As a new year begins, it is important to assess where you are in treatment and where you want to be 3 months, 6 months or even a year from now. Some people think you have to have a plan before the New Year hits, but any time is the right time to make positive life choices and changes in diet and exercise to relieve symptoms caused by treatment.

Some patients can experience a loss of senses, especially smell and taste, which can make nutrition hard. As a society we have moved away from the mentality of eating to live and taken on a new mantra – living to eat. Our bodies simply were meant to take in food to nourish our bodies, and sometimes a silver lining of cancer treatments is getting back to basics when it comes to our eating habits. Some patients experience extreme weight loss as a result of lack of proper nutrition. We’re here to tell you that it’s ok to eat enough to get the proper nutrients in your body. Even if you are experiencing a lack of appetite, don’t let it affect your health. Cancer has done enough damage; don’t let it take anything else from you.

This new year begins now. Following a simple diet can keep your weight up and keep you strong enough to undergo any treatment necessary to beat cancer. Implement a small amount of exercise into your daily routine if you are just starting out. Working your way up to more rigorous activities, as recommended by your doctor of course starts with small steps.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”–Theodore Roosevelt

These words never held as much meaning as they do now. You as a person are limited by what you can do at this very moment, but through sheer force of will and with the power of a positive attitude, you can and will be where you want to at any moment in your life. Taking the first step is always the hardest. We’ve provided a simple and hearty recipe for Tarragon and lime Chicken for the whole family to enjoy at your next dinner.

Tarragon and Lime Chicken

Ingredients:

Lemon oil (or olive oil mixed with lemon juice) (2 tbsp)
4 skinless chicken breasts
Flour (2 tbsp), seasoned with salt and pepper
Butter (55g/2oz)
4 spring onions, sliced length ways
Tarragon vinegar (3 tbsp)
Dry white wine or dry vermouth (140ml/5floz)
Grated rind and juice of 1 lime
Double cream (280ml/10floz)
Tarragon leaves, chopped
Salt and black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cut the chicken into slices roughly 1 cm/0.5 inch thick. Coat the slices with season flour.
2. Heat the butter and lemon oil in a pan. Add the chicken pieces and fry until golden brown. Remove and set aside in a warm dish.
3. Fry the spring onions in the pan. Add the vinegar, wine (or vermouth), and lime juice and rind, and cook gently until syrupy.
4. Return the chicken to the pan and cook gently for 12-15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Add the cream, salt and black pepper and chopped tarragon.
6. Serve with potatoes and green vegetables.

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