4th of July recipes that fight cancer and taste delicious

Red, White and Blue Vanilla Bean Spritzers (non-alcoholic)

A refreshing “cocktail” to sip during your next family gathering

*Modified from http://www.pineappleandcoconut.com/easyrecipe-print/1149-0

Cancer Fighting Properties:

• Strawberries help the body deactivate specific carcinogens and help slow the reproduction of cancer cells. They help to prevent cancers of the skin, bladder, lung, esophagus, and breast.
• Blueberries contain anthocyanins which help to destroy free radicals.
• Replacing an alcoholic beverage with a non-alcoholic spritzer reduces your risk of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, colorectal, breast, and liver. Alcohol is classified as a carcinogen and damages your DNA, increases inflammation, and interferes with estrogen pathways

Ingredients:

For strawberry ice cubes:

2 cups frozen strawberries

1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced

1/3 cup sugar

½ cup water

For the blueberry ice cubes:

2 cups frozen blueberries

1 cup fresh blueberries

1/3 cup sugar

½ cup water

For the vanilla bean syrup:

1 cup sugar

2 vanilla bean pods

1 cup water

For the drinks:

Sparkling or seltzer water

Ice

Instructions:

1. Combine the frozen strawberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Mash the berries against the sides of the pan to release as much juice as possible. Strain the simple syrup into a jar and cool completely.
2. Repeat above using the blueberries
3. Make the ice cubs by dividing the chopped fresh strawberries among one ice cube tray. Add 1 tbsp of the strawberry simple syrup to each cube and top with water. Freeze until ready for use.
4. Repeat above using blueberries.
5. For the vanilla bean syrup, pour 1 cup of sugar in a sauce pan. Slice the vanilla bean pods in half and scrape out the seeds into the sugar. Rub the vanilla beans with the sugar using your fingertips until the sugar is very fragrant and the seeds are dispersed. Add the pods to the pan and the 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, stirring to make sure all the sugar is dissolved. Once dissolved, turn off the heat and let cool for an hour to let the vanilla bean infuse the syrup. Remove the vanilla bean pods and pour the syrup into a jar and chill until ready to use.
6. Assemble your spritzer! Place 2 blueberry ice cubes in a glass, then 2 regular ice cubes and finally 2 strawberry ice cubes on top. Add in 1 tbsp of the vanilla bean syrup and fill the glass with sparkling water.

Watermelon Feta Blackberry Skewers

Simple, healthy and fast appetizer to pass around your cookout

*from http://ahealthylifeforme.com/watermelon-feta-blackberry-skewers/

Cancer Fighting Properties:

• Watermelon has lycopene which is an antioxidant and also cuts prostate cancer risk.
• Blackberries have reservatrol which may decrease estrogen production- this may be good for hormone positive breast cancers.

Ingredients:

1 small seedless ripe watermelon, cut into 1” cubes

6 ounces of feta cheese, cut into 1” cubes

Fresh, ripe, firm blackberries

Small wooden skewers

Instructions:

1. Skewer 1 watermelon chunk, then 1 feta cheese chunk, then 1 blackberry
2. Place on a serving platter and store in the fridge until ready to serve

Patriotic Trifle

Guests will be wowed by this patriotic dessert

*from Taste of Home

Cancer Fighting Properties:

• Strawberries help the body deactivate specific carcinogens and help slow the reproduction of cancer cells. They help to prevent cancers of the skin, bladder, lung, esophagus, and breast.
• Blueberries contain anthocyanins which help to destroy free radicals.

Ingredients:

1 pkg (3 ounces) blue gelatin

1 pkg (3 ounces) red gelatin

2 cups boiling water

1 cup cold water

2 cups cold milk

2 pks (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided

1 pint fresh blueberries

1 quart fresh strawberries, quartered

1 prepared angel food cake, cut into 1 inch cubes

Instructions:

1. In two small bowls, combine each gelatin flavor with 1 cup boiling water. Stir 1.2 cup cold water into each. Pour each into an ungreased 9 inch square pan. Refrigerate 1 hour or until set.
2. In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in 2 cups whipped topping.
3. Set aside ¼ cup blueberries and ½ cup strawberries for garnish. Cut the gelatin into 1 inch cubes. In a 3 quart trifle bowl or serving dish, layer strawberry gelatin, half of the cake cubes, the remaining blueberries and half of the pudding mixture.
4. Top with blue gelatin and remaining cake cubes, strawberries and pudding mixture. Garnish with reserved berries and remaining whipped topping. Serve immediately.

Red, White, & Blue Mini Fruit Pizzas

A healthier alternative to the traditional cookie

*from whatmegansmaking.com

Cancer Fighting Properties:

• Raspberries contain reservatrol which may decrease estrogen production- important for hormone positive breast cancers.
• Blueberries contain anthocyanins which help to destroy free radicals.

Ingredients:

For the cookies

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 whole egg PLUS 1 egg yolk

1 tbs vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

For the topping

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

½ cup powdered sugar

½ tsp vanilla

Fresh blueberries and raspberries for topping

Instructions:

1. Place the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until well combined. Add in the vanilla, the whole egg and the additional egg yolk, mix until combined.
2. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Slowly add flour to the butter mixture and mix until combined. Do not over mix. Wrap dough with saran wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. While the dough is in the fridge, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until well blended. Set aside until ready to top cookies.
4. When you are ready to bake, pre-heat the oven to 350 degree. Roll the dough out to ½ inch thickness, cut out cookies into circles, and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 9-10 minutes or until cookies are set and just starting to brown around the edges.
5. When cookies are cooled, spread the cream cheese mixture over the cookie and then top with blueberries and raspberries.

Red, White & Blue Popsicles

A refreshing treat to keep you cool during the afternoon sun

*from http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/250805/red-white-blue-popsicles

Cancer Fighting Properties:

• Raspberries contain reservatrol which may decrease estrogen production- important for hormone positive breast cancers.
• Blueberries contain anthocyanins which help to destroy free radicals.

Ingredients:

1.5 cups blueberries

1 cup raspberries

2 cups limeade

Instructions:

1. Divide blueberries and raspberries among freezer-pop molds. Pour limeade over the berries. Insert the sticks and freeze until completely firm, about 6 hours.
2. Dip the molds briefly in hot water before unmolding.

Triple Berry Gingersnap & Granola Yogurt Parfait

A healthy breakfast or an even healthier dessert to enjoy

*from http://www.cookincanuck.com/easyrecipe-print/107990/

Cancer Fighting Properties:

• Granola has fiber which is a powerful carcinogen remover!
• Strawberries help the body deactivate specific carcinogens and help slow the reproduction of cancer cells. They help to prevent cancers of the skin, bladder, lung, esophagus, and breast.
• Blueberries contain anthocyanins which help to destroy free radicals.
• Raspberries contain reservatrol which may decrease estrogen production- important for hormone positive breast cancers.

Ingredients:

¾ cup granola

¼ cup crushed gingersnap cookies

1/3 cup raspberries

1/3 cup strawberries

1/3 cup blueberries

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

½ tsp agave nectar

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the granola and crushed gingersnap cookies
2. Layer the strawberries into the bottom of 2 small glasses or bowls
3. Layer with the Greek yogurt, granola, agave nectar, blueberries and raspberries
4. Serve and enjoy!