SEASONLY SOUPS -Leek ,Celery & Potato

by Karimah bint Dawoud, muslim chaplain and well being writer

karimahscuisina@live.co.uk

Years ago, back in my modelling days, a plateful of leeks with butter seemed so bland as I watched the anorexic, anaemic woman tuck in while the rest of us herbivores munched on other things with glee.Years pass and moon cycles turn and inshallah we learn  more skills  and more about ourselves and The Creator along the way.Vegetarian seasonal food need not be so boring , given a Karimah make-over with a bit of herb and spice, bringing it into the eclectic millenium mashallah!

 Leeks are in season right now and should be cheap and fresh  all over the place.Buying seasonally is  good for the carbon foot print as they are produce in the UK, which means they dont have to travel very far to get to your door and so use less petrol. I am a firm believer that God created all the foods we need in the environment around where we live, for the seasons and particular illness that may befall us in that environment, combined with some Islamic medicine for more extreme illnesses, Allah knows best.

Celery is also in vogue at the moment, so we add some  for extra flavour. Celery is mentionedby Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyyah in Medicine of the Prophet,  I have written an earlier article on this but have added the inforamtion later on in this peice for those who missed it the first time round. Celery is  good for arthritis and inflammation which is starting to kick in now as we say farewell to the summer and hello to thermals and  damper days……ah England green and pleasant land!

STEP 1  INGREDIENTS- make sure you wash them after washing your hands

STEP 2 CHOP THEM ALL UP

STEP 3 PLACE IN POT WITH WATER VEGGIE STOCK CUBE, SEA SALT , BLACK PEPPER AND BAY LEAF.Cook for 20 minutes.

STEP 4 ADD 1 CUP OF MILK, PLACE IN BLENDER AND GARNISH WITH CORIANDER…….. SO FOR SUPPER!

FOODS OF THE NOBEL QURAN AND SUNNAH

CELERY- (karafs)

there is a haddith, though not authentic but still mentioned by Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyyah in Medicine of the Prophet, the haddith says that the Messenger of Allah, salah al alahi wa salem said” whoever eats karafs and sleeps upon it, sleeps with good breathe and is safe from the pain of molars and toothache”.

however the truth is that the garden variety of celery does sweetness the breathe and if the stems are wound around the neck it is beneficial for toothache…hmmmm interesting.

it is in Ayurvedic and Islamic medicine hot and dry , though some say moist, it opens  the liver and the spleen, it is a diuretic and breaks stones in the body,

Celery juice helps the body reduce its toxin level and is thus responsible for reducing the occurrence of kidney stones and gallbladder stones. These stones inhibit the functioning of the organ and may cause infections or diseases to develop within these organs
The benefits of celery juice are associated with its varied nutritional content. Celery contains Vitamins B2, B6, C and K among others. There are also many other nutrients apart from vitamins. Iron, folic acid, potassium and calcium are found in celery. Celery juice has been used as a natural remedy for many years. Because it is a natural product, an individual can consume it without having any adverse health reactions.

The calming effect of celery has been linked to the fact that it helps to reduce stress hormones which are responsible for causing stress. The nervous system is said to be benefited by consuming celery. Celery juice is known to help with cleaning the body of toxins. Toxins often accumulate in the gall bladder and the kidneys causing stones to develop in these areas. The presence of these toxins may also harm the liver which is a vital organ of the body..

Celery is used for its strong stimulating and beneficial effect on a weak sexual system, but as is usual with plant therapies the normally active person does not have to fear an uncontrollable upsurge. Plant therapy tends to make the system normal. Like beet there is also a general health tonic effect.

A tablespoonful of honey in celery juice, sipped slowly, will very effectively reduce the appetite if taken before a meal, and makes a delightful drink. You can take the same mixture as a nightcap when it will help you to relax into a soothing and restful sleep.

Those who take the juice who have in the past suffered from a tendency towards stones in the gall bladder or the kidneys usually find that these painful deposits do not form again. It seems likely that this effect is related to the anti-arthritic properties of the juice.