Michelle Schoffro Cook's Blog

If you pay attention to the news, television, radio, or even conversations, you are most likely inundated with messages of fear and dread when it comes to cancer. But, that’s not the whole story.

The Effects of a Media Imbalance

As someone who spent decades researching and writing about food, herbs, and other natural remedies, I know too well that there are thousands of studies on their healing properties, including their anticancer effects. While these studies could offer hope to the millions of people suffering from the disease, few are ever mentioned in the mainstream media so most people aren’t even aware that this research exists.

             I saw the impact of this media imbalance in the people who came to see me in my natural health practice. I was fortunate to have worked with thousands of amazing people over the years, including many who were battling cancer, as I guided them toward their own healing.

            During that time, I closely observed people to understand the many physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual factors that may be affecting their health, in an effort to help address them. I saw that most people lived in fear of the disease.

            Having authored many books and articles, I consider myself a “word person.” I noticed how peoples’ language or manner of communicating impacted their health, perhaps without their conscious awareness. I observed that some people seemed victimized by their circumstances almost accepting defeat from the outset, while others embodied a spirit of hopefulness. Of course, we all feel victimized by life at times, and certainly a cancer diagnosis may take a toll, but it’s important to free ourselves from the shackles of such thinking as much as possible to enable our greatest healing.

Restoring Hope

            One of the most common phrases I heard in those who seemed stuck in a defeatist mindset was, “I’ve tried everything.” Of course, as I began reviewing their medical history and the methods and remedies they’d used on their healing path, I would ask a series of questions that typically revealed how many natural options were still left unexplored. I worked with them to create an action plan that removed barriers to their success, including a possible defeatist mindset, and incorporate more anti-cancer foods, remedies, and strategies to help them heal.

            Undoubtedly, once people learned about all the options still available to them, their spirit brightened and they left feeling more hopeful. Of course, there were a few people who seemed determined to fuel their nihilistic worldview that “nothing works” but most people welcomed the range of new approaches they could use for their healing.

That’s why I created The Cancer Files: to remind readers of three main things:

1) Surviving cancer is not only possible, but commonplace. More people are surviving cancer than ever before.

2) There are far more anti-cancer options than you might realize. Our understanding about the foods, remedies, and lifestyle strategies that demonstrate anti-cancer properties and benefits has never been stronger.

3) Many anti-cancer foods, herbs, nutrients, and other remedies are far more powerful than you might realize. I’ve personally witnessed impressive healing results many people have experienced when they incorporate these items into their daily life. Of course, you should still work with your physician to determine those to include, if any.

            The Cancer Files is a compilation of approximately 70 articles I wrote on research-supported anti-cancerous foods, remedies, and strategies for anyone who believes they’ve exhausted their options or just needs support on their cancer-healing journey. It is a reminder that just when you think you’ve tried everything, there are still more options to consider. It is intended to help restore hope if you feel defeated by life’s challenges, including a cancer diagnosis, and to remind you that there is hope.

Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD is an award-winning, best-selling, and 25-time published author, whose books include: The Cancer Files, 60 Seconds to Slim, Pain Erasers, and The Ultimate pH Solution. She is the recipient of a Gold Foreword Indies and a Silver Nautilus award. Her work has been featured in Woman’s World, WebMD, Reviews.com, Yahoo!, Yoga Magazine, and Mother Earth News. Her book, Pain Erasers, was selected by Woman’s World as the “Best New Book.” She is the publisher of the popular free newsletter at DrMichelleCook.com.

Available in 

eBook/Digital Download $16.95 USD (for immediate download in pdf format--you'll receive a link to download after payment.)

Paperback Amazon $19.99 USD (you'll be redirected to Amazon to complete your paperback purchase)

I'm thrilled to launch my new book THE CANCER FILES: Discover Powerful Anticancer Foods, Herbs, Nutrients & Strategies that Heal.

Most people have been affected by cancer, either personally or through witnessing its effects on a loved one. I, too, am no different. That’s why I created The Cancer Files. It began as a labor of love as I sifted through over 2000 articles I wrote over the years to find those I had written on cancer.

            When I realized that I had written more extensively on the topic than I originally recalled, I decided to turn this collection of about 70 articles into a book. This research-backed compilation of foods and remedies is intended to help anyone who might be battling the disease. After all, if you pay attention to the news, television, radio, or other aspects of society, you are most likely inundated with messages of fear and dread, particularly when it comes to cancer.

            But, that’s not the whole story. As someone who spent decades researching and writing about food, herbs, and other natural remedies, I know too well that there are thousands of studies on their healing properties, including their anticancer effects. While these studies could offer hope to the millions of people suffering from the disease, few are ever mentioned in the mainstream media so most people aren’t even aware that this research exists.

