Lamb & vegetable curry with cauliflower rice

Today's post is a recipe from Jenny Philips, who specialises in supporting people with cancer through nutrition. She is running an Outsmart Cancer Cookery Masterclass with us in London on Sunday March 13th, you can book your tickets here. 

For those of you eating meat, this is a very easy to digest and totally delicious recipe. The flavours really come through and it has a mild heat from the chilli, but nothing too overpowering. Pulses such as chick peas can be substituted for a vegetarian option.

Cauliflower is the new star of the low carbohydrate world, and here it makes a great alternative to rice.

'Eat to Outsmart Cancer' by Jenny Phillips

Today’s blog post, from our intern Olivia Tilton, is a review of Jenny Phillips’ Book, ‘Eat to Outsmart Cancer: How to create optimal health for prevention and recovery’.

I have a confession to make. Scratch that... I have two confessions to make. Firstly, I have only recently come across the wonderful nutrition marvel that is Jenny Phillips. Bit late on the band wagon, wasn’t I? The second confession is, I found her by accident. Back in Leicester, before I started my internship at Yes To life, I dragged my Auntie to a nutrition talk one evening and Jenny Phillips was a speaker. Long story short, I am now fully onboard with the oracle that is Jenny. Her book was a great place for me to start to enter into her world of nutrition and fighting cancer.

Jenny’s journey started at 39 when diagnosed with grade 4 breast cancer. At the time, she was working part time in a management training company for which she would often work in the evenings and running training workshops and presentations away from home. Cheese and onion toasties were a firm favourite along with a few glasses of wine come dinner time. 

Satay Noodles

Today's post is a recipe from Jenny Phillips who specialises in supporting cancer patients with diet & lifestyle interventions. She herself recovered from breast cancer 10 years ago. This noodle dish is gluten and dairy free, packed full of nutrition and tastes as good as it looks! 

This is one of the most popular dishes we make at Yes to Life cookery workshops. It ticks all the boxes and is really easy and quick to prepare too. Just one essential gadget you may like to invest in, and that is a spiraliser.

If you haven’t yet met one of these, it’s a really fab gadget which in this recipe makes noodles from raw courgette. It’s also good for carrot, mooli and other hard veg, adding a different texture to raw food and salads.

Our next cookery workshop is being held in London on Saturday 4 July, so make sure you are on the Yes to Life mailing list to receive further information (you can sign up on the right hand side of the homepage)

Puyssentut - A unique retreat for people with cancer

Today’s post is by Kirsten Chick a nutritional therapist, consultant and lecturer with over 10 years' experience. She currently works at the Vision of Hope Clinic (www.visionofhopeclinic.com), where many cancer patients seek a holistic approach, including nutritional advice, ozone therapy, vitamin C therapy and more. Here she introduces Puyssentut, a unique retreat for people with cancer to pursue recovery in the South of France.

My passion for nutrition began when I was diagnosed with cancer over 15 years ago. This was the beginning of a journey that would lead me to re-evaluate my approach to life, healing and self-nurturing. My aim is not only to share the important discoveries I've made, but to help people to find their own way, learn their own lessons and rediscover the joy and wholeness in their own lives.

Puyssentut is a very special place run by a wonderful couple with a clear and heart-led intention: “to provide a source of well-being and inspiration for people with cancer.” These are not “detox retreats” or “cancer cures”. This is something much more profound and earthy. What people with a cancer diagnosis often need most is a calming space where they can relax, be nourished and reconnect with themselves. Puyssentut provides just that.

Top 5 Breakfasts to Boost your Immune Health

Today's post is by nutritionist Kyla Williams from Igennus Healthcare Nutrition. Kyla has an educational background in science and a master's degree in Nutritional Medicine. She has a deep understanding of the complexities of nutrition, including diet, lifestyle and supplements. Kyla is Igennus' London-based Nutrition Technical Advisor and also runs her own practice as a clinical nutritionist specialising in skin disorders, digestive issues and weight management.

Whether you are recovering from chemotherapy or trying to fend off the occasional cold, it is always worthwhile to keep your immune system working in tip top condition. Starting the day with a nutritious breakfast is a great way to support your body in fighting off infections, and keeping you feeling well. Here are my ‘top 5 breakfasts’ which are all absolutely delicious and full of healthy nutrition!

1. Raspberry almond pancakes. Pancakes can be very healthy with the right ingredients, and what a great way to start your day! Instead of the usual highly refined wheat-based pancakes, why not opt for something full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein and antioxidants.

Puy Lentil & Feta Roasted Vegetables

Today's post is written by Jenny Phillips who specialises in supporting cancer patients with diet & lifestyle interventions. She herself recovered from breast cancer 10 years ago. 

Jenny has kindly shared a simple summer supper, if only the rain would break for a while!

This recipe combines delicious Mediterranean flavours and is quick and easy to prepare. If you are completely dairy free simply substitute the feta with tofu. I do find that many people tolerate goats and sheep’s cheese very much better than cow’s dairy. They are also less oestrogenic than cow’s milk and may be a better choice for those concerned about hormone levels (1).

We served this dish with a rocket, avocado and sundried tomato salad, and to drink? Fresh lemon, coconut water and ginger topped up with fizzy water. Tres refreshing!

Cashew Nut and Spinach Soup

Today's post is written by Jenny Phillips who specialises in supporting cancer patients with diet & lifestyle interventions. She herself recovered from breast cancer 10 years ago. 

Jenny has kindly shared a recipe with us which contains spinach, a vegetable packed with vitamins and minerals.

Cashew Nut and Spinach Soup

Green leafy vegetables really are a superfood – and spinach is no exception. Optimising cellular health is a key anti-cancer strategy and spinach is a fantastic source of B vitamins, which are essential for cellular energy production. It also contains high quantities of natural folate, one of the vitamins to protect against anaemia. Folate is essential for cell replication and the very important process of methylation which regulates gene expression.

Spinach is also a rich source of minerals including magnesium, an essential nutrient for energy production, the maintenance and repair of healthy cells and bone health, and one of the best plant sources of iron.

This soup is fast to make, particularly if the vegetables are pre-cooked. It’s just simply a case of blending cashews, vegetables, hot water and stock to have a meal on the table in minutes.

The coconut cream can be switched for soft goat’s cheese if you are including goat’s dairy within your eating plan.

A Mid-Week Treat: Prawn and Mango Curry Recipe

Today's post is written by Jenny Phillips who specialises in supporting cancer patients with diet & lifestyle interventions. She herself recovered from breast cancer 10 years ago. 

Jenny has kindly shared a recipe with us which contains turmeric, a spice which can make a positive contribution to your health. 

The Golden Spice: a recipe to brighten up your day

Turmeric is the bright yellow spice most often used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. It adds a golden colour and is frequently used along with other spices to create a curry flavour. In this easy to make recipe it is paired with cumin in a creamy coconut sauce. The mango adds a subtle sweetness.

The active ingredient within turmeric is curcumin, and this has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is one of the ten supplements discussed in a review by the Society of Integrative Oncology (1), who quote:

“Curcumin has been shown to prevent a large number of

cancers in animal studies. Laboratory data indicate that

curcumin can inhibit tumor initiation, promotion, invasion,

angiogenesis, and metastasis.”

Although this curry will not deliver curcumin at therapeutic levels, eating this spice within meals increases its absorption, and may make a small but positive contribution to overall health.

PRAWN & MANGO CURRY

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