Beating Cancer with Nutrition

Below are a couple of pages from Dr. Patrick Quillin's book "Beating Cancer with Nutrition" to aid in motivating you to take care of yourselves now, BEFORE you have a 'reason' to.

If you feel you can't get all the recommended foods in your diet, then high-quality supplements can help.  I am happy to refer you to the brands made by reputable companies, known for the purity of their products, some of whom were recommended to me by the Complimentary practitioners I consulted with.

Please take the time to read this excerpt (since it took me two days to type out :)), and let me know if there is ANY way I can be helpful.

*~*~*~*~*

For the past 10 years, Dr. Patrick Quillin has served as the Director of Nutrition for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. He is an internationally respected expert in the area of nutrition and cancer. He has earned his bachelor's, Master's and doctorate degrees in nutrition and is a registered and licensed dietitian ( RD & LD) and Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) with the American College of Nutrition.

Starve the Cancer

Cancer is a sugar-feeder.  The scientists call it an “obligate glucose metabolizer”. You can slow cancer growth by lowering the amount of fuel available to the tumor cells.  Americans have become humming birds in their constant consumption of sweet fluids and foods.  The resulting constant high blood glucose levels yield many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and yeast infections. Trying to beat cancer while eating a diet that constantly raises blood glucoseis like trying to put out a forest fire while someone nearby is throwing gasoline on the trees.

sugar cubes
sugar cubes

Stop eating sugar. Eat very few sweet foods, including high glycemic fruits. Begin an exercise program to burn blood glucose down to a manageable level.  Your cancer is not going to be happy as you begin to starve it.  You will develop cravings worse than you currently have.  Ignore them and push through the discomfort.

Make fish and colorful vegetables the staples of your diet.  Eat small amounts of fresh fruit…(Berries, apples, pears, peaches) at a mixed meal, which will blunt the rises in blood glucose. Use cinnamon liberally, since it helps to stabilize blood glucose.  Take supplements of chromium and magnesium. I have yet to see a cancer patient beat the disease who continued to load up on the average amount of sugar in our diet, which is 140 pounds per year per person.

cinnamon
cinnamon

Avoid Malnutrition

Cancer is a wasting disease.  Over 40% of cancer patients actually die from malnutrition, not from cancer. Cancer generates chemicals that lower appetite while increasing calorie needs. The net effect is that many cancer patients begin to lose weight. You cannot fight a life-threatening disease while malnourished. You need all the proper nutrition you can get to feed your immune system, which is your army assigned to killing the cancer cells.  The backbone of the immune system is protein.

If you cannot eat solid foods, then try the high protein shakes.

Nutrition

While chemotherapy and radiation can kill cancer cells, these therapies are general toxins against your body cells also. A well –nourished cancer patient can protect healthy cells against the toxic effects of chemo and radiation, thus making cancer cells more vulnerable to the medicine.  Proper nutrition can make chemo and radiation more of selective toxin against the cancer and less damaging to the patient. (It's during this phase that you should consider supplements that support your body, and enhance the drugs' effectiveness).

Turbocharge Your Immune System

Your immune system consists fo 20 trillion cells that compose your police force and garbage collectors.  The immune system is responsible for killing the bad guys, any cells that are not participating in the processes of your body, including cancer, yeast, bacteria, virus, and dead cells. “Kill the bad guys and take out the trash,” That is what your immune system is supposed to do.  But since you have cancer, something is wrong with your immune system; usually either stress, toxic burden, or malnutrition.

Eat well and take professionally designed nutrition supplements. Lower you stress levels.  Use guided imagery to imagine your immune cells like sharks gobbling up the cancer cells. This technique REALLY WORKS!! Detoxify your body. The average American has 1,000 times more heavy toxic metals than our primitive ancestors before the dawning of the industrial age. Toxins shut down the ability of the immune system to mount a good battle against cancer cells.

As your cells divide billions of times daily, mistake cells are the inevitable consequence.  These mistake cells sometimes grow into cancer cells, which your immune system is programmed to gobble up like Pac Man. The average adult gets 6 bouts of cancer in a lifetime, yet only 42% of Americans will end up in a cancer hospital.  The other 58% had a respectable immune system, which protected them.

Nutrition products that have demonstrated an ability to bolster immune function include; colostrums extracts, whey extracts, aloe extracts, mushroom extracts (Maitake, AHCC [Immpower]), yeast cell wall extracts (1,3 beta glucan), IP-6 (phytic acid), ImmKine, and Essiac tea.

