The Stew That Heals

What food would you say is your specialty?

If you ever asked me what food I’m known for, I’d smile and say without hesitation: my Provençal Chicken and Lentil Stew. It’s not fancy. It’s not plated like something out of a Michelin kitchen. But it’s powerful, holistically, and divinely so. I cook it because I believe what Hippocrates once said: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Every time I make it, I’m reminded that God designed creation to heal us, one ingredient, one bite, one bowl at a time.

In my kitchen, this stew has become more than dinner; it’s a ritual of restoration. The ingredients work in harmony, like a symphony of flavor, chemistry, and prayer, bringing my body back into rhythm with its natural balance. It’s not just nourishment; it’s alignment.

The Stew That Works from the Inside Out

I began making this stew intentionally, not just for comfort, but for healing. Over time, I noticed what it did, how my energy stabilized, my blood pressure lowered, and my mood lightened. And as I studied the science behind it, I realized God had quietly written His wisdom into every vegetable, spice, and grain.

🩸 1. Arteries & Blood Pressure

The combination of tomato and olive oil activates lycopene, a natural antioxidant that softens arterial plaque and improves flexibility. Add spinach and lentils, and you get a gentle potassium-magnesium duo that helps the kidneys release excess sodium. Even the garlic and onions, humble kitchen staples, widen blood vessels through nitric oxide release.

As Psalm 104:14 reminds us, “He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate bringing forth food from the earth.” God didn’t just feed us; He equipped our bodies to thrive through what we eat.

✅ Your blood pressure lowers naturally, and your circulation begins to flow more freely.

💚 2. Heart & Cholesterol

Lentils do more than fill you up, they bind cholesterol and help the body release it rather than store it. The olive oil and chicken deliver healthy fats that raise HDL, the “clean-up” cholesterol. Meanwhile, carrots and zucchini offer antioxidants that guard your heart against oxidative stress.

In the words of Dr. Mark Hyman, “Food isn’t just calories; it’s information. It tells your body what to do.” When you choose wisely, you send healing instructions to your cells.

✅ Plaque softens. Arteries open. The heart breathes easier.

🔥 3. Metabolism & Energy

Lentils and chicken together create a thermic duo, meaning your body burns more calories just digesting them. Protein and fiber keep you full for hours and steady your blood sugar. It’s like turning your metabolism into a gentle, steady flame rather than a flickering match.

Romans 12:1 reminds us to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” Being intentional about what you eat is one way of honoring that, fueling yourself not for vanity, but vitality.

✅ You burn more calories, stay satisfied longer, and experience sustained energy.

🌿 4. Detox & Anti-Inflammation

Tomato, olive oil, and Herbes de Provence come together like a healing trinity. These herbs, thyme, basil, rosemary, oregano, lower inflammatory markers in the body and balance digestion. Together, they quiet what’s been overworked and flush out what’s no longer serving you.

Michael Pollan once wrote, “The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway.” Cooking this stew feels exactly like that, a heavenly collaboration between divine design and daily discipline.

✅ Your system gently detoxes; inflammation subsides without harsh cleanses or deprivation.

🧠 5. Brain, Mood & Hormones

Magnesium from lentils and greens calms the nervous system, while vitamin B6 and folate help produce serotonin and dopamine, the very chemicals that keep your mind clear and your heart steady. It’s no wonder you feel grounded after a bowl of this.

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” This stew nourishes both body and soul, reminding you that healing isn’t always found in pills, but in patience and prayer over a simmering pot.

✅ You feel balanced, clear-headed, and emotionally centered.

🌿 The Parsley + Cilantro Upgrade

Adding parsley and cilantro transforms this dish into a full-body renewal ritual turning your bowl into what I call a detox-circulation elixir.

💚 Deep Cleanse for Blood & Kidneys

Parsley gently nudges your kidneys to release extra sodium and water, while cilantro binds to heavy metals like lead and mercury, escorting them out through the liver.

✅ The result: a cleaner bloodstream, lower water retention, and balanced pressure.

🩸 Stronger Arteries & Better Circulation

Their vitamins C and folate fortify artery walls and enhance the lycopene effect from tomatoes, keeping vessels supple and strong.

✅ Your heart feels lighter, not just metaphorically, but physically.

🌿 Liver & Lymph Support

Cilantro boosts liver detox enzymes, and parsley helps the lymphatic system clear stagnant fluid.

✅ Your body cleanses naturally, without fatigue or stress.

🧠 Brain & Mood Balance

Both herbs contain luteolin and apigenin, compounds that soothe inflammation in the brain and reduce cortisol levels.

✅ Clearer thoughts, calmer energy, and a peaceful mood follow.

🍲 Flavor Meets Function

Their bright, herbal notes lift the stew’s richness, turning it into an elegant balance of warmth and vitality, every spoonful a micro-dose of medicine.

🌸 Soul Insights

from the Stew Pot

1. Healing starts with awareness.

The moment you begin to care about what you put into your body, you’ve already taken the first step toward transformation. Food becomes a mirror of how you honor yourself.

2. The body listens to your choices.

Every ingredient carries instruction, some soothe, others inflame. You decide daily whether you’re feeding stress or feeding peace.

3. Patience is part of nourishment.

Stew takes time, just like healing. It teaches you to slow down, stir with gratitude, and let things develop in their own rhythm.

4. Faith belongs in the kitchen.

Every meal is a conversation between you and God. When you cook with intention, you invite His presence into your process, and into your cells.

5. Wholeness tastes like simplicity.

The best meals aren’t complicated. They’re made of real things that grew in light, seasoned with love, and shared with purpose.

🌿 Final Thoughts

This isn’t just dinner; it’s therapy in a bowl. Every ingredient in my Provençal Chicken and Lentil Stew works synergistically: detox, circulation, fullness, clarity, and calm. Cooking it reminds me that health isn’t about restriction; it’s about reverence. It’s how I thank God for a body that still responds to care.

So tonight, stir your pot with intention. Add your herbs, your prayers, your faith. Let it simmer until the aroma fills your home with the quiet reminder that healing doesn’t always come in grand gestures. Sometimes, it comes one spoonful at a time.

Call to Action

Start small: make one healing meal this week with full attention. Bless your ingredients. Thank your body. And taste the difference intention makes.

Because when you feed yourself with purpose, you’re not just eating; you’re healing.

By the way…

While you’re here check out my book 17 Syllables of Me available on Amazon and my blog site SoulPath Insights.

Thank you for reading!

Soul Path Insights