This Immune Boosting Onion Chicken Soup will heal what ails you. It will warm you deliciously from the inside out.
So, what the heck is Immune Boosting Onion Chicken Soup? In this case, it’s a French onion soup type broth filled with all of the traditional chicken soup ingredients. It’s filled with garlic, and onions, and other foods that will help keep you healthy. It’s the most delicious germ killer you’ll ever have.
We are in the throws of Covid19 now and that means social distancing, quarantine… whatever you want to call it. To me, what that really means is that we need to be boosting our immune systems every way and every time we possible can. I really believe that every time you put something into your mouth it’s another chance to fuel your body and give it what it needs.
So, to this end, I created this Immune Boosting Onion Chicken Soup.
During this time of our new-normal-chaos, we’ve had to work with the ingredients we can get. Lately, each time I order in groceries and I ask for onions, I get the hugest onions I’ve ever seen. I open the bag and these bowling balls peek out. Really, these onions are the size of my head. So, I’ve made jars of pickled onions and I’ve made pans of caramelized onions. We’ve had onion-heavy stews. And all of these have been great, especially since onions are a great immune booster.
One day I decided I was really in the mood for old-fashioned grandma-style healing chicken soup. But these onions were staring me in the face. This ended up being a great thing. Sometimes circumstances just lend themselves the best accidents. And this is one such happy accident.
This soup is one of the best immune boosting soups in my recipe arsenal. For more immune boosting tips and recipes, download my free ebook all about immune boosting foods.
Here are some of the amazing healing ingredients in this Immune Boosting Onion Chicken Soup:
Onions are great for your immune system; they are a natural antihistamine. Recently, I recommended that a patient with bronchitis put sliced raw onions in her socks when she went to sleep… she woke up so much better. (I know I’ve told you this before, but it really is awesome!) Onion is a superhero in the food world!
Chicken is something I push people to buy organic if possible. Organic chicken is a great, healthy protein to give you energy, lessen the pain of some types of arthritis, and boost your system when you are particularly weak — like after surgery or childbirth. People who have some conditions that we consider “excess heat” conditions should limit the amount of chicken they eat. So, if you have an illness that gives you a bright red tongue or severe dryness in your body, check with your doctor first. For example, if you have a lot of burning stomach acid, you should avoid chicken for awhile…
Bone broth is filled with bone marrow and essential fatty acids — these things promote optimal brain health. It also contains glycine, which is an amino acid that helps with memory, concentration, stress, and focus. You can make your own bone broth, but you don’t have to anymore. Bone broth is now available in tons of markets. It’s sold in boxes just like chicken or vegetable broth. The glucosamine in bone broth can reduce inflammation and strengthen the bones. It’s also great for your skin, hair, and nails. This is a great thing to use for a quick soup base, or to just sip on during the day. Sometimes I’ll have a hot cup of bone broth first thing in the morning for a quick healing pick me up.
Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….
Scallions, as I tell you often, are one of my favorites. In Chinese medicine, the root of the scallion is a healing herb (Cong Bai). I always keep scallions on hand in my refrigerator so that I can whip up a batch of cold and flu fighting tea (scallion roots and ginger) the second anyone feels that scratchy throat coming on. It helps the body sweat out toxins. Scallions are antiviral and antibacterial; they are good for the common cold and general nasal congestion — just don’t eat too many if you have a fever.
I like to use some type of seaweed in my chicken soup. I used wakame in this pot because it’s what I had on hand, but feel free to use whatever type you like. Seaweed is good for your thyroid gland and your lymphatic system. If you have swelling in your body or you are retaining water, seaweed is great because it acts as a diuretic. In the olden days, seaweed was fed to people to get rid of goiters and tuberculosis.
Carrots help strengthen the organs in your body. They also are good for the eyes (this is their claim to fame) and they promote healthy digestion. Many moons ago, people used to make carrot tea to ward off measles and to prevent cancer. Carrots help detoxify the body and in today’s world of Chinese medicine, they are prescribed to ease constipation and tonsillitis.
Celery actually helps stop bleeding — so if you or anyone you know has just had surgery, start adding celery to your dishes! Celery is also great to help lower blood pressure and it’s been known to help with insomnia.
I make this Immune Boosting Onion Chicken Soup in my slow cooker, but you can also make it on top of the stove -- either way it is delicious and comforting.
Ingredients
1 giant onion (or 2 large onions), chopped
4 scallions, sliced (be sure to also add the root ends to the soup -- they are extra healing)
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
3 celery stalks, sliced
12 large garlic cloves, smashed
4 large sticks of wakame seaweed (you can use whatever seaweed you have, or you can omit this)
Put all of the ingredients, except the pasta, into your slow cooker.
Cook on high for 4-hours.
Add pasta and cook for an additional 15 mins or until the pasta is cooked al dente.
NOTE: This soup can easily be made on top of the stove if you prefer. Follow the directions above, but you will probably only need to cook the soup for about 1-1/2 hours. Then add the pasta until cooked al dente.
This fresh vegetable minestrone soup is packed with fresh veggies and herbs — it is truly amazingly delicious and healing. It’s like a hug in a bowl… Food really is the best medicine!
We are not vegetarians here in my house. I lean that way, but the rest of my family does not. So, oftentimes when I make a vegan or a vegetarian dish, some people — who shall remain nameless — don’t feel like they’ve had a “real” meal. They feel gypped. I, of course, think this is ridiculous, but sometimes it’s just not worth the fight or even an explanation.
And then sometimes I can make a vegetarian dish that’s so hearty, nobody thinks twice about it. That’s this Fresh Vegetable Minestrone Soup. It’s so jam-packed with so many things, nobody will miss the meat.
Vegetable-forward soups are my favorite kind of soups. Don’t get me wrong, I love a meatball soup and my Cheeseburger Soup is a huge favorite in my house. BUT, they are not my beloved fresh veggie soups.
Some people like creamy, smooth soups. Some people like hearty, chunky soups. I love them all. This Fresh Vegetable Minestrone Soup is of the hearty, chunky variety and it is awesome. It’s a great clean-out-the-fridge soup because really, almost anything you’ve got will taste great in this recipe.
I like to add lots of immune-boosting ingredients to my soups and this one is no exception. Oregano, scallions, and garlic are present in this recipe. Each one of these ingredients packs a big immune-boosting punch and together they are exceedingly powerful, making it perfect for the cold damp months of winter here in New York. And, because I’m not concerned with keeping this soup completely vegetarian, I like to use bone broth for the base of it — extra healing power!
