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Breast cancer is an equal opportunity disease. The rich, famous, and talented are as likely to get it as is a school secretary or stay-at-home mom. Nancy Reagan and Maura Tierney (who was HER2+) are just two of many famous women who survived breast cancer.
In some ways, it would be harder on them. None of us want to lose our breasts or hair, but for a woman in the public eye, who makes her living on her body, these things can mean a loss of income and possibly even a loss of career.
In same ways, it's exactly the same. Fame and money can't protect them from the worry of relapse, for the monitoring and scans that will go on for years.
In some ways though, they have it a bit easier. The money that comes with a successful entertainment career can buy things that most can't afford. Sheryl Crow has always had a personal chef, but now she is able to have him make her very healthy cancer fighting meals in the hopes of preventing a relapse.
While few of us have the money to hire a chef, we can cook healthy and there is no better time to begin than post-treatment. Sheryl Crow and her chef, Chuck White, have published a cookbook full of meals that are healthy for everyone, and they consulted a nutritionist, who made sure that the recipes are balanced for cancer survivors.
I was given a copy, and have made several of the recipes. The recipes in this book are exactly the way I like to eat. Each dish is wholesome, full of flavor, and has farm-fresh ingredients that are easily found in every community. Best of all, most are not time-consuming to prepare, and are kid friendly. Cheryl Crow is a mom before an entertainer, and it shows in the recipes selected for this book.
The book is filled with over 125 seasonal, locally grown and delicious recipes. Also included are photos, stories about life on the road as an entertainer, as well as being a mom.
Recipes are organized by season, so you are assured to have the right ingredients when they are fresh.
I've read this book from cover to cover, and have made several of the recipes. I highly recommend it.
And, one of my fantastic, wonderful readers can win one!
All you have to do is post a comment about whether your eating habits have changed since your cancer diagnosis. Or if you have not been diagnosed with cancer, maybe share a healthful recipe or link to one. I will randomly select from one of the comments, and St. Martins Press will ship out a book to the winner.
This contest is open only to US and Canada residents.
It's a good book. I promise. Sheryl sounds like a nice person.
And, since there can only be one winner, the rest of you will receive an exclusive recipe from the book!
Post your comment below by Saturday, May 21st, and I will announce the winner on Sunday as well share the recipe. Good luck!
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I was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly 19 years ago (!) and I, while I have always been conscious of my weight, I have become more educated about fat, fiber and carbs since. So, yes, one might say that breast cancer has informed my eating habits!
ReplyDeleteOh damn, I'm too far away to be eligible. BUT if I see the book down here in New Zealand I'll grab it, sounds really good! Oh I wish I had a personal chef!
ReplyDeleteHi Anne!
ReplyDeleteI am fighting the HER2+ beastie with all my might.....the cookbook sounds like a great way to eat well and stay healthy.
Good luck with the upcoming test.
Nicola
seafevergirl@hotmail.com
I've definitely changed my eating habits since being diagnosed last June. I'm thinking of veggies as my main food, and any meat is on the side. If it weren't for my carnivorous family, I'd probably go all vegetarian. Any meat we have is organic. I try to do 80%/20% veggies to non-veggies. Of that 80%, I try to make at least half raw. My breakfast consists of a green smoothie to get a jump on the day. I'm learning about the foods that make my body alkaline rather than acidic in order to starve any cancer cells. I also load up on the foods that are cancer fighters: cruciferous veggies, cabbage, dark leafy greens, etc. I've become a nutrition geek and love to read cookbooks and recipes!
ReplyDeleteO man, I am about the opposite of Tonya(who posted ahead of me)... I did go to a bookstore once to get a book on eating healthy for breast cancer patients and came away with a cookbook that looked more funny than helpful called, "French Women Don't get Fat"...it is buried in a stack of "to read" books that someday maybe I'll get to!!
ReplyDeleteI have never liked to cook and Big Mac's are my favorite "comfort" food, my husband on the other hand has been diligently trying to force as many veggies in me as possible... yuck, yuck, yuck!!
