I learned about Ruth’s story from a previous guest, Danielle Ellis. It is easy to see why the two are such good friends. Danielle & Ruth both turned to food as a 2nd career, both live in the UK and share all the wonderful British qualities of self deprecation and matter-of-factness that we Americans so admire, and both teach bread baking. However, when Danielle introduced me to Ruth, Ruth’s life had taken a very unexpected turn. After 18 months of easy-to-miss (and easy to dismiss) symptoms, Ruth saw a doctor for kidney pain kidney. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, operated on almost immediately, and started a round of punishing chemotherapy. During her chemotheraphy - that was when Danielle shared Ruth’s social media and I started following her. And what did I see Ruth saying and doing on her social media? Well, as a self-described “whirling dervish”, Ruth was not exactly taking it easy… Instead, she was teaching classes on how to cook for patients undergoing cancer treatments. Ruth was also donating the proceeds from these classes to the MacMillan foundation, which supports cancer patients.
In this episode, I talk to Ruth about food and cancer from 4 perspectives - first, food as medicine - second, how to adjust a diet for the many symptoms cancer patients experience during treatment - symptoms like low appetite, mouth sores, digestive issues, things like that. Third, we talk about the potential cooking has to be a release, distraction, or emotional boost during treatment. Finally, Ruth gives us advice on how we can can cook and care for families as they undergo cancer treatments.
Finally, we also talk about Ruth’s unusual, idyllic childhood in the North of Scotland, where Ruth’s father owned the world-renowned Clifton House, a hotel that was a vibrant center of arts. Meanwhile, Ruth’s mother was a potter whose work is still featured at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This is absolutely a can’t miss episode and I am just thrilled to welcome Ruth right now.
Listen Now to Ruth MacIntyre
Highlights of Cooking for Cancer Patients with Ruth MacIntyre
How Ruth overlooked the signs of ovarian cancer for 18 months
How Ruth jumped in to help families with small children the moment lockdown happened
“Micro baking” 70 sourdoughs a day during lockdown
Surgery on her birthday
Food & Cancer: Food as treatment?
Food & Cancer: Accommodating the side effects of treatment
Food & Cancer: As an emotional release, motivation, emotional boost
Food & Cancer: How to send meals to cancer patients and their families
“There is more in you than you think”
Ruth’s experience at Gordonson College (same as the Royal Family)
Ruth’s childhood as the daughter of a famous hotelier in Northern Scotland
Recipes Associated with this Episode
The Clifton House "Tunisian Cake" with Orange and Almonds
Connect with Ruth's Little Kitchen
Website: https://ruthslittlekitchen.co.uk
Instagram: @ruthslittlekitchen
Facebook: @ruthslittlekitchen
Resources Ruth Mentions in this Episode
Ruth's Parents and the Clifton House
Recipes For Those Affected by Cancer
Macmillan Cancer Support Fundraising
More of Ruth's Little Kitchen's Recipes
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More About The Storied Recipe Podcast
The concept of The Storied Recipe is unique - every guest gives me a recipe that represents a cherished memory, custom, or person. I actually make, photograph, and share the recipe. During the interview, I discuss the memories and culture around the recipe, and also my experience (especially my mistakes and questions!) as I tried it. My listeners and I are a community that believes food is a love language unto itself. With every episode, we become better cooks and global citizens, more grateful for the gift of food,