The Healing Power of Whole Foods

It is amazing how simple the answer to cancer can be. Our brilliant researchers have spent 33 years and $50 billion of your tax dollars wrestling with the complex issue of curing cancer.  Yet Nature has been solving the dilemma for thousands of years. All of us get cancer all of the time, yet magical ingredients in whole food diet are there to help the body beat cancer.  Ellagic acid from berriesinduces “suicide” in the cancer cells.  Lycopenes from tomatoes help to suppress cancer growth.  Genistein in soy, glutathione in green leafy vegetables, and S-allyl cysteine in garlic are examples of the new scientifically-validated cancer fighters of the 21st century.

You don’t have to wait 7 years while some drug company goes through $800 million drug approval process, nor for FDA approval, nor for a doctor’s prescription for some drug that has many toxic side effects and costs thousands of dollars each month. These miracle anti-cancer agents are waiting patiently at your nearby grocery store and health food store.

Herbal Medicine

There are thousands of herbs that have been used for thousands of years to treat cancer. None are guaranteed cures for all cancers, but many are non-toxic boosters of immune function and detoxification pathways. If you want the basic herb that all cancer patients should be using daily, then start with garlic--  as a food, seasoning, and/or pill supplement.

garlic
garlic

Many other herbs that merit attention are: Atragalus, Echinacea, goldenseal, licorice, ginseng, ginkgo, ginger, Rhodiola rosea and cat’s claw are on the hit parade of herbs to help you toward recovery from cancer. Work with a professional who can help guide you toward the herbs best for your disease, your therapy, your wallet and your stomach tolerances.

Healthy Fats

While too much fat and the wrong kind of fat have been killing millions of Americans for the past 50years, we are now finding a new form of fat malnutrition: deficiencies of the essential fats. Fish oil, borage or primrose oil, flax oil, conjugated linoleic acid, and shark liver oil are all fats that can help you beat cancer.  For a simple starter, begin taking a few capsules of fish oil daily, preferably basic cod liver oil with all the good Vitamin A and D intact. You can also make a delicious, healthy Italian dressing by using flax oil, olive oil, water, vinegar, and some seasonings.

Healthy fats line the cell membranes and help to lower blood glucose by making insulin more effective. Healthy fat make the immune cells more likely to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Order the Book here.

~ Be Well. ♥

All About St. Francis and the Children

When I was about 16, my best friend and I went to see "Brother Sun, Sister Moon". (This is while I was living abroad). We were both so touched by the movie and the life of St. Francis, we plotted to pack some things, find out about getting to Assisi, and signing up to be Franciscan Nuns!  Well, since I'm here with kids and a boyfriend, you're thinking.. 'she didn't do it'.

Golly, you're a bright bunch!  ;)

We didn't because we had little doubt our respective parents would have found us, dragged us back home, and made house-nuns of us for the rest or our lives. BUT, the effects of the movie stayed hidden somewhere in my heart, because when I traveled to Italy for 15 days in 1990, my tour included the charming little city of Assisi.

Sitting to meditate in the Lower Church at the crypt in The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi melted my heart. It is impossible to ignore the sweet atmosphere which permeates the tiny space...a token of what it must have felt like to be in St. Francis' presence.

And of course life arranged the many twists and turns that would cause me to settle a stone's throw away from the beautiful city named after him, San Francisco.

Today, I participated in a special event tailored to reach some of the under-privileged children from San Francisco schools, and to teach them about the Patron Saint of their city, through a celebration. A celebration of every person's access to this sweet saint and his unique connection with all creatures.

Volunteers from our community started their day at 6 a.m. to begin with setup of the events scheduled for the day: actors, dancers and singers who were in the play on St. Francis' life had to get to the National Shrine of St. Francis early, people who were setting up audio equipment at the park a mile from the Church where activities and food would be waiting, drivers bringing fresh flowers, the lunches, decorations, table and chairs and tents, and activity captains with their crews.

The program began in the morning at the National Shrine of St. Francis, where the children watched the play.

They then came to the park where an Umbrian Festival awaited them!

First there was a delightful picnic lunch with fresh fruit made by our community volunteers. Then the children ran to visit several tents; Fresh Flowers in water bins waiting to be arranged in Baskets and decorated, face and hand painting, lawn games, and a puppet show with St. Francis and his cohorts.

At the end of the Festival, each child was carefully given a very special cupcake decorated by expert bakers, and snuggled amidst opalescent ribbon in a take away box.

I had the privilege of being one of the hand painters. As I painted a butterfly on one 8-year-old girl's hand, she said, "This is the bestest day ever!"

I told her it sure was for us, because we had the super cool treat of hosting her and her schoolmates.  A boy at another table was overheard saying, "I don't want this to end!"

Having the opportunity to participate in work that brings joy to children, especially those who live in households fraught with tension and instability, is a gift... and the reward beyond measure.

