Back in July, weSPARK Cancer Support Center held a program called “Fighting Cancer with a Fork.” We invited 10 women from weSPARK to a cooking class in Sherman Oaks, California, led by Pam Herskovitz. Pam has worked at UCSD in Cancer Prevention and Control for 10 years and on various research projects investigating the relationship between diet and cancer. She has worked with the American Cancer Society on their Healthy Eating Program and is currently doing private nutritional counseling at Image Reborn, a foundation that provides healing and restorative retreats for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Fighting Cancer with a Fork” included a demonstration, discussion about ingredients and cooking methods, tasting and recipes. Our guests learned about the benefits of seasonal cooking and how to take advantage of fresh and local produce. Pam emphasized that foods with big color and big flavor help protect and heal the body. The program was incredibly informative and the recipes were simple and delicious. In August, weSPARK SCV put on our own Healthy Potluck and Social Hour hosted by our own weSPARK guests Shari Newman and Charmaine King. We had lots of fun together and really enjoyed learning about the healing power of food.
This month we are going through the recipes from a book from the Cancer Prevention and Control Program from the University of California, San Diego Medical Center Moores Cancer Center called, Food for Thought: Healing Foods to Savor by Sheila Kealey, Vicky A, Newman, and Susan Faerber. The information in this book was developed for the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living Study, which began in 1995 and recruited over 3,000 pre- and postmenopausal women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The study evaluated the effects of a diet rich in vegetables, fruit and fiber, and low in fat in preventing or reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence. We invite you to join us as we put together a sampling of these wonderful recipes designed to fight cancer and keep us eating healthy. What better way to be proactive! Taste these delicious treats and have an opportunity to buy this amazing book at a group discount.
To participate in September’s Healthy Potluck or any of our other healing support groups or creative programs, please call 661- 288-2322.