Have you experienced more JOY in your life in the last few weeks?
Have nourishing foods brought you more energy and a smile on your face?
Let’s continue our journey together, inspired by St. Hildegard, to bring foods of joy into our lives.
St. Hildegard considered one of the most important plants to be fennel and wrote of its many health benefits. She recommended that “however eaten, fennel makes us happy, produces beautiful skin, good digestion and good body odor.”
Fennel is a wonderfully aromatic and versatile plant that can be used as a vegetable or an herb. It grows to be about 3 feet tall and has small, yellow flowers. With a white-green, crunchy stalk like celery and green fronds like dill, it has a burst of licorice flavor when you take a bite of it raw.
A member of the Apiaceae (carrot) family, fennel originated in the Mediterranean region and has many medicinal and health benefits.Health Benefits of Fennel
Current research along with recommendations from herbalists indicate that fennel can support your health in these areas:
1. Supporting healthy skin – The beta-carotene and vitamin C support healthy skin including collagen production and tissue repair.
2. As an anti-inflammatory – Rich in antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin C, helps to reduce inflammation, supporting a lower risk for chronic diseases.
3. An aid to digestion – Helps to relax the gastrointestinal system and reduce gas, bloating, and stomach cramps.
4. Supporting a healthy heart – like many vegetables, fennel helps to lower blood pressure and manage cholesterol.
Fennel can usually be found easily in health food stores in the wintertime. This simple fennel soup recipe is a wonderfully warming food on a chilly day.
Fennel is a wonderfully aromatic and versatile plant that can be used as a vegetable or an herb. It grows to be about 3 feet tall and has small, yellow flowers. With a white-green, crunchy stalk like celery and green fronds like dill, it has a burst of licorice flavor when you take a bite of it raw.
A member of the Apiaceae (carrot) family, fennel originated in the Mediterranean region and has many medicinal and health benefits.Health Benefits of Fennel
Current research along with recommendations from herbalists indicate that fennel can support your health in these areas:
1. Supporting healthy skin – The beta-carotene and vitamin C support healthy skin including collagen production and tissue repair.
2. As an anti-inflammatory – Rich in antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin C, helps to reduce inflammation, supporting a lower risk for chronic diseases.
3. An aid to digestion – Helps to relax the gastrointestinal system and reduce gas, bloating, and stomach cramps.
4. Supporting a healthy heart – like many vegetables, fennel helps to lower blood pressure and manage cholesterol.
Fennel can usually be found easily in health food stores in the wintertime. This simple fennel soup recipe is a wonderfully warming food on a chilly day.
Simple Fennel Soup
Ingredients
· ¼ cup butter
· 5 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed and quartered
· 1 (32 fluid ounce) container vegetable broth
· Optional: 1 large potato, cubed
· salt and pepper to taste
· toppings: plain yogurt, feta cheese or croutons
Directions
1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add fennel and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 7-10 minutes.
3. Pour in broth, add potato (if desired), and simmer until fennel and potato are tender, about 15 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve in soup bowls, topped with plain yogurt, feta cheese, or croutons, if desired.Already feeling energized? You may want to make some Quick Rustic Spelt Bread to have with your yummy soup.Want to awaken and nourish your creative, playful side to support your health and well-being? Check out my upcoming course Master Your Creativity starting again this spring.
Ingredients
· ¼ cup butter
· 5 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed and quartered
· 1 (32 fluid ounce) container vegetable broth
· Optional: 1 large potato, cubed
· salt and pepper to taste
· toppings: plain yogurt, feta cheese or croutons
Directions
1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add fennel and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 7-10 minutes.
3. Pour in broth, add potato (if desired), and simmer until fennel and potato are tender, about 15 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve in soup bowls, topped with plain yogurt, feta cheese, or croutons, if desired.Already feeling energized? You may want to make some Quick Rustic Spelt Bread to have with your yummy soup.Want to awaken and nourish your creative, playful side to support your health and well-being? Check out my upcoming course Master Your Creativity starting again this spring.