In spite of my poor eating habits, I've been pretty slender until now and like you Ann, am now watching my belly grow... doesn't make me happy...I have been thinking I'm going to have to break down and change my eating habits... but I don't want to!! :)
Hi, dx in Oct 2009 and yes BC has changed my eating habits, more veggies, more fish, less red meat, less alcohol. Feeling good!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, Ann!
I'm a year past chemo, and 4 months past herceptin. Hair's coming in nicely, life is getting back to normal, but alas -- my eating habits have not changed. I know they should...
ReplyDeletekarstew33@netzero.com
My eating habits have changed. I am eating more veggies and less sugar, although I have not given up chocolate!
ReplyDeletemine have most definately changed. i started seeing a nutritionist during chemo & implemented eating more fruit & vegetables immediately. Not only for me, but for my family -i have 2 young daughters, and both my own mom & i were diagnosed with breast cancer last year, so any extra little chance i can give them to NOT deal with this, im giving them. :) heather (heatherbelle654@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteI was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I had my lumpectomy last Thursday and they discovered cancer had traveled to my sentinol lymphnode. I will find out the extent of it this Wednesday and also if they got clean margins. Such a scary time. I would love advise on how to eat healthy so that I can be at my strongest to go through chemo and fight this demon. I would love to try the recipes in your book. Your healthy attitude has always been an inspiration to me. Mary mvaughn7@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI am now a two year survivor. I have eaten waaaay too much comfort food along the way. I have made several attempts to eat healthier food but I have a tendency to revert back to all that bad-for-you comfort food!!! Just makes you feel better!! Time to change my mind about what makes me feel more comfortable!!!
ReplyDeleteI just thought I was a healthy eater before breast cancer. After breast cancer, I lived on black beans, brown rice, raw veges, nuts, whole grain bread & some organic chicken. It does make a huge difference in how I feel, but since my husband died almost 5 months ago, I don't seem to be as dedicated to healthy living. I desperately need to ideas and would love to win the cookbook.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Even though I ate a pretty healthy diet before I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2009 at the age of 49, I have changed the way I eat considerably. I've learned a lot and am always learning more. Even if the changes I've made don't prevent a recurrence, they can still only be good for me.
ReplyDeleteI eat organic and local as much as possible and grow many of my own vegetables in the summer. I eat less red meat and less meat in general. I barbeque less (avoid charred meat). I eat more fresh fish and more beans and other legumes. I eat more fruits and vegetables and some I eat daily (I think of them as medicine), such as berries and cruciferous vegetables among others. I only eat healthy oils such as very good organic extra virgin olive oil. I hardly eat any sugar at all. Even though I didn't drink much booze before, I now rarely have a drink and I don't miss it. Organic red wine is reserved for special occasions which might include an evening when I just feel really good. Those evenings have been rare so they're worth celebrating.
Here's my recipe for Red Quinoa Salad ... http://heatheracton.blogspot.com/2010/09/red-quinoa-salad.html and here's some information about chia seeds (one of the "super foods"), which I eat some of every day ...http://heatheracton.blogspot.com/2011/01/another-plug-for-chia-seeds.html
I try to keep my body more alkaline and I learn a lot from the Alkaline Sisters ... http://www.alkalinesisters.com/
and the health professionals at Inspire Health ... http://www.inspirehealth.ca/, among others. I learn a lot from my 23 year old daughter who eats as healthy a diet as anyone I know.
I would LOVE to see Sheryl Crow's book.
I've changed my eating habits as well. Like less. Much less. It's amazing how little it takes for one to live on. I think it's the sudden menopause that did me in. Or maybe the Tamoxifen. Or all these other medications that they keep trying on me. Probably all three.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I try to eat healthy foods now and would love a new cookbook.
btw - How's the arm feel? Are they sure surgery is the answer? Best wishes with all of that.
