Blood deficiency is a common Chinese medical diagnosis seen mainly in women who experience heavy periods, those that have experienced significant blood loss (i.e. childbirth or trauma) and those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Symptoms of blood deficiency include: pale face, dizziness upon standing, blurry vision, floaters in vision, dry/dull hair, pale lips, poor memory, light menstrual flow or missing periods, difficulty falling asleep, generalized anxiety or depression and fatigue.
This medicinal soup incorporates blood-building red kidney beans and kale in a yummy broth. If you're a meat-eater and want to increase the blood-building benefits of this soup, substitute 1 of the cans of kidney beans with 1 pound of organic grass-fed ground beef (cook separately, drain fat, and add into the soup at the end). It is especially beneficial to eat this soup after your menstrual period to help your body replenish blood.
Ingredients:
2 TBSP avocado oil
1 sweet onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups vegetable broth
2 TBSP fresh parsley
2 14 oz. cans dark kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 oz. fire roasted diced tomatoes
6 handfuls chopped kale
¼ cup tomato paste
1 lemon, juiced
1 tsp sriracha
himalayan salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Heat avocado oil over medium-high heat in a soup pot. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add in garlic and saute for 1 minute until fragrant. Add in vegetable broth, parsley, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kale, lemon juice and sriracha. Bring to a boil and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes until kale is wilted. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.