Ginger Adventure Cozy Carrot Coconut Harvest Season Soup
There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of homemade hot soup! Especially one that feels like it’s doing more than just filling you up. This healing soup is packed with nutrient rich ingredients designed to support your immune system, calm inflammation, and restore balance from the inside out. This recipe is a gentle reminder that food truly can be medicine. Complements of my beautiful Ginger Adventure daughter~in~love Meg, thank you Meg! 🧡🥥🥕
Ingredients:
2 yellow onions (chopped)
2 lbs of carrots (chopped)
1 large japanese sweet potato (chopped)
1 whole garlic clove (peeled and crushed)
3 Tbsp butter
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
2~3 whole finger sized ginger (peeled and chopped)
1~2 finger size pieces of fresh turmeric root
3 large strips of orange zest
2 cans coconut milk
Directions:
Saute the onion and garlic in the butter for about 3 minutes. Then add the stock, carrots, ginger, and orange strips. Cook on low/medium for about 20 minutes or until the carrots are cooked and soft. Take out the orange strips (I forgot to take them out today and the soup still tasted great), add the coconut milk and then blend or emulsify. Add salt and pepper to taste!
The quote "Let Food Be Thy Medicine" is often attributed to Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician considered the father of medicine. This concept aligns with holistic health and is a wise approach to health.
Hippocrates is said to have believed that a healthy diet could prevent and cure many diseases. He emphasized the importance of consuming whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, while avoiding processed foods and excessive amounts of meat and alcohol. He also advocated for a balanced lifestyle that included regular exercise and stress management.
Even modern science offers evidence that a nutritious diet can help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. It can also improve mood, boost energy levels, and promote overall well~being.
Hippocrates may not have said those exact words, however, the sentiment reflects his belief in the power of food to heal and maintain health.
I believe we all carry an innate wisdom ~ a quiet knowing that foods in their whole, natural form are deeply nourishing. When we listen to that inner guidance, we’re reminded that wellness doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be found in the simple act of preparing wholesome, real food. This soup embodies that truth for me. Every time I make it, I feel grounded, nourished, and well ~ like I’m giving my body exactly what it needs to heal and thrive.
Onions are rich in nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants such as quercetin, which support various bodily functions including the immune system, heart health, and anti-inflammatory processes. They also aid digestion, promote bone health, and may help regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. Onions support the heart by helping lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of blood clots, while their fiber content and prebiotics benefit the digestive system and gut health.
Carrots are healthy due to their rich content of vitamins (especially A and C), minerals (like potassium), and fiber, which support eye health, immune function, and heart and digestive health. They are particularly famous for the beta-carotene they provide, which the body converts to vitamin A, a nutrient essential for good vision, particularly in low light.
Japanese sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, which support various body systems, including the digestive system (due to fiber), the immune system (from vitamin C and manganese), and the heart (thanks to potassium and fiber that help regulate blood pressure and cholesterol). They are also excellent for eye health because of their high content of vitamin A and beta-carotene.
Garlic's health benefits come from compounds like allicin, and it supports the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. It also boosts the immune system to fight off infections, supports bone health, and has antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage, which can aid brain health.
Butter's health value comes from its fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K2) and other nutrients like butyrate and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which support bone and joint health (vitamins D and K, anti-stiffness factor), gut health (butyrate), heart and cardiovascular health (vitamins A and K2, CLA), and the immune system (vitamins A and E, carotene). It also contains nutrients that may help with the absorption of other minerals, supporting the development of children's nervous systems, according to this article from 360-MD.
Bone broth's health benefits include supporting joint health through collagen and amino acids, improving gut health with amino acids like glutamine, and aiding hydration and muscle function with electrolytes. It also provides minerals, other amino acids that support skin and sleep, and can help with weight management. The specific body parts and functions supported are the joints, gut lining, muscles, bones, skin, and even brain function.
Vegetable broth is healthy because it provides hydration, vitamins, and minerals that support the immune system, digestion, and bone health. It is low in calories, aiding in weight management and satiety, and contains antioxidants that protect cells and support eye and skin health.
Ginger's health value includes anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, supporting digestive, cardiovascular, and joint health. It aids the digestive system by easing nausea and improving motility, helps reduce inflammation and pain in conditions like osteoarthritis, and may support heart health by lowering cholesterol. The body supports these benefits by absorbing active compounds like gingerols from the digestive tract, which are then metabolized in the liver and excreted.
Orange Zest is rich in fiber and antioxidants like D-limonene, which support digestive health by acting as a prebiotic to feed good gut bacteria. It also supports immune function and heart health, and may provide benefits like protecting against DNA damage. The zest's compounds can also help alleviate symptoms like gas and bloating and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Coconut milk's health benefits come from its rich content of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), vitamins, and minerals, which support the body's heart health, energy levels, digestion, and immune system. It provides quick energy through MCTs, helps regulate cholesterol by increasing "good" HDL cholesterol, and its fiber content aids digestion. The vitamins and minerals in coconut milk, such as calcium, iron, and magnesium, support bones, nerves, and muscles.
Like other colorful plant-based foods, turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that may protect the body by neutralizing free radicals (pollution, sunlight) and shielding the cells from damage. This root is often referred as the Indian saffron and is originated in Southeast Asia. Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric and has been found to have preventive health advantages. Turmeric helps with muscles soreness, exercise induced inflammation, and also enhances performance and recovery in active individuals.
Black pepper's health benefits include aiding digestion, boosting the immune system, and supporting brain and heart health. Its active compound, piperine, stimulates digestive enzymes, acts as an antioxidant, and can improve the absorption of other nutrients.
Celtic Sea Salt's health value is its mineral content, which supports hydration and electrolyte balance, digestive health, muscle and nerve function, and can aid in bone health and stress reduction. It provides key electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, and calcium to help the body function properly.