Today several children asked to have hearts or glittery stars with the words "I Love you, Mom" painted on their hands.  I realized that today is Mother's Day in Mexico. ♥

Participating in activities that serve others, especially when we are dealing with issues of our own, actually brings healing. It also gives us perspective.  We may find that our issues are not so great after all, that many people are struggling just to meet basic life needs.

If you can find an hour a week to donate to a soup kitchen, or a Day Center for the homeless, or children's after school enrichment programs, I promise you'll get so much more out of it than you put in.

Perhaps there is a senior living in your neighborhood who could use help with grocery shopping, or gardening... there are so many ways to engage in the lives of those who need a hand. The Universe is eager to compensate us for every act of kindness.

One last pitch... Life expectancy for people who live in tightly knit communities is higher than that of others.

Give all you can.

~ Happy Mother's Day ♥

My Marvelous Meatball Soup

We may have seen the last of the cool weather in Northern California, so I wanted to close the season with one more gathering around soup bowls. In the valley where we live, summer temps can reach 102ºC...HOT.  Today it was in the high 80's, still tolerable, but around 3pm I had to get the a/c going.

I realized that it has been forever since I made Mom's meatball soup. Rolling the tiny meatballs was an activity I liked participating in. Mom taught me how to roll two at a time, since we'd make about 150 of them sitting on the pink vinyl couch in our spacious kitchen, with a low table in front of us.

There was al,ways something going on in the kitchen. We had two live-ins since our house was a two-story with 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 3 living rooms, a formal dining room a laundry room and kitchen.  (Makes me pant to think about it).

My 4 aunts and uncle lived just 4 miles away and dropped by often.

So deciding to make this soup today was a trip down memory lane.  I seem to be doing that often these days.

You will need:

  • 1 1/2 lbs ground lean Grass-fed Beef (or Lamb)

  • 2 tsp. Wheat germ or Oat Bran

  • 1/2 c. organic Parsley, chopped fine

  • 1 tsp. cinnamon

  • 2 tsp. Sea Salt

  • 1 tsp. black pepper

  • 1 c. chopped organic Tomatoes

  • 1/2 c. Tomato sauce

  • 1/2 c. chopped organic Onion

  • 1 organic Carrot, shredded

  • 1 large organic Carrot, sliced into thin rounds

  • 1/3 c. Brown Rice

  • 2 Tbs. Parsley, chopped (as topping)

Mix meat, seasoning, wheat germ, parsley, onion and shredded carrot well.

meatball soup1

Form into tiny meatballs, a little larger than a hazelnut.

meatball soup2

Heat 6 cups of water in a large pot, and drop meatballs in a few at a time.

meatball soup4

As it starts to boil, turn down heat and skim surface until clear.

meatball soup5

Add tomato sauce, rice and round carrots, cover, and cook until rice is done, about 35 minutes, depending on rice you use.

Season with salt and pepper and a generous dash of cinnamon.

meatball soup6

Cook 5 minutes longer, and add some chopped parsley.

Enjoy with a side salad and roasted sweet potatoes.

~ Sahtein (double health!) ♥

Make room for Mushrooms.. It's What's for Dinner

Chanterelle Mushroom – Chicken Pie

Adapted from Tom's recipe at www.tallcloverfarm.com

For the vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add three pounds of mushrooms.  This is a great vegetarian pie as chanterelles are meaty little guys with rich texture.

You will need:

  • Two Pie Crusts: Your favorite Whole Wheat,  Spelt (Whole Foods has a wonderful frozen Spelt crust), or Gluten Free crust of your choice
  • 1.5 lb Chanterelle mushrooms
  • 3 T. Virgin Olive oil
  • 1.5 lb organic, free-range Chicken
  • 1 T. whole wheat Flour
  • 1 Lemon, juiced
  • 1 large Onion, chopped
  • 1 c. Soy Yogurt (Sour Cream if you can eat dairy)
  1. Sauté mushrooms in oil, until tender and most liquid evaporates
  2. Add onion, sauté until translucent
  3. Add diced chicken to pan, cook until tender
  4. Add flour, stir, cook for a few more minutes for thickening
  5. Add lemon juice and yogurt and stir. Let cool to room temperature

Preheat oven to 425 F. Place baking sheet in oven.

Line crust in 9-inch pie plate (10-inch works, too).

Add cooled filling to crust. Place second crust on top and crimp edges. Vent top crust by making 5 – 6 cuts with a knife.

Brush top crust with egg wash (one egg, 1 t. water, mixed).

Place pie on baking sheet in oven, on the middle rack. Bake for 15 minutes, or until top crust begins to brown.

Lower temperature to 350º F, continue baking for another 30 – 35 minutes, until golden and center is firm.