One of the things I teach my clients is that’s it much easier to stay on track with whatever healthy eating/lifestyle plan you are on, if you always keep a big pot of soup in your fridge. I love to make one soup each week and then I can have something healthy and delicious to eat when I come home ravenous. This soup serves this purpose really well because it makes for great leftovers — I’ve even eaten it cold straight from the fridge. Others in my house will heat it up with some Parmesan cheese on top or with a piece of crusty bread hidden at the bottom of the bowl. Have it your way…
And, if you want to switch up your minestrone game, take a look at all of the minestrone recipes on Feed Feed — they look awesome!
Here are some of the amazing healing ingredients in this Fresh Vegetable Minestrone Soup:
Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….
Scallions, as I tell you often, are one of my favorites. In Chinese medicine, the root of the scallion is a healing herb (Cong Bai). I always keep scallions on hand in my refrigerator so that I can whip up a batch of cold and flu fighting tea (scallion roots and ginger) the second anyone feels that scratchy throat coming on. It helps the body sweat out toxins. Scallions are antiviral and antibacterial; they are good for the common cold and general nasal congestion — just don’t eat too many if you have a fever.
In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections.
Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better during those hot days of summer. It helps your body release excess heat and it will make your mind feel more calm.
Oregano is a powerful antioxidant and it is great at fighting bacteria. It’s also known as an herb that brings joy and happiness to people. I even just bought a bottle of oregano essential oil and I put a drop in our smoothies a few weeks ago when Steve had a cold… it’s powerful stuff!
Potatoes are good at soothing ulcers and neutralizing acid in the stomach and they help relieve constipation. These tubers also can help relieve arthritic inflammation. So, even though sweet potatoes are thought of as the white potato’s more nutrition sister, regular old potatoes can be just what the doctor ordered.
Broccoli has a lot of potassium and is great for brain function; it also has magnesium and calcium to help regulate blood pressure. It’s also good to clear your body of excess heat and it actually can help your vision too. I love foods that make you feel better mentally as well as physically, and broccoli is one of those foods — it can lessen feelings of irritability.
It is true that spinach contains iron, but it’s this vegetable’s lesser-known qualities that really hold my admiration. Spinach contains a substance that helps eliminate prostate cancer. It’s also great for your bones and also for memory loss. Diabetic patients may find that eating spinach helps combat excessive thirst and can even be good for night blindness. Spinach can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, so calcium-rich foods should be avoided when eating this leafy green.
Parsley has been shown to reduce tumors in the lungs and to neutralize the effects of carcinogens, including cigarette smoke. It is high in vitamins A and C, and is good for your heart. This herb is also a natural breath freshener. So, if you have a chance to use more than a few sprigs as a garnish, go for it.
Bone broth is filled with bone marrow and essential fatty acids — these things promote optimal brain health. It also contains glycine, which is an amino acid that helps with memory, concentration, stress, and focus. You can make your own bone broth, but you don’t have to anymore. Bone broth is now available in tons of markets. It’s sold in boxes just like chicken or vegetable broth. The glucosamine in bone broth can reduce inflammation and strengthen the bones. It’s also great for your skin, hair, and nails. This is a great thing to use for a quick soup base, or to just sip on during the day. Sometimes I’ll have a hot cup of bone broth first thing in the morning for a quick healing pick me up.
This healthy creamy butternut squash spaghetti is amazing. The sauce is do delicious and the texture is like velvet. And… it’s good for your digestive system and your brain!
Sometimes when I have a dinner party I figure out what to cook based on color. If I already have planned several dishes, I’ll look at them and decide what other dish would look best alongside them. I am embarrassed to say that this way of dinner planning may have been brought on by the Instagram-like-grid in my head.
I was never a big social media fan, and I started using Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter out of necessity. I wanted my business to grow so I had to grow with it.
Fast forward several years… and I am on my phone waayyyyyyy too much. Instagram is my current favorite. BUT, OMG, get the grid out of my head… please!
I mean, come on, I’m a chef. I’m a healer. Shouldn’t I choose my food based on taste? Ummmm….. nah. Especially when I use these dinner events to recipe test things I have never made before, so I really don’t know if they’ll even be edible.
This beautiful sunshine-yellow Healthy Creamy Butternut Squash Spaghetti filled a need for a bright color on my table. And I knew I wanted to try out a new pasta sauce. Two birds, one stone.
Before I finish patting myself on the back, I should tell you that this wasn’t really a risk because one of my favorite sites — The Feed Feed published a recipe for butternut squash spaghetti so I had a great starting place.
I’m a butternut squash lover so I usually have some on hand at this time of year. But a lot of times I’ll make it as an easy side dish: Simple Roasted Butternut Squash. I keep staring at the squash and I can’t decide what to make, so I tend to go back to what I know. But this pasta was calling my name, and I’m so glad I listened.
And, butternut squash is really good for you. It’s a good fever reducer, it can lessen stomach pain and it can be a comfort during pregnancy when the baby feels like she’s doing acrobatics. It’s also rich in carotenoids and Vitamin B6. This means it’s good for your heart and can help lower bad cholesterol. And, because butternut squash can help reduce inflammation in the body, it benefits almost everyone.
Have I convinced you yet?
This Healthy Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta is a no-brainer. It’s easy. It’s delicious. It’s pretty. And it’s great for your digestion: the butternut squash, the sage, the oats (I used oat milk in mine) — each of these ingredients will soothe your digestion. For more help with digestive issues, you can download my free ebook all about healing your digestive system.
Here are some of the awesome healing ingredients in this recipe for Healthy Creamy Butternut Squash Spaghetti:
Butternut squash is more than just a delicious vegetable; it’s really good for you. It’s a good fever reducer, it can lessen stomach pain and it can be a comfort during pregnancy when the baby feels like she’s doing acrobatics. It’s also rich in carotenoids and Vitamin B6. This means it’s good for your heart and can help lower bad cholesterol. And, because butternut squash can help reduce inflammation in the body, it benefits almost everyone.
Onions are great for your immune system; they are a natural antihistamine. Recently, I recommended that a patient with bronchitis put sliced raw onions in her socks when she went to sleep… she woke up so much better. (I know I’ve told you this before, but it really is awesome!) Onion is a superhero in the food world!