             I saw the impact of this media imbalance in the people who came to see me in my natural health practice. I was fortunate to have worked with thousands of amazing people over the years, including many who were battling cancer, as I guided them toward their own healing.

I created The Cancer Files to remind readers of three main things:

1) Surviving cancer is not only possible, but commonplace. More people are surviving cancer than ever before.*

2) There are far more anti-cancer options than you might realize. Our understanding about the foods, remedies, and lifestyle strategies that demonstrate anti-cancer properties and benefits has never been stronger.

3) Many anti-cancer foods, herbs, nutrients, and other remedies are far more powerful than you might realize. I’ve personally witnessed impressive healing results many people have experienced when they incorporate these items into their daily life. Of course, you should still work with your physician to determine those to include, if any.

            Additionally, The Cancer Files is meant to be a reminder that just when you think you’ve tried everything, there are still more options to consider. It is intended to help restore hope if you feel defeated by life’s challenges, including a cancer diagnosis, and to remind you that there is hope.

The Cancer Files is currently available in eBook format for immediate download and in paperback on Amazon.

Excerpted from the Introduction of The Cancer Files. For informational purposes only. The information is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice. ©Copyright 2026 Michelle Schoffro Cook. All rights reserved.  

Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD is an award-winning, best-selling, and 25-time published author, whose books include: The Cancer Files, 60 Seconds to Slim, Pain Erasers, and The Ultimate pH Solution. She is the recipient of a Gold Foreword Indies and a Silver Nautilus award. Her work has been featured in Woman’s World, WebMD, Reviews.com, Yahoo!, Yoga Magazine, and Mother Earth News. Her book, Pain Erasers, was selected by Woman’s World as the “Best New Book.” She is the publisher of the popular free newsletter at DrMichelleCook.com.

* Sonya Collins, “2024—First Year the US Expects More than 2M New Cases of Cancer,” American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news/facts-and-figures-2024.html.

Available in 

eBook/Digital Download $16.95 USD (for immediate download in pdf format--you'll receive a link to download after payment.)

Paperback Amazon $19.99 USD (you'll be redirected to Amazon to complete your paperback purchase)

You may have heard that green tea is a fantastic addition to your diet, especially for its anticancer effects. But, there is a little-known trick that research shows can multiply the beverage’s cancer-fighting ability by 100 TIMES. That’s 10,000 percent.

Green tea is well-known for its anti-cancer compounds like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) but according to research in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, you can boost its cancer-fighting ability by 100 times with the addition of just one other ingredient.*

            The scientists discovered that a compound found in chili peppers or dried chilies had a potent synergistic effect when combined with EGCG. Chilies contain little-known compounds known as vanilloids. They are similar to the better-known compounds in chilies known as capsaicin yet most people have never heard of them. When vanilloids from chilies combine with green tea’s EGCG, the scientists found that it significantly magnifies the beverage’s anticancer activity.

            The researchers used a 25:1 ratio of green tea concentrate to vanilloids. In the laboratory, they found this blend “exhibited efficacy in the killing of cancer cells in culture 100-times that of green tea on a weight basis.”

            Obviously, more research is needed, particularly human trials using this blend. But, while you wait for further research, you might want to try adding some freshly-minced chili pepper or crushed dried chili to your green tea to boost the beverage’s anticancer properties. Obviously, this drink is not for the faint of heart or those who struggle with spicy food. Your tea will definitely have some kick. The combination makes an excellent beverage hot (temperature, that is, because we already know it’s going to be spicy when served heated or cooled) or iced. I add a bit of fresh lemon juice and the naturally-sweet herb stevia for a delicious iced tea with a kick.

Excerpted from The Cancer Files. For informational purposes only. The information is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice. ©Copyright 2026 Michelle Schoffro Cook. All rights reserved.  

Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD is an award-winning, best-selling, and 25-time published author, whose books include: The Cancer Files, 60 Seconds to Slim, Pain Erasers, and The Ultimate pH Solution. She is the recipient of a Gold Foreword Indies and a Silver Nautilus award. Her work has been featured in Woman’s World, WebMD, Reviews.com, Yahoo!, Yoga Magazine, and Mother Earth News. Her book, Pain Erasers, was selected by Woman’s World as the “Best New Book.” She is the publisher of the popular free newsletter at DrMichelleCook.com.

*Morre DJ, Morre DM. "Synergistic Capsicum-tea mixtures with anticancer activity" Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2003;55(7):987-994. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12906756/.

Available in 

eBook/Digital Download $16.95 USD (for immediate download in pdf format--you'll receive a link to download after payment.)

