I decided to share a home remedy that I have been using for years. I have a friend who is a genius with a passion on diet and natural remedies. All the years my children were growing up, he has been my mentor helping me use natural ways to make my children feel better and get well sooner. Garlic and onions are a natural antibiotic and should be part of our daily intake. Capsicum "or Chili most commonly known" is another very good antibiotic. Onions contain high amounts of Vitamin C, dietary fiber, and quercetin all of which boost the immune system and have a high content of iron which has been considered beneficial to the treatment of anemia. Parsley is very high in vitamin C and it surprises me that in my area people don't seem to understand its value. One cup of vitamin C contains almost the same amount of vitamin C as10 oranges. A parsley salad is very good as well as nutritious. I actually have two recipes that I use. This one is my vegetarian recipe and my other one is my chicken soup recipe. I used to be a vegetarian and I may go back to being one. Time will tell.

All of the information I share is based on my personal experience and not necessarily proven fact.

Step 1:

When my children were very small I consulted a doctor because they could not tell me where they hurt or how they felt. As they got older I would use home remedies for them. If the problem did not go away or if their fever did not go down, I took them to the doctor.

I am a strong believer in natural remedies. I feel there is a great need for doctors in our world but it is my opinion that we rely on medicine too often. Simple remedies for colds and minor illnesses do work. Man has been using them for centuries. Without modern medicine many people would have died without treatment. I think there can be some kind of balance between the two. There are some people who carry things to the extreme. Common sense is needed when taking care of our loved ones. Be wise and consult a doctor when your child is ill.

Please note: I believe children's taste buds are very sensitive when they are young. This soup will probably not be a suitable option for small children.

Step 2: Ingredients

What you will need:

1 Onion
4 Cups water
2 Tablespoons fresh Thyme
Season chili to taste
1 Tablespoon Extra virgin Olive oil (I had to use what I had on hand because the store was out.)
Parsley sprig

This recipe focuses on the best natural and beneficial uses of broth for a cold remedy using a very low heat. I have included a box of bouillon cubes but I don't recommend using it because you will get the best benefits without it. Add a few extra herbs if you do not like the flavor. But if you just just can't stand the flavor of the onion broth then go ahead and add the cubes or herbs.

Step 3: Utensils

What you will need:

Pan
Wooden spoon
Cutting board
Knife
Strainer
1 Tablespoon
Measuring cup
Bowl

Step 4: Food Prep

Dice:

Chop the onion.
Chop the thyme.

Step 5: Cook

Cooking the broth: We will be using the lowest heat setting on the stove to make onion soup. A low heat simmer helps to preserve the health benefits of the flavonoids, quercetin, and the vitamin C.

Add Olive Oil to pan.
Turn heat on to lowest setting.
Add onions.
Add thyme.
Add Chili.
Add water as soon as onions begin to turn color.
Slowly cook until onions are transparent.

Remove from heat.

Step 6: Strain

Strain the stock:

Strain the stock through the strainer.
Pour contents in a cup.
Serve warm with a spring of parsley.

Please note: This is not a real hot drink. It is just above warm. The idea is to try and preserve all the nutrients.

Step 7: Sunshiine's Final Thoughts

During the winter months I stock up on garlic and onions. At the onset of a cold I try to drink this soup as soon as possible. I snuggle up in my favorite blanket with a book and a battery operated candle. I don't use a real candle because I want to be able to relax and drift off to sleep whenever I want with no worries. It seems to make me feel better.

Thank you for stopping by and do have a perfect fall day!
Sunshiine