There is nothing more comforting than a hearty, nutritious bowl of homemade soup. Not only are soups known to promote healthy digestion, but they also support the reproductive organs, which correspond to the Water element in Chinese medicine, favoring cooked foods, slowly simmered in liquid.

As an added bonus, the corresponding flavor of the water element is salt, so to build your fertility, immunity and combat stress, I recommend cutting up pieces of dried seaweed like kombu and wakame and adding them to any soups, stews, hot breakfast cereals, and casseroles. You will be getting a healthy dose of minerals without compromising on taste! 

Adzuki Bean Stew

This soup delights the palate and includes healthful onion and garlic which help to build immunity and keep blood flow moving. Spinach, rich in chlorophyll, combines with tomatoes to fortify and purify the blood. Make a big batch of this flavorful soup on a Sunday and enjoy throughout the week! To make this dish suitable for vegetarians make this stew with vegetable stock and omit roasted chicken.

Serves 4

Cooking time: 60 minutes

3 cloves garlic

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon thyme

2 cups adzuki beans, pre-cooked

32 ounces organic chicken stock or veggie stock

4 whole stewed tomatoes

8 ounces spinach

1/2 cup edamame

Optional: 1 cup roasted chicken (main attraction) or brown rice

Sea salt or dulse flakes to taste

Sauté garlic and onions in olive oil until softened. Add thyme and adzuki beans.

Slowly stir in chicken stock. The longer you allow this soup to simmer, the better it tastes. Finish by adding stewed tomatoes, edamame and spinach, until wilted.

Reserve your spot for the Hormone & Wellness Summit, April 16th, 25th, & 30th!

Kathryn Flynn

Kathryn Flynn, B.Ed. is the author of the Cooking for Fertility cookbook and

Founder of Fertile Foods. She is trained in the healing benefits of whole foods by Paul Pitchford, author of Healing with Whole Foods, and worked extensively with Dr. Randine Lewis, author of The Infertility Cure, to develop the Fertile Soul’s integrative nutrition program for reproductive health.

Over the past decade, Kathryn has used both Western and Eastern nutritional therapies to guide her clients to greater levels of health by incorporating delicious whole foods, regular exercise and relaxation practices. Kathryn is a contributing author to Fertile Foods, Fertility Authority, The Fertile Soul, Whole Pregnancy and a supporter of Resolve New England.

Kathryn also has an organic tea company called Moontime Tea for Women

and lives in Southern Oregon with her husband, son and daughter. Kathryn sees nutrition clients locally at Monarque Health in Ashland Oregon.

You can also connect with Kathryn on instagram: @fertilefoods