Paperback Amazon $19.99 USD (you'll be redirected to Amazon to complete your paperback purchase)

Coming soon...THE CANCER FILES: Discover Powerful Anticancer Foods, Herbs, Nutrients, & Strategies that Heal. Subscribe to my newsletter here on my site DrMichelleCook.com to be the first to know when it launches.

Cooking over a fire soothes the soul. © Copyright Michelle Schoffro Cook. All rights reserved.

When I bought my home several years ago, it seemed at odds with my yearning for a simpler life living closer to nature. After all, the house needed a significant amount of work and I had sworn off “project houses” after my prior experiences. I knew the house needed many renovations when I bought it and a book-length inspection report can attest to that fact, but I wanted an affordable acreage and home that wouldn’t mean paying a mortgage until the day I died.

              In addition to being in a state of disrepair, none of the rooms were even delineated as “kitchen,” “laundry room,” “dining room,” etc., except for an closet-sized kitchenette with only a sink and small fridge. There was also a studio apartment in an addition at the back of the house. A century-old home that was still stuck in days gone by, there weren’t even hookups for a washer and dryer, none of the electrical for a full-size stove, or any plumbing for a kitchen sink in a room.

              For years, I had been dreaming of homesteading on a forested piece of land and decided I was ready to turn that vision into reality no matter what it took and, as I quickly learned, it was going to take a lot. But, there was just something about this home and property that kept calling me back to it, so I put on my foreman hat, toilet scrubbing rubber gloves, and tattered painting clothes and set aside my reservations about renovations and decided to take on the project.

              Upon arrival, my husband and I spent multiple days cleaning the studio apartment at the back of the house just so we’d feel more comfortable living there, even if we were sleeping on a futon mattress on the floor and relaxing in a couple of outdoor folding reclining chairs at the end of lengthy days of cleaning, repairing, and renovating the rest of the house. It was far from perfect and I confess: I shed more than a few tears about whether I had made the right decision over the many months that followed.

              We arrived during a massive blizzard so it wasn’t surprising that the local pub was the only place to get some food, but the white-out conditions made us grateful to find any food at all and we were eager to put the drive, and ourselves, to bed.

              Once the weather cleared and I felt content with the level of cleanliness in the studio to bring food into the space, I went to the grocery store and bought a few items to cook for the night’s meal. Within a few minutes of turning the apartment stove on, it emitted such a repugnant smell that I knew that was the last time I’d use it. I had to leave the door and windows open for several hours in the icy winter air just to get the suffocating smell and smoke out of the space. I still haven’t replaced that stove as there have been higher priorities for the budget and time constraints, but it’s on the seemingly endless “to do” list that I’ve accepted as normal since buying a fixer upper.

Sautéing vegetables in a cast iron frying pan on an old wood stove. © Copyright Michelle Schoffro Cook. All rights reserved.

              The timeworn woodstove in the studio was already heating the space with a bit of firewood left on the property to keep heating bills down so it was the perfect option to cook dinner. It’s not a typical wood cookstove designed for cooking but it worked fine. I pulled out a cast iron frying pan with a lid that I had packed into my utility trailer and began sautéing veggies. Most of my possessions weren’t scheduled to arrive in the moving truck for a couple of weeks. Then, I added some bottled water (my well and water system still needed some TLC) and a package of noodles to make a soup.

              It wasn’t fancy, but it worked. It was a delicious, hot meal after an arduous 4300-kilometre (nearly 2700 miles) cross country drive through icy roads, blizzards with almost no visibility, and sleeping in the vehicle in -24 degree Celsius (-11 Fahrenheit) temperatures, all while pulling a utility trailer with a few essentials. There was something deeply satisfying about cooking that first meal over a woodstove in my new place and cozying up by the fire for warmth. It wasn’t luxury living, but it was lovely and was slowly becoming home.

              Follow my blog, “The Art of Simply Living” as I share strategies to save money and gain greater self-sufficiency, inspiring stories from my homesteading journey, delicious and nutritious recipes, techniques to grow or forage your own foods and natural medicines, all with the goal of helping you live a healthy, happy, and meaningful life close to nature.

Photo: The snow-kissed landscape in the Lost Orchard ©Michelle Schoffro Cook. All rights reserved.

Did you set any resolutions for the year ahead? If you’re like most people, you set goals to lose weight, quit smoking, stop eating sweets, or some other similar goal. But, what if instead of cutting things out of your life or creating a restrictive regimen that only causes you to feel like a failure in a few weeks or months, you opted to find ways to bring more joy into your life?

