Kick-Your-Cold Soup

Hello Friends!! It’s cold, rainy, and totally fall outside here in northern Michigan, and everyone in my household (myself included) is currently fighting off yucky sinus congestion and coughs, because tis the season. However, not all hope is lost! When seasons like this come, always remember that food is medicine. Make sure you’re giving your body everything it needs and more to keep you healthy and fighting off unwanted viruses.

When I’m starting to feel mucous-y, congested, and just overall yucky inside, this is a go-to recipe to help stop whatever is in your system in it’s tracks and kick it out before it really gets started. This is a 100% vegetarian and vegan soup, is packed with goodness, and is great for multiple days! I love to make a full pot and eat off of it for the next few days to help ward off colds. This soup is super easy to make and packed with vitamins and minerals good for immunity.

Each of these ingredients are great for you for lots of different reasons, but specifically all help boost immunity and fight inflammation!

Ingredients:

• one chopped red onion
• 3 cups cubed butternut squash
• 3 cloves chopped garlic (or three spoons of minced garlic in water)
• one 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• one 10 oz can fire roasted tomatoes with green chilis
• one 15 oz can black beans
• one 15 oz can corn
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp pink Himalayan salt (or regular salt)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin

In large pot, add olive oil, red onion, garlic, and butternut squash on medium heat. Cover and stir occasionally, letting squash soften, about 8-10 mins. Add rest of ingredients, covering and stirring occasionally. Simmer on low/medium low depending on stove for 30-40 mins, with lid, letting it thicken and juices soak in. Can also be assembled in a crock pot and left throughout the day to cook.

Science behind the madness:

Butternut Squash: high in vitamin C (good antioxidant), great for immunity and inflammation.

Garlic: boosts immune system

Onion: rich in antioxidants which, again, boost your immune system and fight inflammation!

Chili Powder: improves circulation and blood flow

Curry Powder: battles bacteria and reduces inflammation (along with tons of other health benefits!)

Pink Himalayan Salt: detoxifies, lots of great vitamins and minerals, improves circulation

Turmeric: anti-inflammatory and antioxidant

Cumin: rich in antioxidants, helps boost immune system

I hope this soup helps you stop whatever cold you have in its tracks, and kicks it out of your system by kicking your immune system into high gear! Fuel your body with health and get health back. One love, friends.