There is nothing like a bowl of warm soup, with steaming vegetables, to help nurse the body through cold weather and a stressful season. Save the salads and cold wraps for summer and protect your immune and digestive system by indulging in easy-to-digest warming foods. This is a hearty soup with a healthy serving of protein and a decent helping of leafy greens.

Turkey Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup

(Adapted from Food & Drink Magazine)

Ingredients:

2 cans of white kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 small bushel of kale, chopped into small pieces

3 medium turkey sausages, sliced into coins

2 white onions chopped finely

6-8 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Spices: paprika, sea salt, chili peppers, black pepper

1-2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

Optional: Top the soup with crumbled goat cheese or grated parmesan cheese.

Directions:

In a large pot, sauté sausage, onions and olive oil over medium heat. When onions have browned, add in the rest of the ingredients. Simmer the soup on low for 2 hours or until the kale is soft. Ingredients can also be added to a slow cooker and cooked on low while at work or overnight, approximately 8 hours.

Top with cheese, if you like and enjoy with crackers, home made bread, a side salad or on its own.