I do believe that our bodies have the power to heal. However, I also believe that if we aren’t giving our bodies the proper nutrients, it doesn’t stand a chance. It is equally important that your body is able to breakdown and absorb those nutrients.

Digestion is defined as the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food so the nutrients can be absorbed and used by every cell, every tissue, and every organ in your body.  Your cells, tissues, and organs need these nutrients in order to function.  Dysfunction can happen in the mouth, the stomach, the gallbladder, the large intestine, the small intestine - and anywhere in between.  

Many of us struggle with digestion.  Unfortunately, you can eat the most pure, clean, perfect foods, but if your digestion isn’t functioning properly, you may not be absorbing all of the nutrients.  The overuse of antibiotics, over the counter medications, processed foods, stress, plus all the pesticides and toxins in our environment have greatly damaged our guts as well as our ability to properly digest and absorb our food.

As a nutritional therapist, I work with clients to assess their digestive system and help to pinpoint the dysfunction. We then work together to create a plan to support the body as it heals. I find that eating soup is such an easy way to assist the body in absorbing all those vitamins and minerals. Soup seems to give your digestive system that needed “break,” as it doesn’t need to work so hard to break down the food. I eat soup in hot or cold weather; morning, day, or night.  Instead of your 2nd cup of coffee, why not heat up a mug of soup?

This is a very easy soup to make. As with most recipes I make, I don’t usually measure the ingredients! The beauty with soup is that you really cannot mess it up.

Simple Vegetable Soup

2 lbs. organic vegetables: zucchini or Broccoli

3 cups chicken broth or filtered water

1 tbs. fat (duck fat, butter, avocado oil, ghee, olive oil, chicken fat)

1 medium onion

4 cloves of garlic (more if you 💛 garlic)

(optional) Handful of basil or parsley

Sea Salt and pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, melt the fat and add in onion. Cook and stir until a bit translucent and fragrant. Add in main vegetable of choice and garlic. Heat the vegetables while stirring frequently. When vegetables are warm and fragrant, add in the broth/water and bring to a boil. Once it begins to boil, cover the pot and turn it down to a simmer. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until all the vegetables are cooked through. Add in optional basil or parsely, salt + pepper and cook for another minute.  

Turn off stove and let the soup cool down a bit. You can puree the soup in your blender or use an immersion blender.  

Sip and Enjoy!