It really is true that an apple a day is a good thing. Apples help to strengthen your heart. They are also good for your digestion and they can help eliminate mucus when you have a cold. So, the combination of apples and cinnamon together are great for this time of year when everyone seems to be getting sick. Apples have a high antioxidant content, especially Granny Smiths and Red Delicious. This, combined with the fact that they have a lot of healthy fiber, is why apples are good at fighting Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and some cancers. They have also been shown to help ward off diabetes, high cholesterol and gallstones.
Oats are great for the digestive system — they make you feel better if you are feeling bloated or have indigestion. This ancient grain can also help reduce some types of swelling in the body and, a little known tidbit: they can be eaten to help stop lactation. I used oat milk in this recipe — feel free to substitute whatever milk makes you happy.
Sage is great for your digestion, especially if you have loose stools. It’s also good for memory loss and for Alzheimer’s.
This Healthy Creamy Butternut Squash Spaghetti is simple to make, delicious to eat, and just look how pretty it is! It's the prettiest comfort food ever!
Cook pasta al dente. NOTE: I have made this recipe with Banza Chickpea Pasta, and also with whole grain sprouted pastas -- both are awesome.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large sauce pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion. Season with salt. Sauce, stirring, 5 mins.
Add the apple, squash, sage, milk, and broth. Cover and simmer 20 mins, or until squash is softened.
Transfer the mixture (in batches) to your blender and whiz it up until very creamy. NOTE: when blending hot liquids it's a good idea to place a clean dish towel over the top of the blender, hold it tightly to the blender canister, and blend like this so the steam can escape and you won't burn yourself.
Transfer the blended mixture back to the pot. Simmer over med-low heat and add the cheese. Stir until melted.
If you literally can’t stomach tomatoes, this tomato free marinara sauce will have you jumping for joy!
I over-indulged to such an extent this summer that I set-back my digestive system to where it was before I knew how to heal myself with food. Really… it is still quite unbelievable to me that I could possibly do this to myself after so many years of feeling great.
If you don’t know my story, I’ll back up a bit and give it to you in a nutshell here. I used to have terrible digestive issues. The doctors thought I had ulcerative colitis and I was on a ton of medications. I had to know where every bathroom was at all times and I lived in pain. Fast forward and I went to cooking school and then got my Master’s degree in Oriental medicine and I learned to heal myself — and all of you — with food and herbs. And I’ve been healthy now for at least 10 years.
Can you believe I was able to screw up so badly? I still can’t! But, now that I know what I’m doing, I am able to reverse all of the damage I have done fairly quickly. It’s been about 3 weeks so far and I am already feeling pretty awesome — not perfect yet but close.
One of the foreign symptoms I started experiencing is acid reflux. This was a new one for me, so I used it as a learning experience. I can now say that if someone asks me what to do for acid reflux, I can help. A lot.
As part of my experimentation on myself, I created a bunch of digestive and acid friendly recipes. This is one of the recipes I’ve been making. I wish I could take credit for the creation of this genius Tomato Free Marinara Sauce, but all of the credit goes to Bethany at Lil Sipper. It really is the most creative and genius recipe I’ve seen. And it’s only got a few ingredients. And the blender does all of the work.
I put this sauce on chickpea pasta and I loved it. It honestly tastes like traditional marinara sauce. Then came the test. I served it to Steve and watched for a reaction. He ate the whole bowl and had no idea it wasn’t a tomato-based sauce. That’s a win!
So, what’s in this magic Tomato Free Marinara Sauce you ask? Okay, I’ll tell you: the base is made of beets and canned pumpkin and bone broth. Just scroll down for the complete recipe. By the way, bone broth is great for so many things, so I’ve been replacing my traditional stocks and broths with bone broth in every recipe I can! And then we add the seasonings (and it’s the seasonings that give it the traditional marinara taste). But that’s it. Really… I can’t get over how magical this is.
All of my rambling aside, you really can heal your digestive system by being creative with foods. This Tomato Free Marinara Sauce is a perfect example of the phenomenal rewards you can reap when you are willing to give some out-of-the-box ideas a try. So……. are you ready to try?
Here are some of the great healing ingredients in this Tomato Free Marinara Sauce:
Beets are SO good for you. I try to find ways to fit them into my meals as much as possible. Really… many times a week. Beets nourish blood and tonify the heart. Athletes are starting to drink beet juice as a form of endurance therapy. They are anti-carcinogenic, good for anemia, and relieve constipation. I also think it’s a great idea to eat them raw sometimes because their amazing goodness is even more pumped up this way.
Pumpkin can help reduce pain and fever and can soothe stomach irritations. It’s a great food to treat constipation, allergies and asthma. It’s high in vitamin A and can help protect your lungs and intestines from cancer.
Bone broth heals your digestive system. It is filled with collagen and gelatin. Both of these substances, when slowly heated for an extended period of time, have been shown to actually heal your gut lining. The glucosamine in bone broth can reduce inflammation throughout your body and it can also strengthen your bones. When you add bone broth to your diet, you are able to reduce inflammation in your joints, so your knees, elbows, shoulders, hips, wrists, etc. will start to feel less stiff. You will even start to reduce the pain in your joints with this addition to your lifestyle. It’s also great for your skin!
If tomatoes don't work for your digestion, this tomato free marinara sauce recipe is a must for you! It's so delicious and so simple... and it tastes like the real thing!
Ingredients
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
3 baby beets (cooked) (I used store-bought pre-cooked beets)
½ cup bone broth (I used chicken but you can use any flavor you like)
This paleo pasta with sardines, anchovies, and breadcrumbs is my favorite pasta ever! Even if you think you don’t like sardines and anchovies, you will love this recipe.
When I was in Lake Como, Italy, I had my favorite pasta dish ever. I took the recommendation of our waiter and ordered a dish that had sardines in it.
I don’t think had I ever had pasta with sardines before. And, honestly, I don’t think it sounded great at the time. But, the setting was beautiful, the night air fragrant, and the wine was flowing. I was all in.
To this day, I can say with certainty that I have never ever had food that good before and — until now — I haven’t had it since.
