Food for a saint: Mariam Nour's healing vegetarian foods have helped people ranging from Mother Teresa to the royal Saudi household - includes menus and recipes - Cover Story

Vegetarian Times, Sept, 1996 by Luise Light

PER 1-CUP SERVING 121 CAL.; 4G PROT.; 3G TOTAL FAT (0.4G SAT. FAT); 21G CARB.; 0 CHOL.; 185MG SOD.; 4G FIBER. VEGAN

Medley of Vegetables Soup

Turnips and parsnips have anti-cancer and DNA-protective factors. Celery has anti-high blood pressure properties, probably a result of its diuretic effect. Cayenne pepper stimulates circulation, digestion and sweating and is useful in breaking fevers. Rosemary has been used historically in the Mediterranean region to treat fatigue, depression and nervousness.

6 cups water 1 cup carrots. diced 1/2 cup diced turnip 1/2 cup diced parsnip 1/2 cup diced celery 1/2 cup white rice Salt to taste 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper or to taste 1 tsp. dried rosemary 1 Tbs. olive oil 1 Tbs. sliced scallion 1 Tbs. fresh dill (optional)

BRING WATER to a boil. Add all ingredients except scallion and dill. Return to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. Serve with scallion and dill sprinkled on top. Makes 6 to 8 servings of about 1 cup each.

PER 1-CUP SERVING 90 CAL.; 2G PROT. 2G TOTAL FAT (0.3G SAT. FAT); 16G CARB.; 0 CHOL.: 29MG SOD.; 2G FIBER. VEGAN

LUISE LIGHT is VEGETARIAN TIMES health editor She is a nutritionist and writer-researcher on a variety of health and science topics. She is formerly the executive director of The Institute for Science in Society, a Maryland-based nonprofit organization that develops cutting-edge papers on controversial science topics important to public health.

Mariam's Seven Steps to Health

* Eat only when you are hungry. * Take a moment before eating to relax, breathe deeply and give thanks.

* Eat slowly and chew well.

* Eat only as much as your body needs.

* After eating, relax a while and do some light movement to help digest, assimilate and circulate nutrients.

* Do not eat less than two hours before bedtime.

* Eat simply, go to bed early and wake up with the sun.

Mariam's Advice to the Foodlorn

* Don't cook when you're tired, preoccupied or feeling down.

* Don't listen to the radio or television when you cook. Try to concentrate on the food you're preparing so you can feel your connection to nature. Cooking is loving: a gift from the earth to you and from you to those for whom you cook.

* Eat your vegetables as whole as possible. Organic vegetables don't have to be peeled if they are well-scrubbed. Leave on the ends whenever possible as they are rich in nutrition.

* Think of vegetables as jewels and you as the jeweler.

* Good diet and health habits are a gift to your self. Try a week of healthy, healing foods and see how you feel. The main thing is to eat simple meals. Change your grains and beans every day and use seasonal vegetables.

* Enjoy eating and chew slowly while listening to quiet music or concentrating on your thoughts.

* The doctor of the future will not prescribe medicine but will help us heal with diet and lifestyle changes.