Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup

Eating for healing can happen in every delicious bite when we choose the best quality ingredients. I particularly enjoyed the flavor of this Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup last night.  Carrots, which have a neutral thermal nature, strengthen the lungs and spleen, improve liver function and act as a diuretic.  Ginger, which is considered by Traditional Chinese Medicine to be one of the most powerful foods for healing, has a warm thermal nature making it ideal for helping the body to rid itself of cold conditions in the body.  


Dr. Nan Lu says:  "Too much internal cold can also slow down the movement of Qi.  Think of what cold does.  It causes things to constrict, or congeal.  With that in mind, it is useful to know that ginger relieves digestive problems, helps liver Qi flow smoothly, and warms the lung."


I hope you will enjoy this delicious healing soup!   

Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup

(Adapted from a recipe on Allrecipes.com)

1 cup chopped onion

¼ cup sesame or walnut oil

4 1/2 cups sliced carrots

1 large potato, peeled and cubed

2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth

1 teaspoon ground ginger

2 cups Rice Dream or other milk  (I often cook dairy free)

1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

In a Dutch oven, saute onion, carrots and potatoes in sesame oil until tender. Add ginger and chicken broth. Cover and cook over medium heat for 12 – 20 minutes.  Cool for 15 minutes.    Transfer to a blender or food processor in small batches; cover and process until smooth. Return all to the pan; stir in the Rice Dream, rosemary, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat until heated through.

Sources:
Lu, N. (2000) Traditional Chinese Medicine:  A Natural Guide to Weight Loss That Lasts.  New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Pitchford, P. (2002)  Healing With Whole Foods:  Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition.  California: North Atlantic Books.  

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I Can't Live Without My Walnuts

Until I started doing The Dragon's Way ®  program I enjoyed WALNUTS but I didn't go out of my way to eat them.  Since then, I have learned that WALNUTS are an incredibly powerful healing food and I can't get enough!  For breakfast each day, I eat a handful of WALNUTS and a grapefruit (another wonderful healing food) and find that I stay full all morning long.  Additionally, my blood sugar levels are no longer on a roller coaster and my food cravings are gone.  


This is what Dr. Nan Lu says about WALNUTS in his book Traditional Chinese Medicine:  A Natural Guide to Weight Loss That Lasts:


"WALNUTS are one of the most powerful foods that you can eat whether you are participating in The Dragon's Way or not.  WALNUTS, like Chinese red dates, are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as herbs as well as in foods.  Their essence is warm, and they are so healing for the kidney and the large intestine.  They can also help with lung problems and constipation, but are especially regarded in Traditional Chinese Medicine for their ability to strengthen and increase kidney Qi, as well as improve memory."


How to Toast Walnuts


In order to warm the essence of the WALNUTS and to eliminate any parasites in the raw walnuts, it is important to first toast them.

To do so, spread the raw walnuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet and put them in a 325 degree F oven.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Store in a covered container and enjoy!!


I think toasted WALNUTS taste terrific and are a fabulously convenient healing food.  I hope you will give them a try.  

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