Feel Me Better Soup- For Anything That Ails You

Aside from a stomach bug, the third thing I do when some one says they don't feel good is make a pot

Feel Me Better Soup

of soup. The first two are of course to administer the appropriate essential oils for the specific area of immune boosting and wellness, and a glass of water to ensure hydration. Chicken soup has become iconic 'sick food'- and with good reason. When many in my generation think chicken soup they think that one particular red and white can(or a generic of it- hehe) that is an over-salted, artificially-colored yellow liquid with miniscule pieces of pink "meat" and overly soggy chopped up spaghetti. Unfortunately this version does little but warm the throat and offer calories for some one having trouble getting enough. The chicken noodle soup of generations past, however, are the stuff chock full of nutrients. Back before convenience and and chemical processing replaced wholesome ingredients, and people knew their bodies could heal by natural means instead of running to the doctor for an RX at the first sign of illness chicken soup was made for healing. The traditional Matzo Ball Soup has affectionately earned the nickname "Jewish Penicillin" for the same reason: The flavorful, wholesome ingredients give the body important nutrients for aiding the body with healing. 

   My children learned from a very young age that when they felt sick, I'd be making them this special soup. About the time she was 2, my oldest was feeling ill one day and asked if I would make her, "Feel me better soup." I was confused and asked her to describe to me what she meant. As soon as she did I laughed and immediately made her some homemade chicken soup, and the name stuck. Now when some one feels lousy or is even pretending to feel lousy, the first thing they do is ask for "Some 'ssential oils and Feel Me Better Soup." How can I say no to that?!

   How do you make this magic soup? I thought you'd never ask. ;-)

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon oil/fat of your choice
• 1 organic, free-range chicken breast or thigh
• 1/2 organic onion, peeled
• 7 large cloves of organic garlic(YES, SEVEN!)
• 1 large organic carrot
• 3 Tablespoons Bragg's apple cider vinegar
• 4 cups all natural chicken bone broth
• 1 cup egg noodles(optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

   Warm oil/fat in an 8-cup (or larger) pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper, and lay carefully in the oil to cook. Allow chicken to cook thoroughly, turning sides only once. 

While the chicken is cooking, finely grate the onion and carrot,  and crush the garlic. When the

chicken has cooked through, without turning the heat off remove the chicken and set it aside. Add the carrot, onion, and garlic to the pot and allow it to simmer, stirring regularly and scraping any browning from the chicken of the bottom of the pot(flavor and all that jazz) for 2-3 minutes until the carrot is cooked through. 

Pour in the chicken stock, and allow the pot to come to a boil. While you wait, chop the meat into teeny-tiny pieces(the goal is to make them really small and sore throat-friendly). If you're using noodles as well, put them in a ziploc bag, wrap it in a towel, and beat on that thing. Okay, just do what you need to do to crush up the noodles. Again, sore throat-friendly. Remember that they're going to soak up some of the liquid and swell substantially, so even if they look tiny, they'll be way bigger in the soup. 

   When the stock comes to a boil, add the chicken, pasta, and apple cider vinegar. Boil for 7-10 minutes, until the noodles are cooked. Enjoy! Makes about 4 servings of soup. This soup retains its heat VERY well, so consider that before digging in. 

Why these ingredients? Chicken is protein that the body needs to heal. All natural(homemade) chicken bone broth contains vital nutrients like minerals, collagen, and healthy fats that aid in growth, healing, and soothing inflammation, as well as encouraging a more deep, restorative sleep that we NEED to heal. Onions, garlic, and carrots are all jam-packed with naturally-occurring, easily-absorbed nutrients to benefit us every day, but especially when illness or injury is affecting us. 

Bragg's organic apple cider vinegar has long been revered as a cure-all because of it's naturally powerful health benefits, and it adds a delicious flavor to the soup so adding loads of salt for taste is not necessary. 

 So next time you or some one in your family is feeling low, make yourself a pot of Feel Me Better Soup, or some wholesome, nutrient-rich pot of deliciousness and help your body heal itself, chemical-free.