This paleo pasta with sardines, anchovies, and breadcrumbs is my take on that glorious pasta dish. I’ve made it paleo friendly, and I’ve used buckwheat ramen noodles. And it is delicious. This pasta dish is one I’ve been making on repeat when I’m home alone for dinner. It’s easy. It’s so healing, and it takes me back to Italia… oh my…
I’ve given this recipe to a few people and everyone who has made it loves it as much as I do. I make it when I’m solo for dinner, because I can’t pull out sardines and anchovies in front of my family, without them refusing to eat it. Their loss! The sardines and anchovies don’t taste fishy at all but they give this sauce a deliciously briny taste and when the breadcrumbs are added, the sauce becomes textured and thickened and mouth watering.
Sardines are great to build bone strength and to elevate your mood. Have I convinced you to try this recipe yet?
I don’t know about you, but foods that de-stress me and make me happy are high on my list! Make this recipe for paleo pasta with sardines, anchovies, and breadcrumbs and download my free ebook to learn about natural remedies to help reduce anxiety and stress.
Here are some of the great healing ingredients in this Paleo Pasta With Sardines, Anchovies, And Breadcrumbs recipe:
Sardines reduce inflammation, boost mood, help with weight loss, and build bone strength. They also can help keep you stay hydrated and cool and can help reduce a fever.
Anchovies can help lower cholesterol and are good for heart health. They are also good for brain health and can help keep your skin looking younger and healthier. They are rich in iron and help with circulation.
Buckwheat is great to eat if you have diarrhea. It also helps lower blood pressure, stops some types of sweating, and has a good amount of vitamin E. It also contains antioxidants that can help fight cancer and heart disease. Buckwheat is a seed, not a grain, so no inflammation here!
Parsley has been shown to reduce tumors in the lungs and to neutralize the effects of carcinogens, including cigarette smoke. It is high in vitamins A and C, and is good for your heart. This herb is also a natural breath freshener. So, if you have a chance to use more than a few sprigs as a garnish, go for it.
Chickpeas actually help calm the spirit. They relieve anxiety and soothe irritability… it kind of makes you realize why hummus is so popular. I used chickpea crumbs instead of traditional breadcrumbs in this recipe.
Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….
I love to customize recipes for specific health concerns. Let me customize a pasta recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation… I’d love to create a soup recipe that addresses your specific needs!
Paleo Pasta With Sardines, Anchovies, And Breadcrumbs
This paleo pasta with sardines, anchovies, and breadcrumbs will transport you to Italy. It's a quick dish to make, it's so healing, and it is amazingly delicious.
Ingredients
2 cakes buckwheat ramen (or pasta of your choice)
3 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
1 can sardines
1 small jar anchovies
½ bunch parsley, chopped
dried hot red pepper flakes, to taste
¾ cup chickpea crumbs (or breadcrumbs of your choice)
1 28-oz can whole tomatoes
10 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
¼ cup pitted kalamata olives
sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Cook the pasta al dente and drain.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Chop up the sardines and anchovies and add them to the oil in the skillet.
Add the parsley and red pepper flakes.
Cook, stirring, 5 mins.
Add the tomatoes, garlic, and olives.
Break up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon, then lower the heat to low, and let simmer 15-20 mins. Season with salt and pepper.
Pour the sauce over the pasta and enjoy!
3.5.3229
https://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paleo-pasta-with-sardines-vertical-far-overhead-9137.jpg1000705Stacey Isaacshttps://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mainlogo@2x-e1524021900779-180x180.pngStacey Isaacs2019-04-29 00:10:502019-04-29 00:10:50Paleo Pasta With Sardines, Anchovies, And Breadcrumbs
Make one of these meals each day this month, and you will be a new person… food really is medicine! Scroll down for 30 quick meals to heal you this month. Let’s get cooking and you’ll see how much more energy you will have, how your digestion will improve, how you will sleep better, how your mood will be lifted, and how your health conditions will start to melt away…
Each one of these meals will heal different conditions in your body and each one can be on the table in 30 minutes or less. If you commit to making one meal each day for 30 days, you will be on the road to looking and feeling healthy and youthful.
Do you remember when you used to have the energy to want to do so many things? Remember when your skin was glowing and healthy? Remember what life was like before you had those chronic aches and pains? Let’s bring those days back. Just one meal a day will put you on that track… after that you will want to add in more meals… the possibilities are endless!
I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now… let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. I’ve got a quick healthy meal with your name on it… So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.
When I tell you that this creamy mint avocado pasta sauce is amazing, I really mean it. The avocado makes it creamy. The flavor of the mint can be as strong as you like, or it can just peak through. And, if you make this dish with grain-free pasta, it’s one of the healthiest comfort foods around. It’s like happiness in a bowl — ugh, did I really just say that…?
Mint boosts your immune system and avocado is great for your digestion and your skin.
The simple sauce is made by pulsing the ingredients in a blender very briefly. It’s a cold sauce. And it is the most delicious and refreshing sauce you will ever have.
Oh, and did I mention that the sauce only has 4 ingredients? Yup, it’s like when you eat a great meal in Italy, and everything tastes so simple and fresh. This is just like that. Fresh and simple. Fresh tomatoes. Fresh garlic. Oil. Vinegar. Done.
Salmon is great for your blood, for anemia, and for energy. Tomatoes are great for your digestion.
Soup still hits the spot even when the days start to get warm. This instant pot spring vegetable soup is perfect for those days — it will boost your immune system and make you feel good!
This soup is especially satisfying because it contains buckwheat groats that mimic pasta. Buckwheat helps lower blood pressure and is good for some intestinal issues.
4. Paleo Beefaroni
If you liked beefaroni when you were a kid, you will love this healthy grownup Paleo Beefaroni.
Beef is good for swelling or edema in your body and it can be good for bloating too. Tomatoes are good for your digestion.
This healthy soup really is comforting. And it’s healing. It’s one of those soups that lets you actually feel the energy seeping into your body as you eat it. Really, you can.
White beans give you energy and calm your mind. Kale is filled with vitamins and minerals, including calcium.
The noodles here are made from butternut squash. This squash is good for your heart and your digestion. Shiitake mushrooms help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
This vegetable noodle lo mein is the perfect recipe to try out your favorite type of veggie noodle. You can even mix it up and use a few different kinds here. This tastes better than Chinese takeout and you won’t feel bloated or tired after you eat!
This Baked Lemon Cod is delicious. And, it’s simple. There’s no sautéing involved. There’s no flipping of delicate fish. There’s no complicated sauce. But it is truly delicious.
