Category: Blood

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Egg Drop Soup

This is such a simple traditional soup, its delicious and nutritious and packed with health benefits too. Traditional recipes were so central to health and wellness and community. They help restore a connection to our food, the land and each other.

Eggs are so common that we sometimes forget the significance they represent in different cultures, especially during Spring.

In Spring, our days are getting longer and warmer. This is a time for “Seed Moon” or “Egg Moon”. Like seeds, eggs are symbolic of hope and a future that is fertile. Eggs are an ancient representation of spring, rebirth, and renewal.

Free range or grazing chickens, ducks, or geese will begin to produce more eggs in Spring as they respond to the longer days. It is part of the natural cycle of growth.

Egg Drop Soup Ingredients

  • 1 Litre (3 cups) homemade chicken broth or you can use a vegetable stock cube.
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce, (taste it)
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce, (taste it)
  • 1 egg
  • 2-3 thinly sliced scallions or spring onions

Directions:

  • Bring the broth to a boil in a pot. Season with 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce and 1 teaspoon of the soy sauce, and taste. If you like it saltier, add a little more of either.
  • In a bowl, whisk the egg .
  • Beat the broth with the whisk or a fork while you pour in the egg mixture in a thin stream.
  • The egg should cook immediately.
  • Remove from the heat.
  • Pour the soup into a bowl and top with the scallions or green onions.
  • You can also add a dash or two of sesame oil to the soup.

Lets source out and support those great free range egg farmers!

Also my thanks to Sharlyn | Market Gypsy, for your inspiration for this recipe.

Smiling Body Chinese Nutritional Therapy 
The combination of white and yellow is neutral in nature while sweet taste is beneficial for a healthy digestion. Eggs also harmonise the Heart while calming the mind.
They are particularly indicated to nourish Yin, tonify blood, stabilise a hyperactive fetus and lubricate dryness.

James O’Sullivan - that's me, a people friendly practitioner and lecturer of Integrated Medicine, serving my patients, my students and the public with the positive benefits of both Conventional Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's a wonderful life
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to diagnose or assess. The information provided is not to be considered a substitute for consultation with a qualified health care practitioner.
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Golden Casserole

This dish strengthens weakness and improves energy and enthusiasm. The warming spices encourage movement of Yang energy, so for those of you who feel the cold this is especially warming and nourishing!

Ingredients: (serves 4-6)

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight and cooked as per instructions)
  • OR 1 large tin pre-cooked chickpeas
  • 1/2 butternut squash, de-seeded, peeled, cut into chunks
  • 3 carrots peeled and sliced
  • 2 white onions diced
  • 1 large sweet potato peeled and cut into 1” chunks
  • half medium turnip peeled and cut into 1” chunks
  • 1 dessertspoon ground ginger
  • 1+1/2 tablespoons ground coriander
  • 2” piece cinnamon stick
  • 2 bayleaf, good pinch of sea salt and black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or sesame oil
  • 2 organic vegetable bouillon stock cubes

Directions:

  1. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add diced onions and fry until they become translucent.
  2. Add the salt, pepper, ground ginger, ground coriander, cinnamon stick and mix thoroughly to release their fragrances.
  3. Add all the chopped vegetables and mix with spices and onion. Add a large mug of boiled water. Simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
  4. Add the pre-cooked chickpeas and mix thoroughly. Adding a further 2 cups of boiled water. Add the bayleaf.
  5. Crumble the stock cubes into the pot and mix thoroughly.
  6. Cook for a further 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Alternatively at this point the pot can be transferred to the oven and cooked on gas mark 3/160°C for a further 30 minutes.
  7. Serve with freshly chopped coriander, well cooked brown rice and lightly steamed kale or cabbage.

Chickpeas contain more iron than other beans & pulses so they’re great for nourishing the Blood.

Cooking this dish slowly in the oven creates a deeper warmth for the body which nourishes the Kidney/Spleen/Stomach energy.

James O’Sullivan - that's me, a people friendly practitioner and lecturer of Integrated Medicine, serving my patients, my students and the public with the positive benefits of both Conventional Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's a wonderful life
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to diagnose or assess. The information provided is not to be considered a substitute for consultation with a qualified health care practitioner.
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Gazpacho Frio Soup

When your just too hot to drink a hot soup. This cold soup is perfect to nourish Yin and Blood,  tomatoes turn juicy and sweet, and then we can’t get enough of them. We love tomatoes in this classic summer soup. Since tomatoes have varying amounts of sweetness and acidity, feel free to adjust the vinegar amount to taste.

Serves 3
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 900gm (16oz) tomatoes, quartered
  • 2 Persian cucumbers, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp. red wine or sherry vinegar
  • 350ml (1/2.C) water
  • 200ml (1/3 c.) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 slices country bread, cubed
  • 2 tbsp. thinly sliced basil

Directions:

Combine tomatoes, cucumbers, pepper, garlic, vinegar, and water in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth, then add olive oil and blend to combine. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and more vinegar if needed. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add cubed bread and cook, stirring occasionally, until bread is golden and crisp. Remove from heat, season with salt, and let cool.

