“Garlicky Italian Pasta Soup”

Here is a great cold weather organic soup that’s sure to please. This soup will keep you dreaming about tomorrow’s leftovers. Full of energy producing gluten-free pasta, and the healing power of organic peas, this soup will keep a person warm even on cold winter days. And this soup is full of great protein and along with a green salad, this soup is a full spectrum meal.

Ingredients:

3 - Cups of Organic Gluten Free Pasta

2 - Cups of Organic Peas - Fresh or Frozen

1 - Cup of Organic Textured Protein Bits

1 - Large Organic Yellow Onion - Chopped and Sautéed

8 - Large Organic Garlic Cloves Minced and Sautéed with Onions

12 - Oz of Organic Black Olives

2 - Medium Organic Russet Potatoes - Chopped

2 - Tablespoons of Organic Italian Season

24 - Oz of Organic Garlicky Marinara Sauce - Low Sodium

Enough filtered water to cover everything and another 3 inches or so in the pot.

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Normal Cooking Method

Sauté garlic and onions and then add everything else except the cooked pasta and cook until everything is tender. Then add the cooked pasta and cook for another 10 minutes and allow to cool.

Serves 15 people

Electronic Pressure Cooker Method

Take everything uncooked including the uncooked pasta and place it in the pressure cooker and add the water including 2 or 3 inches of extra water in the pot. Then cook on the automatic soup setting and that’s it— Done! Pressure cooking preserves more nutrients and vitamins than the regular cooking methods and it’s much faster. I Love My Electronic Pressure Cooker!

Health Benefits of Organic Peas

There are green peas, yellow peas, purple peas and other colors of peas
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Peas contain coumestrol which is a powerful antioxidant that helps to prevent stomach cancer. One cup of peas contains 10 milligrams of coumestrol which is 5 times more than what we need to prevent stomach cancer. Peas also contain lots of healing Omega 3 and 6 oils which are important for cardiovascular health.

New studies show that peas contain certain types of proteins that help to prevent and heal kidney disease and lower blood pressure. Studies at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg showed that rats with kidney disease fed pea protein had a huge boost in kidney function. They are not sure exactly why this happens but they think it has to do with the stimulation of cyclooxygenase -1 agent production which is very healing for kidney tissue and lowers blood pressure. Eating peas on a regular basis can increase kidney function by as much as 30%-Wow!

Peas also help to lower and stabilize blood sugar thus peas are great food for diabetics. And peas also help with oxidative stress which is important for preventing Type 2 Diabetes. Fiber is important for boosting up our probiotic bacteria and peas contain lots of fiber. One cup of peas contains from 8 to 10 grams of fiber. Peas contain agents that help to lower inflammation thus helping to prevent and heal arthritis, joint disease, and other types of inflammatory diseases. Peas contain pisomosides and saponins that heal and prevent inflammation which is the first step towards disease.

Peas help to prevent cardiovascular disease and strokes because they contain lots of great Omega 3 oils. Peas contain lots of great B Vitamins for vitality and good mood, Vitamin C a powerful antioxidant, iron and copper for anemia, calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, magnesium and manganese for enzyme production, protein for building muscles, Vitamin E for great skin and sexual health, Vitamin K for proper clotting, Beta Carotene for healing DNA damage, and so much more.

Remember to Always Eat Organic - Regular veggies and fruits contain up to 6 cancer causing chemicals, 12 hormone-disrupting chemicals, and up to 10 or more other disease causing chemicals—eat organic and stay healthy.

Enjoy this Great Organic Soup!

Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist