Brr! No one can deny the shiv­ering discomfort when strong winter chills swept last week. Though it didn’t last long as ex­pected, people who were not used to this type of weather con­dition started to feel the need to just stay home and “hibernate.” On second thought, the body should be overruled by the mind. Despite the nasty weather con­dition and negative double-digit temperature weather forecast, the working class trekked on icy and slippery roads. A smart driver had opted to take the main roads in­stead of the usual short-cuts (side streets) to avoid rush-hour traffic. This was for obvious reason that City Service focused plowing and salting on highways and other major roads only. On the other hand, kudos to those who opted to stay home and be entertained by viewing several interesting movies fea­tured at NETFLIX while cooking up a nutritious homemade soup for a meal.Speaking of healthy choice for a meal, a soup which used to be served as only a part of meal had positioned itself to be a complete meal enjoyed for lunch or dinner time. Soup packed with all the nutrients from vegetables and protein stay in the broth instead if getting lost in water that be drained away. Though a home­made broth can be time-consum­ing, throwing of pork and chicken bone parts on boiling water with chopped onions, celery, carrots, beans, and spices can be experi­mented on.

With both green and yellow va­rieties to choose from, peas can be a wonderful choice for a soup on a cold. Recently tested soup made from a pack of Soup Mix (dried split peas, green and yel­low lentils, long grain rice, barley, parsley flakes) where diced car­rots and potatoes were thrown in boiling chicken broth. This should need to be cooked in simmering broth for an hour or so, but these dried mix of legumes and grains will eventually break down and blend nicely thus offering a blend of flavour and texture with a com­forting hot temperature when taken in during the cold winter days. Savoury hot soups rich in legumes and vegetables can help fight colds and help stay our body warm in winter days.

Soups cooked with whole grains like quinoa, barley, rice have health benefits. Essential vitamins and minerals were con­tributed to make soups healthy and nutritious.

For dieters, potatoes, pasta and grains were some foods items to be avoided. These items can be replaced with vegetables like cauliflowers that can thicken the soup and substitute for mashed potatoes.

Below are the reasons why Nu­tritionists recommends a nutri­tious winter soup diet:
Soup is nourishing, warming, and energizing, making it a perfect choice for a fall lunch or dinner.
You can get a great meal all in just one bowl. All you need to do is include grains, veggies, and/or salad with your soup to make a full meal
Soup is easily stored in the fridge or freez­er, so you can make a big batch and have it last you for a few days, weeks, or even months.
It’s an easy meal to take on the go. Simply warm your soup up in the morning and pack in a thermos for a healthy and in­expensive packed lunch.
Soup is just a comfort­ing, feel-good meal. There is truth to the idea of eating soup to stay healthy - a nourishing bowl of soup can go right to your soul and uplift your spirits, as well as your immune system.
Finally, soup can help with controlling weight. Having a low-calorie bowl of soup before a meal can help to make you feel fuller and suppress hunger - you may actu­ally eat less of the more-caloric main dish.
Cauliflower and pea soup
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups green or yellow split peas
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 head cauliflower, cut into flo­rets
2 celery stalks, chopped
Pinch of rosemary
Pinch of thyme
Fresh oregano
Pinch of sea salt
Ground black pepper
1 large bunch of spinach Cooking Directions:
1. In a large soup pot, put 6 cups of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the split peas, onion, carrots, cauliflower, celery and herbs. Stir and bring to a boil again.
Reduce the heat and sim­mer, uncovered, until the peas and vegetables are tender, about an hour. If you prefer a creamy soup, transfer half the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Return it to the soup pot and mix well to combine.
Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately. Enjoy while the soup is hot with favourite crackers!

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