Yellow Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup

This recipe can easily be cut in half to make a smaller batch. Keep cooking times the same but use exactly half of each ingredient.

Serves 8
Ingredients:
8 1/2 cups water
1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
2 cups dried yellow split peas
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Directions:
Bring 1/2 cup water to simmer in a large saucepot over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook about 5 minutes or until translucent. Stir in ginger and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add remaining 8 cups water, peas and sweet potato cubes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Uncover and continue to simmer 15 minutes. Carefully purée soup with a hand held immersion blender or in batches in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Garnish with pumpkin seeds.

Warming Green Tea and Cider

Hot and fragrant, this drink will fill you with antioxidants and warm you to the core. The infusion of green tea with cinnamon and just a splash of cider make this a naturally sweet beverage that feels satisfying and filling as well as healing.
Ingredients:
4 cups water
4 green tea bags
4 sticks cinnamon
1 cup all-natural apple cider
Directions:
Heat the water, cider and cinnamon sticks in a pan. Turn off the heat and add the tea bags. Let steep for 5-6 minutes.
Serve in mugs with the cinnamon sticks.