My Healing Elixir

It is officially cold and flu season, at least here in New England, and sometimes the only thing you can do is to crawl under a blanket with a box of tissues and a steamy bowl of chicken soup nearby. To save yourself some serious sodium overload, put down the can and make some healing soup yourself, or better yet, have someone make it for you! This homemade elixir incorporates the healing power of fresh garlic and ginger which eases the pain and discomfort of colds and flu naturally.

Garlic, which contains natures's most potent antibiotic, allicin, boasts antibacterial qualities that help the immune system fight infection. Ginger is pain relieving and has a mild sedative effect that will encourage rest and also contains nearly a dozen antiviral compounds.

So, even if you're not sick, you can serve this soup (that's filling enough for a meal) to help keep illness and infection at bay.

Healing Soup

2 T Olive Oil

5 Cloves Garlic - minced or pressed

1 Quart Chicken or Vegetable Broth

8 ounces fresh or frozen spinach - can add more if desired

1 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced

1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1 pound boneless chicken or lean ground turkey - optional

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 cup water

Saute chicken or turkey in oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Add garlic and saute for one minute. Add rest of ingredients and let simmer for a half an hour. The addition of meat is optional, but makes the soup more of a meal. Serves 6. Enjoy and stay healthy!