Forget the flu shot! This year, fight back with food instead! I’m excited to be joining the following 5 amazing bloggers in hosting a 5-week series that will arm you with recipes to stay healthy this season!
Nikki @ Christian Mommy Blogger
Rachel @ Day 2 Day Joys
Leigh Ann @ Intentional by Grace
Erin @ The Humbled HomemakerMindy@ The Purposed Heart
Come back each Wednesday as we reveal five different foods that are purported to support your immune system in the fight against the cold and flu viruses that run rampant this time of year. What’s more, each post will be opened up to all our readers, who will be linking up their favorite recipes with these key flu-fighting ingredients, so you can get lots of ideas for creative ways to serve them to your family!
First up is pumpkin! Yeah, yeah, I hear you say. And I know, I know, I’ve really been quite obsessed with pumpkin this fall. But this is the last one, I swear. At least… I think so, anyway. I reserve the right to blog about anymore amazing pumpkin recipes I may come across in the future.
But there really is a good reason to include pumpkin in the list of foods that will help you ward off the flu this season, and that reason can be summed up in one word: beta-carotene. You know that gorgeous, rich orange color? It comes from the antioxidant called beta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A. How does this help you fight the flu?
According to the Mayo Clinic, one benefit of vitamin A - among many - is that it improves immune function. My personal opinion is that good ol’ vitamin A as it’s found in nature is a lot more effective at helping out your immune system than a shot that’s loaded with chemicals and fakes out your immune system.
Whether or not you get the flu shot, though, you’ll love this recipe for pumpkins and the extra vitamin A will do you good, too! I was inspired by this recipe for Armenian Pumpkin Soup, but I’m afraid I totally un-Armenia-fied it by switching out the spices and sauteing the onions with garlic instead of boiling them as suggested.
Pumpkin soup makes a nice stand-in for tomato soup, I think, perfect with a grilled cheese on a rainy day!
Pumpkin Soup
inspired by The Armenian Kitchen
Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 1/2 cup broth
- 1 tsp Chinese 5-spice powder
- 1/2 cup half-and-half, cream, or non-dairy substitute
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat some olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion and saute until fragrant. Stir in pumpkin, broth and spices. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in milk or milk substitute. Return to heat until hot throughout, but not boiling. Add salt and pepper to taste.
This soup recipe is QUICK enough for even the busiest weeknight meal.
Very EASY, too, if you have the pumpkin puree on hand.
Quite CHEAP, as well, with the minimal amount of ingredients.
And certainly HEALTHY, as we’ve already made clear!
Need more pumpkin inspiration? Be sure to check out the great pumpkin recipes and tips shared by the other amazing bloggers hosting this series with me. They have some great stuff that you don’t want to miss!
Pumpkin Cran Smoothie @ Christian Mommy Blogger
Pumpkin Pear Muffins @ Day 2 Day Joys
How to Roast a Pumpkin @ Intentional by Grace
Creamy Pumpkin Soup @ The Purposed Heart
Probiotic Pumpkin Dip @ The Humbled Homemaker
Come back next week to find out which meal you need to eat or increase your risk of contracting the flu!
We want to hear your ideas for how to add pumpkin creatively into your diet! So go ahead: link up your delicious pumpkin recipes below.
There are only two guidelines for participation:
1. Your recipe must include PUMPKIN as an ingredient. Any entry submitted that does not include pumpkin will be deleted.
2. Please link your posts back to one of the hosting blogs. This way your readers can have access to all of the other great pumpkin recipes as well!
Thanks for the bloghop. I linked up an cant wait to see all the recipes.
Yummy! I love how you garnished your soup with pumpkin seeds! So pretty and I bet it adds the perfect crunch! Great idea
Mindy @ The Purposed Heart recently posted..Creamy Pumpkin Soup: A Flu-Fighting Food
You sure do have my mouth watering! I will try this FOR SURE!
Nikki @ Christian Mommy Blogger recently posted..Comment on Probiotic Pumpkin-Cran Smoothie by Creamy Pumpkin Soup: A Flu-Fighting Food | The Purposed Heart
This is GREAT! I LOVE pumpkin- wish I had a recipe to post!
I gave you a Liebster Blog award today, take a look and pas it on! http://jessica-healthymommyhealthybaby.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-received-blog-award.html
Thanks for your support and wonderful blog!
What a great idea to build the immune system with healthy food. I linked a recipe for removing and roasting pumpkin seeds from your pumpkin. They are very healthy!
Love pumpkin! Great blog hop.
Alta recently posted..A Gluten-Free Holiday and a Menu Plan for October 24-28
This looks so yummy! I love the pumpkin seeds as well!!
thanks for hosting! LOVE pumpkin. all kinds of winter squash, actually.
Wendy (The Local Cook) recently posted..My CSA is Breaking Up with Me