A Revelation! and a Great Soup Recipe

Hello again from soggy, cool Petersburg,

Knowing that knowledge is power, a friend recommended that I read a highly-regarded, very complete book on cancer, Siddhartha Mukherjee's The Emperor of All Maladies, A Biography of Cancer, which is available at the public library.  Well, I did it!  It took me a month, but I finally completed the lengthy tome.  Regardless of its length and complexity, I don't regret having taken the time to work though it.  I learned a lot, and, for the most part, it was a fascinating book to read.  However, I feel that the book contains a lot more detail on the subject than the average person really needs or wants to know.  And, reading it, particular the sections on the mechanisms of cancer at the cellular level, brought back a lot of not-so-pleasant memories of a must-pass upper-division human physiology class I struggled with at Oregon State U. a very long time ago.  I think this is the last book on this subject I'll read for quite awhile.  

In a nutshell, cancer has been with us from the very beginning and is part of the human genome.  The book goes into great detail about the history of how cancer has been viewed over the millennia and how treatment has evolved, always with an eye toward eradicating the disease.  Variations of all of the primary treatments that are used today-- surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy--were in use early in the last century, although not nearly as effectively.  Perhaps the greatest revelation for me came right at the end where Siddhartha sums it all up by saying, "Oncogenes arise from mutations in essential genes that regulate the growth of cells.  Mutations accumulate in these genes when DNA is damaged by carcinogens, but also by seemingly random errors in copying genes when cells divide.  The former might be preventable, but the later is endogenous.  Cancer is a flaw in our growth, but this flaw is deeply entrenched in ourselves.  We can rid ourselves of cancer, then, only as much as we can rid ourselves of the processes in our physiology that depend on growth - aging, regeneration, healing, reproduction."  In other words, to eliminate cancer we would have to rid ourselves of nearly all of the processes which allow us to function as living beings.  Cancer is caused by malfunctions within our own bodies often triggered by products we have created.  It reminds me of that quote from Pogo, Walt Kelly's famous cartoon strip, "We have met the enemy and he is us". 

Regardless of how much we might hope otherwise, we need to learn to accept this disease as a permanent part of human life.  The prevalence of cancer has been exacerbated by our continued search for immortality.  Simply put, the longer we live, the greater the chance for cellular mutations.  This realization troubled me for several days, but then it dawned on me that there is another side to all of this.  If we recognize cancer as a normal part of human life, perhaps it will be much easier to accept it either in ourselves or in someone we know. 

Also on the plus side, along with a better understanding of the mechanisms of cancer come greatly improved methods for early detection and for targeting the errant pathways created by the mutations.  Thus, oncologists, working with scientists, are continuously developing much better ways of stopping cancer growth and development while minimizing collateral damage.  This works very well in a number of recently-discovered treatment methods and the survival rates for most, but not all, cancers are continuing to improve.  In addition to improved treatment methods, I still believe strongly in the material presented in previous posts which gives rise to the hope that we all have at least some control over the odds of developing cancer by adopting an anti-cancer lifestyle.  The key elements to reducing the chances of developing cancer are, of course, better diet, adequate exercise, stress management, and a maintaining a positive attitude.

At Ohmer Creek Campground

O.K. enough on that.  Except for a few lingering and very aggravating side effects from the ADT (hormone therapy), I am actually feeling better than I have for several years.  We are finally catching up with the many projects we had to put on hold while we were "south".  We are now to the point that we have been able to take advantage of the few nice days we have had this summer.  A boat ride here, a bike ride there, and lots of walks, interspersed with yard work and other outside projects.  We try to save the inside projects for rainy days, which, unfortunately, have been way too numerous this year.  Since I have yet to take my first charter of the season, we have had a lot more free time.  In fact, we had an in-depth discussion the other evening regarding the pros and cons of continuing the eco-tour business.  The jury is still out, but I have to admit that I don't miss either the high stress of planning a trip or the day-to-day grind on the water.  Besides, I have really been enjoying spending time with Kathy on land.  It will be even better if/when the weather improves and we feel more like doing some cruising on our own.  Hey, I'm not complaining.  I'll take high 40's to low 60's over 90's and 100's any day.  And, we have absolutely no threat of wild fires.  

As in previous posts, I'd like to leave you with a healthy recipe.  Kathy got this one from Kathy Emmenegger.  We have made this soup numerous times in the past few months and never get tired of it.  It contains many, many anti-cancer super foods, and there is something very comforting and healing about a good big bowl of chicken soup!  It makes a very fitting meal to go with the endless fall/spring weather we have been having. 

Chicken and Sweet Potato Soup from Foster's Market Cookbook

1 TB unsalted butter (we use regular butter or all olive oil)

1 TB olive oil

1 red onion, diced

2 shallots, thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper, diced

3 ribs celery, diced

6 garlic cloves, minced (or finely chopped)

8 cups chicken broth 

4 cups cooked (organic) chicken (we often boil the chicken and save the broth) 

2 sweet potatoes 1/2' pieces (we use the so-called yams for more color)

14 oz can diced tomatoes

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)

1 tsp dried marjoram

3 bay leaves

2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 TB fresh marjoram & thyme to garnish (optional)

Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Melt butter and olive oil over medium-low heat in a large saucepan and add the onion and shallots.  Cook and stir about 15 minutes or until softened.  Add bell pepper and celery and continue to cook and stir about 5 minutes longer.  Add the garlic and cook about 2-3 minutes longer.

Add other ingredients except fresh marjoram, thyme, and salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered 1 hour.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  May add chopped spinach or kale (cook 3-4 minutes longer if adding kale).  

This soup is great with a good whole grain bread and a nice glass of pinot noir; especially when shared with good friends.  The leftovers are even better the next day.  Yum!!   

Shalom,

   Barry and Kathy

Field of Flowers