Autumn Immunity Squash and Roots Soup

As the temps drop and the chilly fall air arrives, it can feel shocking to our body. During these transitional seasonal changes, the immune system is being asked to work harder. It's important to keep our immune system strong and prepared with extra layers...inside and out. This soup is delicious, will warm you plus has immune boosting ingredients!

 Ingredients

1 medium size kabocha or butternut squash, cut in half, remove seeds 

1 medium size leek or 3 green onions

¼ c chopped burdock

1/8c peeled and chopped celery root

2 leaves swiss chard with stems, chopped

2 handfuls of spinach, chopped

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 packet Vitality Broth

1 tsp. rosemary

2 tbs. Flaxseed oil

2 tablespoons avocado or coconut oil for saute

salt, black pepper to taste

Method:

To start: in a baking dish, take a squash, like butternut or kabocha and halve it. Scrape out the seeds and place face down in a

shallow water bath. Bake at 350 for 1 hr. Let cool and peel skin away. 

In a skillet, saute on a medium low heat one leek, ¼ c chopped burdock, 1/8c peeled and chopped celery root and 1 clove of garlic. Let simmer and add in 2 tsp rosemary, and a few pinches of sea salt and black pepper.

When leeks are translucent, add in ends of swiss chard, and let soften. Next, add in chopped spinach and leaves of chard. Turn heat to low, and let cook for about 20 minutes.

 Pour squash water from baking dish into a pot. Turn on heat and bring to a simmer. Add in one packet of Vitality broth.  Next, add in 2. 5 cups of squash. Let cook on low heat, and then add in 3 cups of water. Bring to a simmer and add in one more packet of Vitality broth. Give it a stir and turn heat off. Pour into blender until smooth.

Add in vegetables from skillet and mix in. Serve with a tbsp of flaxseed oil for extra fat and flavor. Enjoy!

 Stay well!!

 Ingredient Info

Kabocha squash- Great source of fiber, helps stabilizes blood sugar, rich in anti-oxidants,  and supports healthy bladder function

Leek- packed with anti-oxidants, including, like garlic and onions contain a compound called allicin, which has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. It also produces a free radical called Sulfenic Acid, which can neutralize free radicals quicker than any other known compound. It also contains kaempferol which has been linked to having anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, heart protecting and anti-diabetic properties.  Leeks are also a natural source of prebiotics, which are a good type of bacteria that thrive in the digestive tract.  They also play an important role in the absorption of nutrients. Leeks are also a good source of calcium and magnesium.

Burdock- can help with detoxification of heavy metals, helps strengthen and grow new mitochondria, can help improve sperm count and libido, has strong anti-microbial, anti-viral and anti-fungal, helps increase anti-oxidant levels and protects liver and kidneys against oxidative stress. Burdock also protects liver from alcohol induced damage and protects brain cells from neurotoxicity.

Celery root- Healthy source of vitamin c AND K, an essential nutrient in healthy blood clotting and also a source of osteocalcin which is an important protein hormone for bone health.

Garlic- helps in reducing bad cholesterol levels, blood pressure and  has anti-viral and anti-cancer benefits

Rosemary- improves circulation, high in manganese (crucial for healing), anti-inflammatory, may help in promoting healthy bacteria in gut, and possibly reduces inflammation in hippocampus (part of brain responsible for emotions, learning and memory).

Spinach-wonderful source of iron, anti-oxidant, has high concentrations of chlorophyll, beneficial in helping body detox from toxins,  has nutrients that help keep eyes healthy, has vitamin k, which we know is crucial for bone health.

Swiss chard-like spinach, high in vitamin k and anti-oxidants, vitamin c and e, quercetin,

Lutein (eye health),  anti-cancer

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