Daffodil Month

By Elizabeth Holmes – Canadian Cancer Society

About one-third of all cancers can be prevented by eating well, being active and maintaining a healthy body weight. The science is clear: it’s the overall pattern of living that’s important. At the Canadian Cancer Society, we know that when you’re busy, you can end up choosing processed foods to put into the microwave or eat on the run. The good news is that eating well can be quick and easy. Here are simple ways to eat healthy when you’re rushed for time like:

• Buy pre-cut vegetables to add to your plate rather than forgetting them altogether. They make stir-fries and curries easier to put together too.
• Pick up a BBQ chicken and bagged salad at your local grocery store. Add a whole-grain roll or multi-grain tortilla with salsa on the side.
• Keep a couple of hard-boiled eggs in the fridge. Add one to pre-mixed salad for a quick lunch.
• Pre-cut meats (such as chicken already cut into strips for stir-frying) can speed up putting meals together.

It’s also helpful that when you’ve got extra time, you plan ahead by:

• Make double batches of recipes to easily reheat like this roasted fall veggie medley.
• Cook a roast and add vegetables to leftover meat for a stir-fry the next day.
• Grill a couple of extra chicken breasts and cut up into bite-sized chunks for wraps, tortillas, burritos or a salad.
• Cut up a large bowl of fresh fruit like pineapple. Add to yogurt or cereal, and you’ve got breakfast for the whole week.
• Cut up fresh vegetables like broccoli or carrots and toss them into a crisper bag. They’re great for snacking on any time or adding to leftovers to make a quick meal.

One of our core mandates is educating Canadians on how to reduce their cancer risk. Check out cancer.ca if you’re interested in learning more about how eating well reduces your cancer risk.

When loved ones are diagnosed with or die from cancer, friends and family often want to do something to help or honour them. This April, at the Canadian Cancer Society we want you to know Daffodil Month is an opportunity to make a difference. Money raised during Daffodil Month helps cancer patients and their families in your community. Donations fund research into all types of cancer, information and support programs, and other important work so that fewer people are affected by cancer.

2017 marks 60 years since the first daffodils were sold to support the efforts of the Canadian Cancer Society. Funds raised have helped increase the cancer survival rate from 25% in the 1940s to over 60% today. Visit cancer.ca/daffodil for more information.