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	body & soul natural soothers

Miso Soup

Miso is a particularly hearty food for new mothers. This high-protein food typically combines soybeans, cultured grain, and sea salt using a unique fermentation process. In Japan, the process has been elevated to a fine crafts, much like wine making.

Miso is also a medicine. Unpastuerized miso, which can be found at natural food stores, is a living food which contains natural digestive enzymes, Lactobacillus, and other microorganisms that aid the digestive system. Regular use of miso is also believed to have anti-cancer, anti-aging, cholesterol-lowering, blood pressure-lowering, and stroke-preventing benefits. Miso also detoxifies the body by neutralizing theeffects of harmful substances like tobacco smoke, atmospheric pollution, and radiation.

Quick Miso Soup
Mix 2 tablespoons of miso into a cup of hot water.

Ten Minute Miso Soup
Add 2 to 6 pieces of kombu (seaweed), each about 4 inches long, to a pan containing 6 cups of water.

Heat the water until it just begins to boil.

Remove the kombu from the water and take the pan off the heat.

Add 1/3 cup of dried fish flakes (bonito) to the water. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

Strain the liquid through a sieve. Pour all but 1 cup of the broth back into the pan; place over low heat.

Add 1 chopped scallion and 1 piece of tofu cut into small cubes to the broth.

Into the reserved liquid, add 5 to 8 tablespoons of miso, depending on your taste.
Blend the miso into the liquid with a whisk. Add this mixture to the broth and stir.
Increase the heat until the soup is hot, but do not boil.Serve at once.

Miso soup will keep fresh for about 24 hours.

All of these ingredients are available at your local natural foods store.