Soup Season Is Here!

By Donna Stark

Jackets, boots, and scarves. They are the most common telltale signs that colder temperatures have arrived, aren't they? But let's not forget that piping hot bowl of soup that also screams "Fall weather is here!" Whether you prefer a hearty vegetable stew, a vegan puree, or just a bowl of broth and noodles, you know what I am talking about. Nothing hits the spot on those cold, dark evenings the way a bowl of soup does, right? But there is more to get excited about soup than just the comfort it brings. Here are four reasons why it should end up on your weekly menu.

• Inexpensive - One of the great things about adding soup to your weekly menu is the inexpensive cost associated with it. Many of the most common soup ingredients are often the least expensive items on your grocery list and can easily be bought in bulk, such as beans, grains, pasta, and vegetables. On top of that, a pot of soup can usually last for several meals and be frozen for later use.
• Versatile - The beauty of many soups is that you can use up the excess food in your house! Did you buy too many vegetables at the grocery store? Do you have leftover rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator? How about those cans of beans in your pantry? With just a little bit of imagination and a willingness to try new things, your extra food can easily be turned into a hearty and healthy meal!
• Simple - Have you ruined dinner one too many times because something was either undercooked or overcooked? You don't have to worry about that with soup! Toss your ingredients in the pot, set it to simmer, and come back to a delicious meal! It couldn't be any easier!
• Nutrient-dense - Creating a meal rich in nutrients is easy when you make a batch of soup. First, create the perfect foundation with your favorite vegetable broth or by making your own chicken stock. Then, add in some more vitamins and minerals by tossing in plenty of vegetables and beans! Do you see all those nutrients being tossed in the pot? Well, they aren't going anywhere other than in your body!

Get Cooking!

With their inexpensive ingredients, versatility, simplicity, and nutrition levels, you simply can't go wrong with a bowl of soup this season. So what are you waiting for? Start pulling out those recipes today or tap into your kitchen creativity and get cooking! It's soup season!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Bellevue, Wash.