Category Archives: Soups

YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Avocado Soup

Posted on by

In honor of the new Vitamix recently delivered to the home of my son-in-law and daughter, I decided to post one of the most inspired and creative cold soup recipes that I’ve ever seen. I’ve been holding onto this one for a long while for just such an occasion as this.

If you’re bummed because you have most, but not all, of the ingredients in this recipe, as long as you have a ripe avocado I would just go for it. And the garnishes are strictly optional. Avocado soup is total delicious goodness. And if, after recent months, you’re looking for something really satisfying in a cozy, winter lockdown kind of way, but that doesn’t include sugar in the ingredient list, this is a great choice. Maybe it’s the nourishing fats from the avocado, or the heat from the jalapeño, but it’s gonna warm you from the inside out and you’ll be really glad you made it.

Continue reading →

Complementary Colors: Nourishing Yourself from the Inside Out (with recipe)

Posted on by

One thing you may not know about me is that one of my casual hobbies is interior decorating. I’ve picked out paint colors for my friends, rearranged their furniture, and weighed in on frame choices, picture positioning, and all kinds of related activities. Have you ever heard of decorating with complementary colors? Have you ever even heard of complementary colors? It’s when you choose two colors from opposite sides of the color wheel, like purple and yellow, orange and blue, or red and green. They usually clash just a little bit, which confers added visual interest. Here are some examples: A pink pillow that makes a pale green couch really SING! Or a wrapped bunch of lavender stalks in a pale yellow vase on a lemon-yellow tablecloth strewn with tiny purple violets. Or a ceramic bowl painted in stripes of turquoise and orange. And that brings me to sweet potatoes and kale. Continue reading →

The Best Gift My Mom Ever Received

Posted on by

There is more, of course, to my mom than what I posted last week, so I ask for your forbearance as I continue to share our stories. This is my way of preserving her legacy and keeping her nearby as we (by which I mean my “immediate extended family,” as my sister put it) figure out how to move forward on our own. Today’s post is the story of what I think may have been the best gift my mother ever received. Continue reading →

YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Greek Lentil and White Bean Soup with Gremolata

Posted on by

This recipe comes to us courtesy of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which has all kinds of great nutrition information for doctors, medical students, scientists, and everyone else who is interested in learning to cook great food with lots of flavor! This recipe caught my eye because I love gremolata! It’s guaranteed to give this soup tons of deliciousness. Continue reading →

YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Butternut Mulligatawny Soup

Posted on by
No matter what anyone says, spring is not around the corner. More like it’s around a blind curve. It’s 19 degrees, and as cold as winter gets. I can’t even contemplate eating cold food. This soup, with a blend of warm and aromatic spices, should work pretty nicely to warm you up from the inside out.

Continue reading →

YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Japanese Vegetable Miso Soup

Posted on by

Looking for something warm and nourishing to warm your insides, to help you recover, and to keep you on track on all the mornings, noons, and nights before, after, and in between the excitement and celebrations of the holidays? You’ve come to the right place! Continue reading →

YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Autumn Sunrise Carrot Soup

Posted on by

These past two weeks my CSA boxes contained some very large bags of carrots, and so I decided to put them to good use before the first bag began to go bad. Because time is often of the essence in my world (and probably yours, too), I decided to do all the prep and cooking in advance so I could finish up the final steps quickly on Friday after I got home from work. It worked great, and the color of the final product reminded me of sunrise — warm, inviting, and full of hope. Continue reading →

YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Fennel-Vegetable Soup

Posted on by

The people I work with are always coming up with the most sublimely delicious recipes, and this is one. If you’ve never eaten fennel, you are in for a delicious treat. When eaten raw, it’s crunchy and sweet, a bit like celery with a faint whiff of licorice. But when cooked, it’s a different vegetable altogether. Continue reading →

YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: ButterNutmeg Soup with Ginger

Posted on by

Chef Ira brought me a big bag of ginger, and I found something wonderful to make with it. The color of autumn, it’s made with butternut squash and nutmeg, which is why I decided to call it “butternutmeg” squash soup. Take some to work for lunch, try a bowl for breakfast, or start dinner with a cupful. It also makes a beautiful addition to a special celebration. You can enjoy this recipe any time!

Continue reading →

YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Watermelon Gazpacho

Posted on by

Once, when we were in Sedona, Arizona, my brother-in-law sent us to eat at a restaurant called ChocolaTree. It was like a dream come true. We entered and then made our way through to the back of the establishment, so that we could eat on the stone patio under a very grand tree. It was a peaceful oasis, a quiet center in the midst of a busy town. The wait staff were exceedingly patient as they guided us through a menu unlike any we had ever seen before. Which is saying a lot. What good fortune to have learned about this restaurant. When you have time, check out ChocolaTree to see their remarkable menu and recipe collection. Continue reading →