Healthier Oatmeal Bars and Cancer Help

Hi everyone. As it is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, I wanted to share some inspiring women, very helpful services, and recipes with you. First off, the lovely lady in the photo is Pam, a friend in our town who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. She bravely decided to go to our school’s Halloween party donning her PERFECTLY shaped bald head and her pink, breast cancer fairy costume. You go, girl! p.s. I am not the only one who thinks she is so great-check this out: http://portraitcommunity.blogspot.com/2009/10/pamela-cytron.html

Secondly, I recently met a writer, Jeanne Besser, who just happens to have written a cookbook with three nutritionists from the American Cancer Society. The book is called What to Eat During Cancer Treatment. What makes this book unique is that it has recipes that are focused on different side effects of treatment such as what to eat when you are nauseated, when you have a sensitivity to smells, etc. In addition, there are recipes that the entire family can enjoy. I am waiting for my copy so I can make sure to create helpful and delicious recipes for my friends and loved ones undergoing treatment.
Here is the link to get the book:

http://www.amazon.com/What-During-Cancer-Treatment-Family-Friendly/dp/1604430052

Here’s a link for the Great-American-Eat-Right-Cookbook which is another book by Jeanne to prevent cancer:
http://www.amazon.com/Great-American-Eat-Right-Cookbook-Good/dp/094423593X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s;=books&qid;=1256671276&sr;=8-3

Also, here’s a blog that also helps with recipes for people with cancer:
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/blogs/editor/2009/10/classic-comfort-food-during-cancer-treatment.html#more

Lastly, we have Gigi Gould, an inspiring cancer survivor who provides exercise sessions for post-op breast cancer patients. Although descriptions of some exercises are now available on the internet, Gigi stresses the importance of having an individualized program, and guidance to ensure that the exercises are done correctly to prevent injury and to gain the full benefit intended. She is a certified Pink Ribbon Program Exercise Specialist.

Gigi also began a Mutual-help group for women diagnosed with breast cancer. They meet every two weeks and the main goal is to provide on-going support for one another. In addition, they share new information about the latest studies, treatments, and nutritional information. Space for their meetings has been very generously offered by Dawn Diamond of the NJ Center for Healthy Living on Bloomfield Ave.in Montclair. For more info about her Pilates/Pink Ribbon Program sessions, please contact Gigi at movetorecovery@gmail.com.

Here is a link to an article that just came out about the benefits of exercise after breast surgery:

http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.show/id/2/article_id/1299

Here is a recipe that is a nice alternative to processed desserts for a bakesale. A volunteer at the Halloween costume party made them and they were so good, I asked her to email the recipe to me. Thanks, Elizabeth!

Oatmeal Jammy Bars:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed golden brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks/6 oz) cold, unsalted butter cut into cubes
1 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cup store bought jam ( apricot and raspberry work great) – use more for sweeter version.

Preheat oven to 350*. Butter a 9-inch square baking dish. In large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, using a whisk to combine thoroughly. Scatter the cubed butter evenly over the flour mixture and cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or two kitchen knives until mixture is moist and slightly crumbly. Add in the oats and toss evenly to mix.

Press 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Dollop jam in smaller spoonfuls over crumb mixture then spread to cover evenly. Crumble remaining dough evenly over the top, and press down lightly.

Bake until top is golden brown, 35-40 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack, and then cut into bars.

(1/4 cup ground pecans or almonds can be an optional addition to the dough. Add when oats are added. I do not put them in mine.)
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