Body Cleansing Soups

Soups are a great way to cleanse the body and lose weight. Just about anyone could benefit from a whole body cleanse, but the truth is not everyone can tolerate fasting. The following soups are designed to cleanse and nourish the body, and are quick and easy to make. For a total body cleanse, try a different soup each day for five days. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Hearty Tomato Soup

Tomatoes are high in the anti-oxidant lycopene. This nourishing soup is a fresh take on traditional tomato soup. Begin with 2 qt. of vegetable stock. Add 6 ripe, diced tomatoes (or two cans of diced tomatoes) and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer. Next, add 3 cooked potatoes, peeled and cubed along with 2 cloves of diced garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Add a small can of tomato paste to thicken the consistency. Continue to simmer covered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Cleansing Cabbage Soup

Cabbage is high in fiber and is often used in cleansing recipes due to its stimulating effect on the digestive system. This hearty soup is both cleansing and filling. Begin with 2 qt. of vegetable stock. Add 1/2 a head of green cabbage, chopped and 3 large diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat and simmer. Meanwhile, saute 1 medium onion, 2 cloves of chopped garlic and 2 diced bell peppers in butter until soft. Add sauteed veggies to the cabbage and vegetable stock, along with 1-2 tbsp. of Italian season blend. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Asian Ginger Soup

Ginger root helps to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes and can help ease gas and cramping associated with constipation. This light soup has powerful cleansing effects. Additionally, ginger helps reduce inflammation and congestion in the body.

Begin with 2 qt. of vegetable stock and 1 tbsp. soy sauce. Add 2 cups of uncooked wild rice, a pinch of salt, and 5 slices of fresh peeled ginger root. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered. In a separate sauce pan saute 1 cup of diced bok choy or chinese cabbage, 1 small sliced onion and 4 carrots (cut into strips), in butter until soft. Add sauteed veggies to stock, cover and simmer about 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh diced chives.

Spring Vegetable Medley

The main ingredients in this soup are zucchini and summer squash. Squashes are very nourishing, rich in vitamins A, B and C and high in calcium and other trace minerals. Leave the skins on in this soup to add extra fiber for the cleansing effect.

Begin with 2 qt. of vegetable stock. Add 4 small zucchini and 4 small yellow summer squash, cleaned and sliced. Add 2 bay leaves, a 1tsp. of salt and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat, cover and simmer. In a separate pan, lightly steam 1/2 a bunch of broccoli, 1 cup of snow pea pods and 4 sliced carrots. Add steamed veggies to the stock, along with 2 tbsp. of soy sauce to taste. Simmer together for about 20 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil.

Spicy Onion and Leek Soup

Onions are a natural cleanser and have antibacterial and anti-parasitic properties. This soup is a healthy twist on traditional French onion soup. Begin with 2 qt. of beef or vegetable stock. Slice 2 medium white onions and 2 medium leeks. Cut up 4 small red potatoes, unpeeled. Add onions and potatoes to the stock and bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer. Season with 1 tsp. of salt, 1 tsp. of cumin and 2 tsp. cayenne pepper (to taste). Garnish with fresh mint leaves.