Healing Soup for Body and Soul: The Healing is in Your Cupboard
By Verna Haywood
As a child growing up in the Caribbean, there were three things I never expected:
- That I would one day love tomatoes,
- That I’d embrace vegetables from cold climates,
- And that one pepper could teach me such a fiery lesson.
Let me take you back…
We had a pepper tree in our backyard—a beauty full of tiny red chillies that looked much like cherries. I remember one day, curious and fearless, I grabbed a handful and popped it into my mouth. The heat! The fire! My poor tongue was not ready. That day, I learnt two things: first, not everything red is sweet, and second, the things that hurt can sometimes be healing, with the proper preparation.
From Pain to Purpose… in a Pot
Fast-forward to today, and I’ve made peace with both peppers and tomatoes. In fact, they now star in one of my favourite healing recipes—my “Cupboard Soup.” I make it with whatever I have on hand, and each time, it becomes a warm, nourishing bowl of wellness for the body and soul.
And guess what? You don’t need a fancy pantry to make this. The healing is already in your cupboard.
What’s in My Healing Soup Today?
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Swede
- Red Onion
- Garlic
- Almonds
- Bell Peppers
- Chilli Peppers
- Thai Basil
- Turmeric
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
- Black Pepper
- Sea Salt
These ingredients don’t just taste good—they do good. Let’s break it down by how they bless different systems of your body:
1. Immune System Boosters
- Garlic: Nature’s antibiotic—strengthens white blood cells.
- Bell Peppers & Tomatoes: Packed with vitamin C, your immune cells’ best friend.
- Turmeric & Black Pepper: Anti-inflammatory powerhouses that activate your body’s defences.
2. Gut & Microbiome Support
- Red Onion: Rich in prebiotics that feed your good gut bacteria.
- Almonds: A fibre-rich snack that loves your microbiome.
- Thai Basil: Helps soothe digestion and reduce bloating.
3. DNA & Cellular Protection
- Cherry Tomatoes & EVOO: Full of antioxidants like lycopene and polyphenols that shield your DNA from stress.
- Swede: Contains glucosinolates—detox-friendly compounds that protect your cells.
- Almonds: Vitamin E-rich, helping prevent DNA damage.
4. Stem Cell & Tissue Repair
- Turmeric: Helps promote the regeneration of healthy cells.
- Healthy fats (EVOO & Almonds): Essential for cell membrane repair and renewal.
5. Angiogenesis (Blood Vessel Health)
- Capsaicin (Chilli Peppers): Helps regulate blood vessel growth—essential for healing and cancer prevention.
- Onions & Tomatoes: Support normal vessel function and blood flow.
Why Swede Deserves a Spotlight
Now, let’s talk about Swede—a vegetable I never met in childhood but have fully embraced. It doesn’t grow in the Caribbean, but it’s a cold-climate treasure here in the UK. Full of vitamin C, potassium, and fibre, Swede helps regulate blood sugar, supports immunity, and gives that lovely earthy sweetness to balance out the heat of the chilli. It’s become one of my winter go-to for grounding and nourishing meals.
My Invitation to You
When you stand at your stove with a pot simmering away, you’re not just cooking but creating a healing moment. You’re connecting to your body’s wisdom. You’re telling your cells:
“I see you. I love you. Let’s heal together.”
So I invite you to look into your cupboard today. What’s in there that could nourish your soul? Start with one ingredient, and stir in some intention. You might discover that healing has been within reach all along.
From My Healing Kitchen to Yours…
This journey is about more than food. It’s about remembering that your body was designed to heal, your spirit to rise, and your kitchen to be a sacred space of transformation.
Let this soup be your reminder:
You are whole. You are healing. You are loved.
Ready to join me in the kitchen?
Subscribe to my YouTube channel, which is coming soon: “Healing Kitchen with Verna.”
And don’t forget to follow on Instagram for weekly food, faith, and wellness inspiration.
#HealingKitchen #CupboardSoup #FoodAsMedicine #WholisticWellness #UnstoppableResilience #VernaHaywood #NourishToFlourish #SelfHealingJourney