{"id":17921,"date":"2011-01-02T14:25:16","date_gmt":"2011-01-02T14:25:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fxnutrition.com\/?p=239"},"modified":"2025-08-28T17:01:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T17:01:05","slug":"savvy-savoy-stew","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fxnutrition.com\/blog\/savvy-savoy-stew","title":{"rendered":"Savoy Cabbage Stew"},"content":{"rendered":"

Turning our attention to \u201cfood as medicine\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cheers! New years present the perfect opportunity to revisit the concept of food as medicine. Whether you struggle with a health challenge that affects your immunity, strength, vigor or clarity, or you feel in tip-top shape, I invite you to join me in an exploration of the importance of seasonal vegetables, with an eye toward food as medicine. Here\u2019s to the promotion of our collective well-being and longevity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The importance of a nourishing diet<\/span><\/h3>\n

You may have noticed that many of the recipes we share focus more on the sweet, less on the savory. Not only do I have a sweet tooth, and know that you may too, but I delight in giving you tips to satisfy yours in healthful and gratifying ways. I like to demonstrate that treats can be both delicious <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> made with wholesome, minimally processed ingredients that can support so many of our goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

In our journey towards improved or continued health, we can highlight the enjoyment of a variety of foods that nourish our bodies and taste buds. Diverse foods provide the essential nutrients our bodies need to thrive without the need for restrictive diets or negative associations. To us, health is about feeling your best and finding joy in the foods that make you happy, regardless of any notion of “good” or “bad” labels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet even with the availability of more nutritious alternatives to traditional sweets, my resolution, every year, every week, even every day, is to increase my vegetable intake. Whether or not you\u2019re coming along for the ride. I Invite you to read on for a recipe that goes beyond the leafy greens, to the lesser celebrated roots and shoots, fungi and bulbs \u2014 the orange, yellow, purple, red, brown, and green.<\/span><\/p>\n

The US Department of Agriculture recommends between five to nine servings* of fruits and vegetables a day, with an emphasis on the vegetables. Higher vegetable intake is correlated with a lower risk of disease and aging. <\/span>Food as medicine, anyone?<\/span><\/i> I could go on about the science and benefits of vitamins, minerals, anti-inflammatory agents, phyto-chemicals, fiber, and more, but I\u2019ll stop myself there. And I quote, \u201cLower risk of disease and aging.\u201d Sign me up! Are you with me?!<\/span><\/p>\n

As the Center for Disease Control\u2019s slogan about fruits and vegetables says: \u201cMore matters\u201d. This year, let\u2019s do more in some areas and less in others. More vegetables, in all their wonderful forms. Even setting the concept of food as medicine aside, the good textures and flavors to be enjoyed by eating more vegetables are a worthy motivator and reason to ride. We might also find sweetness from the soil along the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

* <\/span><\/i>The US Department of Agriculture defines a<\/span> serving size as about one cup, depending on the fruit or vegetable.<\/span> In other words, if you start your day with a smoothie, you\u2019re well on your way!<\/span><\/p>\n

Savoy: The queen of cabbage<\/span><\/h3>\n

Savoy cabbage originated in a region of Europe which borders Italy, France, and Switzerland. It\u2019s quite an old variety, dating back to the mid 1500\u2019s and has provided people with their winter greens for many centuries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though hardy as a storage vegetable, Savoy is tender and sweet, and lacks some of the sulphur-like odors that can waft from many other cabbage varieties. The ribs of the Savoy are flexible, making it ideal for stuffing, and it requires less cooking time to become light and tender than other varieties.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For all these reasons, I chose to highlight Savoy in my Savoy Cabbage Stew with Superfood Mushroom Broth. Enjoy the recipe below!<\/span><\/p>\n

The health benefits of cabbage<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cabbage is in the family of cruciferous vegetables, otherwise known as brassicas. Cabbage can deliver a range of health benefits due to its strong nutritional profile, which includes:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n