To serve, divide soup among bowls and top with basil, croutons, and a drizzle of olive oil.

According to traditional Chinese Nutritional therapy, the Tomato is Cold in nature while its taste can be sweet or sour. It nourishes Yin and Blood and has a special healing properties that Clear Heat and Eliminate Toxins.

James O’Sullivan - that's me, a people friendly practitioner and lecturer of Integrated Medicine, serving my patients, my students and the public with the positive benefits of both Conventional Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's a wonderful life
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to diagnose or assess. The information provided is not to be considered a substitute for consultation with a qualified health care practitioner.
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Wild Garlic Soup

Helps strengthen the Immune system
Helps remove toxins from the body
Helps lower blood pressure

Sweet potato, wheatgrass and wild garlic, all have anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties, so this is the perfect soup if you are feeling the cold or your immune system is sluggish after any winter bugs or illnesses.

Wild garlic is only available in the Spring, so if you want to make this soup at other times of the year, why not substitute it with a mixture of wild rockers and spinach.
You can also freeze this soup for later too!

Serves 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp sunflower oil
  • 4 medium shallots (peeled and chopped finely)
  • 1 medium (about 400g/14oz) sweet potato (peeled and diced)
  • 700ml (1 ¼ pints) vegetable stock
  • 1 tbsp Wheatgrass Juice or 1tsp wheatgrass power (optional)
  • 4 tbsp natural creme fraiche or natural yogurt to serve (optional)
  • 200g (7oz) young Wild Garlic leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

Heat the sunflower oil in a medium saucepan over a low heat, add the shallots and a teaspoon of water and allow shallots to soften. Add the diced sweet potato and sauté for 5 minutes. Pour in the hot vegetable stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for about 15 minutes until the sweet potato softens.

Meanwhile mix the wheatgrass juice or powder and the creme fraiche or natural yogurt together in a small bowl.
Remove the pan from heat. Pour mixture into a blender or food processor and blitz until smooth. Add the wild garlic leaves and blitz again until smooth. Season to taste. Pour into bowls and swirl one tablespoon of the creme fraiche or yogurt into each portion and serve.

Enjoy!

According to Chinese Nutritional Therapy, Garlic is hot, sweet, salty, pungent, and it strengthens Yang. It also resolves Dampness and Phlegm, Eliminates Toxins, Disperses Wind.

Sweet Potato – Neutral, sweet. Cultivates Qi, Blood, Yin, Eliminates Toxins

Wheatgrass – Neutral, taste: sweet, salty, Cultivates Qi and Blood

This is an excellent soup to benefit the Chinese Liver (Gan)

James O’Sullivan - that's me, a people friendly practitioner and lecturer of Integrated Medicine, serving my patients, my students and the public with the positive benefits of both Conventional Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's a wonderful life
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to diagnose or assess. The information provided is not to be considered a substitute for consultation with a qualified health care practitioner.
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Beetroot Detox Soup

Beetroot is nutritious and is loaded with energy and cleansing properties. Its rich in potassium, silica, iron, amino acids and vitamins A, vitamin B and vitamin C.

This soup takes just 45 Minutes to prepare and cook, giving you a delicious nutritious meal in a bowl, energises your detox system. A powerhouse!

Cook Time 45 mins                                         Total Time 45 mins

Servings: 2

Calories: 173kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 medium beet roots
  • 2 carrots finely diced
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 small leek finely diced
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 2 cups vegetable broth warm
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp chia sunflower and pumpkin seeds, 1 teaspoon coconut milk, to garnish

Instructions

Place the unpeeled beet roots in a pot, cover with water, bring to boil then simmer for 30 minutes until tender.

Drain from water and set aside to cool.

Heat the coconut oil in a cast iron skillet, add the onions, garlic, leek, and carrot and cook for 5-7 minutes over low heat. Remove from the heat and transfer onto a plate.

Peel the beet roots, cut into cubes, and add into the blender, together with the cooked vegetables and warm vegetable broth.

Process to obtain a smooth cream.

Season with salt and serve garnished with mixed seeds.

Beetroot is an ideal blood tonic for Blood Deficiency and is traditionally used in debilitating diseases and convalescence. Beef stock provides vital amino acids and nutrients for strengthening muscles and bones.

James O’Sullivan - that's me, a people friendly practitioner and lecturer of Integrated Medicine, serving my patients, my students and the public with the positive benefits of both Conventional Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's a wonderful life
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to diagnose or assess. The information provided is not to be considered a substitute for consultation with a qualified health care practitioner.
Please share! Help the word get out. Pin the graphic too.