Serve warm (reheats well).

chanterelle mushroom pie Slicin Up Some Chanterelle Mushroom Piephoto credit: http://www.tallcloverfarm.com

Serve with a green salad and roasted balsamic asparagus!

 ~ Bon Apetit! ♥

That Cheeky Curcumin (aka Turmeric) is in the News

I love how frequently the foods we secretly know are excellent for preventing several serious illnesses, due to overwhelming testimony over decades of use, get 'discovered' by the news media, and featured. It may take the rest of the world a while to catch up with us, but the war is won a small battle at a time.  :D

*~*~*~*~*

Curry may help to boost the chances of fighting bowel cancer, according to researchers in the UK.

Laboratory tests suggest curcumin, a compound found in the yellow spice turmeric, can increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and has traditionally been used as an alternative remedy for a host of illnesses.

Now early test results suggest it may be able to reduce the development of bowel cancer.

The studies began after it was noticed that British Asians -- referring to Indians and Pakistanis -- were significantly less likely to develop the disease than non-Asians.

Now a two-year trial by scientists from Cancer Research UK and the University of Leicester aims to recruit for further tests about 40 patients with bowel cancer that has spread to the liver.

"We are very hopeful. You don't often see results like the ones we have had in the laboratory," chief investigator Professor Will Steward said.

"Certainly it is very, very promising and we are cautiously optimistic that we might see an improvement in outcome not just in terms of treating the cancer, making people live longer, giving people a better quality of life but also possibly reducing some of the nasty side-effects of chemotherapy."

Researchers hope that within three years they will have established once-and-for-all that one of our favorite curry ingredients is helping to prevent bowel cancer.

Hoda says: Why wait?? Eat more curries and stews with turmeric now!

Garbanzo Bean and Kale Salad
Thai Yellow Curry Paste
Read more here.
  ~ Be Well. ♥

7 Random Things.. About Me

To fulfill the Versatile Blogger Award requirement, here are 7 Random things about myself: 1. I am passionate about: My children, my faith, good health, compassion for others, understanding teens and their struggles, speaking up when something looks shady.

2. From a shy wallflower in my teens, I've grown to be more like my Mom, outspoken and kinda opinionated! lol.  No body messes with my family without hearing about it (much to the chagrin of my children). :)

3. I love to belly dance, and dance in general.  Once the music starts, it's hard to keep me down.

4. I love cats although I pretend they are a pain and I huff about cat hair.  I had one outdoor cat, then my boyfriend moved in with his two (outdoor), then my daughter pawned two of hers on me (one indoors), and when I was going through Chemo, I waked into Petco on a Sunday (no, no, no..bad idea), and the next day went back and bought the baby black kitten (indoors) whom I named Basheera (arabic for "bringer of good news").  She brought me a lot of laughter, and now we have ... count them with me.. 1,2,3,4,5,6 cats!  AAAaaahhh!

5. Cooking brings me joy, and watching people happily gobble up what I make is instant gratification.

6. I miss many things about living on the Mediterranean: having my childhood friends around; lingering with extended family for 2-3 hours over multi-dish dinners; the small open-air Cafés at every curve on the mountain roads;  everybody you know converging to help when you need something; restauranteurs, taxi drivers, merchants and parking attendants remembering your name when you return more than twice; the amazing hospitality you are smothered with when there.

7. I am constantly working to shrink ego-based reactions and thinking, and expanding my ability to see the Divine in every situation and person.

~ Cheers! ♥

Shake It... Twice!

First Shake ingredient: One pair of hips

First Shake Recipe

If you just can't seem to get outside for a run or a walk, put on some belly shakin' dance music and MOVE!

Sometimes it helps get you in the mood to wrap a scarf around your waist.  I love the jingle of coins, so I bought a couple of belly dance scarves to play with.

coin scarf

coin scarf

belly dance

belly dance

I am going to suggest a list of 7 beat-filled songs that will make it very hard for you to sit still.

If you're not into belly dancing, then do your own thing during the 23 minutes of music.  You too guys... dancing moves a lot of muscle groups, done right!

Before you start spend 5 - 10 minutes stretching.

Youtube Song list:

The first video includes dancers to get you started. Make them all into a playlist and off you go!

  1. Amr Diab - el Allem

  2. Amr Diab - Nour el Ein

  3. Ragheb Alama and Gypsy Kings

  4. Yalla Beena Yalla - Eres Tu

  5. Alabina - Salma ya salama

  6. Ishtar - Shukran

  7. Ishtar - Sawwah

Second Shake Recipe

When you're on the go and need a pick-me-up, this yummy shake will do just that.