Dianne Duffy
I thought I ate extremely healthy prior to my February 2008 breast cancer diagnosis, and I probably did, compared to most people. I preferred wholesome foods cooked from scratch, and rarely ate packaged or fast food. But since my diagnosis, I've made some significant changes. I've eliminated a lot of the dairy (especially cheese) I used to eat, and I almost never eat red meat now. I've also become aware of how many undesireable additives there can be in even seemingly healthy foods. But most importantly, something just clicked in my head after my diagnosis and months of grueling treatment -- an attitude shift, to where I now see food as a precious health-giving force, and if something doesn't meet that criteria, I have no desire to put it in my body. I've decided that food is either health-building or health-destroying, but rarely neutral, and when faced with a food decision, that's the question I ask myself... What is this choice providing to help rebuild my body and allow it to move towards optimumal health? And if that particular option isn't going to do that, I make a different choice. Deanna
ReplyDeleteI am a lifelong athlete and really thought I was a more -or-less healthy eater. Sure, I had the occasional binge, the once-a-week Friday or Saturday night pizza fest, the ice cream here and there. But for the most part, I ate lowfat dairy, chicken, and fruits and vegetables. As it turns out, it is highly likely that my "healthy diet" of plenty of lowfat dairy and poultry exacerbated latent hormone receptive cancer cells, resulting in my diagnosis as the only member of my immediate family to have breast cancer. You bet my diet has changed! I have been guided by several resources both online and in print, most especially by Kris Carr's work and by the Cancer Fighting Kitchen cookbook. I am not one to go entirely vegan, or even entirely vegetarian - but I will only eat certified organic meats,which has resulted in our eating a lot less meat overall. I have removed dairy and soy from my diet entirely, except the occasional sprinkling of Parmesan cheese on pasta - which is now only whole wheat - or Greek yogurt. If I want milk, I drink Almond milk; if I want ice cream, I will have sorbet or the coconut or rice ice creams. I am eating so many more fruits and vegetables - if I don't turn green from all of the broccoli, or blue from all of the blueberries, then it will be a miracle! I am eating far more nuts and seeds than I ever did before. If I want something candy-esque, I have a square of dark chocolate. I actively read labels and avoid processed foods - I never really worried about that before. And I invested in the food-grade hydrogen peroxide fruit and vegetable wash from fresh produce, as well as really paying attention to buying only organic when it comes to the "dirty dozen". I have to admit, the side effects of not being bloated or feeling overly full and of having a fairly glowing complexion thanks to so much REAL healthy eating have certainly been welcome!
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm reading your blog I'm burning my own unhealthy dinner. After 14 hour work day, I'm not much in to cooking - so a package of Knorr Creamy Garlic Shells with a can of tuna fish added will be my oh-so-unhealthy dinner. But... I did have a handful of fresh blueberries while reading!
ReplyDeleteSheryl Crow AND good recipes -- count me in! :)
ReplyDeleteI've always eaten relatively healthy, but since my dx I'm much more mindful of what I put in my mouth and on my body -- and I also mindfully and thoroughly enjoy every bite when I veer off the path I've prescribed for myself. As Don Kardong once said, "Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos!" Life is too short to deprive ourselves of things we enjoy, but I believe in balance, and my scale is weighted to favor lean, clean, and whole foods, and geared towards a diet that (at least according to all the research I can find) is good for those dx with cancer (and everyone!). Thank you for this opportunity!
I have always loved food and love to cook. Before my BC dx I would say I was a somewhat healthy eater. I was diag in Sept 2010 at the age of 48 with no other family members having BC. Two years prior to my DX I started being more aware of changes I could make in my diet to become a healthier eater. My first step was to eliminate caffiene from my diet and then I went to organic decaf teas and coffess after reading about the decafination process. After my dx I have tried to cut down on red meat and eat more fish. I have always been a vegetable eater but eat much more now. I have almost cut sugar out of my diet. I just use a little honey here and there. I am fortunate that I live in a rural poultry producing county so when I do buy chicken I go to the processing plant of a company that produces organic chickens. I also buy eggs directly from an organic egg plant. When I go out to eat I only go to restraunts that I can have vegetables not just potatoes and salad. Seems I now crave fresh vegetables. I have also started my own vegetable garden where I am experiementing in organic gardening (I have alot to learn). What I do not grow in the summer I purchase at a local farmers market. There are two vendors that do organic gardening and their produce is to die for. I would love to get Sheryl Crows cookbook to try out more nutritious recipes.