Fish is a great thing to eat when you feel like you need more energy. Cod, in particular, is good for your heart. Lemon peels are great to detoxify your body and to smooth your digestion.
9. Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
Oats are good for your digestion. Walnuts are considered a Chinese herb that treats constipation. Honey gives you energy and quiets coughs.
This recipe is warming, comforting, and can be customized with whatever ingredients you like.
10. Shaved Brussels Sprouts And Apple Salad
I’m kind of a freak about leftover salad. I love almost anything straight out of the fridge as a leftover. Except salad. I just hate it when it goes all wet and limp. Enter this salad… it’s even better leftover the next day. The Brussels sprouts stand up so well to the creamy dressing that there is no ick-factor involved. This makes it perfect to make for a crowd because you can make it way in advance. This is just awesomely easy and convenient.
Brussels sprouts are an anti-cancerous vegetable and they are also great for weight loss. Apples are good for your heart and your digestion.
11. Zoodles With Creamy Avocado Pesto
The avocado makes the pesto so creamy and it’s so easy to make. It’s a really pretty green… And the noodles are made from zucchini… deliciously creamy and healthy.
Zucchini calms your mind. Avocados are good for hot flashes and for your heart. Basil calms your mind and boosts your immune system.
This is a warming and comforting vegan dish… and nobody will miss the meat.
Sweet potatoes are good for your digestive system. They can be good for both constipation and diarrhea. These orange gems also help rid your body of excess water, are good for breast health, help people with diabetes and actually can help ease night blindness.
It really is true that an apple a day is a good thing. Apples help to strengthen your heart. They are also good for your digestion and they can help eliminate mucus when you have a cold.
This tomato pomegranate salad is beautiful, simple, delicious, healthy, and easily customizable with the ingredients you have on hand.
Tomatoes are good for your digestive system. Pomegranate seeds nourish the blood. In Chinese medicine, we know that many illnesses and conditions are caused by the body making poor quality blood. Pomegranate seeds are great at helping the body make good quality blood. They are also good to combat diarrhea, anemia and incontinence.
14. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
I used grain-free almond tortillas to wrap up these sheet pan chicken fajitas. And I added turmeric to the spice mix. And lots of scallions. Yup, this is not only delicious, but it’s healing too!
Chicken is a healthy protein to eat when you are feeling weak. Bell peppers can help relieve that bloated feeling in your stomach.
15. Buckwheat Ramen Soup
Ramen soup is so delicious, but if you eat grain-free, you can’t have traditional ramen. I used buckwheat ramen noodles in this soup; buckwheat is a seed, not a grain.
Buckwheat helps lower blood pressure and it’s good to stop diarrhea. Ginger is great for your immune system and for your digestion.
This recipe is great on 2 different fronts. First, there’s the pesto. OMG — this is sooooooooo good! And, it takes only 5 minutes to make. Next, there’s the beauty and deliciousness of the grain-free pasta made from chickpeas. Well, this is nothing short of genius!
Arugula boosts your libido and cools your body down. Chickpeas calm the spirit.
Slow-roasting this fish at a really low temperature keeps it so tender, juicy, and fresh tasting.
Parsley is considered an anti-cancerous herb. And, it freshens your breath! So, if you get a chance to use it for something other than a garnish, I say go for it!
Salmon is great to nourish your blood and can help with asthma.
Wild salmon is a great thing to add into your diet to help increase your athletic performance — this fish can help reduce aches and pains in your muscles and joints, and it’s a good source of iron.
Lemons help detoxify your body and they are great for your immune system.
As an added extra benefit, this salmon makes for awesome leftovers.
Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better during those hot days of summer. It helps your body release excess heat and it will make your mind feel more calm.
In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections. This recipe uses both fresh and sun-dried tomatoes.
This chicken is crispy. The outside layer actually crunches in your mouth, but the chicken itself stays so moist. And, the coating mixture… it’s so easy to make and it contains superfoods to heal your body. Ummmmm…. what are you waiting for? You’ve got to try this one!
This is one of my most popular recipes — make it and see why! And, make sure you make extra because this chicken is great sliced up on salads or sandwiches too.
21. Buckwheat Sweet Potato Arugula Salad
Let me tell you, rather immodestly at that, that this salad is incredible. It hit all it’s marks. The buckwheat is chewy. The sweet potatoes are warm and sweet. The tempeh tastes like unexpected little pieces of smoky bacon. The spinach and arugula are refreshing. The cherries are tart. The dressing is tangy. The pecans are crunchy. Okay, enough praises. But you’ve got to make this!
Buckwheat is a seed, not a grain. It is great to eat if you have diarrhea. It also helps lower blood pressure, stops some types of sweating, and has a good amount of vitamin E, and has antioxidants that can help fight cancer and heart disease.
Arugula boosts the libido and helps cool the body down.
Fish is great to eat if you feel like you need more energy. It’s also helps with diarrhea and hemorrhoids. I used cod for this recipe, but any firm fleshed sturdy white fish would work great. Cod, like many fish varieties, is good for the cardiovascular system; it helps protect against heart attacks and strokes and helps regulate blood pressure.
Turmeric is actually a Chinese herb (Jiang Huang). It is great for reducing inflammation throughout the body. If you suffer from aches and pains in your joints, try turmeric. It can help relieve menstrual pain and some other abdominal pains but, if you are pregnant, ask your doctor before you eat too much turmeric.
23. Simple Fresh Vegetable Soup
One of the things that I tell my clients is that if you make a big pot of healthy soup at the beginning of the week, you will have no reason to grab unhealthy snacks when you come home famished.
This vegan soup contains lots of fresh vegetables to heal you.
This dish is especially great because the zucchini noodles are mixed with buckwheat noodles, so in the end, this slurpy and spicy pasta dish tastes like real pasta.
Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better when you are feeling hot. It helps your body release excess heat and it will make your mind feel more calm.
Buckwheat is great to eat if you have diarrhea. It also helps lower blood pressure, stops some types of sweating, and has a good amount of vitamin E. It also contains antioxidants that can help fight cancer and heart disease.
Almost all meatballs are awesome. But these meatballs are extra awesome. They are made with pork and infused with some traditional Vietnamese flavors. They are bit-sized, juicy, mouth watering, amazingly flavorful meatballs.
Pork strengthens the digestive system, helps with constipation, and can moisten a dry cough and other dryness in the body. It’s also good to strengthen your qi and give you energy.
