Warm Chicken Soup

It's a cold, rainy day in Chicago today.  I think it calls for some homemade chicken soup.  Totally healthy and good for getting over a cold or staying warm.  There are many chicken soup recipes out there, but mine is simple and it starts with Martha Stewart's chicken soup recipe.  I have added my modifications below to add more flavor.

Basic Chicken Soup

• 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into pieces (including back)
• 8 cups water
• Coarse salt
• 3 medium onions, thinly sliced (4 cups)
• 2 celery stalks, sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 6 medium carrots, sliced 1/2 inch thick
• Tina's ingredient additions: 2 bay leaves, thyme, black pepper, a little oregano.  Whole chicken should be de-skined

Directions

1. Bring chicken, water, and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil in a large stockpot. Skim foam. Add onions, celery, and garlic. Reduce heat. Simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes.
2. Remove breast, and set aside. Add carrots. Simmer, partially covered, for 40 minutes.
3. Remove remaining chicken; discard back and wings. Let cool slightly. Remove meat from bones, and cut into bite-size pieces.
4. Stir in desired amount of chicken; reserve the rest for another use. Skim fat. Season with salt.

Source: Martha Stewart's Basic Chicken Soup
My past posts: Cold Remedy II How to Stay Warm

Cold Feet and Hands

Cold feet and hands.  Most everyone has experienced this to one extent or another, especially when the weather starts to turn cooler.  I know in the last few weeks, my feet were cold even with wool socks on and it is only September!  But for some, the condition can happen in all seasons and during the winter months, it is really frigid and make a person more prone to getting sick.

Cold feet and hands are often due to poor circulation.  And as we get older, particularly when we become elderly, we need to do things to help our circulation (it just doesn't flow like it used to, haha).

I actually do a hot foot spa at night that really helps get the blood flowing.  All our main blood vessels flow through the feet, so if you feel cold, get some hot water and sink your feet in, you will feel an almost immediate difference.

What we eat makes a big difference for our circulation. 

1) Drink warm fluids and eat hot foods.  I remember how once I was feeling so cold but ate a salad and ice cream.  Dumb.  It takes energy to warm up what we consume to our body temperature.  This is why drinking cold water (with ice) when you feel cold is like taking the long, unnecessary route to work.  Drinking water is absolutely necessary and helps your circulation, but why make your body work harder to use it?

2) Eat arginine-rich foods.  Arginine, an amino acid, is suppose to help produce nitric oxide, which is said to expand diameter of the vessels, allowing more blood to flow.  Foods rich in arginine include peanuts, almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, soybeans, pork, beef, chicken, turkey, oats, wheat, barley, chickpeas, salmon, tuna and mackerel.

3) Eat fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.  Food rich in antioxidants (particularly flavonoids) have been shown to improve the health of blood vessels.  Some of these foods include pomegranates, concord grapes, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, apples, kale, broccoli, parsley, celery, onions, and chiles.  The herb thyme and cinnamon are also beneficial.


Source: 101 Optimal Foods by David Grotto
Related Posts: Cold Remedy II - How to Stay Warm