11.06.2012

Butternut & Potato Soup

I wanted to make a yummy potato soup and found this recipe here. I kind of followed it and made this delicious soup with Rosemary Olive Oil bread (store bought)!

I started by boiling enough water to cover all the potatoes. I chopped up a lot of red onions and garlic and let them soften in the pot while it boiled. I chopped up about 8-10 potatoes, 5 organic celery sticks (leaves included), cilantro,  & dino kale. I also chopped up in quarters 4 Aidells Chicken & Apple Smoked Chicken Sausages. Luckily, I bought pre-chopped butternut squash. I put all the veggies in, except the leafy greens. I add smoked paprika, pepper, and salt. I also add more liquid vegetable broth and turn it down med heat. When the veggies are getting soft (about 8 or so mins) I add in almond milk, the leafy greens, chicken sausage (comes fully cooked), and turn it down to low. All the chopping takes the most time, but that's what I love most about making dinner the chopping is like a stress reliever for me. Good thing I enjoy it. 

I prefer to not buy non-organic meat, it doesn't mean we won't eat it because you can't always control what you eat outside of your home. The meals I make with meat is mainly organic. Organic meat is expensive, but we are able to afford it because we don't eat very much meat at all and buying it in bulk at Costco you can get the most for your money. We know its really important to include more plant based foods that have lots of protein, fiber, omega fatty acids, iron, folate, etc. Instead of eating animal meats and animal based foods. We really do like sausage, but I haven't seen organic pork anywhere around here, so these chicken sausages, although not organic, has no msg, nitrates, or added hormones and that's awesome! Like the Chinese say meat should be for flavoring and not the main course!

Juice w/ Celery

I know this is a really bad photo, but the juice was really good. Oranges, ginger, and organic carrots, beet, apple, & celery. 

 The the minerals, vitamins, & oils of celery give many health benefits. We know celery has sodium, but it is organic, therefore our bodies will do things like retain it, lower the levels of calcium loss and blood pressure, etc. Unlike, table salt that is inorganic and causes body to lose calcium and higher blood pressure, etc. Check out 'The Incredible Powers of Celery' here.

According to the article Other Benefits of Celery Juice are:
-Caner Fighting
-Lowers Cholesterol
-Aids in Digestion
-Diuretic
-Anti-Inflammatory
-Lower Blood Pressure
-Insomnia
-Weight Loss
-Elimination and Prevention of Stones



Red Iguana Veggie Fajitas

This Veggie Fajitas plate at Red Iguana at City Creek Mall is so so good, second time having it!