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Chicken Soup...Medicine?
According
to Dr. Weil, the nation's leading doctor
turned alternative doctor; chicken soup is
indeed healthy for us.
Just the mention of it conjures up images
of steaming broth packed full with
carrots, celery, peppers, onions, chunks
of chicken, thick, chunky noodles... How
could it not be healthy?
Chicken soup is comforting. In its warm
fluid, researchers have found, chicken
soup indeed has anti-inflammatory
properties. They have discovered that it
reduces cold symptoms even when extremely
diluted. Apparently, the soup inhibits
inflammation and allows white blood cells
called "neutrophils" to fight
infection.
But chicken soup is more than just
ingredients ... It is love, affection and
comfort captured in a mixture that fills
your nose with fragrant, steaming aromas
and warms you inside and out.
It is clear scientifically, that soup can
be a natural remedy. However, chicken soup
can help you access your own natural
healing power.
So the next time you're not feeling well,
get yourself a bowl of hot, vegetable
packed chicken soup, get under the covers
and let nature heal you.
Here's some great chicken soup recipes to
get you started:
Southwestern
Chicken
Soup
2
(14 1/2 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced peeled
tomatoes
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
1 (16 ounce) package frozen corn,
partially thawed
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
cut into thin strips
1/2 tsp. garlic pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin
Seasoned salt
In a 5-quart slow cooker, mix together the
broth, tomatoes with their liquid, green
chilies, corn, red and green peppers,
onion, chicken strips, and garlic
pepper.
Cover and cook on high setting 1 hour.
Reduce heat to low setting and continue to
cook 3 to 4 hours, or until chicken is
cooked through and tender. Stir in the
cumin and season with seasoned salt to
taste. Serve immediately.
Chicken
Soup with Tiny
Meatballs
In
a six-quart pot, bring 8 cups chicken
broth and 8 cups water to a boil.
Add 16 ounces tiny row-tie pasta and cook
for 5 minutes. Then add one 16-ounce rag
frozen cut-leaf spinach. Simmer for 5
minutes more.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix 1 1/2
pound ground beef, 1/2 cup grated
Parmesan, and 1 tsp. minced garlic until
blended.
Form rounded teaspoonfuls of the meat
mixture into small meatballs and stir into
the soup, or drop by rounded teaspoonfuls
directly into the soup.
Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the
meat is no longer pink in center.
Stir in 3 cups aromatic vegetables* and
heat through.
*When a recipe calls for a blend of
aromatic vegetables, they mean a blend of
carrots, celery, and onion.
Note: This recipe can he
refrigerated for up to 4 days and can be
frozen for 4 months. Thaw in a covered
saucepan over low heat. Increase heat and
cook, stirring occasionally, until heated
through.
Let's Get Cooking!
While there are many reasons for teaching kids to cook -- less expensive than eating out, preserves family heritage, etc, the most important
reason is that by teaching your child to cook, you're giving him a better chance to be a healthy grown-up. Enabling your child with the ability
to appreciate freshness and to transform ingredients into tasty foods opens their eyes to making wiser choices about what to eat...