Hearty Kale & Quinoa Collagen Soup
It's that time of the year where soul warming comfort foods are on our minds! Oh, and also how to NOT pack on a million pounds after eating a whole loaf of bread with our comfort food.
I made this soup the other day on Selfcare Sunday when it was cold, rainy, and all I wanted was some hearty soup to warm my soul and a massive bubble bath to destress before the week ahead.
But, before we get into the recipe, let's chat about the A-M-A-Z-I-N-G nutritional benefits of this soup. Everyones lives are so hectic, that it makes the most sense to incorporate as many nutrients as possible into every single thing we eat.
If it doesn't have vitamins in it or benefit my body in some way, I'm probably not going to eat it. Unless I'm a bottle of wine deep, downtown with my girlfriends and want to avoid a hangover at all costs, then I'll probably eat 8 soft pretzels at the dive bar, and over compensate the next day with a million gallons of water and like 3 protein shakes. Otherwise, it just seems like a waste of time to even put non-nutritious foods into our bodies.
Kale
I'm already a huge fan of kale and try to incorporate it into as many meals as possible! Kale has been deemed the "Queen of greens" and has over 100% of the average American's daily Vitamin A and C requirement. It's a no-brainer to try and incorporate more kale into your diet. Kale is also high in fiber, and contains 4.28 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Quinoa
Quinoa is another super food that I absolutely love! Quinoa packs a ton of nutrients into a tiny area, and is SO tasty!
Some fun benefits of Quinoa:
- Complete protein with 9 essential amino acids
- Twice the dietary fiber of other grains
- Contains Lysine which is an essential amino acid that can help with everything from anxiety, to diabetes, to cold sores
- Rich in magnesium which is extremely anti-inflammatory. The latest government study shows 68% of Americans are Magnesium deficient. Quinoa is a really tasty way to incorporate more Magnesium into your diet.
- High in Riboflavin (B2), B vitamins help to convert carbohydrates into fuel, which gives you energy. It also helps to metabolize fats and protein.
- Good source of Manganese. Manganese helps the body form connective tissue, bones, blood clotting factors, and sex hormones. It also aids in fat and carb metabolism, blood sugar regulation (less breakouts), and calcium absorption.
Carrots
Most commonly known for helping to keep your eyes healthy, carrots are also a great source of antioxidants and rich in Vitamins A, C, K, B8, Panothenic Acid, Folate, Pottasium, Iron, Copper and Manganese.
Collagen supports a healthy gut, contributes to weight management, supports bone and joint health, helps speed up hair and nail growth, and is a vital component for not only healing the skin, but achieving a healthy, glowing face as well. It also reduces joint pain and inflammation and increases the health of your live.
You'd think quinoa would get soggy in a soup right?
Nope. It actually keeps it consistency even as a leftover.
P.S. It's actually even better leftover! We had some leftover for 3 days and happily ate it for lunch and dinner all 3 days.
The best part?
It only takes 20-30 minutes to cook.
You can print or pin the recipe below.
Let us know how you like it in the comments!
To make this recipe Vegan, simply omit the collagen :)
