The cabbage also known as cruciferous or brassica family helps support phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification of the liver. This means eating more of this family of vegetables provides support for your natural detoxification process. Your liver is in charge of over 300 jobs. Not a bad thought to give your liver a hand.
Interesting to note: broccoli contains abundant B vitamins, vitamin A, has more vitamin C than citrus and is rich in chlorophyll.
Cabbage juice is very healing to the gut lining. I believe raw is best, so if you have a juicer, or high powered blender, give it a try!
Kale is quite resilient. It is used for garden boarders and decorative fall planters. It will grown from early spring to late fall, providing food for the table for many months. Red, purple, curly, flat, bumpy (dino)… such rich colour, texture and flavour. It even freezes well. Not much to do to prepare it either. Wash, massage and chop. Then add to a salad, soup, stew or smoothie. To freeze, just put it into a ziplock and squeeze the air out. it will break up into finer pieces once frozen.
There is plenty of variety to this family of vegetable, which is good. Goal is to get 3 cups of them a day. Raw, steamed, in soups or stews. It will naturally add up in no time. Here are some ones to look for at the market, in the grocery aisle or to consider planting in your own garden.
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Swiss chard
- Collard greens
- Kale (multiple varieties!)
- Arugula
- Bok Choy
- Turnip
- Kohlrabi
- Radish/ radish greens
Dr. Laura M. Brown, ND is a registered naturopathic doctor with a functional medicine approach. She has advanced training in pharmaceuticals, is a certified HeartMath Practitioner and a Certified Gluten Free Practitioner and holds the designation of ADAPT Trained Practitioner from Kresser Institute, the only functional medicine and ancestral health training company.
Naturopathic Medicine exists to strengthen and encourage optimal health. It is a practice that addresses the fundamentals of disease. It honours and cooperates with the healing power of nature.
If you seek a caring professional who is a registered naturopathic doctor in Guelph with a functional medicine approach, you’ve come to the right place.
