tired of being stuck in a loop of failure and mediocrity, this post is for you!

Without further ado, here are the 3 undeniable laws of success.

1. You Have to Show Up Daily

Part of why some people achieve the impossible whilst others look on in disbelief is because they show up every single day despite every reason not to.

Look, you’ve seen it happen time and time again. Someone who wouldn’t strike you as special comes along and does what everyone didn’t even bother attempting. You brush it off as luck and move on with life. But, guess what? It wasn’t luck! It was deliberate.

Despite all the negative thoughts and opinions surrounding a particular objective, the people who show up in an attempt to succeed are the ones who usually succeed.

You can chalk it down to pure luck or chance but the fact of the matter is that for as long as you show up each and every day, the possibility of success immediately changes from impossible to possible.

For as long as you don’t try, impossibility is a reality. This form of impossibility has nothing to do with circumstances preventing a goal or dream from being realized but from self-imposed limitations.

You can only get better at something or unlock rewards by being present. When the opportunity arises to accomplish the impossible, you’ll be the one reaping the rewards because you showed up when everyone else didn’t.

“Success doesn’t chase you, you chase success.”

2. Hard Work Is Non-Negotiable

Once you show up and an opportunity arises, what do you do? Getting by on the bare minimum will only generate the bare minimum results. The best results in life require the best effort you have to give.

Are you familiar with the notorious fighter Conor McGregor? He’s the first man to hold two championships at the same time in the UFC. Not only has he accomplished something nobody else has but he’s made millions of dollars at the same time.

Many people attribute his success to luck or talent but in reality, it all boils down to hard work. If you don’t believe me, listen to what he had to say in an interview, “If you put in the work to become number 1, you will become number 1. If you put in the work to become the runner up, you will become the runner-up. I put in the work to finish first!”

If a millionaire, record-breaking and double champion attributes his success to being a workhorse, shouldn’t we take that at face value and adopt his attitude to success?

What this means is that despite a lack of natural born gifts and talent, someone who is willing to work harder than anyone and everyone else has a fighting chance at being the best in the world!

Look beyond the bare minimum. When I was in high school, all I wanted to do was have fun. So, when it came time to prepare for examinations, I aimed for a passing grade. Most of my results were a reflection of my intention.

I worked for average results and I attained average results. However, when I entered University and started studying Law, things changed. A desire to achieve great results wrapped itself around me and I attempted to do something I never did before – work hard.

Rather than aim for simply passing, I set my sights on those 80 – 90% grades. I hit those grades in quite a few of my modules! The ones that weren’t in that percentage category were often in the 65 – 79% category.

I went from 50’s during my high school years to 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. This growth can be attributed to the following 4 fundamental changes:

1. An attitude and mindset adjustment.
2. Higher minimum requirements.
3. Maximum effort at studying.
4. Daily sacrifice.

I showed up every day, set ‘my minimum passing grade’ to be much higher than the average passing grade, put in the work and most importantly, I sacrificed time-wasting activities that were once fun for hard work and success.

In the end, it paid off when I was on stage accepting my Bachelor of Laws degree this past April. If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that hard work, even in the face of obstacles, can overcome all adversities in life.

3. Momentum Trumps Motivation

There will come a time in every new venture when motivation depletes and the only thing that keeps you marching forward is momentum.

Unlike fleeting emotions like motivation and inspiration, momentum relies solely on movement and/or progress.

If you’re familiar with the cumulative effect, you would know that by simply taking action over and over again, you accrue small but significant results that add up to create a big reward over time. Similarly, when you take action on a daily basis, the movement or progress you make from previous attempts carries you forward day after day.

After some time, it feels second nature to partake in the activity you’ve been consistent at. Ask anyone who has exercised for longer than 4 weeks, they can attest to the principle of momentum.

The first few days of starting an exercise regimen are physically, emotionally and mentally brutal. If you were to stop after the first day, all the soreness and cramps last for many days, even weeks. However, if you exercise the next day even though you feel sore, mid-way through the workout all of that clears up.

By the next day, you wake up feeling less sore and less exhausted. The more you do it, the stronger you become and the less noticeable is the pain and suffering.

Momentum brings about this wonderful phenomenon. Do something for long enough and the results accumulate. During this accumulation of results, the side effects reduce drastically until it’s mostly invisible.

Rather than relying on erratic emotions, engage in motion and movement to truly accrue results and success. While everyone else is waiting for the perfect moment to get started, you’ll be the one achieving your goals and dreams.

When I was tasked with studying thousand-page-long books on Law, many times I felt overwhelmed and challenged. Time was never on my side and I could never find the perfect moment to get started. I could have waited until it was too late but I quickly realized that hard work will never feel easy.

I couldn’t rely on emotions because their erratic nature left my future up in the air. The only thing that guaranteed progress was sitting down at my desk, opening those textbooks and working through one page at a time.

The more pages I worked through, the less overwhelmed I felt because progress was visible. What seemed impossible no longer did.

If I Can, So Can You

The most pivotal message you can take away from this article is that if someone with autoimmune diseases and a lack of talent can achieve his goals and succeed in his ventures, so can you. There’s no excuse for why you can’t be successful at meaningful objectives in your life.

Everyone has problems and circumstances that make achieving success difficult. You merely have to work around those circumstances and rely on brute force to achieve your greatest desires.

