Spinach & Kale Soup with Sprouted Bread

The cool bite to late Autumn brings many soup recipes to mind. I love to play around with texture colour and taste when it comes to soups, and have encouraged my children to enjoy them also. To me, soup is a melting pot of great nutrition if it is used wisely. This is one of my favourite soups during winter. It is fortifying and rich in Iron, B vitamins, Folate and fibre. I use potato to thicken the soup but this is optional.....

 

 

Spinach & Kale Power Soup

This serves 2 adults and 2 children (hearty serves)

 

1 bunch of fresh English (or regular) spinach

1/2 bunch lovely vibrant deep rich green Kale

3 stalks of celery

2 organic garlic cloves crushed

1 small knob of Ginger finely sliced

*Stock (I use 2 Organic Swiss Stock cubes)

3 large Organic potatoes

Coconut cream, Natural yoghurt or regular Natural cream to add at the end!

Seasoning to taste

 

 

Steam Spinach & Kale and Celery in filtered water  in a covered saucepan for several minutes or until soft

Add garlic, ginger and stock (**and more filtered water) and stir and reduce the heat to minimum
Simmer on low heat until (or for 10 minutes for the flavours to develop)
Steam potatoes till soft and add to the reduced heat Spinach & Kale mix
Leave and stir for several minutes to allow the ingredients to break down slowly (this is to reduce the risk of releasing too much starch from the potatoes)
Using a Bamix or hand held blender to pulse the ingredients till you achieve your desired consistency.
Serve with a dollop of coconut cream, or real yoghurt to add extra creaminess and season further if required. You could also add some fresh Coriander to the top or Dulse flakes for another dimension of flavour and nutrition.

I buy Sprouted Khorosan or Ezekiel bread from the refrigerated section in my Health Food Store. This can be eaten raw or toasted with real butter. It is high in protein, complex carbohydrates, fibre, minerals and is a wonderfully tasty and hearty bread in the cooler months.

Enjoy!

*try to use stock that has NO MSG
**as for adding water, I never measure this.... but use enough to easily cover the steamed vegetables as a guide

Xeno Vs Phyto Oestrogen

“A Xeno-oestrogen is a ‘fake’ or ‘synthetic’ hormone produced by the body in response to environmental pollutants” 

 

A woman’s body is delicately tuned to respond to all oestrogen and oestrogen-like molecules ~ the hormone which governs our womanly cycles, moods and reproductive wellbeing. In our severely developed and technologically advanced environment we are constantly bombarded with chemicals and signals which may act as a fake oestrogen in our bodies. 

 

These synthetic compounds are called Xeno-oestrogens, and even though some are now banned or are in the process of being phased out they sadly remain within the food chain.

 

 

Xeno-oestrogens have been proven to be responsible for many disorders of the endocrine system.

Plastics & Plasticisers such as BPA Bisphenol A

PBB Polybrominated biphenyls the group of chemicals added to TV & computer screens, fabrics and textiles to reduce their flammability
Herbicides, Insecticides & Pesticides which are environmentally recycled
Dioxins
Phthalates which are used in plastics, cosmetics, medical apparatus, flooring and wall coverings

And they are responsible for the onset of a plethora of conditions.....

Early Puberty, Pre Menstrual Syndrome, Menstrual Cramps, Heavy Periods, PCOS, Uterine Fibroids, Infertility, Auto-Immune disease, Thyroid disorders, several forms of Cancer and hormone disruption in male development.

How do they do this?

By mimicking the effects of Oestrogen, competing with the naturally occurring and less damaging oestrogen and shifting the fragile balance of hormonal harmony between Oestrogen and Progesterone, and even Testosterone. 

There are ways to avoid the exposure to Xeno-oestrogens....

Eat more organic or chemical free produce which has not been sprayed by pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fertilisers.

Even better – grow your own!
Use paraben and phthalate free cosmetics and household cleaners. Read labels, and don’t go by what the manufacturer wants you to believe!
Switch off your WiFi and keep your mobile phone away from your body when not in use
Use alternatives to plastics such as glass or stainless steel, and avoid the use of cling wrap in microwave ovens
Be mindful of the quality and type of plastic toys your children are given or using – often they end up in the mouth being chewed and sucked on for hours every day
When you purchase new items for your children, such as mattresses, car-seats, even some clothing – wash or air them first.

Some foods contain naturally occurring oestrogens called Phyto-oestrogens (Isoflavonoids, Lignans) and many of these comprise part of a healthy balanced diet. Whilst they can bind to oestrogen receptors, their effect is thought to be far less intrusive than their synthetic Xeno-partners.
Scientists believe this is a result of humans co-evolving with many of the food plants that produce them.

These foods include.....

 *Soy products (tofu, tempeh, miso, soy milk) *Organic Whole Bean only

Raw nuts & Omega Oil rich seeds such as flax, sesame, and sunflower
Grains - especially wheat germ, beans and legumes
Garlic and onions and fresh herbs
Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and broccoli
Some fruits including apples, peaches, and watermelon
Alfalfa and red clover sprouts

 

A healthy approach to hormonal wellbeing is to avoid Xeno-oestrogens wherever possible, and to otherwise reduce your exposure to them. Eating a diet with a variety of Phyto-oestrogens is safe, but wellbeing is always about balance. (Some caution is given to women who have been dignosed with  Oestrogen sensitive tumours)

Ensure that your diet has adequate fibre and filtered water to allow the proper excretion of all metabolised hormones. Liver and bowel function is paramount to a healthy hormonal system. If you are suffering Hormone Disorders, think beyond the obvious as the reproductive system is part of a huge bodily system relying on Neurological, Immune and Digestive wellbeing.