Pumpkin is incredibly rich in vital anti-oxidants and vitamins. This humble backyard vegetable is very low in calories yet good source of vitamin A, flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidants like leutin, xanthins and carotenes. It is high in fiber so will help you feel full.

4 servings

  • 4 c. almond milk

  • 4 scoops Pea Protein Powder (low sugar) -about 8 Tbs.

  • 1 c. 100% pumpkin (frozen in ice-cube trays for 2-3 hours)

  • 1 water-soaked medjool date

  • 4 tsp. Xylitol or 2 packets Stevia

  • 1 tsp. pumpkin spice

Place all ingredients in blender, and process until smooth, about 1 minute. You can make half a recipe, or share with friends.

Pour and enjoy.

~ Be Well! ♥

Baked Tomato Saucers

As the youngest of 7, I was still at home and got to help Mom in the kitchen over a 5 year span, as she re-created every recipe she knew and had collected, for her cookbook.  She needed to write the measurements (she never measured when she cooked). Most of my siblings were married and away, except for my sister #4 and me. So we were her tag team. We have all been blessed with Mom's love of cooking. My brothers are amazing chefs too.

In this photograph, she's making Middle Eastern couscous (mograbiyeh) from scratch, I mean the actual ingredient, not the dish.  It starts with a handful of bulgur wheat, flour and water, and a lot of patience as you spray the wheat, add flour swirl the grains around until coated and not stuck to each other, spray with water, add more flour...etc.. until the couscous are the size you want them to be!

Years ago, when I stayed with my #3 sister in Virgina during summer breaks from college...we cooked dinner for the family together.  We had gourmet nights, take out the Grill nights, and Eating on the Mediterranean nights.

One of the tomato side dishes I fell in love with was this recipe for Baked Tomatoes. I have modified it to fit in with our Anti-Cancer diet... but it's just as delicious. I call these Saucers because I use beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes, and they're huge!

If you have a Baked or Grilled Tomato recipe, do share!

Baked Tomato Saucers

  • 2 large ripe organic Tomatoes, sliced 1/3" thick (about 5 -6 rounds each)
  • 3 c. Whole Wheat or Gluten Free Bread crumbs (tear bread into tiny pieces)
  • 1/2 c. organic Parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp. fresh Thyme leaves, minced
  • 1 tsp. Sea Salt
  • 1 packet Stevia or 1 tsp. Xylitol
  • 1/4 c. Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 c. shredded Almond or Rice Cheese (if you are eating dairy, use 3/4 c. Parmesan Cheese)

Preheat oven to 325º F (165º C).

Place tomatoes on large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Mix the rest of the ingredients in a bowl.  Divide bread mixture evenly among the tomatoes, pressing down a little.

Place in middle of oven and bake for 35 - 40 minutes, or until tops are crisp and tomatoes are soft.

Excellent with grilled meats... choose organic chicken, wild caught fish, or a 3 oz. serving of grass-fed lamb or beef.

~ Bon Apetit! ♥

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookie - Tweaked

I decided to modify an Oatmeal Cookie recipe from my files to fit my healthy food criteria. 

oatmeal cran cookie

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookie

  • 1/2 c. Oat flour

  • 1/2 c. Barley Flour

  • 1/2 tsp. Psyllium Husk Powder

  • 1 tsp. Baking Powder

  • 1 Tbs. freshly ground Golden Flax Seeds

  • 1/4 c. Virgin Olive Oil

  • 1/2 c. Barley Malt Syrup *

  • 1 large Pasture-Raised Egg

  • 1 tsp. pure Vanilla Extract

  • Generous 1/2 c. organic Rolled Oats (not quick-cooking)

  • 1/2 c. dried Currants, Cranberries or Blueberries

Preheat oven to 350º F (175C).

oatmeal cran cookie

In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, Psyllium and baking powder; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together oil, syrup, egg, and vanilla. Add to flour mixture, and stir to combine. Mix in oats and currants.

Using 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, roll into balls or drop onto baking sheet lined with parchment (or lightly coated with Coconut Oil), about 1-1/2 inches apart.

Bake until lightly browned, 15 to 17 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.

Cool 5 minutes on sheets, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 3 days or refrigerate.

* Barley malt syrup is considered to be one of the healthiest sweeteners in the natural food industry. Made from soaked and sprouted barley, which is dried and cooked down to make a thick syrup, barley malt is a sweetener that’s slowly digested and gentler on blood sugar levels than other sweeteners.

~ Enjoy! ♥

Can Ancient Herbs Treat Cancer?

One of the more expensive supplements I have been advised to take is called BreastDefend from EcoNugenics. It costs about $89 for a 2 month supply.(Trust me that's inexpensive compared to other supplements I take!) BreastDefend

Many of the ingredients in BreastDefend stand on their own and have been highlighted under the Super Supplements heading when you go to Complimentary Therapies on my main page, with the exception of the Scutellaria barbata herb, which is not available to the public as a single supplement.

