Cabbage Soup - Health Benefits for Pancreatic Disease

While sitting around the hospital recently, I was reading several nutrition/health books researching the best foods to help fight pancreaitis and sepesis infection. Cruciferous vegetables are heralded once again, as I am seeing a pattern, it seems, no matter what ailment one may have.

The cabbage, carrot and cauliflower are particularly good for helping a pancreas to heal and detoxify.  For detoxification purposes, choosing organic is important.  Healthwithfood.org reports on cabbage:

Glucosinolates are anti-carcinogenic compounds that have been shown to limit the amount of DNA damage and cell mutation as well as to inhibit the processes that prevent programmed cell death and promote uncontrolled cell growth. In order to get the most benefit from cabbage, eat it raw or short-cooked; cooking destroys vitamin C and denatures the enzyme that is responsible for the production of glucosinolates. It is also advisable to buy organically grown cabbage as organically grown produce has been shown to contain significantly higher amounts of glucosinolates than its conventionally grown counterpart.

Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene and vitamin C. In addition, they contain falcarinol, a natural compound that has been shown to be able to inhibit the development of cancer. Researchers found that rats that had pre-cancerous tumors and that were fed carrots were one third less likely to develop full-scale tumors than the animals in the control group. To get the most falcarinol, eat your carrots raw or steamed. 

The original recipe called for canned stewed tomatoes and paste, but we prefer acidic tomato products from a glass jar vs. an aluminum can to avoid aluminum leaching into the food product.  This is up to you - however, we substituted with marinera sauce and salsa already in our frig and and it turned out to be an awesome soup. 

For vegetarians, simply do not add turkey.

Our kids gave this soup two thumbs up. Our 15 yr. old had seconds...and he doesn't like tomatoes!

Russian Cabbage Soup  

Ground Turkey, 1 1/2 lbs.

1 onion (saute with turmeric spice for flavor and health benefits)

3-5 garlic cloves, minced

Simmer above on stove top until meat is browned. Place into large soup kettle with next four ingredients.

2 carton's (32 oz) each organic vegetable broth

8 oz. salsa* (we used mild)

16 oz. marinera sauce*  

2 T. vinegar 

2 T. raw agave nectar (you could cut back on this, or omit)

32 oz. water

****(when buying foods in jars watch for high fructose corn syrup, MSG)

Spices/Herbs - add to above ingredients in a large kettle.
1 T. Herbamare spice

1/2 tsp. Celtic Sea Salt (iodized salt,ground fine)

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp black ground pepper

Organic produce:

1 head of cabbage (purple  has more mild flavor than green)

1 head of cauliflower

4 large carrots 

Core and quarter the cabbage and cauliflower heads and soak in water with freshly squeezed lemon juice and white vinegar to clean. Rinse. Let air dry for a bit on toweling or put chunks in a salad spinner to spin dry.

Coarsley chop cabbage  into bite sized pieces. If cabbage head is large use only half.

Use 1/2 head cauliflower. Break cauliflower into chunks and pulse in food processor until small, resembling crumbled ground turkey. Process carrots as well, until small pieces. Or if you prefer, grate carrots.

Add cauliflower and carrot to kettle, allow to simmer 30 minutes. Add cabbage about 30 minutes before serving, although you can add it earlier if you do not wish to maintain a slightly crunchy texture.

Remaining cauliflower and cabbage can be used to make a healthy cole slaw. Or use remaining cauliflower as a rice replacement in a favorite rice based recipe.

The soup abvoe has many healing properties because of its nutritional benefits. For those with cancer, agave nectar should be avoided as sugar fuels cancer cells.

ENJOY this soup and enjoy your health!!

Rita S.