I like to put these meatballs on top of cauliflower rice. Cauliflower contains a healthy amount of vitamin B, vitamin K and Omega-3 fatty acids and can help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. It also helps the body with detoxification.
27. Paleo Fettuccine Alfredo
This is a grain-free pasta dish made with a dairy-free cream sauce… and it is the most delicious and creamy pasta you can have.
The sauce is made with cauliflower, which helps fight cancer and is good for your digestion.
Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body.
There’s nothing easier than a sheet pan dinner. And this one is awesome!
Shrimp are high in protein and low in calories, so really, they are a pretty good thing. In Chinese medicine, shrimp are actually recommended as a food to promote longevity because they nourish the kidneys, and in Chinese medicine, the kidneys are the key to life. Shrimp are great to boost libido, lessen some lower back pain and weakness, and they can help new moms with lactation.
Lemon peels contain calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better.
I used a grain-free pasta and the creamy cheese sauce is made with potatoes and carrots… yum!
This one will make you smile as you eat it. There’s just something about this that feels so decadent… but the sauce is made from healing veggies.
30. Lemon Pesto Fish Filets
This recipe is so easy, and you can use any thin white fish that you like.
Fish is great to eat if you feel like you need more energy. It’s also helps with diarrhea and hemorrhoids. I used cod for this recipe, but almost any fish would be delicious with this preparation and creamy mustard sauce. Cod, like many fish varieties, is good for the cardiovascular system; it helps protect against heart attacks and strokes and can help regulate blood pressure. It’s also very low in calories… so have a nice big piece!
Lemon peels contain calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better. Lemons are great for quenching your thirst, and, in China, many years ago, hypertension was treated by drinking tea made from lemon peels.
If you make this any of these 30 quick meals to heal you this month, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.
It’s my hope that you will enjoy these meals and the way they make you feel so much that you will move onto eating this way more and more often. I’d love to help you out, so CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.
And, be sure to click on the individual recipes for more health information about each ingredient used.
https://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/creamy-mint-avocado-pasta-horizontal-overhead-6146.jpg8331250Stacey Isaacshttps://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mainlogo@2x-e1524021900779-180x180.pngStacey Isaacs2018-08-06 05:15:492018-08-21 13:50:5630 Quick Meals To Heal You This Month
Avocados are everywhere these days. Not only are they delicious and versatile, but read on and you will learn 5 little known health benefits of avocados. Then, keep scrolling down for some awesome unique healing recipes featuring this ever-so-popular ingredient… it’s not just for guacamole anymore…
Avocados are one of my favorite foods, both for their health benefits and because they taste great. They are the epitome of a superfood. In Chinese medicine, some practitioners recommend avocados to raise the sperm count. I like them because they are good for anemia, dry skin, palpitations, constipation, and hot flashes due to menopause… and some other things that we don’t often associate with avocado — like managing stress…
Did you know that avocados are fruits, not vegetables? They are. And, this fruit can actually lower your bad cholesterol.
One of my favorite things to do is to take a half of an avocado, inside the skin, drizzle hot sauce on top, and then eat it with a spoon — no muss no fuss. Oh, and then I rub the inside of the skin on my face — more on that later.
Avocado toast is huge right now. You can’t call up your Instagram feed without seeing tons of variations of these beautiful toasts all over. And then there’s guacamole. That’s timeless, and even more popular now with the ever-wonderful Taco Tuesday hype. I use guacamole as a condiment in place of mayonnaise — it’s especially good mixed into potato salads…
But, since avocados really are so healing, it makes sense to add them into your meal rotation on the regular. And, really, how much avocado toast can you eat? (Okay, maybe quite a lot…. haha.)
Stick with me and you’ll be making pasta sauces out of avocado. Your desserts will have hidden avocado in them. Smoothies… yup, they are great vehicles for hidden avocados. And, you need to start topping your soups, chilis, and stews with cubed avocado. If you start with a healthy chili or soup and then add the heart healthy fat of the avocado to it, there’ll be no stopping you.
I realize as I’m typing this article, that I’m focusing on the deliciousness of avocado as a food. But, really, the important take-away from this article is that avocado can truly heal some of your health conditions. So, read on…
Why Should You Listen To Me?
My passion is helping you heal yourself with food and herbs. It’s truly my calling. When I was studying for my Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine, I knew that all of these amazing tenets of Eastern Medicine could be applied to food and used as everyday healing agents for so many people. I knew that if I combined what I was learning about the properties of food and herbs with what I already knew from my chef’s training, it would be life-changing.
And it is. My training in both Eastern and Western medicine, combined with my obsession with food and cooking, has given me a unique skillset that has helped so many people. And I want to help you. Nothing aggravates me more than knowing that these tools exist but that so many of you have not been taught them.
Everyone should know how to heal themselves with food and herbs. This should not be a secret.
If you eat the right foods for your unique body and circumstances, you can heal yourself. All you need is the correct information. And I’m here to give it to you.
Food really is medicine!
And, when there are everyday foods that are so easy to fit into your everyday life, why wouldn’t you start there? Avocados are awesome. Let’s get started…
Here Are 5 Little Known Health Benefits Of Avocados
1. Avocados Balance Hormones
In Chinese medicine, avocados are prescribed to fertility patients. They help balance estrogen and progesterone levels and they also increase sperm count. I often tell my menopausal clients to start eating more avocados because they can be really helpful to reduce hot flashes.
When I studied Chinese medicine, I learned how important it is to eat foods that build up the quality of your blood. A major key to health is good quality blood and this is often achieved by eating red foods. That’s why I’m always pushing beets, pomegranate seeds, and black cherry juice. But, avocados — lusciously green as they are — also help build up your blood. How awesome is that? If your blood is healthy, your hormones can be much more easily balanced.
2. Avocados Help Balance Stress And Boost Your Mood
Balancing stress and balancing hormones go hand in hand. Often, when you are feeling really stressed, it’s because your hormones are out of balance. Same goes for mood. The monounsaturated fats found in avocados have been shown to help with depression. Avocados are rich in Vitamin B and many times anxiety occurs because of a B deficiency. This in itself is reason enough to amp up your avocado intake!
3. Avocados Will Keep Your Skin Looking Youthful
I mean this in the most basic way. One of the best things you can do for your skin is to eat an avocado and then flip the skin inside-out and rub the inside of the skin onto your face. Yes, you won’t look pretty for a few minutes. And, haha, I once did a video demonstrating this and I looked like a green fool but my skin is in awesome shape… The oleic acid in your new green face mask will reduce inflammation and your skin will be refreshed and happy.
