My daughter Danielle and I were up in northern Pennsylvania this past weekend attending a family wedding, and it quickly became abundantly clear to us that as former Upstate New York and now Florida residents, our bodies were no longer used to dreary skies, chilly temperatures, all-day rain and biting wind.
We were downright FREEZING!
Not only does cold weather make many people want to hibernate until spring, but it can also increase your chances of getting sick.
That's right! Most people think this is just an old wives' tale your mother used to tell you, but there's some truth to it!
While simply going outside in chilly weather doesn't cause a cold, colder temperatures can affect some of your body's natural defenses against respiratory viruses. And when your body temperature drops dangerously low, as it does with hypothermia, your immune system can be compromised.
Since winter will soon be here and we can't control the weather, we have to make the best of it—and there's nothing more comforting than a delicious bowl of soup!
Here's an outstanding recipe that's chock-full of nourishing veggies that your whole family will love!
Pasta Fagioli
Serves: 4
A note on ingredients: We encourage choosing organic ingredients whenever possible. Using fresh, wholesome, organic foods is a wonderful way to nourish your body while supporting a healthier lifestyle.
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons butter
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2 carrots, chopped
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2 stalks celery, chopped
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1 medium zucchini, chopped
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1 medium onion, chopped
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3 cloves garlic, chopped
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1 (15-oz.) can tomato sauce
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1 (14-oz.) can diced tomatoes
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4 cups chicken broth
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1 tablespoon dried parsley
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1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
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1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
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1 1/2 cups ditalini pasta
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1 (15-oz.) can cannellini or Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Grated Romano or Parmesan cheese for serving
Directions
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Heat butter in a saucepot over medium heat. Stir in the carrots, celery, zucchini and onion and sauté until tender. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
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Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, parsley, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and desired amount of salt and pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
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Meanwhile, cook ditalini pasta according to package instructions; drain.
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When soup is done simmering, add cooked pasta and beans to the pot. Simmer for 1–2 minutes more or until heated through.
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Ladle into bowls, top with grated cheese, and serve with crusty bread.
More Ways to Support Your Health All Year Round
You can also support your body's natural defenses and help keep yourself healthy in the chilly weather (and all year round) with Super Shield Multi-Strain Probiotic Formula and Hydroxaden 2.5 Vitamin B Formula!
A substantial portion of your body's immune activity is associated with your gastrointestinal tract, where your gut microbiome plays an important role in supporting healthy immune function. So in addition to nourishing it with healthy, real foods (like the veggies in the soup recipe above!), it's important to help keep your population of friendly microbes strong and healthy with a full-spectrum probiotic formula like Super Shield.
In addition, vitamin B12 (as found in Hydroxaden 2.5) plays an important role in the production of healthy blood cells, including white blood cells that help your immune system fight off infections. Maintaining adequate B12 levels is therefore an important part of keeping your immune system functioning properly.
Vitamin B12 also supports normal cell division, which is especially important in rapidly renewing tissues like the intestinal lining. The cells lining your small intestine are typically replaced every 3–5 days, making adequate nutrition essential for maintaining a healthy intestinal barrier.
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
