Here’s a really quick and delicious recipe I developed using chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. I love them so much I literally could eat them every day! Served with a whole grain rice and lentil crackers and coconut (or other) yogurt, this is a high-protein and very satisfying meal.

I used to love crab cakes and salmon cakes but since I went through treatment for cancer I’ve transitioned into a mainly vegan and gluten-free anti-inflammatory diet. I’m always looking for ways to get a lot of vegan protein in my foods without a lot of fat. Chickpeas/garbanzo beans (I use these terms interchangeably) are always a good choice for me. They have about 14.5 grams of protein in one cup (cooked) and 268 calories, plus they are high in fiber, at 12.5 grams dietary fiber per cup. I love their versatility, their creaminess when pureed. These veggie cakes feature mashed garbanzo beans and peas and are stuffed with more grated veggies. They’re nutrient dense and delicious.

There are so many good things about these raw vegan summer rolls, I just don’t know where to begin! Riceberry is a whole grain rice with a purplish color and it can be found in Thailand. I found these riceberry rice papers so I had to try them out, even though I’ve never successfully rolled a summer roll in rice paper. It’s a little tricky but my rolling got a little better with practice. Notice the beautiful mauve color of the rice paper. But ordinary white rice paper will work just fine too.

KEFIR HACK: Probiotics are most effective when consumed as food —rather than in pill form. Coconut water kefir is my favorite probiotic drink and it’s easy to make here in the tropics or at home. Raw organic coconut water kefir can be prohibitively expensive when purchased at a top grade natural foods market but this hack is cheap and can be done while traveling. The probiotics that emerge with fermentation make kefir excellent for gut problems and for boosting immunity, something we all need more of during this Coronavirus scare!

Red cabbage is the new kale! Raw, it’s a gorgeous color, crunchy, slightly peppery. When cooked it becomes sweeter and hearty. It is nutrient-rich, has anti-inflammatory properties, and helps promote healthy gut and bones.

Lentils are nutrient dense, packed with polyphenols, iron and protein, folic acid and magnesium. I eat them a lot as part of a vegan diet. Beluga (or black) lentils, are named because of their similarity in looks to caviar. Their earthy flavor means they stand up well to strong flavors like fresh herbs and dijon mustard.

This beluga lentil salad recipe is nutrient dense, and an excellent part of an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer diet.

This is another creative use of bone broth, which is so nourishing and healing. Bone broth has anti-inflammatory qualities, is high in vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Beef bone broth would be the traditional vehicle for pho. I like to combine beef and chicken bone broth but either alone will work well too. I like to add a lot of organic veggies to my pho too. Instead of rice noodles I’m using Japanese shirataki noodles (also known as Miracle Noodles,)

This recipe for Mediterranean ground lamb kebabs is easy to prepare and delicious. It pairs well with my cauliflower "couscous" recipe. Lamb is high in omega-3 and omega-6 and an excellent lean source of protein. This recipe is low calorie and works well with these diets: keto, paleo, Whole30, anti inflammatory, anti-cancer, gluten-free. The spices turmeric, ginger and cinnamon have cancer fighting properties.

This recipe is a riff on cauliflower “rice” — this “couscous” contains no grains and the flavor profile is meant to compliment Mediterranean flavors. Cauliflower is beloved by keto advocates and dieters for many reasons — it is nutrient dense, it can provide some low calorie substitutions for carbs. Cauliflower is cruciferous so an excellent component of an anti cancer anti inflammatory diet.

Nutrient-rich and gluten-free, this recipe for soba noodle soup uses common items in the pantry and refrigerator and is easy and fairly quick. It’s an excellent choice for an anti-cancer diet or anti-inflammatory diet.

Gazpacho is the chilled Spanish tomato soup that’s like a salad you eat with a spoon. Numerous studies suggest tomatoes have anti-cancer properties so when tomatoes are in season this is a terrific healing foods recipe to have in your anti-cancer arsenal.