So many posts for one week! But I feel that this one is necessary

The reason behind my claim that this post is necessary is because I have noticed that an AWFUL LOT of people really seem to need to start investing a little more time and effort into taking care of their health. It doesn't even have to be a difficult or time-consuming process if you do it right, and the benefits are HUGE! Studies have shoen that taking better care of yourself can enhance self-confidence (by 64%), increase productivity (by 67%), and boost happiness (by 71%). From a physical health perspective, self-care also reduces heart disease, stroke and cancer. Do you need many more reasons than that to start looking after yourself a little better?

So my way of showing love to myself (my "love language", if you will) is through food (it's ALWAYS about food with me though...). This recipe was developed with all of my core needs in mind, and it fulfills all of them. It has veggies to add nutrients, herbs to boost my health and vitality, and a warm, comforting broth to bring it all together. magic in a bowl!

Enjoy!

Adaptogenic Sipping Broth:

• 10 cups water

• 1 large red onion, chopped in half

• 2 carrots, chopped

• 1 stalk of celery, chopped

• 3 large strips of kombu or kelp seaweed (any seaweed is great though, just use what you have availble)

• 2 to 3 cups dried or fresh mushrooms (use any that you like - shiitake, porcini, Reishi, lions mane...)

• 1/4 cup calendula flowers

• 1/2 cup loose nettle leaf

• 3" piece of fresh gingerroot, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, crushed

• 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh turmeric root (or 1 tablespoon powdered)

• Optional (but recommended): 1 tablespoon each burdock root, dandelion root & astragalus

• Roasted winter squash (optional but tastes delicious!)

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot and simmer on very low heat for 3 to 4 hours

2. Strain and press as much goodness as possible through a mesh sieve

3. Add salt to taste and add a squeeze of lemon or a tablespoon of Miso (make sure you don't simmer or boil the miso, as it is alive!)

4. Enjoy!

· If using a combination of mushrooms, know that certain mushrooms have a more bitter flavor, like Reishi, so add a smaller amount if you are sensitive to bitter flavors.

· Save scraps of veggies in your freezer to add to the pot-squash, carrot tops, onion skins, etc.

· Enjoy with a spoonful of miso stirred in and/or a squeeze of lemon!

Adaptogen-packed soup. This healing broth will cure what ails you!

(Tons of love and gratitude to The Medicine Circle, which I reference all the time for their amazing recipes! The inspiration for this one came from them)