              After all, who couldn’t use more happiness in life? While I have been an observer of the human condition, it only takes a simple glance at passersby to realize that most people are working tirelessly to create an external façade that doesn’t match their inner world. Most people seem to be barely getting through life, moving from one task to another seemingly endless task or smiling while holding their true feelings inside. Others seem to be running from their feelings of sadness through excessive working or busy-ness, or by trying to numb their feelings through the usual suspects: drinking, drugs, or other efforts to escape their reality. Of course, I realize that working hard is a necessity for most people and that not all travel is an attempt at escapism.

              The reality is that many people try to evade their feelings of grief, sadness, misery, trauma, or some other socially-perceived “undesirable” emotion. From the outside looking in, it seems that too many people lack any kind of “joie de vivre,” or “joy of life.”

              Undoubtedly, there will be people who move into a comfortable state of victimhood by stating something like: “You don’t know how hard my life has been,” or “Easy for you to say. You haven’t been through the (insert your favorite expletive) I’ve been through.” Both are true. I have not experienced what you have, nor has anyone. We’ve all had our own unique life, filled with whatever hardships, traumas, or miseries that have befallen us.

              Having worked with thousands of people in my natural healing practice over the years, many of whom shared their deepest fears, darkest experiences, and overwhelming traumas, I learned nearly everyone carries a surprising amount of heaviness through their life. But, that doesn’t mean we need to get comfortable with our collective state of victimhood, pointing the finger at others as the source of our problems, incessantly complaining about the hardships we’ve faced, or giving up any effort at happiness before we even get started. After all, "what if we fail when we pursue our dreams?" we may think. 

              Happiness is a choice. I’m not talking about fake positivity that involves bypassing your emotions by figuratively burying your head in the sand and pretending everything is fine. I’m talking about making a decision to become happier, whatever that looks like to you. Yes, it may be challenging at first to live with a connection to your heart, rather than just in your head as we are trained to do from birth in our society. But, checking in with your heart before you make decisions, whether simple or complex, can make the difference between happiness and misery.

              Over time, it gets easier to follow your heart, listen to your intuition, and follow the path that leads to joy. Yes, there will be naysayers. No doubt there are naysayers reading this blog right now. But, by beginning to tune out the voices of others who say you can’t do this, have that, or be with someone you love, takes effort. The harsh truth is that sometimes those closest to us do not want what’s best for us, or that which will make us happy. They often want the comfort of the status quo, even if it is detrimental to you. 

              Getting in touch with your inner voice, your intuition, your desires and dreams, and then making conscious choices that move you toward them, ultimately leads to greater happiness. It might mean skipping the small daily purchases to save for something you’ve always wanted, mindfully enjoying a delicious meal undistracted by tasks, taking a class to learn a skill that calls to you, taking a walk in nature to help you reset, or moving out of the daily grind to a more natural setting and a more harmonious life.

              It might take time, but it works. I know this from experience. I had every reason to sit in misery and forgo any effort to seek happiness, accepting the challenging hand I had been dealt. Instead, I chose happiness, regardless how elusive it seemed at the time.

              When doubt creeps in or you have a bad day as we all undoubtedly do, rather than wave the white flag of surrender, renew your commitment to a happier life. You deserve it. We all do. Whatever you hold in your heart, whether it be a destination, a person, a cherished goal, or a whole new direction in life, it is my wish it for you in 2026 that your life moves toward these cherished goals. 

              Follow my blog, “The Art of Simply Living” as I share inspiring stories, helpful tips, motivation, beautiful photos, delicious recipes, and techniques to grow your own foods and natural medicines, all with the goal of helping you live a fulfilling and meaningful life close to nature.

The first fire of the season is always my favourite. Regardless what the calendar might say, it marks the official end of summer for me. By then, I have picked and processed most of my garden and orchard produce (although there are still tomatoes on my dining room table, apples in my fridge, and pumpkins and squashes in a bin in my foyer ready to be turned into delicious foods).

              It’s the first real moment of rest after a busy season of rushing from task to task: mowing, tending my forest orchard trails, and harvesting all the food the garden and orchard offers. Don’t get me wrong: I love summer. No matter how long and hot it is, it’s never long enough for me. But, that first moment of curling up by the fire with a book or magazine in hand, while frequently glancing over the pages to appreciate the beauty of dancing flames signals to my body that a season of busy-ness is over and a season of rest has begun.

              And, my nervous system can’t help but take notice. I feel my breath deepen, my shoulder muscles relax, and more than a few worries dissipate. No matter what’s going on in the news or any stresses in my life, for that moment I feel deep peace, and that means a lot because I’m a fairly peaceful person.

