So what about the proverbial apples and chicken soup? Do they really work as well as folk wisdom seems to dictate? While an apple a day certainly won’t guarantee perfect health, apple extract has been shown to decrease cancer cell growth dramatically. Just don’t forget to eat the peel—that’s where most of the beneficial nutrients are found. And several studies have demonstrated that chicken soup does indeed have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce cold symptoms. As for tomatoes for acne and vodka for foot fungus, however, the jury’s still out.

INGREDIENTS

Whole chicken

8 cups chicken broth

1 large yellow onion

1-1/2 cups of carrots

1-1/2 cups of celery

1/2 cup pearl barley

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp thyme

salt & pepper

Remove the skin from the chicken and place in a large stock pot.  Add chicken broth, onions carrots, celery, and salt & pepper, bay leaf, thyme.

Cook for 1 – 2 hours, until the meat is falling off the bones.  Remove chicken, debone, and set aside.  Strain the broth into a large soup pan.  Add barley to the broth and simmer for 45 mins or until tender.  Return meat and vegetables to pan.  Enjoy!