A Recipe for Autumn

Gillian — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:00:10 +0000

Try this simple but delicious recipe for Carrot Ginger Soup which blends the nourishing, soothing qualities of late summer’s Earth energy, according to Chinese medicine, with Autumn’s pungent clearing energy found in ginger. Cooked carrots are very gentle on the digestive system and the nervous system, too. Serve this in a soup plate with a side of crusty whole grain bread and arugula salad made with roasted walnuts, apples and balsamic mustard vinaigrette. Or have it in a small bowl as a first course, followed by blackened cod and your favorite cooked greens and garlic– another pungent gem of Autumn’s healing energy. Learn more at Body and Soul Nutrition.

CATHERINE’S CARROT GINGER SOUP
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil or 1 Tbsp organic butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
6 cups water or vegetable/chicken stock
3 pounds organic carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 small potato, quartered
3 Tbsp lime juice
Sea salt and black pepper
Handful fresh cilantro, chopped

Add olive oil to (or melt butter) in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and ginger and saute until the onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the water or stock and carrots and potato. Cover and simmer until the carrots and potato are tender, about 35 minutes. Working in batches, puree the mixture in a blender. Stir in the lime juice. Season to taste. Thin the soup with about 3/4 cup warm water if necessary. Sprinkle cilantro over each bowl of soup when serving.

The Pungent Power of Ginger

Gillian — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:36:59 +0000

As we head into cold and flu season, take advantage of one of Nature’s most powerful medicines for the lungs: ginger. It’s pungent, spicy quality is associated with Autumn and the Metal Element in Chinese Medicine and it is considered to be warming and clearing. Drink it as a tea with a spoonful of honey and a squeeze of lemon– it’ll make you sweat and help loosen any phlegm so that your body can move it out. Ginger is also great for soothing a queasy stomach, so enjoy!

FRESH GINGER TEA
Take an inch-long piece of fresh ginger and slice it up thinly, peel and all. Simmer in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes. Drain the pieces out (or not) and drink as hot as you can stand it for the greatest healing effect.

Ginger is peppery, so if the tea tastes too spicy for you, mix in a spoonful of local honey and a squeeze of lemon. Enjoy this anytime you feel chilled or have a cold or respiratory illness. This flavorful, old-fashioned remedy has been used by East and West alike for centuries!

For more in-depth nutritional consultations, contact Catherine Varchaver at Body and Soul Nutrition.

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A Recipe for Autumn

The Pungent Power of Ginger