I have this mantra when it comes to food – “Fresh is best.” But apparently not when it comes to carrots. Who would have guessed?

Cooking carrots in fat or oils, or pureeing or juicing them increases the availability of carotenoids by 600%. Fats also help the absorption of carotenoids into the blood by 1000 % because carotenoids are fat soluble, making the availability of vitamin A optimal, as well as all the antioxidant benefits.

This is worth noting since carotenoids, a group of A vitamins that includes beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein, are your first best line of defense against free-radical damage, helping you stay young longer, and feel better.

According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes “Dietary carotenoids are thought to provide health benefits in decreasing the risk of disease, particularly certain cancers and eye disease.”

So – If you are looking for a healthy way to heat things up in the kitchen this Valentines Day, look no further.

One of my favorite, “Spring Forward” recipes is also one that I “fall back” on all year for three reasons. Its simple, tastes great, and I nearly always have the ingredients on hand.

If you have never made carrot soup, give this one a try. You can spice it up with cinnamon and ginger, onions and garlic, or even cheese, (but I love it just plain.)

This recipe is especially easy for kids to enjoy because it has a sweet, not complex taste and creamy texture.

Ingredients:

• Carrots
• Wild Oats Chicken Broth
• ¼ cup Organic Butter (You can substitute three to four tblspns Wild Oats Organic Olive or Cocoanut Oil if you prefer, but I like butter.)
• Three tablespoons flour
• 1 cup whole organic milk
• Salt and Pepper

Preparation:

• Clean and chop 4 cups of carrots into 1” pieces into medium saucepan
• Cover with two cups of Chicken Broth
• Boil until carrots are very tender
• Pour hot carrots and broth into blender
• Add butter and blend
• Combine Flour and cold milk
• Add to blender ingredients
• Blend until creamy
• Season to taste with salt and pepper, ginger and cinnamon or whatever you like.
• Garnish with a sprig of parsley or Cilantro.

 Further Reading

Role of carotenoids in human health

10 benefits of carrots

What are the health benefits of carrots?