Digestion naturally slows down in the colder months, so I like to recommend warming and healing foods to my clients during this time. Is there anything more comforting and healing than a big bright bowl of soup? This is one of my favorite soup recipes, that I specifically created for my clients who are working on liver detoxification and hormone rebalancing. Hormone health is directly related to liver function, which is why it is important to eat ample liver friendly foods if you are currently working with conditions like estrogen dominance, PCOS, adrenal dysfunction, and thyroid disorders. Fun fact: the conversion of T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) to T3 (active thyroid hormone) happens in the liver! This is why it is so important to keep this organ clear, and healthy. Regardless of trendy diets out there, excessive fat & protein is not a good idea long term. I recommend little to no oils, and less saturated fat consumption over all. I do LOVE avocados (who doesn’t?) as they are rich in both omega 3 fatty acids and glutathione which is an anti-carcinogenic antioxidant. If you want to read more about liver detox, check out my blog post here, or the liver’s amazing role in hormone health here. If you are just plain old hungry, and want to make yourself delicious, anti-inflammatory, detox soup, read my recipe below. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
4 large carrots - peeled
1 head of broccoli - cut into florets
1 chopped zucchini
4 whole garlic cloves
2 teaspoons cardamom powder
1 - 2 tsp curry powder or turmeric (if using turmeric, add cracked pepper to each individual bowl of soup)
2 tsp ginger powder
3 teaspoons Himalayan pink sea salt (or more depending on taste preference)
1/2 can coconut milk ( BPA free!)
5 cups of water
2 cans organic pumpkin purée (BPA free!)
1/2 cup - 1 cup lemon juice (fresh is best)
Instructions:
Bring 5 cups of water to a boil.
Add all veggies & garlic to the pot.
Cover and simmer for 7 minutes or until all contents have softened.
Once veggies are soft, add the pumpkin, coconut, spices and salt and lemon.
Mix and let simmer for another 2 minutes.
Remove from hot pot and purée all contents in a Vitamix or food processor.
Pour puréed contents into the pot again to reheat. Taste test! Option to add more lemon, salt, or red pepper flakes to taste :) Top it off with 1/3 avocado and microgreens or cilantro.