Compassion, Spring 2024

8 tcf.org.uk This book is unusual for our library as, rather than being written by a bereaved parent, it was written by a young woman who was living with, and later died from, cancer. Caroline was a high flying career woman when, in 2016 at the age of 31, she was found to have what looked like pre- cancerous cells in her bowel. This changed her perspective of life and she decided to train as a nutritionist hoping it would help her to share her knowledge of, and passion for, delicious healthy food. In the next two years she studied for her diploma in Naturopathic Nutrition, worked on this book, wrote a blog and had a baby called Oscar. Sadly she was diagnosed with stage IV inoperable cancer in 2018 and died in 2020. Caroline's parents have published her book in her honour and it is both beautiful and very informative. Sadly the author never saw the finished product. "A Happy Healthy You" is a mine of information for those of us who want to improve our health and our peace of mind and, as well as being very helpful for people living with physical illnesses, I think it’s a source of inspiration and advice for those of us living with grief. From my own, and other peoples’, experience I know that grief is exhausting and draining and there’s so much knowledge and expertise here to help us look after ourselves; something we tend to be pretty bad at. There are chapters on positivity, taking care of your mind and body, on healthy eating and so much more. What makes it so valid for me is that it was written by a young woman who was living with enormous stress and not by a celebrity whose biggest worry might be fitting into a dress for the Oscars. This author writes from the heart and uses her personal experience as well as her professional expertise to create this excellent resource. The penultimate chapter consists of delicious recipes from soups to salads to main courses and desserts. I’m going to sneak in Caroline’s recipe for a healthier version of one of my favourite desserts Rhubarb Fool. Ingredients: 400gms rhubarb chopped into 2cm pieces, 50mls elderflower cordial, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, 50mls maple syrup, 200mls oat cream, 100mls soya or coconut yoghurt. Method: Place the rhubarb, half the cordial, the maple syrup and cinnamon in a shallow pan on a low heat for 20 minutes until the rhubarb is falling apart, break it up with a wooden spoon, let it cool and leave it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Whisk the cream, yoghurt and the rest of the cordial together and gently fold in the rhubarb mixture. Then pop it back into the fridge until you’re ready to eat it (providing you have the willpower to wait!) Caroline’s parents are selling copies of this book at £25 + £4 postage as a tribute to their daughter and to help facilitate her desire to help others. All profits will be shared between TCF and small cancer charities. You can contact her mum Sarah at sarah@astonyates.co.uk if you would like your own copy (please quote TCF) and I also have a copy in the library. COMPASSION | BOOK REVIEWS These books and many others are available from the TCF library email library@tcf.org.uk or visit tcf.org.uk. A Happy Healthy You by Caroline Yeats reviewed by Mary Hartley