MNN - Mother Nature Network

To help raise funds for her new cancer-wellness center in Melbourne, Australia, Olivia Newton-John turned to the kitchen and decades worth of healthy cooking experience.

 

"It seemed such a strange idea in the beginning and then I really got into it," the 63-year-old actress/singer told Fox411.com. "I’ve cooked all my life, pretty simple cooking but healthy, so I thought I can throw this together and share my philosophy on eating and here we have it."

 

The new collection of recipes, titled "Livwise: Easy Recipes for a Healthy, Happy Life," includes such dishes as Poached Eggs with Cilantro Pesto for breakfast, Chickpea Patties and Carrot Salad with Papaya and Orange Dressing for lunch, and Lemon Chicken for dinner.

 

Royalties from the new cookbook will go directly to The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, which will open next month after nearly 10 years in development. 

 

"It was my dream to have it as part of the hospital so when people are going through their cancer treatments they can get support from the wellness centre on the grounds of the hospital," she said. "There will be yoga classes, cooking classes, massage therapy, acupuncture, things that are going to help them through their cancer."

 

Like others passionate about fighting cancer, Olivia had her own experience when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. 

 

"I did everything I could to take care of myself — body, mind, and spirit," she told Everyday Health. "I look at my cancer journey as a gift: It made me slow down and realize the important things in life and taught me to not sweat the small stuff. Enjoy the day, accept help when you need it, and be grateful for every day you have. Each morning, I wake up and I am grateful to be on this planet another day to enjoy the things and people I love and hold dear to my heart."

 

Olivia's new cookbook is available for $16.11 on Amazon. To pick up a copy, jump here.