by Kathryn Kingen

What's the matter, Buddy? You say you're tired of holiday stuffing and eating? You say your Christmas outfit is pinching you around the middle, because it's the size you wore last year? You say you've run out of Kleenex because one of the presents you received was a crumby cold bug? Is that what's troubling you, Friend? Well lift your head up, grab a bowl and spoon and show the world, "You'll never give up that ship!" (words of an old philosopher, Eddie Lawrence).

The Wise Philosophy of Soup might be the solution for that post-holiday sinking feeling. It's comforting and colorful, it cheers a chill and warms the heart, its the perfect comfort food. Soup is good for us because its steamy delivery package can hold a multitude of diverse, nutritious ingredients all in one dish. Its high liquid content is not only hydrating but it's good at filling our stomach with lots of volume, making us feel satiated faster than solid food, with lower caloric density per serving size. It also keeps you feeling full for a long time, decreasing the temptation to eat more. So if you are trying to drop a few post-holiday pounds, soup is awesome (try a cup before a meal to decrease your appetite).

Save your bones! Good soup begins with cooking bones for hours allowing the bone-derived minerals and collagen to seep into the fluid. When you make stock, it forms a wiggly water-trapping gelatin when it cools. Imagine how that gelatin helps hydrate us by trapping fluids in tissues, bones and joints keeping them moist and lubricated. It's great for hair and nails too. Store the plain stock in the refrigerator for several days or freeze it for future use. From the stock you can create a broth by adding all kinds of vegetables, adding the important servings for your daily, recommended five to nine servings. In fact I like to put a layer of fresh dark greens like Swiss chard or spinach in the bottom of the bowl, then ladle in the hot soup adding even more vitamins, phyto-chemicals and antioxidants. Add some spices and herbs and get even more micronutrients and great antibacterial activity in that magical liquid as well. Whatever is on hand for leftovers, like fish, chicken, beef or beans adds to the protein content without adding to the budget. Now add some complex carbohydrates that slowly release energy into your system like barley, wild rice, pasta or lentils and you have a perfectly balanced diet all in one bowl.

For some great recipes check out Chef Jeremy's blog Never Trust a Skinny Chef chock full of soup recipes including his wife's "Wedding Soup" or, better yet, come in to Salty's for our warm, wonderful, winter cioppino.

Kathryn Kingen is co-owner of Salty's Seafood Grills