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Do you have Carcinophobia?

Carcinophobia (or the fear of cancer) is an unpleasant and very real phobia afflicting people (or even friends and relatives of people) who have been diagnosed with the deadly disease.

Do you suffer from Carcinophobia? I think that is some form or another, we all do… The odds are against us. Statistics say that 1 in 4 Canadians will die from cancer. I would like to think that I am one of the 3 who will survive, but I am really?

I lost my father to pancreatic cancer when I was 24 years old and my mother died in 2009 from lung cancer. Is cancer in my family genes? Am I more susceptible to get cancer because my parents died from cancer… These thoughts cross my mind from time to time. In 2011 after I went for a routine mammogram I got a call from my doctor’s office asking me to come in. This is a call you don’t want to get. I went to the office as soon as I could and my doctor told me that they had found a lump on my left breast and I needed to get an ultrasound done to see if the lump was something to be concerned about. I had to call the clinic to book an appointment and the first available time was 6 days away. I was terrified and I wanted to know now, not in 6 days. My mind was racing and all sort of thoughts were going through my mind. What if this and what if that… At the follow-up appointment I had another mammogram (called a “diagnostic mammogram”) and an ultrasound. After the ultrasound the doctor told me that I would need to book another appointment in order to get a biopsy of the lump. “It’s probably benign” he said, but that was not very comforting. I week later I was back to do the biopsy, which thankfully was somewhat painless, and then they sent me home to wait for the results. Waiting is one of the worst tortures. It is in these situations where the Carcinophobia is at its highest. I wanted to talk to people about it, but I did not want to alarm them unnecessarily. I needed to be comforted and supported, but I did not want to be more worried with the stories I was going to hear. It was a time a great turmoil and anguish. The results took forever to come and I was really thankful that is was negative. I did not have cancer.

I was and am so grateful for the results. These 5-6 weeks I spent worrying about a cancer diagnostic thought me something very valuable. During all the waiting times I decided that IF I was diagnosed with cancer, that I was not going to let the system get me. I searched for solutions to help me overcome this disease. I am still learning and getting more knowledgeable every day about different ways to truly heal my body and leaving no room for cancer to multiply. There are ways to prevent cancer from developing. My article “10 easy ways to prevent cancer” will help you get started in the right direction. I am still betting against the odds. Are you?

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Raw Orange Date Squares

This is one of my favorite desserts. My friends are very surprised when I say that because they know how much I love chocolate and having a non-chocolate dessert as my favorite is unthinkable. It is very easy to make and it is simply delicious. You can leave it in the freezer and pull it out as you need it. You can let it sit for 5 minutes and it is ready to eat.

Ingredients:
Filling
2 cups chopped, pitted dates
2 Tbsp. water
Juice of 1 large, unwaxed orange (1/2 to 3/4 cup)
Zest of 1 large, unwaxed orange
Quick oats for sprinkling (optional)

Crust:
2 cups pecans or walnuts (I used 1 cup of each)
1 cup raw oats ground in a coffee grinder or oat flour
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
4 Tbsp pure maple syrup

Direction

  1. Soak dates in water and orange juice for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on quickly they soften.
  2. Coarsely grind nuts in a food processor. Add ground oats or oat flour and pulse to mix.
  3. Add cinnamon first, then maple syrup one tablespoon at a time until the mixture holds together.
  4. Lightly oil a 9-inch square pan or round cake pan with coconut or olive oil
  5. Press a little over half of the nut mixture into the bottom of the pan, reserving the rest for later.
  6. Sprinkle the orange zest onto the crust.
  7. Puree the date and orange juice mixture until it reaches the desired consistency. I left a few larger pieces of dates for texture, but you can blend them to a perfectly smooth texture too.
  8. Pour the date mixture over the crust.
  9. Crumble the remaining half of the crust mixture over the dates; press lightly with your hands of a spoon. Sprinkle some quick oats on top for garnish (this is optional, but looks nice).
  10. Refrigerate to set.

Enjoy

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Raw Chocolate – Walnut Fudge

This fudge is ridiculously easy to make and delicious (addictive really, I had to stop making it because I couldn’t help myself).  It has a melt-in-your-mouth texture thanks to the coconut oil and can be eaten directly out of the fridge or freezer (which means that even keeping it in the freezer didn’t slow me down!). Enjoy these amazing little bites of creamy chocolate.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups extra virgin coconut oil (not melted)
  • 1 cup raw or natural unsweetened Cacao Powder
  • 1/3 cup Grade B Maple Syrup (you could also substitute Honey)
  • 1½ cups Walnuts (Raw or Roasted), roughly chopped
  1. Whip coconut oil in the bowl of a standing mixer until fluffy (2-3 minutes).
  2. Add cocoa powder and maple syrup and continue to whip until completely combined (about 1 minute, but you might need to scrape the sides a couple of times).
  3. Add chopped walnuts and mix just to combine.
  4. Spread into a 9”x9” baking pan.  Chill in the refrigerator until set (at least 1 hour).
  5. Cut into squares and enjoy (store in the fridge or freezer).