Formula:

"Using eight clinically tested compounds, this synergistic formula is scientifically proven to promote cellular health, promote healthy hormone modulation, and support healthy immune function.*

The proprietary blend contains the antioxidative flavanoid quercetin, turmeric rhizome extract (BCM-95®; 95% curcumin), Astragalus membranaceus root extract, Scutellaria barbata herb extract, and an advanced formulation of DIM (3,3'- diindolylmethane). DIM, an ingredient found in broccoli, has been researched for its ability to promote cellular health, and support healthy estrogen metabolism. The formula is completed by the addition of three powerful, botanically enhanced medicinal mushrooms for immune support.*"

The only ingredient in this formula that is not available to the general public is the Scutellaria barbata herb extract which is also known as Ban Zhi Lian.

The Chinese herb Ban Zhi Lian may not be in everyone's lexicon, but to the 80 women with stage IV metastatic breast cancer, who are participating in the second phase of the BZL101 clinical trials, it represents hope and life.

According to  TimeHealth:

For Bionovo, the drug discovery and development company in Emeryville, Calif., that's behind BZL101, there's hope. The trial is the first FDA-validated clinical study of a potential cancer drug derived from a Chinese medicinal herb, says Dr. Mary Tagliaferri, a co-founder of the company, former practicing acupuncturist and a breast-cancer survivor. "Sixty-two percent of chemotherapy drugs come from natural products, and plants have been the basis of almost every new class of medication," she says. "It makes sense that these plants can act as anticancer agents."

Cohen's early observations about Ban Zhi Lian may have started out as a hunch, but they may hold up. In 1996, Cohen and Tagliaferri, along with Dr. Debu Tripathy, then a breast cancer specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, co-founded the Complementary and Alternative Medicine program at the university's Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center. Over the next several years, the trio amassed enough evidence about the herb's anticancer properties — in lab tests of animals and breast-cancer cells, BZL101 caused apoptosis or cell death, according to Tagliaferri — to get a green light from the FDA to begin clinical trials."

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration

Cheesey Stuffed Mushrooms - Non Dairy

Tomorrow evening I am having a few people over to test their anti-oxidant levels with the amazing machine I spoke of in my post on April 27th. I'm so excited to have access to such a wonderful tool.  My teenage son agreed that most kids in his class would rate quite poorly, and he's anxious to see what his results will be. To supplement his diet, I started him on the Teen vitamins Pharmanex makes, and so in 4 weeks we'll do another reading to see if his levels rise. (It takes about 4 weeks for the change in your anti-oxidant levels to reach the skin, which is what the Biophotonic Scanner is measuring.)

I am going to try to get as many doctors in our area to incorporate this piece of data into their health evaluations!

Anyway, I want to make a little treat to serve tomorrow night and thought these quick and simple to put together appetizers would be fun.  (If you are someone who can eat dairy, then substitute goat cheese for the rice cheese.)

Makes about 24

mushrooms

  • Olive oil, for baking sheet

  • 3 slices whole wheat Sandwich Bread

  • 1 small Garlic clove, coarsely chopped

  • 6 oz grated Rice or Almond Cheese

  • 1/2 c. fresh organic Parsley leaves, chopped

  • 1/4 tsp. Red Pepper flakes

  • 1/4 tsp. Black Pepper

  • Coarse Sea salt

  • 2 packages (10 ounces ea) white button mushrooms, stems removed

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet.

In a food processor, pulse bread and garlic until fine crumbs form; set 1/2 cup aside. To food processor, add cheese, parsley, and red-pepper flakes. Season with salt, and pepper and pulse filling until combined.

Spoon filling into each mushroom, and roll filled side in reserved breadcrumbs. Place on prepared baking sheet; bake until mushrooms are tender and lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.

mushroom stuffed

Cheers! ♥

Appealing to the Eye

"Appealing" is defined as: Attractive, inviting, or pleasing. Since sight is the first sense that experiences food we are served, the presentation should attract, invite and please the eye, and promise the palate that it too shall be delighted.

Before I was old enough to understand this concept,  I used to watch as Mom spent hours decorating the dozen or more dishes that would garland the dining room table whenever we had company.

A dinner for 30 - 40 guests was a common occurrence in our house, since cooking was Mom's passion, and Dad's work necessitated socializing.

Between 1969 and 1974 Mom re-created every dish she knew how to make and invented over three dozen of her own, to include in the cookbook her friends pushed her to write "Dishes and Flavors of the East".  It was the first compendium of its type, capturing many recipes from around the Middle East and North Africa, which she collected and improved upon over the years.

