Eye-Opening Ginger, Carrot and Orange Soup

Avoid the afternoon slump and enhance your sight with this vitamin-packed zinger.

You might overlook your sensory organs when you think of eating healthfully, but when you realize that your sense of smell, taste, sight, touch and hearing are largely responsible for your quality of life, you'll think again. And when you enjoy the movies you see, the food you eat, the book you read, your sex life and more, you'll find that you look better, too. So, go ahead and load up on vitamins and antioxidants to harness sensory benefits.

What: Ginger, Carrot and Orange Soup

Why it’s great: Vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and nutrients (from celery, onions, orange juice and carrots) can help improve your eyes and other sensory organs.

What you’ll need:

• ¼ cup thinly sliced yellow onion
• ½ rib celery (½ cup), thinly sliced
• Cooking spray
•  ¼ lb. carrots, very thinly sliced
•   1 ½ cups low-salt vegetable stock or broth
•  ¾ tsp finely grated ginger
•  ¼ cup orange juice
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
•  ¼ tsp salt

How to make it:
Coat a large nonstick saucepan (or Dutch oven) with cooking spray. Cook over medium heat. Add celery and onion. Cook five minutes, stirring occasionally. Add carrots. Keep cooking for another five minutes. Add ginger and broth. Bring to a boil. Add salt and orange juice. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 20 minutes. Move mixture (in batches, if necessary) to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Reheat, if necessary. Ladle into bowls and drizzle olive oil over soup.

Nutritional Info Per Serving:
Calories 83
Fat 2.5 grams
Aging fats 0.4 grams
Fiber 3.5 grams
Carbs 14.9 grams
Protein 5.2 grams
Sodium 568 milligrams
Potassium 573 milligrams