Winter is often synonymous with holiday season, snow, skiing, warm clothes, cozy afternoons, and hot cocoa. However, though we all enjoy the perks of winter, it is without doubt a cold and dark season when our vitamin D levels may decrease because of the lack of sunrays and we are more vulnerable to colds and flues. The day is very short and the night seems to last forever.
As a result, for a lot of people who find winter a depressive period, tend to resort to comfort foods to boost their mood. But, these comfort foods are not always the healthiest choice and this is not good for the overall health and the immunity.
Without doubt, we need a strong immune system at all times, particularly during winter, to stave off diseases, including colds and flues. This being said, to help you enjoy comfort foods in a healthy way, we will share an easy and beneficial turmeric and lentil soup recipe. The ingredients are easily affordable and the nutrients will satisfy your taste buds and supply you with amazing nutrients.
Come on; let us check out the recipe below…
DIY Turmeric & Lentil Soup
You will need:
2 cups of red lentil
A tsp of coconut oil
A tsp of turmeric powder
A tsp of coconut oil
One onion, diced
2 apples, peeled and grated
2 cups of hot water
1 ½ cup of coconut milk
A tsp of cumin
A tsp of salt
Preparation: Rinse the lentils with cold water and drain them. Then, in the meantime, melt the coconut oil in a pot and add the onions. Sauté them until they turn golden and soft. Now, add the turmeric and apples and cook for two more minutes. Stir constantly and then add the previously drained lentils and 2 cups of water.
Cover the pot and simmer for 15 minutes. Next, it is time to add the coconut milk and spices. Combine everything together and simmer until the lentils become soft, around two hours. For a thinner texture, feel free to add an additional cup of water. Serve while warm.
Enjoy!
Extra tip: For garnish, add some pumpkin seeds or coconut shreds.
The Health Benefits of the Ingredients
- Turmeric is one of the most popular natural remedies for alleviating inflammation- the major reason for chronic diseases today. It was found to be effective for treatment of health problems like depression, asthma, diabetes, obesity, allergies, Alzheimer’s, MS, tiredness, bronchitis, psoriasis, cancer, and heart diseases. Even though you do not suffer from any of these illnesses, it is pivotal you add it to your daily diet to ensure optimal health and low risk of anxiety.
- Apples are rich in numerous important nutrients, including antioxidants and can be helpful for relieving illnesses like Alzheimer’s, heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, asthma, and gastrointestinal issues.
- Lentils possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics and are good for the overall health and well-being. When you add this food to your daily diet, you will significantly improve your cholesterol levels, balance the blood pressure, and relieve IBS, colon cancer, and osteoporosis symptoms. They are also abundant in essential nutrients like magnesium, iron, and protein. There are several types of lentils, but the red ones are considered to be the most nutritious type.
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