Cancer changed the way I look at food. I’m not interested in eating perfectly 100% of the time, because when In N Out swaps its ingredients I’ll be back, but I am interested in knowing what I’m putting into my body. These may surprise you, but I’m super strict on these. You won’t find me eating at these establishments 😉 🍗 Chick-fil-A — fried foods, refined oils, sugary sauces and highly processed ingredients are enough for me to pass. 🥪 Subway — it has the reputation of being the “healthy” choice, but processed meats, refined breads and ingredient-heavy sauces aren’t what I’m looking for. 🥡 Panda Express — many of the popular choices are fried, coated in sugary sauces and made with refined oils. 🍗 KFC — heavily breaded, deep-fried chicken is something I choose to leave out of my regular diet. 🌮 Taco Bell — I can make tacos at home with quality meat, beans, fresh vegetables and simple ingredients I actually recognize. Beating cancer changed my question from “Does this taste good?” to “Does this nourish me?” I still enjoy delicious food. I just want it to be real food that supports my body to be healthy and without disease. I’m ALL FOR healthy options and I’m excited to see fast food make healthier ingredient choices! Comment MAIN for all the dinner ideas I have on my website, new recipes added weekly! Check out my easy baked taco recipe!

I’m always asking myself, What is this giving my body? And fall squash has so much to offer. Kabocha squash has that gorgeous deep orange color from carotenoids like beta carotene, along with vitamin C, fiber and other plant compounds. And that’s one of the simplest principles I follow: eat more naturally colorful, whole foods. Kabocha, butternut, acorn, delicata, pumpkin… fall gives us SO many inexpensive ways to add more plants, fiber and color to our plates. You can get them for great prices at Trader Joe’s and farmers markets ❤️ So yes, you can keep the pumpkin spice latte. 😂 I’ll take the squash. 🍂 Comment SQUASH and I’ll send you the recipe for how I cook squash.

I’m not trying to eat MORE protein. I’m trying to eat BETTER protein. 👏🏻 After cancer, I became much more intentional about the quality of the foods I bring into our home, and animal protein is no exception. Disclosure: I am referring to readily available proteins, but through the means of hunting. My husband will be hunting for the first time ever this year! These are 7 affordable proteins I regularly reach for: 🥚 Eggs — complete protein, choline, B12 and selenium 🍗 Whole chicken — affordable complete protein that can stretch across several meals 🥩 Ground beef — protein, iron, zinc, B12 and creatine 🫀 Liver — exceptionally nutrient dense, especially in vitamin A, B12, iron, folate and copper 🥛 Plain yogurt — protein, calcium and, when it contains live cultures, beneficial bacteria 🐟 Sardines — protein, omega-3s, B12 and calcium when eaten with the bones 🐟 Tuna — inexpensive lean protein, selenium and B12 They’re simple, nutrient dense, packed with quality protein, and they don’t have to blow the grocery budget. And then there are 3 I personally choose to avoid: ❌ Pork ❌ Shellfish ❌ Processed meats Pork and shellfish are a personal choice rooted in my desire to follow the biblical guidelines for clean foods. And processed meats? Those are something I intentionally limit because the strongest evidence links regular processed meat consumption with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Comment GRILL for one of my favorite chicken marinade recipes! Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean buying expensive powders, bars and specialty foods.

In a 2016 study, dandelion root extract triggered programmed cell death in more than 95% of the colorectal cancer cells tested, while showing no toxicity to the normal colon cells tested. Comment TEA for my favorite brands of dandelion tea. Researchers identified several powerful plant compounds in the root, including taraxasterol, which has been studied for its ability to interfere with pathways involved in cancer cell growth and survival. And here’s what I find even more fascinating: the whole dandelion root extract performed better than the isolated compounds alone. 🌿 This research was done in cells, not humans, so it does NOT mean dandelion root tea heals 95% of all cancers. But after everything I’ve walked through, I’m deeply interested in filling my diet with plants rich in beneficial phytochemicals. Dandelion root tea is one of the simple things I’ve chosen to incorporate into my weekly routine. Simple Tea Recipe: 1 tsp dandelion root 1 cup very hot water Let it steep for 5-10 minutes. Flavor is VERY mild. Comment FOOD for my daily food list that I eat after cancer! SAVE this and follow for more foods and plants I’m researching for my anti-cancer lifestyle. *FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, NOT MEDICAL ADVICE #dandelionroot #cancersurvivor #homemakeronabudget

Certain fruits are especially rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, and phytonutrients studied for protecting cells from oxidative stress and supporting the body’s natural defense systems. Here are 5 fruits packed with some of the most researched protective compounds: 🫐 Berries – loaded with anthocyanins that help protect DNA and reduce inflammation 🍎 Apples – rich in polyphenols like quercetin, especially in the peel 🍇 Grapes – contain resveratrol, studied for regulating cellular health (organic raisins count) 🍅 Tomatoes – high in lycopene, one of the most researched carotenoids ❤️ Pomegranate – incredibly dense in polyphenols like punicalagins As a cancer survivor, that’s something I take seriously. Food matters. What we eat every day matters even more. Comment SUPER if you haven’t read my article on affordable superfoods! #cancersurvivor #healthylifestyle #bestfoodever

