This time of year, I can't get enough soup. It's not only comforting but really healthy and perfect for building up the immune system before a long winter. The warming nature of soup recharges the digestive system which is important in fighting off illnesses. The digestive system is our defense system and this helps keep it working at its best. There are a few more reasons why these soups are supportive to the immune system.

#1 Vegetables

Vegetables are arguably the healthiest foods that exist. I've never heard of a diet that says not to eat vegetables, have you? It's pretty much a given that vegetables are good for you. They are full of vitamins, minerals, and a long list of other health bearing nutrients. The first rule in eating healthy is to eat lots of vegetables (no matter what you are – vegan, paleo, gluten-free, etc.). Cooked vegetables are easy to digest which makes it much less work for the digestive system to assimilate them into the body.

#2 Bone Broth

Bone broth is an excellent source of minerals, like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium, and they are easily absorbed in this form. It’s also rich in glycine and proline, amino acids not found in significant amounts in muscle meat. Another benefit of bone broth is that it also contains chondroitin sulphates and glucosamine, the compounds sold as supplements to reduce inflammation, arthritis, and joint pain. When bone broth is made with soup bones or marrow bones it will also be a good source of gelatin which comes from the collagen, a protein found in connective tissue of vertebrate animals, including marrow, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.  When making bone broth, be sure to use grass-fed organic beef and pastured organic chicken (if you can get your hands on some chicken feet, throw that in the broth for some added health benefits).

#3 Garlic

Garlic is full of health benefits, it is one of my top choices in immune boosting foods. I really use this stuff for everything. It's great to take garlic if you or your child feels sick but you don't know what it might be. Garlic is anti-everything – anti-viral, anti-baterial, etc. that's why its always a good choice when you don't feel well. In the Winter, eat as much garlic as you can (my kids and I probably smell like garlic for half the winter but I don't care because it keeps us healthy). These soup recipes I am sharing with you today all contain this health bearing food!

Here are the Recipes…

Bone Broth with Vegetables

• 6 cups bone broth – follow this post on how to make bone broth
• 3 cups chopped vegetables – carrots, celery, potato, mushroom, kale
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• sea salt to taste

Heat broth in a stock pot, add chopped vegetables. Simmer until veggies are soft. Enjoy!

Garlic Soup

• 2 onions, chopped
• 20 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 4 tbsp. grass fed butter or coconut oil
• 6 cups chicken bone broth
• 4-6 cups chopped veggies – anything you have on hand: carrots, potatoes, celery, zucchini, parsnips, etc.
• 1 tsp. thyme
• sea salt to taste

Heat oil or butter in a stock pot. Saute onions and garlic for 5 minutes. Add stock, veggies, thyme, and sea salt. Bring pot to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Puree with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender to puree. Enjoy!

Cauliflower Kale Soup

• 1 large head of cauliflower
• 5 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 bunch of kale
• 1 yellow onion
• 2 stalks celery
• 4 cloves garlic
• 7 cups vegetable stock or chicken bone broth

In a stock pot, heat the coconut oil. Saute the onion and garlic for 5 minutes. Add stock and vegetables, bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Puree with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender to puree. Enjoy!

What simple soups do you make for your family in the Fall & Winter? Please share in the comments below.