Roasted Veg Soup — Good Mood Food

Roasted vegetable blended with a few roasted apples, makes one of the most delicious and comforting foods you can have. This soup is taken to another level and made especially yummy when served with a dollop of coconut yoghurt, providing a lovely creamy flavour. Beetroot is a wonder food loaded with betaine which not only helps lift your mood but promotes the production of glutathione to support the liver. This soup is a wonderful food for kids who are finding it hard to absorb their nutrients or are prone to constipation.

Ingredients

• 2 medium raw beetroot

• 3 medium carrots

• 2 cups turnips

• 2 medium apples

• 500 ml chicken stock

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

• 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 2 tbsp coconut yoghurt (optional)

Instructions

• Heat the oven to 180 degrees celsius

• Cut all the veg and fruit into thick slices or chunks and place on a baking sheet

• Drizzle with the oil and season with salt and pepper and the dried thyme

• Place in the oven and cook for about 45 minutes until all the veg are cooked through

• Place the stock in a pan heat until piping hot

• Place the roasted vegetables and fruit into a blender along with the chicken stock and blend until smooth

• Serve hot with a dollop of coconut yoghurt (if using)

The science bit

BEETS are a unique source of phytonutrients called betalains. Betanin and vulgaxanthin are the two best-studied betalains from beets, and both have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. The detox support provided by betalains includes support of some especially important Phase 2 detox steps involving glutathione. Betaine is like an antidepressant and stimulates the production of dopamine. If you notice pink urine after consuming beetroot, it could be that the stomach HCL needs some support.