Since Mom never measured, it was a 5-year-long effort to capture and record the correct amount of each ingredient. It sometimes took 2  - 3 tries to get a recipe right.

dinner party Aley 1970's

A dinner for 25 guests - 1972

She would literally spend an hour on the plate of Spice Rice Pudding, creating a mandala with pistachios, almonds, walnuts and pine nuts. Her friends would hesitate to disturb these works of art to serve themselves.

I don't have actual photos unfortunately, since most of our possessions were victims of the unrest in Lebanon...I took photos of pictures in her cookbook as an example.

spice pudding decorated by Sittou

Yaqout's Spice Rice Pudding with Nuts

Another example of her work and one of my favorite rice puddings, flavored with Orange Blossom water, is below.

Rice pudding_ Sittou

Middle Eastern Rice Pudding with Glazed Apricots, Pistachios and Pine Nuts

Putting conscious care into what ever it is we do, is bound to elevate the benefit of the service that 'thing' offers its recipient, whether it's food, a project, a handcrafted item, etc..

It's impossible not to feel the effect of someone's sincere and best effort.  Anything done with love carries love's vibration, one of the highest energy vibrations on Earth.

Mom sitting with us when we were sick, was enough to make us feel better. She would silently repeat God's name for the better part of each day.  How could we not heal around her?  They say God’s presence is contained in His name.

Well, it's the same with work we do...what we pour into it, others will get out of it.  In my own catering service I saw this principal at work.  The simplest appetizers or meals would elicit the type of acclaim one would expect for exotic creations. People were reacting to the mindfulness and love I pour into my cooking.

This approach applied to whatever we do becomes a Meditation.  It lifts us and our companions...it expresses and generates love...and it demonstrates that we are grateful for the skills we've been given and want to use them to serve others.

 Cheers! ♥

Blue Cornflour Crepes

  • 1/4 c. organic Rye flour

  • 1 tsp. Sea Salt

  • 2 tsp. freshly ground Flax Seeds

  • 1/4 c. Blue Cornflour

  • 1 tsp. Baking Powder

  • 1/2 tsp. Psyllium Husk Powder

  • 4 Pasture-rasied Eggs, lightly beaten

  • 1 c. Almond or Coconut Milk

  • 2 Tbs. melted Coconut Oil+ 2 tsp. for pan

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.  Add wet ingredients and mix well. Let stand 20 - 30 mins.

Coat a crepe or small saute pan with a little of the coconut oil over medium-high heat.  Wait 2 minutes and pour enough batter to coat bottom of pan.  Swirl to even out crepe.

Cook until edges turn brown, and flip.  Cook for another 20 seconds or until brown.

Remove from pan. Since crepe is not sweet, you may fill it with your favorite savory or sweet filling.

Note: Add 1/8 tsp. Monk Fruit or 1 packet Stevia to 2 c. of Marion Blackberries, simmer on med-low heat while the crepes cook.  Place berries in the crepe, and pour the juice on top.

~ Bon Apetit!  ♥

Foods with Vitamin E

Like many nutrients, instead of taking them in the form of a supplement, it's best to get our Vitamin E from foods.  This way we get all the other benefits that particular food has to offer, since happily Mother Nature loads each food with more than one beneficial ingredient! I thought this table might come in handy when you're shopping, or planning your meal to include Vitamin E.

Selected Food Sources of Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) mg per serving Percent DV*

 Wheat germ oil 1 Tbs.                20.31
Sunflower seeds- dry roasted 1 oz.

7.437
Almonds- dry roasted 1 oz.                6.834
Sunflower oil 1 Tbs.                5.628
Safflower oil 1 Tbs.                4.625
Hazelnuts - dry roasted 1 oz.                4.322
Peanut butter 2 Tbs.                2.915
Peanuts - dry roasted 1 oz.                2.211
corn oil 1 Tbs.                1.910
Olive oil 1 Tbs.                1.910
Spinach, boiled ½ c.                1.910
Broccoli, boiled chopped ½ c.                1.26
Soybean oil 1 Tbs.                1.16
Kiwifruit 1 medium                1.16
Mango -sliced ½ c.                0.74
Tomato - raw 1 medium                0.74
Spinach - raw 1 c.                0.63

Chia n Chocolate, Cha Cha Cha

I wanted to make a non-dairy pudding using Chia seeds, since they are just like tapioca once add to liquid.  I found a couple of recipes and tried one, but was not happy with the results. (Read about Chia Seeds here.) After an experiment or two I came up with an acceptable version!

Let me know how you find it!

