Wrote this for the Junior League Cookbook Blog….
October is National Breast Cancer awareness month, and those of us over here with the Junior League Cookbook blog couldn’t let this pass by without raising our glasses to those strong, brave, and incredibly special women who have been touched by this in one way or another. We lift our glasses and say, “Bravo girls! We are here for you and we support you….all 1800+ of us!”
According to the American Cancer Society, September 2012, 1 in 8 women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a women’s death is 1 in 36. Year after year these numbers are declining and that is believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment. So ladies get those TaTa’s checked regularly, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
In addition to screenings, another way you can help protect your body from cancer is by eating foods that are rich in cancer fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals. The National Cancer Institute estimates that roughly one-third of all cancer deaths may be diet related. What you eat can hurt you, but it can also help you. Foods to explore are those that have the ability to help stave off cancer and some can even help inhibit cancer cell growth or reduce tumor size, such as: avocados, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, chili peppers and jalapenos, cruciferous vegetables, fig, flax, garlic, grapefruit, red grapes, yellow and green leafy vegetables, kale, licorice root, mushrooms, nuts, oranges and lemons, papaya, raspberries, red wine, rosemary, seaweed, soy products, sweet potatoes, teas: green and black, tapioca, tomatoes, turmeric, turnips, and more. So when you are planning your next meal, think about these foods and how you can slip them in for your loved ones. Here are some recipes to get you started…
Fresh Carrot Salad – Everyday Feasts
Mushroom Frittata – Savor the Seasons
Berry Crumb Cake – The Life of the Party
Florida Avocado Salsa – Capture the Coast
The Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk is scheduled here in Tampa Bay on October 25-27. Grab a lawn chair and head out to cheer on our fellow sisters; I’m certain they would love to see you. If you are looking for more resources on education or just on how you can support the cause, hop on over to http://www.nbcam.org for more information…Bon appétit! Kathryn Zahn
Pink Grapefruit Margarita
- 1 1/3 cups pink grapefruit juice
- 2/3 cup tequila
- ¼ cup Grand Marnier
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1/3 cup sugar or to taste
- Crushed ice
- Lime slices or grapefruit slices
- Coarse salt (optional)
Combine the grapefruit juice, tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice and sugar in a pitcher and stir until the sugar is dissolved (I used Simple Syrup instead). Add crushed ice to fill the pitcher. Strain the margarita into the prepared glass and garnish with a slice of lime or pink grapefruit. Process the mixture with ice in a blender for a frozen drink. You may moisten the rim of the glass and dip in the salt before filling with the margarita if desired.
Mountains! Beach! or Both!... 