Hummus Recipe: 1 can chickpeas, only drain half of the water 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, I like the Bragg’s brand 1 garlic clove Salt and pepper to taste (You can add olive oil, but I typically don’t if serving with pesto) Everything you eat, especially if you’ve had cancer, greatly affects your health and your future ❤️ That’s why I’m super picky with what I put on my plate. 🥒 I was out of cucumber or it would have been on my plate too! Pesto Recipe: 2-3 packed cups of fresh basil leaves 1 cup toasted walnuts 2 cloves garlic 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (high quality from Italy) Salt and pepper to taste Add olive oil in as you purée the ingredients. Stop, check the pesto, and add more olive oil until you reach your desired consistency. I like my pesto to be more runny than thick. ❤️ What a phenomenal discovery! When I was diagnosed with cancer back in December 2023, I was juicing copious amounts of carrots, beets, and apples. My mom didn’t have access to a juicer at the time, so she decided to eat 1 carrot, 1/2 beet and 1/2 apple every day alongside me after watching a Facebook reel and being encouraged to eat these 3 foods to lower her cholesterol. Not only did it work, but her eye pressure decreased and surgery wasn’t required! We both eat this combo EVERY.SINGLE.DAY! Comment FRUIT for my healing leaves tea recipe! *FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, NOT MEDICAL ADVICE.

Comment MILLET and I’ll send you more information on where to buy it. When I was going through cancer, millet porridge became a regular part of my diet because I was intentionally looking for simple, whole foods that were alkalizing to the body. Millet is an ancient, naturally gluten free whole grain packed with fiber, magnesium, plant based protein and antioxidants, including beneficial polyphenols. It’s also super inexpensive and often put in birdseed, why are they getting all of the health benefits!?! I cook 1 cup millet with 4 cups water until it becomes soft and creamy. For added health benefits, you could add turmeric and black pepper, ginger, cinnamon or if you go the savory route fresh garlic. You can make it SWEET with berries, cinnamon, nuts, seeds and a little honey, or SAVORY with vegetables and herbs. During cancer, I loved mine with sautéed onions and shiitake mushrooms. Tonight I made it with pesto and Parmesan and it was SO good. Sometimes healthy eating isn’t about finding the newest superfood. It’s about rediscovering the simple, nourishing foods that have been around for generations. * FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, NOT MEDICAL ADVICE #millet #cancersurvivor #homemakeronabudget

Being diagnosed with cancer at 38 completely changed how I look at my kitchen. I NEVER want cancer again, treatment was hard, and the emotional toll is torture. I chose to guard my home the best I could, here’s some swaps! Comment SWAPS for the full list! These are 5 things I no longer bring into my kitchen, and what I choose instead: 1.Artificial fragrances → I stick to fragrance-free or essential-oil-based dish and cleaning products 2.Conventional cleaning sprays → Simple, non-toxic cleaners that actually get the job done 3.Traditional nonstick cookware → I use non-toxic nonstick like Caraway, plus stainless steel and cast iron 4.Plastic food storage → Glass containers for leftovers, prep, and pantry staples 5.Ultra-processed foods → Real ingredients that nourish instead of inflame (eat the food God created) This wasn’t an overnight overhaul. It was one thoughtful swap at a time, until my kitchen became a place that supports healing, not stress. If you’ve been curious about creating a healthier kitchen without going extreme, I’ve shared my full Non-Toxic Kitchen Swaps on the blog. Comment SWAPS for the full list! #NonToxicKitchen #CancerSurvivorLiving #RealFoodHome

It’s been over 1 year now in Virginia, and even though I miss my friends deeply I KNOW in the depths of my soul I’m right where I’m supposed to be. The enemy meant to destroy me, but God has used my cancer story for good. I get to help thousands now. I never meant to have this story. I truly ate SO HEALTHY, but cancer can invade even the “healthiest” through ways we cannot see. My environment, the commercial agriculture of California and all its pesticide use destroyed my health. I remember when we bought our last home in California my dad came over and said “Aimee don’t ever walk barefoot in your backyard because this ground used to be cotton fields and there are forever chemicals in the dirt.” WHAT?!? These pesticides are ruining people’s lives. Evaluate where you live, make sure you are able to drink, clean water and breathe fresh air, and of course eat the foods that God created for us to eat. Read the Bible and learn about the foods that He said are good. Comment WATER for my favorite water filter. Comment FOOD for my daily foods list after beating cancer. Comment PRAY for 5 powerful prayers to pray if going through cancer. Comment FREE for my free guide if starting chemo soon. #cancersurvivor #homemakeronabudget #healthylifestyle