We Have the Power to Fight Cancer!

On Tuesday, our staff members had the chance to hear from Cancer Project's Charity Lighten about the power of whole foods.

I have a family history of cancer and stroke and I'm betting I'm not alone. Charity gave us some simple tips to prevent and even reverse cancer and heart disease despite family history and current health status. We have the power to fight back!

Start out one step at a time:

• Eat predominantly high fiber foods. 
• Choose unprocessed plant foods first.
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Single ingredient whole grains (oats, brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta, etc.)
• Try new protein sources. (While lean meats are part of a healthy diet, switch to more plant-based proteins.)
• Beans, peas, and lentils

Try these tasty, simple vegetarian recipes:

Green Smoothie

• 1 cup mixed frozen fruit
• 1 whole banana
• 1 cup almond milk
• Spinach to taste (start small & gradually increase!)

Blend & enjoy!

Easy Bean Salad

• 1/2 low-fat Italian dressing
• 1 1/2 cups or 15 oz. kidney beans (cooked & cooled or drained & rinsed)
• 1 1/2 cups or 15 oz. pinto beans  (cooked & cooled or drained & rinsed)
• 1 1/2 cups or 15 oz. black-eyed peas (cooked & cooled or drained & rinsed)
• 1 1/2 cups or 10 oz. lima beans (thawed or cooked & cooled) or shelled fresh edamame
• 1 cup corn (thawed or cooled)
• 1 large red bell pepper (seeded & chopped)
• 1/2 medium purple onion (chopped)
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. pepper

Toss everything & serve cold or at room temperature.

Chocolate Mousse- trust me, it's divine!

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup almond milk
• 24 oz. silken tofu
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Microwave choco. chips & milk 1 min., let sit 2 min., and blend everything til smooth. Chill & enjoy!

EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com.