Give your immune system a boost!

Try this delicious spinach-shiitake soup now that cold and flu season is upon us. Nutrient dense ingredients in chicken broth are just what you need to crank up your immunity. Grandma was right – chicken soup/broth really can help shorten the duration of sickness.

Alliums such as garlic and onion fight viruses and bacteria, and shiitakes possess superior disease fighting compounds. Spinach is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. And let’s not forget ginger! One of my favorites – an anti-inflammatory herb, its soothes nausea, and its warming properties promote good circulation. It too can minimize symptoms of colds and allergies.

3-4 cups organic chicken broth
5-10 cloves minced garlic
1-2 shredded carrots
1 small yellow onion, chopped
4-8 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
3 tbsp minced fresh ginger root
3 tbsp chopped parsley
juice of one lemon
Handful spinach

Add carrot, onion, garlic and ginger to large pot. Cover with broth. Cook about 15 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Remove from heat; add parsley and lemon juice and spinach. Steep and enjoy.