Think Pink Hummus

Move over glorious colors of fall, it’s time to pull out the pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Today’s post and recipe is dedicated to the personal family and friends we have lost to cancer, and to those currently struggling to overcome the disease.  I’m hoping this post will raise awareness in some small way to the realities of cancer prevention through food and lifestyle choices.  

Dietary habits are very personal for most folks, often seeking new ways to eat due to illness or injury. The diets we choose to follow have become increasingly filled with strict guidelines (you know what I’m talking about…vegan, nut-free, paleo, ancestral, and gluten-intolerant) making it difficult to prepare a meal that provides nourishment and pleasure for everyone at the table.  I certainly don’t profess to have all the answers to this modern-day dilemma, but I do know we can all agree on one thing, adding more plants to your diet is beneficial for reducing the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.  Today’s Think Pink Hummus is simply a fun way to incorporate colorful plants into your diet and provide a brightly-colored conversation starter to get your family talking about cancer prevention.

How to approach the cancer subject with your family…Conversation Starters:

1. What is Cancer? (Although cancer encompasses a group of more than 100 diseases, all cancers start because abnormal cells grow out of control.)
2. Has your family personally been touched by cancer?  
3. What plans, guidelines, or goals can you set in place to help reduce your own personal risks? 
4. How can you honor your loved-ones who have been touched by cancer?

Real folks, doing real work to raise awareness and help prevent cancer from occurring in the first place...

1. Kris Carr: I love her approach to healing, and appreciate the openness with which she shares her life and heart.  Check out her Crazy Sexy Books…my favorite is Crazy Sexy Kitchen with Chad Sarno.  Love it!  
2. Chris Beat Cancer: Chris Wark is not only a cancer survivor, but runs an incredibly popular blog about healing cancer with nutrition and natural non-toxic therapies. Chris provides a wealth of information on his site, from podcasts to e-books, recipes and more.  He is a living inspiration of the transformative power of sharing knowledge. 
3. Mike Adams, The Health Ranger: “Mike is an outspoken consumer health advocate, award-winning investigative journalist, internet activist and science lab director. He is the founder and editor of NaturalNews.com, the internet’s most-trafficked natural health news website.”
4. BreastCancer.org – Think Pink, Live Green:  “Think Pink, Live Green is a way of living that aims to help women reduce their risk of breast cancer or the disease coming back in survivors. It’s also a way for women living with advanced disease to make the healthiest choices possible.” – BreastCancer.org
5. Prevent Cancer Foundation: “The mission of the Prevent Cancer Foundation is saving lives through cancer prevention and early detection across all populations. Our vision is to Stop Cancer Before It Starts!” -Prevent Cancer Foundation
6. Skin Cancer Foundation: “Sun protection is essential to skin cancer prevention – about 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers and about 86 percent of melanomas are associated with exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Learn how to protect yourself to stay safe.” -Skin Cancer Foundation
7. The Truth About Cancer: “Let’s end the cancer pandemic once and for all! Every single day, tens of thousands of people, just like you, are curing cancer (and/or preventing it) from destroying their bodies. It’s time to take matters into our own hands and educate ourselves on real prevention and treatments. It could save your life or someone you love. Doctors, researchers, experts and survivors show you exactly “how-to” prevent and treat cancer in “The Quest for The Cures.”
8. EWG.org: “The Environmental Working Group’s mission is to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. With breakthrough research and education, we drive consumer choice and civic action.”

The Sad Reality…According to Cancer.org

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. However, the actual number of the most common types – basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer (i.e., keratinocyte carcinoma) – is very difficult to estimate because these cases are not required to be reported to cancer registries. 

Other cancers and the numbers:

• An estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the US during 2015; about 2,350 new cases are expected in men. Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. 
• An estimated 221,200 new cases of lung cancer are expected in 2015, accounting for about 13% of all cancer diagnoses.
• An estimated 93,090 cases of colon cancer and 39,610 cases of rectal cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 2015. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women.
• An estimated 80,900 new cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed in 2015.
• An estimated 74,000 new cases of bladder cancer are expected to occur in 2015.
• An estimated 73,870 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2015. 
• An estimated 61,560 new cases of kidney (renal) cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 2015.
• An estimated 54,270 new cases of leukemia are expected in 2015.
• An estimated 48,960 new cases of pancreatic cancer are expected to occur in the US in 2015. Most (96%) will be cancers of the exocrine pancreas, which produces enzymes to digest food.
• An estimated 45,780 new cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx (throat) are expected in 2015.
• An estimated 10,380 new cases of childhood cancer are expected to occur among children 0 to 14 years of age in 2015.

Our own family AND friends touched by cancer:

• Grandma Pearl:  Esophageal Cancer (passed away at age, 72)
• Grandma Kelly:  Skin Cancer, Squamous Cell, eventually spreading to the brain (passed away at age, 68)
• Papa: Skin Cancer, Squamous and Basil Cell – (age 80) – Currently doing well, however, seeing Dermatologist every few months Mohs Surgery.
• John Kelly: Skin Cancer, Squamous Cell – Currently doing well, checked every 6 months.
• Bill Kelly: (Yep, my husband) Skin Cancer, Lentigo Maligna & Squamous Cell – Currently doing well, and getting checked every 6 months.  Following a mostly plant-based diet.
• Sweet Jean:  Uterine, eventually spreading to ovaries (passed away at age, 44)
• Bobby Kelly:  Skin Cancer, Squamous Cell (passed away at age 51 – sudden cardiac arrest due to damaged heart valve) 
• Tom Johnson: Prostate Cancer (diagnosed at age 56) – Currently battling cancer.  Please pray for Tom, he is such an incredibly positive man with a heart as big as gold.
• Elizabeth McArdle: Breast Cancer.  Doing well today.
• Charlie: Throat Cancer, heroic battle. (passed away at age 57)

THE GOOD NEWS….

You have the power to make the necessary changes for a healthy and productive life.  Science has proven that eating whole, plant-based foods is beneficial for reducing your risk of cancer.  The first step to change is becoming aware!  Changing old patterns is not always easy but when we make an effort as a loving tribute to our family and friends who have faced cancer head on, you’ll be amazed at how much easier that change will come. By increasing the amount of whole, plant-based foods we consume, and avoiding unnecessary chemicals, toxins and GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms), we can make a difference.  

My goal is to make your path to health a bit easier by providing simple, plant-based inspiration on a daily basis.  You won’t always like what I’ve made, but I hope you’ll keep seeking…just remember to give peas a chance. 🙂

Blessings,

Kris Kelly