Stacy's Soup for Colds

(NOTE: This is a pretty easy recipe…mainly chop and throw it in…it’s just a lot of ingredients! But that’s also what gives this recipe its POWER! Take shortcuts if needed (i.e. roasted chicken added towards the end), but at least try to use the fresh veggies–garlic, and ginger especially)

POWER FOODS AND THEIR EFFECTS:

Cayenne: increases blood flow, and speeds up metabolism!

Rosemary: improves lung function 

Scallions: thins mucous secretions, helps sweat out cold   

Jalapeño, red pepper flakes: open nasal passages

Onions, garlic, and ginger: contain antibiotic properties and help thin mucous secretions.

Ingredients:

• 2 T olive oil

• 4 stalks celery -diced

• 2 med onions -diced

• 3 large carrots -diced

• 2 jalapeños- diced

• 4 T Fresh Rosemary, minced

• 2 T “better than bouillon” chicken flavored paste (optional but…yum)

• 4-6 whole cloves allspice

• 2 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes

• 1/2 tsp fresh cracked pepper

• 1/2 tsp cumin

• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

• 2 large bay leaves -fresh or dried

• 6-8 boneless chicken thighs

• 6-8 cups water

• 4 stalks of scallions (as a garnish)

• chopped parsley or cilantro (as a garnish)

• 2 cups dried egg or rice noodles (cooked separately at the end)

• Add Olive oil to the stock pot

• Add the veggies (remember to reserve one celery, one carrot, scallions, and parsley or cilantro for the end),

• Add chicken, and water.

• Simmer for about an hour or more.

• Towards the end, cook noodles separately, drain and add to soup.

• Spicing it up by adding more cayenne pepper, jalapeños, or red pepper flakes will OPEN UP THE NASAL PASSAGES!

NOTE: Just be careful to remember not to overdo it for children who don’t like things too spicy. (Mine were ok with the given recipe amounts)
Add a squeeze of lemon juice to add more Vitamin C.
Enjoy! 🙂