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

choco chia pudding2
choco chia pudding2
  • 1/4 cup Chia seeds
  • 1/4 c. organic Almond Milk
  • 3/4 c. Coconut Milk (canned)
  • 2 packets Stevia or 1 Tbs. Xylitol (to taste)
  • 1 small ripe Banana, mashed
  • 3 ounces 75% or more Dark Chocolate, melted
  • 2 Tbs. Cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp. pure Vanilla Extract (optional)

In a medium bowl, whisk Chia and almond milk, and let sit while you mix the rest of the ingredients.

Whip Coconut milk until thickened. Add sweetener and banana and mix well. Add melted chocolate, cocoa and vanilla and whisk to mix.  Add Chia mixture and whisk again to combine.

Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

choco-chia-pudding
choco-chia-pudding

Stir pudding, ladle into glasses and garnish.

~ Chia cheers! ♥

Another Wonderful Salad - Fattoush

When my daughter was a little girl, there were certain words that made her giggle...Sfoofwas one of them (a turmeric cake served in the mountain villages of Lebanon) and Fattoush another. When she helped me find a location for my Cafe, she said; "You know that you're going to have to name it Sfoof's, right?"

Well, I did.  We were known as Sfoof's Woofle Cafe! Say THAT 5 time fast! :)

sign final

And...her favorite salad is still Fattoush

Fattoush

Traditionally this salad is made with Purslane, another wonderful edible plant treated like a 'weed' in the West.  My gardeners accidentally weeded my wild patch of Purslane... but they only did it once!

purslane

purslane

According to David Beaulieu: When you taste the "weed," purslane in cooking recipes, and familiarize yourself with the research concerning its nutritional benefits, you might re-think the outdated logic that says, "This plant is a weed; therefore, it must be eradicated from my landscape!"

Instead of fighting it as a weed, you may begin to find it eminently logical to treat it as a herb of edible landscaping.  Purslane just happens to contain alpha-linolenic acid, one of the highly sought-after Omega-3 fatty acids.

Click here for more on the Health Benefits of Purslane.

Recipe

Fattoush is great as a picnic dish.  It complements grilled meats.

  • 2 c. organic ripe Tomatoes, diced

  • 1 small white Onion, chopped

  • 1/4 c. organic flat-leaf Parsley, chopped

  • 1/4 c. fresh organic Mint, chopped

  • 1 organic Green Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped

  • 2 c. Purslane leaves (no need to chop if they are small)

  • 1/2 c. Pomegranate seeds (opt.)

  • 2 loaves whole wheat Pita bread, toasted, broken into bite-size pieces (Omit for Gluten-Free version)

Dressing

  • 1/4 c. organic Lemon juice

  • 1/4 c. virgin Olive Oil

  • 1 Tbs. dried Sumac *

Combine all veggies in a large bowl. Whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.

Add dressing to veggies, and toss. Just before serving, Mix in toasted pita bread.

    * Found in most Middle Eastern or specialty markets.

~ Sahtein! ♥

Tasty Ginger Cod Filets

Add Wild Caught fish to your diet 2 -3 times a week. If you have active cancer, it's important to limit your red meat intake to once or twice a week. A serving is 3 oz. of organic grass-fed beef or lamb. Even better, choose Bison.

A Note about Fish

Be very careful about the fish you eat.  As you know where the fish is caught and whether it's wild or farm-raised impacts the quality and the safety of the fish. Many contaminants in our oceans and rivers wind up in our food. Here is a handy list to take with you when shopping for fish.  For people who have had cancer, eliminating toxins is essential.  Click here for a list of safe fish.

Recipe

This is my favorite way to cook Cod and my second favorite way to cook Salmon.  Don't be fooled by the simplicity of the recipe...

 

  • 6-8 organic Green Onions, cut in 1-2 inch pieces

  • 3-4 Tbs. shredded or diced organic fresh Ginger

  • 3 Tbs. organic Tamari Sauce

  • 1 Tbs. Coconut Aminos

  • 1/2 packet Stevia or a prinkle of Monk Fruit

  • 1/2 tsp. Sesame oil for flavor (opt.)

Mix sauces, sweetener and oil together in a small bowl.

Place half the onions and ginger in glass or ceramic baking dish. Lay filets on top. Scatter remaining onions and ginger on top.

Drizzle with sauce.

ginger fish

ginger fish

Broil for 5 minutes, turn pieces over, and broil additional 3 minutes.  If filets are thick test for doneness (fish should flake when poked with a fork.)

Serve hot with sprouted brown rice and steamed vegetables.

Note: This may also be cooked in a saute pan on the stove. Cook vegs and fish on one side, flip and then add sauce mixture. Cook for 3 minutes and fiip once more to coat, and until done.

~ itadakimasu! ♥