Anti-Cancer Smoothies: Healing with Superfoods
By Linda H. Harris
Okay, let’s just get this out of the way right off the bat: If there was some concoction we could simply put in a blender that would protect us from cancer (or any other number of diseases so prevalent today) we’d all have smoothie mustaches!
Yes, there are foods that are thought to be anti-carcinogenic and that are touted to boost our nutrition and assist our immune system – but to date, no one has come up with an actual recipe guaranteed to do the trick. Having said that, we all know that eating healthy foods is a good idea. Additionally, if you are already going through treatment for breast cancer, you may be looking for foods that help you stay as healthy as possible while not taxing your digestive system or your stamina too much.
This is where a book like Anti-Cancer Smoothies: Healing with Superfoods has merit. In Anti-Cancer Smoothies, Ms. Harris shares 35 recipes that feature a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, spices and herbs containing a wealth of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and fiber.
All are easy to prepare and contain a list of ingredients so you will not only know beforehand what you need to have available, but you can check with your medical team to make sure there isn’t anything they want you to avoid.
The recipes contain combinations that are not just healthy, but often quite different than what we normally associate with the run-of-the-mill fruit and protein powder mixed with some sort of juice or nut milk.
Following are just a few examples:
- Cranberry Walnut Twist
- Pumpkin Pie
- Mango-Turmeric
- You Say Tomato
- Frozen Cabbage
- Green Tea
- Ginger on Ice
- Carrot Broccoli Soy
As you can see, the plethora of ingredients suggested provides readers with lots of smoothie combinations, and tasty ways to get the fruits and vegetables they should be eating on a daily basis. While you may not feel like following the “color your plate” philosophy while undergoing treatment, smoothies filled with red, orange and green foods will go a long way toward helping your body fulfill its nutritional requirements.
Watermelon, apples, tomatoes, strawberries and raspberries provide a blast of vitamins and minerals. Carrots, squash, sweet potatoes and pumpkins will also enhance the nutritional value of your daily food intake. And adding antioxidant-containing choices like broccoli, spinach, kale, celery and avocado provide a big boost in helping cells stay healthy. Garlic, turmeric, ginger and rosemary are just a few of the spices and herbs included in some of the recipes as well.
Granted, the only magic bullet here may be the one you use to blend your smoothies – but if you are looking for some great ideas for new recipes that taste good and are good for you, this is your go-to book! It’s safe to say it will provide just about anyone with several drinks to enjoy.
