It is late May, yes, but it is not too late to enjoy the healing foods of Spring – like this clear vegetable soup with the agni stirring warmth of ginger and the sunny brightness of lemon adding punch to spring’s purifying produce.

Bright, healthy and comforting, this gingery lemony soup makes a great breakfast or light supper. In Ayurvedic terms it is kapha-reducing, encouraging strong digestion, circulation and purification, helping to filter tissues and strengthen organs for more overall energy, clarity and verve. It is a delicious support in lightening up as we look forward to summer. 

Gingery Lemon “Spring Detox” Soup
Serves 2

Soothing, refreshing and clean, this soup is really flexible. Add crushed garlic and or chopped scallions, for more heat and bite, or make it more cooling by garnishing with lots of mint, and if spring peas are still fresh in your market add a cup for a high fiber protein. Look for seasonal leafy greens like spinach, bok choy, chard, dandelion, beet leaves, mustard greens to boost the soup’s cleansing potential, and pair with these Super Seed Crackers for delicious detox crunch. Oh, and it goes without saying I hope, that everything should be organic.  

Ingredients
4 cups vegetable broth
1 inch ginger, peeled and minced
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery, chopped
1 cup cabbage, shredded
2 handfuls leafy greens
1 lemon, zest and juice
pink or sea salt & fresh cracked pepper
drizzle of sesame or olive oil
large fistful fresh parsley, roughly chopped
large pinch oregano, thyme, rosemary or favorite fresh green herb

Instructions
Combine vegetable broth, ginger and vegetables in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for a few minutes until cabbage is soft. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and zest. 

Serve in bowls, drizzle with sesame or olive oil, and add parsley and additional fresh herbs.

This soup makes a great base for any of your seasonal favorites – spring peas, chopped spring onions, fresh tomatoes, mung beans, cannellini, pasta or rice – bearing in mind that additions may make it more nourishing, but may also make it heavier and modify the post-digestive action. Still, your body knows best and often communicates through taste. So please enjoy what tastes best to you this season, with all the love Mother Nature has to offer.