My Go-to "I-never-get-sick-but-when-i-do-i-make-this-Soup" Soup

"I never get sick."

Is probably one of the most frequent lies I tell myself as an adult (along with "diet starts tomorrow" and "I'm never drinking again").
By day, I am the office manager of a very busy and very germ-y elementary school, and people big and small tend to drop like flies at various times throughout the year.

Be it Strep Throat, Pinkeye, Flu, Barfnado...something is always going around. I am likely jinxing myself by typing this, but so far this year, and ALL of last year, I've been able to avoid ALL OF IT! 
Now, to be honest I've had whispers of malaise here and there, but I activate super defense mode on all fronts, and have so far been successful at keeping the sick at bay*. 

When I feel a little rough or a creeping ill coming on, I utilize the following remedies to make sure I don't fall along with my comrades: 

1. Oregano Oil - Diluted in a shot glass of water. Tastes like watery pizza, but it does the trick. I just pick up a bottle at the Co-op or Whole Foods
2. Pharmaceutical Grade Supplements - One product in particular, called Proflavanol C is something I take regularly, then amp it up when I'm feeling run down, or already sick. I'm convinced that this formulation of Vitamin C, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, and Grapeseed cuts my sick time in half.
3. Sleep - I have a theory that we fall ill when we are moving too fast and hectically through life, and that stress helps to lower our immunity, so we become more susceptible to illness. But, I also think that getting a cold or feeling run-down is our bodies telling us that it's time to SLOW DOWN and take care of ourselves. 
4. Water - You knew this already. Chug-a-lug my friend
5. Liver Tincture from Cutting Root 
6. Essential Oil Steam - I will shake a few drops of eucalyptus and tea tree oil in the shower in the morning to help my sinuses and airways feel clearer and better. Peppermint is amazing for headaches as well.
7. Movement - Low key walks in my super cute neighborhood, or through Frick Park with the pup to help move that lymph!
8. Soup! - See below 

Here is the recipe for my Go-To-Never-Get-Sick-But-When-I-Do-I-Make-This-Soup soup:

Coconut Oil
Sesame Oil
Cayenne Pepper or Hot Chili Oil
Yellow Miso
Kombu
Bonito
Wakame
Shitake mushrooms - Fresh or Dried, but you get bonus brothiness if reconstituted from dried
Garlic - All of it
Celery
Onion
Scallions

Bonus veggies as craved - Your body knows what it needs:
Kale
Carrots
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Potatoes
Beans
Zucchini
Tofu

Soak the Bonito and Kombu in a pot of water heated to low, for about 30 minutes, then strain out the solids. At the same time, rehydrate your mushrooms in a separate bowl or pot (I use a tea kettle to speed the process along with hot water).

Combine the bonito broth with the mushrooms and broth in a large stock pot. 

In a frying pan heat up some coconut oil, then saute your celery, onion, and garlic. 
Combine everything in the stock pot and simmer on medium low. Take out a portion of the hot water and carefully wisk in about a tablespoon of miso, then add back to the soup, taking care not to boil. 
Add your wakame and your bonus veggies and simmer until everything is cooked.
Serve hot, topped with sesame oil, scallions, and cayenne pepper/chili oil to taste. 

Trader Joe's Everything but the Bagel Seasoning is Phenomenal in this!