While using the avocado topically really is awesome, eating avocados are great for your skin also. The monounsaturated fats and vitamins help your skin, hair, and nails stay healthy, youthful, and hydrated.
4. Avocados Can Help With Weight Loss
By now almost everyone has heard the mantra that fat doesn’t make you fat. Right? If you eat the right kinds of healthy fats, your body will thank you. You will feel full longer, you will feel healthier, and you will find it much easier to manage your weight without feeling like you are famished. Avocado has the right kind of healthy fat. And, as an added bonus, these green gems have been shown to help with your sugar addiction… talk about an awesome ingredient!
5. Avocados Can HelpFight Cancer
There are lots of cancer fighting foods available. In fact, I wrote a whole blog article about it. Very recent research has been showing that avocados need to be added to this growing list of anti-cancerous foods. The phytochemical in avocados can help prevent the growth of cancer cells in the body. Because they are rich in cancer-fighting carotenoids they should now be a part of every chemo-protective diet.
If you eat the right foods and herbs for your unique body and circumstances, you can heal yourself. All you need is the correct information. And I’m here to give it to you. So, read on and you’ll find some great simple recipes to help you add more avocados to your diet. And, if you want to learn more about healing whatever your specific concerns are, I’d love to help you create a healthy lifestyle plan specifically for your unique needs, so sign up for a free phone consultation and we can chat about it.
Really, it’s just a matter of thinking outside of the box. Place some avocados on your counter. Right there where you can easily see them. Every time you make yourself something to eat, look at those avocados and think about how you can incorporate them into whatever you are making. As you’ll see below, they even make great desserts.
I like to take this approach with whatever healing ingredient I’m focused on for the week. Last week I kept my fresh mint on my kitchen counter and on the top shelf of my refrigerator — in glasses of water, like aromatic bouquets. This made it easy for me to imagine using healing mint (Bo He in Chinese herbal medicine) in things I normally wouldn’t have thought to use it in.
Some Deliciously Simple Ways To Add More Avocado To Your Diet
This creamy avocado pesto sauce can be used on any type of veggie noodle or grain-free pasta of your choice. You can also add tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs… so many things… so do what makes you happy.
I know making desserts out of avocado can sound weird. But you need to try this. The chocolate taste comes through and the avocado is just there to create a creamy texture.
Mint and avocado together are an incredibly healing duo — and this pasta is delicious!
If you make any of these avocado recipes, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.
https://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/avocados.jpg32644928Stacey Isaacshttps://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mainlogo@2x-e1524021900779-180x180.pngStacey Isaacs2018-07-23 05:15:542018-08-21 13:51:585 Little Known Health Benefits Of Avocados
If you liked beefaroni when you were a kid, you will love this healthy grownup Paleo Beefaroni!
Sometimes people who don’t know me really well tell me they are intimidated to cook for me. The prevailing thought is that I only eat gourmet, chef-y kind of foods. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. I’m going to admit something to you now: my all-time favorite go-to comfort food is a bowl of pasta with ketchup. I know… gross, right? Granted, I use chickpea or almond pasta and sometimes I use homemade ketchup, but still… pasta with ketchup. I love it… don’t judge me…
When I was a kid, I ate lots of food from cans. My siblings and I loved it. Our cupboards were filled with canned raviolis, beefaroni, spaghetti-O’s, and more. I remember coming home from school, opening up a can, and eating straight from the can with a fork without even heating it up. I wouldn’t touch that food today, but I do love to take these simple comfort foods and healthy them up.
A lot of people think I’m a vegan or a vegetarian. Nope. It’s just another common misconception. I’m not a vegan. Not even a vegetarian. I do go through veg phases, but I feel best with a little meat in my diet. But, I feel strongly about making sure that meat is organic and grass-fed. Non-organic beef has too many hormones in it that increase estrogen in your body… and this is not good for anyone. Combining great quality beef with a paleo pasta (I used a chickpea pasta here), turns old fashioned beefaroni into a nutrient-packed healthy meal. Hmmm…. maybe next time I’ll add a little kale or spinach…
When I made this paleo beefaroni recipe, I made a huge pot of it because instinctively I knew that it would be a bit hit with everyone I came in contact with.
If you know me at all, you know that there is always a pot of something on the stove — oftentimes, something experimental. And, if you open my fridge — which I encourage all of my guests to do freely and often — you will always find a few leftovers. So, I made a huge pot of paleo beefaroni, and I put the big pot in the fridge. Over the next few days, it was gone. It’s really good and it reheats really well.
So, make a big pot of this. I mean, if you have guests or a big family, or some pasta-loving friends, make sure you at least double this recipe. You won’t be sorry.
Here are some of the healing powers in this paleo beefaroni recipe:
Chickpeas actually help calm the spirit. They relieve anxiety and soothe irritability… it kind of makes you realize why hummus is so popular… I used a chickpea penne for this recipe and it was awesome!
Beef is good for a lot of ailments. It’s good for edema/swelling in the body, it helps many people with their weak back and knees and, believe it or not, it’s good for that bloated, distended feeling we sometimes get in our stomachs. In the olden days, beef was stewed for hours so that the liquid could be sipped to combat chronic diarrhea. I recommend using grass-fed organic ground beef for this recipe.
Onions are great for your immune system; they are a natural antihistamine. Recently, I recommended that a patient with bronchitis put sliced raw onions in her socks when she went to sleep… she woke up so much better; they actually can rid the body of bacteria. (I know I’ve told you this before, but it really is awesome!) Onion is a superhero in the food world!
In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections. You can add as many fresh tomatoes as you like to this recipe.
Parmesan cheese (optional) (I used a vegan Parmesan)
Instructions
Cook pasta al dente. Note: when cooking paleo pastas, I recommend checking them at least 2 or 3 minutes sooner than the package recommends; if you overcook it even a little, it turns into glue! When it's done, drain it.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add the onions and beef and season with salt and pepper.
Cook, stirring, and breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are softened.
Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 10 minutes.
Add the drained pasta to the meat sauce. Stir gently to combine.