              It’s also a way of communing with a different aspect of nature than I have for months: fire. The warmth it exudes feels completely different from that of heaters or furnaces. Thankfully, the light it shines bears no resemblance to fluorescent or LED lights. The light cast from behind the glass of my wood stove simply soothes my soul and reminds me how important it is to stop doing countless things and simply be, if only for a few hours here and there. It’s an opportunity for peace and quiet, and for reflection on my life and dreams, away from the noise of the world’s expectations. The swaying and whirling of flames is a natural meditation that brings me back to my centre.

Solstice is the longest day of the year with the sun at its peak. Or, in the winter, the solstice is the shortest day of the year, with the darkness at its peak. Not just another day on the calendar, it represents the balance between light and darkness, a reflection of our own duality.

The sun is at its peak and there is a renewal of hope after the long winter’s darkness. It’s also a reminder of our cosmic connection which seems so strained in the hustle culture of our modern world, where artificial lights and unnatural rhythms blur the lines of day and night, confounding our neurotransmitters and circadian rhythms. Is it any wonder so many of us feel disconnected and depressed?

We have lost touch with nature and forgotten our place in it. But, solstice is not a day to wade in the murky waters of sadness and despair. It is a reminder that no matter how much darkness we’ve experienced, we can lift our head toward the sun, feel its warmth on our skin, its light on our face, and choose to move toward the light.

While the darkness may feel familiar, we know we are not meant to stay there. We are not meant to settle in life. Even when we may not feel it, there is light within our soul.  We are meant to honour that spark of light within and nurture its brilliance. After all, we are reflections of its radiance.

The photo showcases apples from my century-old apple tree, named Solstice. Its apples have a bright and citrusy flavour that taste like apple lemonade. The apples even look like miniature suns with their brilliant yellow colour, with hints of a sun-kissed blush.

© Michelle Schoffro Cook  DrMichelleCook.com

Discover strategies to restore adrenal gland health in my new book Essential Oils for Women: Boost Your Energy, Lose Weight, Improve Your Sleep, Beat Brain Fog, and More. Now available in print and ebook options.  

Photo and text Copyright Michelle Schoffro Cook

Most people know about the heart-healing benefits of eating more nuts, seeds, beans, and colorful vegetables, but there are three more heart-healing foods to consider:

Sauerkraut

Most people think of sauerkraut as a gut healer, which, of course, it is. But, this superfood is also great for the heart and blood vessels. In a study published in Food and Function, researchers found this probiotic-rich food reduced triglycerides and cholesterol, while boosting the powerful antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione. These antioxidants eliminate harmful free radicals—charged molecules that damage the cells and tissues in the body, including the heart and blood vessels. Be sure to select fermented varieties that are unpasteurized as the pasteurization process destroys the beneficial microorganism that give this food its super powers. And, many of cabbage’s nutrients become more absorbable during the fermentation process, giving this food even more benefits. Add sauerkraut to meat and poultry dishes, rice bowls, or salads.

The best way to ensure your sauerkraut is full of active microbes is to make your own. Learn how easy it is in my book The Cultured Cook.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Often considered a weight loss superfood, this condiment contains the valuable nutrient known as chlorogenic acid, which according to the journal Biochemical Pharmacology, helps prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, which is an important step to block to prevent the worsening of heart disease. Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (again, make sure it is unpasteurized) to water and drink 20 to 30 minutes prior to eating. Top your favorite greens or chopped vegetables with apple cider vinegar and olive oil, or add a little honey, some mashed berries, and sparkling water to make a delicious and heart-healing drink called a shrub. The best way to get unpasteurized apple cider vinegar is to make your own. And, it’s more affordable than the store-bought stuff, easier than you’d imagine and can even be made with apple scraps you’d normally throw away. Learn how in my book The Cultured Cook.

Red Cabbage Microgreens

Microgreens are powerhouses of nutrition but when it comes to your heart, red cabbage microgreens stand above the rest. Research in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that microgreens grown from red cabbage lowered inflammatory compounds called cytokines that have been linked to heart disease. Available in many health food stores and grocery stores, red cabbage microgreens are also easy to grow yourself, even on a windowsill or a corner of your kitchen counter. All you need is a food-safe tray or dish, a bit of soil, a packet of red cabbage seeds, and a regular dose of water and you’ll have a fresh supply in a week or so.

Michelle Schoffro Cook is a homesteader, orchardist, and the author of 25 books including her most recent ones: Essential Oils for Women (available in print: https://amzn.to/4hXJR9O or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3WWqKVq) and Essential Oils for Body, Mind & Spirit (available in print: https://amzn.to/3CPlYSO or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3WZ6xOX). DrMichelleCook.com.