Soup

There are some great ways to get more veggies and fruit into your diet.

Smoothies have been a nutrient powerhouse for Jeff and I for the past few weeks.  He uses several blends of frozen fruit and some fresh spinach.  I use mostly fresh foods with a little frozen.  I like to use unsweetened kefir and add in a banana, a cup of blueberries, 2 handfuls of spinach or kale, frozen peaches, frozen cherries.  I also add in a tablespoon of coconut oil.  This will actually sustain me until about 11:00.

For lunch, I've been hitting a local grocery store that has a great salad bar.  Fresh spinach, raw broccoli, cauliflower, shredded carrots, hard boiled egg, celery, cucumbers, sunflower seeds.  Indulge in some ranch dressing or go for the ginger vinaigrette I keep at work.

But smoothies and salads can get a little... repetitious.

Sunday, I wanted soup.  I've been ordering soup in restaurants - after asking questions or doing online research ahead of time.  Fire Roasted Veggie Soup at McAlister's is a great choice.  I look for broth based, loaded with veggies, limited on pasta (or I eat around most of the pasta).

I just made a big pot of soup, had some for dinner, and am eager to have it for lunch this week.

I used 32 oz of chicken stock, 4 cups of water, 3 tb of onion base for my broth.

Then I added in about 1 cup of a whole grain medley I got at Target.  It has brown rice, rye, bulgur, red quinoa, wheat, wild rice.

I let that simmer for a bit.  And then I stopped measuring anything.  I added in a bunch of leftover chicken.  I added in cut up baby carrots.  I added a can of tomatoes with chilies.  I drained and added a can of black beans.  Throughout all the steps, my soup simmered for about 2 hours.

I got a bowl.  Whenever I make soup, it ends up being heavy on the ingredients and light on the broth - which is fine with me.  I ladeled up some soup and added in a small handful of fresh baby spinach and stirred it into the hot soup.  Then I cut up some fresh cilantro all over the top.

It was delicious.  And I got spinach, carrots, tomato, chicken, and cilantro.

Soup for you!