Serve here with Coconut whipped cream.

NOTE: Because the coconut hardens in the refrigerator, it can be a little tricky to cut nice squares when it hard (it becomes quite brittle), it will help to pre-cut the squares in the pan before they are completely set (say after about 20 minutes in the fridge).

Enjoy

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Coconut yogurt power breakfast

I have decided to share one of my favorite breakfast creations. I like to call it “Coconut yogurt power breakfast”.

It is something that makes me smile in the morning and keeps me full for quite a while. You have all the goodness and energy of the young coconut and the power of superfood added to it.

I have created a video that will give you the step by step:

Ingredients:
1 Young coconut
4 Tbls chia seeds
1 Tbls pumpkin seeds
1 Tbls sunflower seeds
1 Tbls goji berries
1 Tbls dry raisins
1 Tbls walnut
1 banana
1/2 cup mixed berries

Optional ingredients: (one or a combination of)
Raw cacao nibs
Dry cranberries
Maca powder
Lucuma
Maple syrup
Crushed nuts
Anything else you might like

Directions:
Open the young coconut as shown in the video
Blend the coconut meat and coconut water in a blender
Pour into a bowl
Add the chia seeds and mix well
Add other ingredients

Enjoy

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Amazing benefits of chia seeds

Don’t be fooled by the size… these tiny seeds pack a powerful nutritional punch.

A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving of chia seeds contains:
• Fiber: 11 grams.
• Protein: 4 grams.
• Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are Omega-3s).
• Calcium: 18% of the RDA.
• Manganese: 30% of the RDA.
• Magnesium: 30% of the RDA.
• Phosphorus: 27% of the RDA.
• They also contain a decent amount of Zinc, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Potassium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and Vitamin B2.

Combat Diabetes
Chia is being studied as a potential natural treatment for type-2 diabetes because of its ability to slow down digestion. The gelatinous coating chia seeds develops when exposed to liquids-can also prevent blood sugar spikes.

Get More Fibre
Just a 28-gram or one-ounce serving of chia has 11 grams of dietary fibre — about a third of the recommended daily intake for adults. Adding some chia to your diet is an easy way to make sure you’re getting a good amount of fibre, which is important for digestive health.

Stock Up On Omega-3
Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, with nearly five grams in a one-ounce serving. These fats are important for brain health. “There’s better conversion of omega 3s into the plasma or into the food than with flax seed,” said researcher Wayne Coates.

Stronger Teeth And Bones
A serving of chia seeds has 18 per cent of the recommended daily intake for calcium, which puts your well on your way to maintaining bone and oral health, and preventing osteoporosis.

Don’t Forget Manganese
Manganese isn’t a well-known nutrient, but it’s important for our health: it’s good for your bones and helps your body use other essential nutrients like biotin and thiamin. One serving of chia seeds, or 28 grams, has 30 per cent of your recommended intake of this mineral.

Plenty Of Phosphorus
With 27 per cent of your daily value for phosphorus, chia seeds also help you maintain healthy bones and teeth. Phosphorus is also used by the body to synthesize protein for cell and tissue growth and repair.

Pack In The Protein
Chia seeds also make a great source of protein for vegetarians and don’t have any cholesterol. One 28-gram serving of these super seeds has 4.4 grams of protein, nearly 10 per cent of the daily value.

Fight Belly Fat
Chia’s stabilizing effect on blood sugar also fights insulin resistance which can be tied to an increase in belly fat, according to Live Strong. This type of resistance can also be harmful for your overall health.

Get Full. Faster
Tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey, is also found in chia seeds. While tryptophan is responsible for that strong urge to nap after a big Thanksgiving dinner for example, it also helps regulate appetite, sleep and improve mood.

Improve Heart Health
According to the Cleveland Clinic, chia seeds have been shown to improve blood pressure in diabetics, and may also increase healthy cholesterol while lowering total, LDL, and triglyceride cholesterol. All good news for your ticker!

Thanks to these sites for the references:
www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/06/03/chia-seed-benefits-_n_3379831.html
authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds/

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Raw sesame, balsamic vegetable sauce

I discovered this sauce a little while ago and I love it. It is very smooth and sweet with a little tanginess to it. I use it on many different types of vegetables. I have had great comments from my guests with that sauce. Now it is your turn to impress your friends.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons sesame tahini
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt to taste
Asparagus (or any vegetable)
Pine nuts for garnish

Directions:
Place all the ingredients (except the asparagus and pine nuts) in a blender and mix well.
Blanched the asparagus very lightly.
Here’s the way I do them: I use a deep pan and I boil about one inch of water. Once it is boiling I place the asparagus into the boiling water for a very short time. No more than 30 seconds. If you want to stop the cooking process, rinse them in cold water and they will stop cooking. You don’t want them soft, just a little softer than raw.
Place the asparagus on a serving plate and pour the sauce on top and garnish with pine nuts.

Note: You can use that sauce for salad dressing or on everything you like. It is very tasty.

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