The recipe that saved my life 17 years ago: How I defeated a tumor in the liver and colon

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Begin by washing and chopping all the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Set them aside.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for about 3-5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the grated ginger and continue to cook for another minute.
3. Add the Vegetables: Add the carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potato, and any other vegetables you’re using. Stir everything to combine.
4. Add the Spices: Sprinkle in the turmeric and cumin, and stir to coat the vegetables evenly with the spices.
5. Simmer the Soup: Pour in the vegetable broth and diced tomatoes. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
6. Add Greens & Final Touches: Once the vegetables are cooked, stir in the chopped kale or spinach and cook for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon for brightness, and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.
7. Serve & Enjoy: Serve the soup hot. This soup can be enjoyed on its own, served with whole grain bread, or as part of a larger meal.

The Impact on My Health and Healing Journey

The beauty of this soup was in its simplicity. It provided my body with the nutrients it needed to thrive—antioxidants to fight off free radicals, anti-inflammatory compounds to reduce swelling and discomfort, and fiber to support healthy digestion. During my chemotherapy treatments, my body was weak, but this soup gave me the strength I needed to endure. It wasn’t just the soup, but the overall shift in my diet that I embraced. Eating this way became my form of self-care.

This lifestyle change wasn’t just about nutrition; it was about adopting a healing mindset. I focused on the foods that would fuel my body’s ability to heal itself. The act of eating became an empowering ritual—a choice to nourish my body instead of letting illness take over. The more I ate foods that supported my liver and colon, the more I felt empowered to fight the disease. It became a journey of mind-body connection.

17 Years Later: A Grateful Survivor

Looking back, I can’t help but feel immense gratitude. The doctors were amazing, and the treatments worked, but the lifestyle changes I made, particularly the healing foods I embraced, played an equally significant role in my recovery. After my surgery, I continued to eat nourishing foods, maintain a plant-based diet, and focus on staying positive and active.

It’s been 17 years since that diagnosis, and I’m cancer-free. While I’ll never forget the challenges of that time, I now look back at the experience with profound appreciation for the lessons I learned about food, healing, and the power of our body to fight back when given the right tools. That soup—simple, full of flavor, and packed with life-saving nutrients—was a reminder that sometimes the smallest changes in our daily habits can make the biggest impact on our health.

The Power of Food: A Lesson in Healing

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the years since, it’s this: food is medicine. What we put into our bodies can influence our health in profound ways. For me, that healing vegetable soup was more than just a meal; it was a turning point. It was the recipe that saved my life—not just by nourishing my body, but by giving me hope, strength, and control over my recovery.

As you go about your own journey, I encourage you to think about the foods you consume—not as fuel for survival, but as medicine for your body, mind, and soul. If you’re facing your own health challenges, I hope this recipe serves as a reminder that healing is possible, and that sometimes, the most life-changing remedies can be found in the simplest of dishes.

Here’s to health, healing, and the power of good food. 🌱💚