When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 45 years old, I was a wife,  mother of two, ages 6 and 10,  and a business owner.  My kitchen was as traditional as Main Street USA. 

 

 

After treatment, my next follow-up appointment wasn't for 6 months and I felt suddenly aimless as to what I could do next to lower my risk of recurrence.  At the book store I discovered Burton Goldberg's  Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide to Cancer, and read about the Block Medical Center in Evanston, Illinois where along with traditional oncology treatment there was a comprehensive Health System and Healing Guide including a Dietary Program, Integrated Physical Therapy Program, Stress Care Program and Dietary Supplements were available.

 

 

For four years I followed their protocol and became the "poster child" of the practice.  But, really, I was feeling great so why wouldn't I follow it?  It was not with out challenges and tears however. Making a lifestyle change at any age is difficult.  On my journey I was visiting health food coops, farmers markets and tiny asian grocery stores.  I was eating maitake mushrooms, seaweeds, amaranth, spelt and quinoa.  I was ridding my pantry of products with partially hydrogenated oils only to find that traditional supper markets, at the time, had no viable replacement products that my kids would eat.  Of course, dairy, white flour and sugar were not allowed and agave was not on the market yet, so I was trying brown rice syrup and stevia.  Reading food labels became a full time job.

 

 

As my body recovered, so did my taste buds; my desire to go to cooking school was rekindled.  I learned cooking techniques that when applied to foods I liked enhanced flavor and satiety.  The result is a nutrient dense diet that increases immune function, decreases inflammation and discourages cancer tumor growth with the added benefit of weight control.

 

 

So I have combined my personal experience of cancer treatment recovery with my passion for cooking to form a culinary consulting business.  I can do for you what no cookbook can.  With your input, I customize seasonal, nutritious recipes that include foods you love and the foods recommended by your health care professional.  I hope you will visit my website for more information and services at www.cancersurvivorchef.com.