Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Pink Marshmallows and Pink Lemonade)

  

 October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I've been fortunate enough, thus far, that this hasn't tainted mine or any of my loved ones' lives. However, I have had experience with other kinds of cancers, and I know how important it is to be informed and recognize all those who have suffered. On Foodbuzz I received a request from the lovely woman behind Oh Cake to read her post about her experiences (especially regarding her friend-and breast cancer survivor-Liz), and about some lovely pink marshmallows. She wants to remind everyone to see your doctor regularly, have mammograms, and remember that cancer is beatable-especially if caught early. Plus these facts:

All women over the age of 20 should be conducting breast self-exams.

While a cancer diagnosis is often the luck of the draw there are some steps you can take to reduce your risks. Here is a list from the Mayo Clinic.

What to do if you find a lump - #1: don't panic!

Take the Breast Cancer Challenge to help provide mammograms to low-income women. It's just a click!

Donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation

Participate in an event to run, golf, or just raise awareness.

Check out Liz's story, and find out how to make pink marshmallows here.

I don't particularly have the time or resources right now to make the marshmallows, however I do have this recipe I made over the summer for Michael-homemade pink lemonade! (I made the raspberry but I know he'd love the strawberry too. And I have a juicer now so I'm excited to make my own lemon juice for it as well!)

Raspberry (or Strawberry) Lemonade

From My Baking Addiction

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup + 1/2 cup + 4-6 cups (cold) water
• 3/4 cup fresh berries (raspberry or strawberry)
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice

Preparation:

• Make a simple syrup by combining the sugar with 1 cup water in a saucepan. Place over medium heat and cook until sugar is completely dissolved-swirl and stir occasionally. Allow to cool.
• Puree berries in a food processor or blender with 1/2 cup water-then push through a fine mesh sieve (um...I don't have one. So I didn't. It wasn't the end of the world but poor Michael had to deal with seeds)
• Once the syrup has cooled combine it with the berry puree and lemon juice in a large pitcher.
• Add 4-6 cups cold water-stir.
• Enjoy in fancy glasses (or in Michael's case....a batman glass....that's why there's only the picture of the pitcher. *sigh*)