Excuses are for quitters. Ditch them and embrace these 3 undeniable laws of success. If you do, there’s no telling what you’ll be able to accomplish in the near future!

– About the Writer –

Zak Khan is a full-time writer and author who shares his insights on productivity, self-development and writing over at Zakwrites.com and his journey to health and wellness on Servedhealthy.com

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If you want to live your life to the fullest, there are five aspects of life that you need to balance: work, health, learning, social, and spiritual. Out of the five, here I’d like to take a closer look at the role of spirituality in optimizing life.

Spirituality plays an important role in our lives. In fact, I believe that it’s the most important aspect of the five. It’s the foundation upon which all the other aspects are built.

There are at least four reasons why spirituality is important:

1. It Gives You Meaning

You can only live a full life if you find meaning in what you do. Spirituality helps you find that meaning. Why? Because spirituality helps you see the big picture. It helps you see things beyond yourself.

Instead of just living for yourself, now you live for something bigger. You find your place in the world and do things with a sense of purpose.

2. It Gives You Hope

Like it or not, there are times when we have to go through difficult times. Spirituality gives you hope in such a time. That’s because spirituality builds your faith. You know that you are not alone. You believe that Someone is in control. This belief gives you the strength to keep going.

3. It Gives You Inner Peace

Spirituality gives you peace in your heart. Even in challenging situations, you can find comfort and calmness. Now you can face your challenges with a clear mind.

4. It Balances Your Life

Spirituality teaches that many things in this world are temporary. Money and fame, for instance, wouldn’t last. Instead, there are things that are more valuable in the long term such as your family and relationships. This perspective will help you live a balanced life.

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As you can see, spirituality is important: it helps you live a meaningful life, it gives you hope, it gives you inner peace, and it helps you live a balanced life. For these reasons, I believe that building your spirituality should become a priority.

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If you are interested in hearing more from me about it, please join my newsletter on spirituality.

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As you might know, I’m a big believer in self-education. I believe that everyone should embrace lifelong learning and that it’s important to have a knowledge advantage.

A big part of self-education is reading books. For that reason, I’m always eager to know what good books are out there.

So here is my question for you:

What are the best nonfiction books that you have read recently and why?

Please share your answer in the comments so that everyone can read it. Thanks!

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Do you want to know whether you are in the right career? Do you want to know whether you are at a place where you can be your best?

I have been following many successful people over the years. These are people who have overcome great challenges to thrive in their fields. These are people who have made an impact on the world.

They come from different backgrounds, but somehow they give similar advice when it comes to career. It’s as if there is a key to success that these people have found.

In essence, this is what they say is the unmistakable sign of having the right career:

You are having fun doing it.

Yes, you are having fun doing it. And the fun doesn’t come from the money or the reputation you get but from the work itself.

This is the way Warren Buffett puts it:

“I had fun when I was in my twenties, my thirties, and now I am 86 and I am having fun.”

That’s a great way to live, isn’t it? That’s how our career should be!

Now, how can we find such a career? Here is Buffett’s advice:

“I advise students, as much as possible, look for the job that you would take if you didn’t need a job.”

Let’s pause and think about that for a moment: what job would you take if you didn’t need a job?

When you look at the way Warren Buffett works, it’s obvious that he is having fun. How else can you explain reading 500 pages a day for years? Remember, he is his own boss. Nobody forces him to do it. I can’t think of any other explanation of his intensity except that he enjoys doing it.

There is a good reason why having fun is essential for career success: it makes you go further at it than other people. What may feel like a chore to someone else is a joy to you, so you will do more of it.

Here is how Stephen King puts it:

If there’s no joy in it, it’s just no good. It’s best to go on to some other area, where… the fun quotient higher.

Again, similar advice, and there is a useful term here: fun quotient. I think that’s a good way to measure how good a career is for you: how high is the fun quotient?

Mark Cuban puts it this way:

It’s really easy to know if you are in the right job. If it matters how much you get paid, you are not in a job you really love.

I can give you more examples, but you get the point.

There is something you should be careful about, though. You could start what you do for the fun of it, but over time you could lose the fun and it would just become a job.

I know this because it happens to me. I started this website because of the fun of doing it, but over the years there were times when I worked on it simply because it’s my business. It’s no longer the fun that motivated me, but what I would get out of it. Needless to say, this isn’t good. Realizing this pushes me to get the fun factor back.

So here are two questions you should ask yourself:

1. Do you do your job because of the fun of it or because of an external reward (like money)?
2. If you used to have fun at what you do but not anymore, how can you get the fun back?

Take time to answer these questions. They can help you have a great career.

Recommended Book Summaries

• Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life
• How to Find Fulfilling Work: The School of Life

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There is an important principle you need to remember in managing your life: “What get measured, get managed.” It means that to get something managed, first you need to measure it. Only by measuring it can you get the facts to make informed decisions.

Deed Counter is an iOS app that helps you track your life stats. You can use it to count things in your life and store the stats for your future reference.

For instance, you can use it to track how many glasses of water you drink, how many push-ups you do, how many books you read, and so on. If you want to manage a certain area of your life and it can be counted, then you can use Deed Counter to do it.

Try it for free. If you like it, you can then upgrade the app to the full version.

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