Super Healthy Cabbage Soup - Gluten-Free

Delicious. Low-Calorie. Low-Sodium. Delicious. Good-for-you.  Delicious.  No guilt.  Did I say delicious?

I've waited a long time to create a cabbage soup recipe!  Actually, about a year ago, my neighbor gave me a bottle of V8 juice and I had heard that was a great starter for Cabbage Soup.  It sat and sat in my cupboard and one day, my husband cleaned out the pantry when I wasn't home and tossed it (apparently it had expired according to him.) Sigh.  At least he took the initiative to clean the cupboard, right?  Glass half full???

In case you haven't noticed, I've been on a "health kick" since starting my FitAddict Training 6 weeks ago.  When I went to the grocery store, I realized I didn't want all the sugar or sodium that came along with V8.  So, I picked up a can of "No Salt Added Tomato Juice" and decided I could make it taste as good, if not better, than the V8 in my soup!  And my friends, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!

I present to you a soup PACKED with vitamins and incredibly flavorful.  Please feel free to adjust the spices to meet your families' likes and needs.  I've been really focused on low-sodium because I don't ever want Kidney stones again (if you've never had them, thank your lucky stars!  Men, if you've had them, you now know what labor feels like, congratulations!) My husband felt it needed more salt, but that's the beauty of salt.  You can have each person add it to their liking at your table, instead of making it salty and no one wanting to eat it because it's too salty! LOL

On a side note, my son has been LOVING helping me cook.  Please excuse the messy and blurry pictures.  It was difficult to work with a 2 year old very close to a knife and on a stool......and my hand wasn't real steady!  LOL  He had a blast though and I LOVE that he loves to cook like his mamma!!!!

Enjoy this guilt-free soup!

Servings: 8-10

Ingredients:
3 cups cabbage, chopped
1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
3 carrots, halved and sliced
2 stalks celery, halved and sliced
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
2-3 tsp. salt
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. pepper
46 oz. no salt added tomato juice
5 cups water

Directions: (Use a 5 quart or larger slow cooker)

In the bottom of your crock, place the cabbage, onions, tomatoes, carrots, celery and jalapeno.  

Add in the garlic powder, salt, basil, oregano and pepper.

Now, add the tomato juice and water.

Cook on LOW for 8 hours, or on HIGH for 4 hours.

Serve and ENJOY!