Marilyn and I recently purchased a new juicer and she is juicing practically every morning.  I began juicing years ago when my second wife Anne and I learned that she had cancer.

The two primary treatments for cancer are radiation and chemotherapy.  Both treatments harm a person’s entire body, as well as the cancer cells, and most patients soon lose their appetites and desire to eat.  Anne used to say that most food tasted like the working end of a ball peen hammer.

An oncologist told me once that many cancer patients die of malnutrition because ice cream and a few cold desserts are the only foods they can tolerate eating.  As Anne’s cancer progressed, this became a problem.

Some friends of ours had juiced for years and suggested that I get a juicer.  My cousin gave me a basic recipe that included soy protein, but it was much too bland and doughy.  I would not eat it myself, so I knew it was a lost cause trying it out on Anne.  I devised my own recipe instead and I began making it for her every morning.  It did not cure her cancer, but I feel strongly that it kept her alive, and with a better quality of life, for at least an extra six months.  Here is the recipe:

The Juice

2 apples, any variety

1 pear, any variety

3 carrots

1 broccoli stalk and crown

I would often add grapes, blackberries, blueberries, red bell peppers, etc.  Try these out for yourself.  I like to experiment, and sometimes the ingredients that I like make others wince.

Other Ingredients

½ cup of soy protein

½ cup of green stuff *

1 banana (a mango, papaya or other similar type fruit can be used instead – be creative)

½ blender of ice

• I think this product is Source of Life, but I cannot really remember.  It came in a large round can with a pop-off top.  The product itself was dry, like flour, and green.  It contained practically every nutrient, enzyme and vitamin known to humanity and was very expensive (about fifty bucks).  The product did not have an appetizing look and I don’t mind telling you that I thought about the movie Soylent Green every time I opened the package.

Put all the ingredients in the blender and then pulse until thoroughly blended.  Makes 2 large shakes.

Along with Anne, I drank variations of this concoction for over a year.  I never got sick during this time, not even a sniffle.  My blood pressure was perfect, as was my cholesterol, my body weight, etc.  I also had exceptional strength, and I believe I could have lifted the front end of a heavy car if I’d had to.

There is no good disease, and in the case of cancer, sometimes the side effects of the attempted cure are almost as horrible.  I am not a juicing spokesperson here, but if you are trying to care for a person with an appetite destroyed by radiation and chemo, try my shake on them.  If you are simply looking for a healthier life, try it yourself.  You might even like it.

Musings of a Dangerous Mind