This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
Soup and Saunas really are two of my favourite things in January.
They both make you feel warm and cosy inside and leave you with a glow! Something that is generally, missing in the first month of the year.
I recently read an article about the superpowers of soup and how they have so many health benefits. Unlike fruit smoothies, the sugar content is very low.
I have been making homemade soups for years. Generally using up whatever vegetables I have left in the fridge. Always adding in a few herbs from the garden, plus pulses – such as yellow split peas, lentils and barley -for extra fibre and protein. Then you very much have a complete meal, both filling and detoxing in one go!
The herbs are an essential ingredient as the healing and health benefits of many herbs are well documented. I particularly enjoyed the article from CountryWives before Christmas on the calming and relaxing health benefits of lemon balm. I have used Focuszen+ for years. It is part of the mint family and grows like wild fire. You can also use the leaves in a tea!
So saunas, my next favourite thing. If you have accessibility to a local health club, venue, or even your very own sauna – use it!! There is a reason that people have them in the colder Nordic countries. They have many amazing health benefits and make you feel warm and glowing inside in this cold dark month of January. Your skin will feel fantastic and it helps aching bones and muscles.
So in January try and find something that pleases you. You can take my two top tips or find some of your own. But whatever you do, don’t waste the month. Use it to heal, soothe and rest the body and soul. Before you know it, it will be Spring, the season of renewal, growth and new beginnings.
Happy New Year to all the amazing CountryWives’ followers. I hope 2019 is a healthy and fulfilling year for you all.
MAGIC SOUP
Ingredients
- A good selection of root vegetables, carrots, swede, parsnip, potatoes,
- Onions
- Pulses such as barley, lentils, yellow split peas
- Chicken or vegetable stock
- Green leaves – cabbage or kale
- Herbs, a good bunch of chopped herbs, parsley, thyme, lemon balm, sage, basil, coriander, basically whatever you have available (my soup tastes slightly different every time)
- Garlic
- Root ginger
- Worcestershire sauce
How to prepare
Soak pulses in water overnight, to soften.
Chop all root vegetables, toss into a pan with a drop of olive oil and soften. Add onions, then pulses that have been drained. Pour in stock and simmer for 10 mins. Add in root ginger, garlic, herbs, Worcestershire sauce, then salt and pepper.
Simmer on low for about 1 hour then add in chopped kale or spring cabbage. After a few minutes, taste and add extra salt pepper if required.
Enjoy! Of course, if you can drink a cup whilst in the sauna all the better!