ReplyDeleteSherry Callaway
I am TRYING to eat more fruits and vegetables, but not always doing as well as I should. Since I've had both colon and breast cancer, I really should be eating better. I have made some changes,and am committed to making more! *leaves to go eat some carrots...*
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not eating as much meat, trying to load up more on veggies. Still eating chocolate though keeping an eye on the sugar load (not too much chocolate :-) )
ReplyDeleteI've always been a bit of a nutrition nut -- a label reader, a scratch cooker, a caffeine avoider, non-pop drinker, virtual non-alcohol drinker, no junk fooder, a gardener and home canner, a bake-my-own breader -- not to mention my ethical vegetarian proclivities (veg since my teens). Can't say a lot has changed really, though I am a bit more cognizant of the whole soy thing (ER +) these days (one thing that hasn't changed though is that I do still love me some cookbook collecting :-)...).
ReplyDeleteAbout 8 years ago, I worked my butt off and lost about 70 or so pounds. I became a devout marathoner and a vegetarian. And then last year I got diagnosed with breast cancer! Now that I am post-treatment, the hardest part has been getting rid of the 20 or so pounds I gained back (at the end of my breast cancer treatment I also had a hysterectomy and so menapause is causing weight gain as well, I suspect). I am back to running and the gym (finally!) but things are going so slow. In fact, I am gaining more than anything. I just don't get it. But maybe I need to get back to cooking ... and this book might help me with this!
ReplyDeleteNope, I'm eating the same as always. I toyed with the idea of pure organic shortly after the bc bulletin was released to me last year but that fell by the wayside shortly thereafter. Just don't believe my diet led to bc nor will bring it back. Call me a gal of science but where's the conclusive study? Having said that, though, I have always avoided fast food and refined carbs, along with the other usual culprits. I do enjoy eating out and there are few organic restaurants around my neck of the woods. And I don't want to be the odd person out at family and friend get togethers because I won't eat "their" food. The only change I'm making is eating a bit less and ramping up my cardio because jumpin' on the tamoxifen wagon recently and ridin' round with menopause seems to be contributing about 5#s to my waistline and I aim to nip that in the bud before it gets outta hand! So any tasty and healthy recipes from Sheryl would be most welcome!
ReplyDeleteI've always been a pretty healthy eater too, but I occasionally slide, especially since my health hasn't been that great. I have eaten a lot more junk food post-cancer than I did pre-cancer, simply because I am so tired.
ReplyDeleteThere are some soy recipes in this book. It concerned me because I didn't think ER+ women were supposed to eat soy; however, I researched it a bit and the jury is still out on that. Most legit sites I found seem to think some soy is fine, so I didn't comment on it in my post. There are plenty of recipes without it.
Good luck to all of you! I'll try to videotape the drawing. :)
Just stumbled across your blog today looking for vegan-ish meals and recipes. Newly diagnosed stage 4 bc and also HER2+. Sign me up! I need all the resources I can get my hands on :)
ReplyDeleteI have always been a 'meat-eater' and a 'heavy drinker' of milk. One reason is that I have had pretty weak teeth since I was little and it was hard for me to chew the fiber of many of the vegetables.
ReplyDeleteAfter having breast cancer - twice - I now try to eat a diet with much less animal fat. I've even cut down my intake of milk because of the 'rumor' about its link to breast cancer.
Recipe:
Every morning I scoop half cup of Quaker Oatmeal and make a big bowl of cereal. I then add a few drops of milk, a couple of scoops of yugart, 1 scoop of flax seed meal, half cup of raisins, walnuts, a cup of strawberries, half of a banana, half of an orange, and half of an apple (all cut into small bite size). A couple of months earlier, when blueberry's in season, I really enjoyed adding blueberries in my cereal.