Fuck Cancer || Eat Watercress

I'm hiding from cancer behind this leafy green superfood. I'm completely convinced that if I eat enough of it I'll be healthy forever. That being said, I cram a ton of this stuff into my diet... so much so that I'm surprised I haven't mentioned it to you all before. I even yell at my mother to eat more of it. You don't have to believe me, just Google it! The G never lies...

-Eating watercress daily can significantly reduce DNA damage to blood cells, which is considered to be an important trigger in the development of cancer,

- Research from the University of Southampton has revealed that a plant compound in watercress may have the ability to suppress breast cancer cell development. 

The articles go on forever. I have yet to dig out the actual trials though - the scientist in me is screaming. I refuse to look; afraid I may sit and criticize the work, in turn, swearing off eating cruciferous vegetables all together! I mean, we all know that academic publishing is a bit flawed. Trials often go missing in action: Ten trials may have been done but only two have a positive result. Those two will appear in an academic journal, while the other eight with unfavorable results got lost in a shredder somewhere. But, I digress.. Shit, what were we talking about again? OH RIGHT! Population studies aside - watercress is delicious and if it doesn't ward of cancer I'm pretty sure it wont give it to you. Watercress also contains significant amounts of iron, calcium, iodine, and folic acid, in addition to vitamins A and C. - Look, it's just plain good for you. 

It's pretty peppery when raw (nothing a little citrus can't handle) but cooked it has a much milder flavor.  I put it on sandwiches, in salads, soups - sauté it, boil it, steam it, eat it raw in handfuls with the fridge door open... Most of the time I just throw it in some veggie broth with some tofu for a few minutes and just eat it.

But, check out this super easy soup. You can use potatoes in lieu of the cauliflower but this way is healthier.

Easy Watercress and Cauliflower Soup

Olive Oil
Small chopped onion

2 cloves minced garlic
Head cauliflower cut up
2 cups of low-sodium chicken stock
2 cups of water
1 bunch watercress

2 Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges (optional)
Salt
Freshly ground pepper

In a big pot, saute onion in a little bit of olive oil until soft and translucent add garlic. Add the cut up cauliflower, stock, pinch of salt and pepper, and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until cauliflower is super soft. Add the cheese wedges if you want and stir it around until it dissolves. (gives it some flavor and makes it a touch creamier) Stir in watercress.
Puree soup in a blender... not all of it at once or it will spray molten veggie mush in your face. If you're a fancy pants and have an immersion blender use that.