Containing a number of anti-inflammatory ingredients, this soup is designed to support those who are dealing with any kind of inflammation. A warm bowl will also help ward off any cold or flu’s by supporting the immune system.

• ½ pumpkin ( jap, butternut or other)
• 2 medium Organic orange carrots
• 2 medium Organic yellow carrots
• ½ sweet potato ( peeled or unpeeled)
• Pinch Cumin
• 2 cloves garlic ( peeled)
• Ginger root ( 2-5cm)
• Pinch Turmeric
• 1-2 brown onions
• 60-80 gm Organic butter
• Elise Nutrition vegetable or chicken broth

Method

Largely dice pumpkin, carrots, sweet potato and onions. Add all vegetables to a large pot with butter, cumin, garlic, turmeric. Lightly cook off on a medium heat until onion is soft. Cover with vegetable or chicken broth until it is just covering vegetables. Cook on a low heat until all vegetables are soft. Allow to cool a little.

Blend soup until a creamy consistency is formed. You can add a little cream or nut milk for flavour here.

Sprinkle with a little nutmeg or freshly grated parmesan.

Health benefits of the ingredients.

Pumpkin and sweet potato

Both have good sources of antioxidants such as vitamin A, E, C, beta carotene and other vitamins and minerals such as chromium which help to regulate blood sugar levels. Pumpkin is great for soothing mucous membranes of the digestive system, upper respiratory and lower respiratory tract and skin. Sweet potato is a great exercise post recovery food and supports a healthy pancreas.

Orange and yellow carrots

Both contain nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin which are antioxidants and found in higher concentration in our eyes. Also containing beta-carotenes, vitamin A and E these antioxidants are great and repairing muscle, mucous membranes and fatty tissue damage.

Onions

Onions contains cysteine which is an amino acid that is used to create glutathione (a major antioxidant used in the body). Allicin also contains allicin (like garlic) which becomes a potent anti-inflammaotry ingredient when crushed. It is the cysteine sulfoxide that is said to cause the tears.

Cummin

A wonderful warming spice which helps to regulate digestion, blood sugar levels and also acts as an anti-inflammatory ingredient

Turmeric

Containing curcumin (the active anti-inflammatory component) turmeric is anti-viral, anti-biotic, anti-fungal and anti-cancer. Added with a little black pepper and some fat (i.e. the butter in this dish) will help the uptake of curcumin across the digestive system and into the blood.

Garlic

Garlic is antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and antifungal effects on the body. When you crush a fresh clove of garlic it releases allicin, which is one of the compounds found to play an anti-inflammatory role in the body.

Ginger

Ginger acts as a potent immune modulator as an anti-inflammatory, natural antibiotic, antiemetic and antioxidant. Gingerol and diarylhepatnoids are compounds that have been shown to reduce inflammation. Ginger root beneficial for nausea, digestive disturbances, joint pain and arthritis.

Butter

Organic and unsalted or raw butter made directly from fresh milk is packed full of nutrients. Fat soluble antioxidants such as Vitamin E, A, K beta-carotene help restore the lining of the lungs and throat after an infection. Containing omega 3 fats and other healthy fats, organic butter supports the nervous system, brain function and cognition. Also containing butyric acid, organic butter fuels the healthy flora (probiotics) in your colon.