I just had to have a big bowl of pasta today… so I made this awesome Paleo Pasta Carbonara. And I ate way too much of it…
I really did eat way too much. But, if I’m being honest, I can’t remember the last time I was dainty and restrained when there was a big bowl of steaming pasta in front of me. Ever since I found some grain-free pastas that I love, that actually taste and feel like real pasta, I’ve been creating these awesome pasta dishes whenever I want something fast and delicious.
Pasta carbonara is Italian comfort food at its best. It’s pasta with bacon and eggs… sooooo good! I remember this dish from when I was a child — the creamy sauce, the crispy, salty bacon, and of course, the perfectly cooked al dente pasta. This recipe recreates all of those amazing tastes and has all of the feels of that traditional dish.
It’s important to remember (and I really do have to keep reminding myself…) that these paleo pastas are often protein based so there’s no need to eat such a huge amount. In fact, it’s better not to eat so much. I mean, when you are eating a pasta made out of beans or chick peas, you really feel better not eating the entire package. If I would just give myself a chance to digest before I shoveled this whole beautiful bowl of mouth watering paleo pasta carbonara into my gaping mouth, then my brain and my stomach would realize that I am satisfied after eating only a normal size portion. Ugh… when will I learn?
One of my all-time favorite things to do is to take a traditional comfort food and tweak it so that it meets my nutritional needs and becomes a healing meal. Yeah, I know, this doesn’t sound like the most exciting thing to a lot of you, but this really is what floats my boat. This recipe is healing, it’s dairy-free, it’s grain-free, and it’s delicious. Oh, and you can easily make this vegetarian (I’ve done this many times when I’m in a veggie phase) by using mushrooms or coconut bacon or vegan sausage in place of the pancetta.
I’m on a really big customized-recipe-creation kick right now… let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. I’ve got a soup with your name on it… So CLICK HEREto be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.
I also get tremendous joy from creating a healthy recipe that my family actually loves. Because, let’s face it, my son, who is a great cook, doesn’t always go for what he terms my “voodoo foods”. So, last week when he Face-Timed me and he made paleo pasta carbonara, I was so happy. And, if it’s good enough for a 20-something Taco Bell lover, then it’s good enough for everyone — even the picky eaters in your family.
When you decide you love paleo pastas as much as I do, you should also try my recipe for Creamy Mint Avocado Pasta.
Here are some of the awesome healing ingredients in this recipe for paleo pasta carbonara:
Chickpeas actually help calm the spirit. They relieve anxiety and soothe irritability… it kind of makes you realize why hummus is so popular… I used a chickpea penne for this recipe and it was awesome!
Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….
I am a big proponent of eating the whole egg. So many of the nutrients and the taste are in the yolk; I’ll never understand separating nature’s perfect food. Eggs help with many types of dryness in the body. If you have a dry cough or a frog-in-your-throat, try eating some eggs. They have also been shown to help women with various conditions during and after pregnancy. Some people consider eggs to be a superfood. They contain a large amount of vitamins A and B and are a great source of protein. Eggs sometimes get a bad rap because of cholesterol, but it’s been shown that in 70% of people, eggs do not raise cholesterol, so don’t assume they are bad for you. Buy organic eggs and you are really doing the right thing.
Green peas are good for the digestion, especially if you are feeling constipated. In the olden days, people used to drink pea juice with their meals to avoid indigestion.
If you love pasta as much as I do, then you have to try this healing paleo pasta carbonara. This is so comforting, really easy to make, and it's so delicious that even picky eaters love it.
Pasta is my favorite food in the world. Give me a big bowl of spaghetti, and just leave me alone. But, I feel so much better when I don’t eat grains. Ugh. Now there are some awesome grain-free faux pastas available today I am sooooooo happy. BUT, when people tell me that zucchini noodles/zoodles or spaghetti squash noodles or any vegetable that’s been turned into noodles will satisfy my pasta craving, I think they are crazy. That being said, these zoodles with creamy avocado pesto are really awesome…
I know, now I’ve kind of talked you out of making them. I really stink at marketing sometimes. But, I am honest — sometimes to a fault. Really, what I should have done is compared these to other vegetable recipes, not to my beloved pastas. Because — and this is so true — this is one of the best vegetable recipes around. And, for all of you out there who do feel that zoodles can take the place of traditional spaghetti, you are going to flip over this recipe.
These zucchini noodles are delicious! Really, I’m not just trying to redeem myself after my ranting above. It’s my opinion that when you make a dish that’s zucchini in spaghetti form, it needs a really creamy, flavorful sauce. You are not going to catch me serving zoodles with a light garlic and oil sauce (even though I know tons of people who love that). Nope, I want the most decadent sauce I can find. And this creamy avocado pesto sauce is just that.
The avocado here makes the pesto so creamy. And it’s so easy to make. And it’s a really pretty green. And it’s really healthy… Ok, have I talked you into it yet?
I made this last week when I was in the mood for creamy pasta but I didn’t want to deal with the guilt that would go along with that when I didn’t feel well afterwards. And, truly, I was happy. I like to leave the zucchini a little crunchy and I used my favorite store-bought pesto… so quick and so easy!
If you are a zucchini noodles fan, you should also try my recipe for Szechuan Zoodles.
There are only a few ingredients in these awesome zoodles with creamy avocado pesto, but they are healing ones:
Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better when you are feeling hot. It helps your body release excess heat and it will make your mind feel more calm.
Basil has anti-viral and anti-bacterial capabilities. It also is good for settling your stomach, and it’s good at lessening the symptoms of the common cold and its accompanying cough. Basil is a spiritual herb — the scent actually calms you; you can boil some in a pot and let the aroma fill the air, you can just leave some around the house, you can toss a bunch in your bath water (I love to do this), or you can use an essential oil with basil to get some great calming effects. I used a store-bought basil pesto for this recipe, but feel free to experiment with your favorite pesto!
Avocados are one of my favorite foods, both for their health benefits and because they taste great. In Chinese medicine, some practitioners recommend avocados to raise the sperm count. I like them because they are good for anemia, dry skin, palpitations, constipation, and hot flashes due to menopause.
It is true that spinach contains iron, but it’s this vegetable’s lesser-known qualities that really hold my admiration. Spinach contains a substance that helps eliminate prostate cancer. It’s also great for your bones and also for memory loss. Diabetic patients may find that eating spinach helps combat excessive thirst and can even be good for night blindness. Spinach can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, so calcium-rich foods should be avoided when eating this leafy green.
