Strawberry Banana Fruit Parfait

The strawberry banana fruit parfait offers a wide range of health benefits for cancer patients before, during, and after cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Strawberries are packed with antioxidants and ellagic acid, which may inhibit the growth of tumors caused by certain carcinogens. Asbestos is classified as a human carcinogen. Further, studies show… Continue reading →

The strawberry banana fruit parfait offers a wide range of health benefits for cancer patients before, during, and after cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

Strawberries are packed with antioxidants and ellagic acid, which may inhibit the growth of tumors caused by certain carcinogens. Asbestos is classified as a human carcinogen. Further, studies show that other phytochemicals in strawberries (and blueberries) inhibit steps in tumor initiation. What’s even better is a whopping eight types of strawberries have the same cancer-fighting ability.

Listed among The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Dr. Jonny Bowden, strawberries are also uniquely loaded with nutrients such as vitamin C, manganese, fiber, folate, and they are easy on even the most sensitive palates and digestive systems.

Bananas are chock full of potassium. Potassium is important for cancer patients undergoing treatment as well as patients who are in remission. A drop in potassium can make you weak and tired: it can cause muscle cramps, and a host of other conditions. You see, potassium helps maintain cell integrity, fluid and electrolyte balance, and a steady heartbeat.

Further, a study published in the International Journal of Cancer concluded that regular consumption of foods such as bananas, root vegetables, salad greens, and cabbage was linked to 50-65 percent decrease in the risk of certain cancers, such as kidney cancer.

In addition to strawberries and bananas, the strawberry banana fruit parfait includes bacteria-fighting yogurt and another disease-fighting powerhouse walnuts. Walnuts contain the highest amounts of omega-3 fats of any other nuts. They are also loaded with potassium, fiber, calcium, magnesium, protein, and phosphorus. Yogurt helps you maintain a healthy gut, it ups your immunity and boosts calcium and B-12 levels.

Strawberry Banana Fruit Parfait Recipe

The strawberry banana fruit parfait recipe below was the recipe of the month for June 2014 at the renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 4 cups walnut halves
  • 4 cups plain Greek yogurt (your choice)
  • 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
  • 2 large bananas, sliced
  • 1 cup of chopped cinnamon roasted walnuts
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Small bowl
  • Paper towels
  • Pan
  • Canola oil (to grease the pan)

Preparing this fruit parfait is easy. All you have to do is:

  1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
  2. Dab a paper towel in canola oil to grease pan.
  3. Beat egg white and honey together.
  4. Mix cinnamon, vanilla, and salt together in a small bowl.
  5. Combine with egg mixture.
  6. Fold walnuts into the mixture to coat and spread out on greased pan.

Time to Bake, Assemble, and Store:

  1. Bake until coating on nuts is crusty, about 1 hour.
  2. Cool nuts completely.
  3. Separate 1 cup of walnuts from the rest.
  4. Use one cup of yogurt, 1/2 cup each of bananas and strawberries, and 1/4 cup of walnuts to assemble one parfait.
  5. Alternate layers of walnuts and fruit with yogurt.

Go ahead and save the rest of the cooled walnuts in an airtight container. You can use them in everything from hot cereal to salads or as a snack. Enjoy!

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Special Lemonade Alleviates Chemotherapy-Associated Nausea

Ginger has been used as a spice in Asia for at least 4,400 years and a medicinal plant in Arabic, Indian, and Asian cultures for more than 2,000 years. In the U.S., ginger is more commonly used as a spice, but health care professionals are now embracing the many medicinal uses of this miraculous root.… Continue reading →

Ginger has been used as a spice in Asia for at least 4,400 years and a medicinal plant in Arabic, Indian, and Asian cultures for more than 2,000 years. In the U.S., ginger is more commonly used as a spice, but health care professionals are now embracing the many medicinal uses of this miraculous root. Besides recommending ginger root for pain and inflammation, upset stomach, and colds, health care professionals may use ginger to help prevent or treat several unpleasant (but common) side effects of chemotherapy treatments.

A number of human studies have shown that ginger may reduce the severity and duration of nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. A National Cancer Institute (NCI) study found that if patients take 0.5g to 1g of ginger three days before and after chemotherapy, along with anti-nausea medication, nausea is reduced by an additional 40%.

Another potential benefit of ginger? It is believed that one of the principal molecules present in ginger – known as gingerol – may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

And about those lemons…

Lemons are loaded with vitamin C and flavonoids, which have been shown to inhibit cancer cell division. Lemons have also been shown to help prevent nausea during chemotherapy. An added benefit of fresh lemons? The vitamin C in lemons calms inflammation and pain, boosts the immune system, and it can even help prevent heart disease.

If you’re ready to start reaping the benefits of ginger and lemon, try this delicious ginger-zapped lemonade recipe by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Fresh ginger
  • Lemons
  • Pure water (if you are undergoing chemotherapy, this will protect you from the chemicals and bacteria that can be found in some drinking water)
  • Sugar

To make 8 servings (1 cup each), you’ll need:

  • 1/4 cup of ginger
  • 8-9 lemons to make 1 ½ cups of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
  • 6 cups of pure water
  • 1 cup of sugar

The rest is easy. All you have to do is:

  1. Pour the water and sugar into a saucepan and stir with a whisk over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves (approx. 5 minutes).
  2. Place the ginger in a double layer of cheesecloth and tie securely.
  3. Cheesecloth substitutes: coffee filters, gauze
  4. Place the wrapped ginger in a large pitcher, add the lemon juice.
  5. Add the sugar mixture and 5 cups of water to the pitcher, stir.
  6. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
  7. Toss the ginger and enjoy!

Cool fact: Cardamom and turmeric are also members of the ginger family and may offer some of the same therapeutic benefits as ginger root.

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