Alright. So... There are people in my life who aren't feeling well, especially with the change in the seasons and, hey... who couldn't use a health boost any day?
And me, wanting to save the world and help everyone, and make sure that everyone is healthy and happy decided that soup was the best way to show someone that I care. And want them to feel better.
But I hate canned soup. So I decided to make it. Duh.
Not only that, But when I went shopping the other day, there was a whole organic chicken reduced for quick sale at Wegmans, and I had a coupon for any organic chicken... and then I impulsively bought it and didn't know what to do with it...
And then I researched Chicken soup! And it turns out that it's awesome!
The Science of Chicken SoupChicken soup possesses anti-inflammatory and inhibitory properties that dampen inflammation and reduce mucus. That's part of the reason why it is used to help those with the common cold and sinus problems.
Not only that but the warmth of the soup soothes the throat, and depending on what else is in it (pepper for instance) it opens up the sinuses.
Chicken soup contains drug-like agents similar to those in modern cold medications.
An amino acid released from chicken during cooking chemically resembles the drug "Acetylcysteine", prescribed for bronchitis and other respiratory problems.
Since chicken soup is water based, it replenishes fluids needed for healthy living back into your body.
This is an original recipe, but really, most chicken soup recipes are the same.
The most important part is to make sure the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Healing Organic Chicken Noodle Soup.
Non-Fluoridated Spring Water
4 Large Organic Carrots
4 Organic Celery Stalks
1 Organic Red Onion
1 Vidalia Onion
3 Cloves Garlic
A handful of Brussels Sprouts
1 1/2 Cups Mushrooms
Pepper
An Array of Spices- Parsley, Thyme, Basil...etc.
1 32oz box Pacific Organic Free-Range Chicken Broth
Extra Wide Egg Noodles
Preparation:
1. Remove any packaging and the insides of the whole chicken and discard. Rinse chicken under cold water.
2. Fill a large pot with spring water so that it covers the chicken completely.
3. Let the chicken boil for 2 hours. Halfway through flip the chicken over in the water to ensure both sides are being equally boiled.
4. While the chicken is boiling, chop up the vegetables into nice, hearty pieces. Set aside in a smaller pot and boil for about a twenty minutes, give or take, depending on how firm you'd like your vegetables to be.
Note: Instead of discarding the vegetable waste (The leafy part of the celery, the top layer of the onions but not the skin), dump it into the water with the chicken. Add Spices, pepper and a garlic clove for a better tasting broth.
5. After the chicken is done boiling, strain out the vegetable waste, but save the water in a large bowl. That water is the broth.
6. Let the chicken cool enough to touch. Pull away bones and skin and any chicken waste and discard. Cut up the edible chicken into hearty pieces and add to cooked vegetables.
7. Add broth (I also added the Pacific Broth because I didn't have enough) to veggies and chicken.
At this point, the soup is ready to eat (if you don't want noodles). I heated everything up again together for about 20 more minutes, just to ensure the mix of all the flavors.
8. Prepare egg noodles according to the package (usually about 7 minutes) but don't add to soup until ready to eat. They get mushy really fast.
Voila!
Freezing the leftovers is an awesome idea for future quick meals, especially if it's frozen in individual servings. That way all that needs to be done is to pop it in the microwave and boil up some egg noodles and you have a meal in under ten minutes!
Also:
This is really fascinating:
Healing Chicken Noodle Soup
- Chicken -Contains an amino acid called cysteine, a substance released when you make the soup. This amino acid is similar to the drug acetylcysteine, which is prescribed by doctors to patients with bronchitis. It thins the mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough out.
- Onions -A regular in chicken soup- contains quercetin, a powerful anti-oxidant that is also a natural anti-histamine, and anti-inflammatory. Onion are a strong antibacterial agent.
- Garlic -Has phytochemicals that are helpful in reducing cancer risk and boosting the immune system. The herb (yes it is considered a herb or veggie) is beneficial to the bodys overall maitenance. It is rich in protein; vitamins A, B-1 and C; essential minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and selenium. Plus it contains 17 different amino acids. Increases energy and endurance. Garlic gives chicken soup a great flavor as well.
- Cayenne Pepper -Sprinkled in food, broth or tea also promotes sweating to break a fever. Cayenne acts as a catalyst, carrying all other herbs and supplements quickly to the place in the body where they are needed and increasing their effectiveness. It is also high in vitamin C and useful in the treatment of colds, sinus problems and respiratory ailments.
- A greater variety of vegetables means a greater mix of nutrients and phytochemicals.
- Carrots -One of the routine vegetable ingredients found in chicken soup, are the best natural source of beta-carotene. The body takes that beta-carotene and converts it to vitamin A. Vitamin A helps prevent and fight off infections by enhancing the actions of white blood cells that destroy harmful bacteria and viruses.
- Parsley - Packed with nutrients, parsley (Petroselinum sativum) is a great source of dietary calcium, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin A, as well as beta-carotene, and folic acids. Parsley has proved itself a potent medicinal herb. It has cancer-fighting volatile oil components including myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene. Parsley is also rich in flavonoids with powerful anti-oxidant properties including apiin, apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin. It is known to both detoxify and soothe the kidneys. Parsley leaves can be a gentle treatment for kidney problems, bladder infections, and to reduce mucus in the first stages of a cold and influenza. A good chicken soup recipe will usually have 1 "bunch" of parsley as an ingredient.
- Celery seed -Celery seed helps ease urinary tract infections, as it's an excellent antiseptic. It's also anti-inflammatory, relieving arthritis and gout. An excellent diuretic, it aids digestion and even alleviates gas. The Celery stalk itself is high in minerals and is a significant source for magnesium.
- Thyme -Thyme heals all colds. It's an effective expectorant, as well as an antiseptic. It can help clear congestion, viral infections, or a dry, hacking cough.
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