“Italian Fava Bean Soup”

Here is a simple pressure cooker organic fava bean soup recipe that’s amazingly tasty. A hearty meal that will warm the tummies of everyone in the family. Comfort food for the soul that uplifts the mind with L-Dopa which is found in Fava Beans thus improving our mood.

Ingredients:

1 - Cup of Dried Organic Split Fava Beans
1 - Large Organic Onion Chopped
1 1/2 - Cups of Organic Black Olives
3 - Cups of Organic Taro Root Chopped into large piece - or potatoes can be used
3 - Cups of Organic Marinara Sauce
3 - Cups of Filtered Water
2 - Tablespoons of Italian Seasoning
2 - Cups of Any Kind of Green - Choppedr
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Add all the ingredients except the salt and pepper and the greens to the pressure cooker and cook on low pressure for 35 minutes. When the cooking time is up, release the pressure and open the pressure cooker. Let cool a bit and now add the chopped greens, the salt and pepper and serve. This recipe will serve about 10 people. And the leftovers can be frozen in individual servings for those days you don’t feel like cooking.

This wonderful vegan recipe is full of protein, and contains the low glycemic index goodness taro root which can be found at any Asian, Caribbean, or Mexican Market… or potatoes can be used as substitute for the taro.
Fava beans contain lots the healing agent L-Dopa which helps in the creation of dopamine in the brain, plus epinephrine and nor-epinephrine which are important for stress and good mood. And L-Dopa helps to prevent Parkinson’s Disease… and a diet rich in fava beans might prevent Parkinson’s and also dystonia disorder which is also healed with L-Dopa. Fava beans also contain lots of plant sterols and isoflavonoids that help to lower cholesterol and prevent cancer and especially breast cancer.
Fava beans are full of lots of great B-Vitamins which are important for preventing birth defects, creating good mood, and for boosting up vitality. Fava beans contain lots of the Vitamins A and C which are powerful antioxidants that prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, and cancer. And they also contai
Vitamin K which help to prevent excessive clotting. Fava beans contains fiber that helps to create an environment for the proliferation of good bacteria in our gut— probiotic bacteria. We should have 4 to 5 pounds of good bacteria in our colon but most people only have about 1/2 pound of probiotic bacteria in their gut. And these good bacteria are important for good mood, boosting up our immune system, and preventing disease. And because fava beans contain lots of fiber they also lower cholesterol and help to prevent cardiovascular diseases… and fava beans are cholesterol free.

Fava beans also contain good carbs for energy, and lots of protein for building muscle, a small amount of good fats, lots of potassium for water regulation and for lowering blood pressure (In fact fava beans contains more potassium than lots of other foods), plus calcium and phosphorus for strong bones. Fava beans contain iron and copper for preventing anemia, selenium and zinc for boosting our immune system, and manganese and magnesium for enzyme production. In the European journal of Clinical Nutrition as study was done using a plant based high fiber diet. The results were astounding, showing that the participants not only lost weight, but also lowered their cholesterol. So eating fava beans which are high in fiber and protein can be very important for weight loss.

Taro Root is a low glycemic index food that means it breaks down into glucose very slowly thus making it great for weight loss and for lowering blood sugar, thus making great for diabetics. And taro root also works wonders for those who have hypoglycemia because it gives a person a long lasting period of energy. And because taro root sustains energy we don’t hungry… thus we lose weight. Taro Root contains lots of fiber that helps us feel full and also helps us lose weight.

Taro Root contains lots of vitamins A, C, B, and E vitamins as well as lots of trace minerals such as copper, magnesium, calcium, iron, selenium, manganese, zinc, potassium, and beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin which are great antioxidants helping to protect us from disease and slow the aging process… and a good amount of protein too! In fact taro root is more nutritious than potatoes, and taro root is gluten free. Plus taro root is a cholesterol free and low in sodium, contains B vitamins important for boosting our immune system… and it’s low in fat.

Taro root is very high in Vitamin E thus helping to protect us from cancer and heart disease. And Taro Root has a good amount of potassium thus helping to lower blood pressure. Plus Taro Root is a good source of magnesium which is important for muscle, bone, and nerve health. Taro Root contains over 17 different amino acids which are important for maintaining good health, and it also contains life giving Omega 3 and 6 oils which are important for cardiovascular health and cancer prevention.

Enjoy this great tasting fava bean soup.

Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist