GOODNESS
Carrots: We all know that carrots are good for your eyes, but did you know they have anti-cancer properties as well? They have the nicely named carotenoids that are antioxidents -- chemicals that mop up the damage that results from ordinary metabolism. That, in turn, helps to keep your cells from turning rogue and hanging with the cancer gangs. If that's not enough to make you grab a carrot, they turn out to be immune-system stimulators as well, meaning you'll have fewer occasions to ask "What's up, doc?" Yes there's a little sugar in them, but also a lot of fiber to buffer it, so only the most sugar-restricted people should worry. By the way, the vitamin K in carrots is easier to absorb if you eat them with a bit of oil or fat, like a dip.

Celery: Celery isn't just for Bloody Marys, although that's as close as many people get to this healthful veggie. Celery may have been used as a hangover cure in ancient Rome, but its real power lies in its ability to lower blood pressure and to keep your weight under control. If you have either of these problems (and they often travel together) you could do worse than grabbing a stalk of celery to chew on.

Parsley: This refreshing herb is good for your breath and is apparently refreshing to the rest of your body. Like all green herbs, it is loaded with chlorophyll, which is just good for people. It helps you build tissue and fight inflammation. It has even been shown to help manage blood sugars and helps to keep your weight in check. More studies are needed, but it may even help to fight cancer. All that, and a breath freshener too? Who could ask for more?
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Recipe

Chicken Soup with Loads of Vegetables

serves
prep time: 10
cook time: 165

ingredients

  • 1 gallon water
  • 1 large cut-up chicken, preferably stewing or large roaster
  • Marrow bones (optional)
  • 2 whole onions, unpeeled
  • 4 parsnips, peeled and left whole
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery leaves plus 2 stalks celery and their leaves
  • 1 rutabaga, peeled and quartered
  • 1 large turnip, peeled and quartered
  • 1 kohlrabi, quartered (optional)
  • 6 carrots, peeled and left whole
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/3 cup snipped dill
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 summer squash

directions

Put the water and the chicken in a large pot and bring the water to a boil. Skim off the froth.

Add the marrow bones, onions, parsnips, celery, 3/4 of the rutabaga, turnip, kohlrabi, 4 of the carrots, the parsley, 1/4 cup of the dill, and the salt and pepper. Cover and simmer of 2.5 hours, adjusting the seasoning to taste.

Strain, remove the chicken, discard the vegetables and refrigerate the liquid to solidify. Remove the skin and bones from the chicken and cut the meat into bite-size chunks. Refrigerate. Remove the fat from the soup.

Just before serving, reheat the soup. Bring to a boil. Cut the summer squash and the remaining 2 carrots into thin strips and add to the soup along with the remaining rutabaga cut into thin strips as well as a few pieces of chicken. Simmer about 15 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked, but still firm. Serve with the remaining snipped dill. You can also add noodles, marrow, or clos (matzah) balls.