Immunity Broth - The Holiday Edition

Tis the season to not get sick! With the weather outside getting frightful, now's a good time to boost your immune system and stay healthy all season long.  So, let the chestnuts roast on an open fire and have yourself a very merry immunity broth! 

(Drops mic...) Seriously speaking though, with the holiday's in full effect, taking some "me" time and making some healthy meals can really save you from getting run-down.  This super easy immunity broth is definitely a Foolproof Eats you can make in a jiffy with a few ingredients.  The onion, garlic and turnips are supercharged foods to strengthen your body's defenses. So bring on the holiday parties!

NUTRITIONAL LOW DOWN

Turnips: Turnips are one of my favorite immune boosters.  For only 30 calories each, turnips will go to bat for you! Its a wonderful  nutritionally dense food, Turnips are chock full of Vitamin C.  Just 2 turnips provide as your daily recommended  amount of Vitamin C.  [They also contain a plethora of B-vitamins, folate, magnesium, and potassium.]

Onions: Onions have certain phytochemicals that allows vitamin C in your body to work.  So the turnips and onion work hand in hand to boost your immune system.  This onion and turnips in this broth are the perfect marriage to give your immune system an edge. 

Ingredients

• 1.5 onions, chopped  (Add more if you wish)
• 2 cloves garlic, cut in half (Add more if you wish)
• 3 Turnips (or 4!) washed and peeled.
• 1 TBL Dried basil (or your favorite herb)
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1.5 liters of filtered water
• 1/2 half cup of broccoli florets

Method

1. Briefly saute onions in a large pot with the olive oil.  Olive oil can't handle high heat, so saute for only a few minutes and keep heat lower so it won't smoke or burn. 
2. Add dried herbs, a pinch of himalayan salt, and garlic cloves. 
3. Add water and bring to a boil
4. Drop turnips in and allow it to boil until turnips become soft (about 30 mins)
5. When the broth is done, add in the broccoli florets and allow to cook for another 3 minutes.  You don't want the broccoli to get mushy, so 3 minutes is enough time.  
6. Enjoy!

Leftovers

This is great the next day and even if cold! Just add some fresh squeezed lemon juice and a dash of himalayan salt. 

Cream of Anti-Cancer Soup

Did you know just 10grams of mushrooms a day, reduces the risk of breast cancer by 64%!

Ingredients: 

• 1 whole peeled onion (cut into quarters)
• I bag frozen mixed mushrooms 
• 1 bag frozen cauliflower
• 1 cup unsweetened cashew milk 
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon chopped ginger
• Tamari or salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon miso paste 
• Optional toppings: cilantro, hemp seeds, and another bag of frozen mixed mushrooms

Method:

1. Blend all ingredients except the miso paste and the toppings till you have a puree.    
2.  Add contents of blender to a soup pot and heat it up.  
3. At this time, if you're using the second bag of frozen mushrooms, add it now and simmer till mushrooms are no longer frozen. 
4. Add the miso paste slowly to allow full incorporation.  
5. If you adding cilantro, add as it now. 
6. When serving, you can top with additional cilantro and hemp or pumpkin seeds. 

The Low Down

Not only do mushrooms reduce your risk of breast cancer by 64%, which is kind of huge, but the method used in this recipe provides you with extra  cancer fighting properties. 

The trick here is that you are blending the veggies when they are raw (or frozen).  Blending them or even just chewing veggies really well when raw, breaks down the cell wall of the plants and creates anti-cancer compounds.  So blend first, then heat it up as a soup, instead of the other way around and you'll have the best anti-cancer food. 

Miso paste, has essential probiotics.  Even though you add these into warm soup, it's been proven that miso has some wonderful health benefits.