Black Bean Soup

The weather is officially starting to cool down.  I love this time of year!  With Fall comes the cool nights and my cravings for soup.  Here is a delicious black bean soup that is clean, healthy and an anti-inflammatory meal.

Ingredients
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups low sodium no-chicken broth
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1/2 cup scallions
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup salsa (no sugar added), I use white bean and corn from Sprouts
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp. onion powder
1 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Juice from 1 lime
Garlic salt to taste

• In a skillet, add olive oil, onion, scallions, garlic, celery, and green bell pepper.  Saute on medium-low until tender.
• Meanwhile add black beans, no-chicken broth, salsa, and juice from lime to a pot and heat until it starts to boil.  Once boiling, turn heat down to low.  Add onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and garlic salt.  Add in onion mixture.  
• Let soup simmer for approximately 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.  
• Enjoy!

Black Beans: Insulin and glucose levels are linked to inflammation.  Black beans are said to regulate blood sugar levels.  Black beans are also high in antioxidants which help remove free radicals from the bloodstream.

Bell Peppers: Bell peppers contain capsaicin which have antibacterial properties.  Bell peppers are also loaded with antioxidants such as vitamin C which helps boost the immune system and helps remove free radicals from the body.  

Red Onion:  Red onions contain quercetin which has powerful antioxidants.  Quercetin is known to act like an anti-inflammatory by releasing histamine in the body.  Onions also contain chromium which help control the blood insulin levels.

Celery:  Celery contains coumarins which provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  Celery is also high in many vitamins and minerals and helps improve the immune system.

Garlic: Garlic is another superfood that lowers blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar.  Garlic also protects the liver and contains anti-tumor properties.  It has the ability of boosting the lymphatic system which functions as a defense in the immune system.  Garlic also reduces joint swelling and inflammation.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil:  Extra virgin olive oils have a phytonutrient called oleocanthal.  Studies have shown this natural phenolic compound reduces inflammation.  Extra virgin olive oils are also rich in antioxidants. 

Cumin:  Cumin contains vitamin E and is known to treat skin disorders as well as boils.  This may be due to cumin being known as a detoxifying agent.  Cumin also has disinfectant properties which fight the free radicals that attack the skin. 

Lime:  Limes are high antioxidants and effective detoxifiers.  They have an antibiotic effect which helps protect against bad bacteria.  Limes have powerful digestive properties and help treat inflammatory disorders.