Business is business. Maybe it's about making a difference in the world of consumers but mostly, it's about making money. I get that -- and if I owned my own company and offered some sort of product, surely my goal would be to reap a financial reward. And if I wanted to increase my reward, I guess I would consider new markets, new advertising, and new techniques for hauling in loads of cash.

So I see what's going on with the new Camel No. 9 cigarettes, in their hot-pink fuscia and minty-teal green packages with the slogan Light and Luscious. I understand this brand is targeting female smokers with enticing wording that Camel maker R.J. Reynolds executives say is meant to suggest dressed to the nines, putting on your best. I even get that it's a pretty savvy strategy. But somehow, it all seems so wrong.

In a world where more women die of lung cancer than breast cancer -- by a large margin -- how can anyone, even business people whose sights are set on profits, feel OK with the decision to encourage women to smoke?

Think about these passages that just recently published in a New York Times article:

Wall Street analysts praise the introduction of Camel No. 9, in regular and menthol flavors, as a further step by the R. J. Reynolds, a unit of Reynolds American, toward a new marketing strategy. The goal is to refocus on the biggest, most popular -- and most profitable -- brands, which include Kool as well as Camel.

"What we're about is giving adult smokers a choice," says one executive, "with products we believe are more appealing than existing products." The introduction of Camel No. 9 is part of plans to "focus on products that are 'wow,' " she added, "that add fun and excitement to the category."

Fun and excitement? Believe me, there's nothing fun and exciting about cancer. Now if I could only package that truth and market it to the world. I suspect I'd be a rich woman -- and I don't mean financially.

Studies provide compelling evidence that garlic is an effective inhibitor of the cancer process. Several compounds are involved in garlic's possible anticancer effects. Garlic contains allyl sulfur and other compounds that slow or prevent the growth of tumor cells. Mushrooms have also been determined to contain a source of novel anti-cancer agents. These two combined in a very healthy soup give you another reason to curl up on a couch with a hot bowl in your hand. This personal recipe is a favorite among my friends. This soup is nutritional, hearty and packed full of earthy flavors.

Vicki's Mushroom Garlic Soup
8 garlic gloves minced
1 large onion diced
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms chopped
8 ounces portabella mushrooms chopped
8 ounces white button mushrooms chopped
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley (2 tablespoons dried if you do not have fresh)
1/4 cup fresh chopped basil (1 tablespoon dried if you do not have fresh)
1 tablespoon course ground black pepper
1/4 cup lite soy sauce
1/2 cup merlot or non sweet red wine
2 tablespoon coconut oil
1 beef bouillon cube (if vegetarian just leave out)
1 cup heavy cream (if you do not want to add cream and 1/2 cup water instead)
6 cups water
2 tablespoons of arrowroot (can use 4 tablespoons of flour if you don't have arrowroot)

In saucepan saute garlic and chopped onions with coconut oil on low heat to slightly caramelize the onions to a translucent state. Add the merlot or red wine of choice along with the soy sauce and the mushrooms. Simmer on low covered for just a few minutes to soften the mushrooms and to let them absorb the flavors. Add water and beef bouillon cube and bring to a boil. Turn back heat to medium low and add heavy cream and let simmer for five minutes. Be sure to stir often to prevent scorching. Mix arrowroot or flour in 3 to 4 tablespoons of water to make a thin paste and stir it into the soup whisking briskly so as not to cause lumps. Continue simmering on low for a few minutes so the soup broth will slightly thicken. Stir in black pepper, fresh chopped parsley, and fresh chopped basil just before serving.