Energy Boosting Vegetable Soups for the Winter Blues

Even if the weather doesn’t feel  like it, we are still in the middle of winter.  If you have the winter blues, some mood and energy boosters you can try are fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and whole grains.  They are rich in fiber, which can help detox your body from fatigue causing toxins, leading to a better mood and higher level of energy.

So let us have more energy and get in a better mood with these healthy vegetable soups with recipes I adopted from www. womansday.com

Energy Boosting Curried Cauliflower Vegetable Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, sliced 1⁄4 in. thick
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) chicken broth, or 31⁄2 cups broth or bouillon
• 21⁄2 cups water
• 2 medium potatoes (8 oz), cut in 1⁄2-in. pieces
• 3 cups frozen cauliflower florets
• 1 can (15.5 oz) chickpeas, rinsed
• 1⁄2 cup frozen cut-leaf spinach
• Serve with: plain yogurt or sour cream

Directions:

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and carrots; cook 4 minutes or until onions are golden and just tender.

Stir in curry powder and garlic; cook 30 seconds or until fragrant. Stir in remaining ingredients; cook, covered, 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Mood Boosting Split Pea Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb dried green split peas
• 2 cups diced onions
• 1 1⁄2 cups diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1⁄2 tsp pepper
• 3 chicken bouillon cubes
• 11⁄4 lb ham hock(s)

Directions:

Put all ingredients and 7 cups water in a 51⁄2-qt or larger slow-cooker. Cover and cook on high 6 hours or low 12 hours until peas are very soft and fall apart. Remove ham. When cool enough to handle, cut meat off the bone, dice and return to soups. Serve with cornbread, or cut cornbread in cubes, toast in oven and serve as croutons.

Bon Appetit!

P.S.  for more mood boosting tips and ideas you may like to listen to:

• How to Attract Health and Happiness with Maria Lesetz. listen
• Practicing Gratitude to Deal with Stress and Seasonal Depression with Sue Urda.listen
• Healthy and Clean Meal Planning with Wendy Battles. listen

Breathe, smile and be happy

© Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health Coach, Counselor and Realtionship Coach

Naturalcounselorblog.com