Life Over Cancer Blog

Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Boosting Survival

We are often asked if there are specific foods that can boost cancer survival. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we thought we’d address this question as it relates to breast cancer. 

Existing research doesn’t support the notion that specific foods that can increase survival. However, there is considerable evidence that dietary patterns can make a significant difference for women fighting breast cancer. Let’s take a look at some of these dietary patterns.  

Roasted Apples with Red Onion and Thyme

Roasted Apples with Red Onion and Thyme

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 honeycrisp or Fuji apples, cored and sliced into wedges

2 red onions, sliced into wedges

6 fresh thyme sprigs

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

½ tsp sea salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Chocolate-Strawberry Cream Tart

Pressed Crust
¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
½- ¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour
¼ cup toasted sesame seeds
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 Tablespoon brown rice syrup
¼ - 1/3 cup high heat canola oil   

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a 9-inch pie plate. Combine all ingredients with a pastry blender or 2 forks in a large bowl until crumbly; press evenly into prepared pie plate. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden. Cool to room temperature before filling.  

Chocolate Base
½-1/3 package non-dairy malt-sweetened chocolate chips
¼ cup extra firm silken tofu
3 – 4 Tablespoons pure agave
1 teaspoon pure vanilla  

Puree silken tofu in food processor. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler and then add to tofu and blend thoroughly. Add agave and vanilla and continue to purée. Pour into baked/cooled piecrust and smooth evenly. Can be refrigerated overnight.  

Cashew Cream Filling

½ cup raw cashews
1/3 cup water
¾ package of extra firm or firm silken tofu
4-5 Tablespoons agave (or to taste)
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch  sea salt  

Blend cashews and water until smooth. Add other ingredients to food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready for use.  

Strawberry Topping
Box of strawberries (preferably organic)
Agave
Wash and slice strawberries and moisten with agave. Refrigerate up to 30 minutes.  

To Assemble: Spread cashew cream over chocolate base and then in concentric circles arrange strawberry slices.

For more information on The Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment, call (847) 230-9107 or visit BlockMD.com.