Three recipes that sock it to cancer

Cancer-fighting foods

There may not be a way to eliminate your chances of getting cancer, but you can greatly reduce your risk by living a healthier lifestyle. This includes revamping your diet to include foods that are rich in cancer-fighting nutrients.

Eat for your health

Try these recipes to sock it to cancer with your dinner plate.

Roasted Brussels sprouts with walnuts

Brussels sprouts may not have been your favorite growing up, but they're really a delicious food that you can do a lot with. Roasting them softens the bitter taste that some people detect, and the olive oil and sea salt enhance their natural tastiness. Cruciferous vegetable like Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower have been shown to fight colon and prostate cancers. Roast these with walnuts, which can help prevent breast and other cancers.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• coarse sea salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cut the Brussels sprouts in half, trying to make sure each piece is a similar size so they'll roast evenly.
3. Place the Brussels sprouts on a roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Toss until evenly coated.
4. Sprinkle to taste with coarse sea salt.
5. Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring once or until Brussels sprouts begin to brown.
6. Remove pan from oven. Stir Brussels sprouts again and add walnuts. Roast for another five minutes or until walnuts are browned.
7. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese (optional) and serve immediately.

Blueberry yogurt parfait

In recent studies, yogurt has been shown to increase anti-cancer cells in animals. While it hasn't been proven that the same will hold true for humans, scientists are hopeful that it will. For the most cancer-fighting benefits, choose a yogurt with live, active cultures. Top that yogurt with fresh fruit — blueberries are packed with antioxidants and not only help prevent breast cancer, but are also thought to slow the growth of breast cancer that's already present. Most cereals, including many granolas, are rich in folates, which stop DNA mutations that often result in cancer.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup granola or other folate-rich cereal
• 1/2 cup blueberries

Directions:

Place the granola in the bottom of a bowl or cup. Top with yogurt, then blueberries. Eat immediately or refrigerate.

Grilled balsamic tomatoes

Tomatoes are packed with cancer-fighting lycopene. To get the most lycopene from your tomatoes, heat them up to ease the absorption. If the weather is bad or you don't have access to an outdoor grill, use a stovetop grill to enjoy this summer dish all year long.

Ingredients:

• 6 medium tomatoes (try several colors)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions:

1. Cut the tomatoes in half and place the halves on skewers.
2. Brush the tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt and paper to taste.
3. Grill over medium heat for about 10 minutes, turning them over every few minutes to grill evenly.
4. Mix the remaining olive oil with the balsamic vinegar and drizzle it over the grilled tomatoes. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper, if desired.

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