And I already know one thing about you: You want to live your best life too. To live a purpose driven life. To feel excited about your future. You can do big things and impact more people than you think, you can live a life that you have always dreamed of.
This soup is super charged with green vegetables and nutrients. It is so easy to make in either a pot or a thermomix if you are lucky enough to have one.
I decided last week that I would focus on more veggies in my life and eat a plant based diet for the next three weeks until I am off again on holiday to Brazil (yes Brazil, my husband is Brazilian so we are going to visit family, I know amazing right!) The truth is also that that would love to drop a few kilos and try and do that by focusing on lots of amazing nutrients going in to my body. I have never tried full plant based living before and have often wondered how difficult it would be. I am a food lover in general and love meat, fish and seafood. I also love eggs, during my three weeks I am eating eggs if I want them.
I have been eating oats for breakfast, loads of veggies in salads and soups and also more beans and chickpeas than I have ever eaten before. I can report that I am enjoying the food that I am eating, it is tasty and much easier than I thought it would have been. Going out for lunch or dinner is far more of a challenge though.
How does it make me feel? If I am being honest, I have had a lot of bloating and gas (ekk I hope that is not too much information!) from the beans. I have not lost any weight in the week that I have just had, which I thought I would have. But apart from that I am feeling great, but just as I would if I was sticking to real food living including meat. I am going to stick with it for the next two weeks and assess how I feel then.
If you are wondering if you could go plant based, give it a try. It is fun to explore new foods that you may not have done before. This past week I have tried tofu, different bean dishes and different things that I wouldn’t otherwise on menus. Whether you are wanting to eat plant based or eat more veggies, this soup is amazing.
Finish off the soup with a dollop of sour cream or for a healthier option sprinkle dukka or pumpkin seeds.
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 head broccoli, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 cup cauliflower, chopped
- 1 ltr vegetable stock
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon dukka or pumpkin seeds
- In a large saucepan over a medium heat place the olive oil, onion, garlic and ginger.
- Sizzle and stir for a few minutes.
- Add the vegetable stock and water to the saucepan and bring to the simmer.
- Add in all of the vegetables, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Once cooked pour all the ingredients into a blender or use a blend stick to blend the veggies and broth together. Blend until smooth, taste and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with a sprinkle of dukka on top and enjoy.
Can I encourage you to cut out all animal products which includes eggs and dairy.
Two years ago I switched from a whole food diet to a whole food plant-based diet (low/no salt and no oil) and my health is so much better for it.
The first week I felt horrid as I think my body was detoxing … but when that went I suddenly had no more headaches (which I go regularly), I lost weight, and I just felt so much better!
The body does adjust to the beans etc over time. My wife took longer than me on that one.
I continue to have a lot of fun discovering new recipes and tricks to replicating dishes I enjoyed prior. I have a butter “chicken” cauliflower recipe that is yum.
There are some great resources out there for this lifestyle. Two docos that basically kickstarted my journey were Forks Over Knives and What The Health. There is also now a NZ doco called The Big Fat Lie that is great too.
Anyhow … all the best and I hope you find this journey as invigorating as I did.
Hi Shane
Thanks for your message and sharing your resources. It is so interesting! I am glad that you and your wife have found a lifestyle that you enjoy. I will have a watch of the documentaries they sound really interesting. Thank you so much. Caralee
Sounds great!!
I’ve been travelling this path also & transitioning is a positive way to go as it can be a difficult path, especially if you enjoy meat. My suggestion is to go easy on the beans or bloating will stalk you lol
I’ve been trying a more fruit base diet after reading Dr Robert Morse detox book & Dr Erhet book on mucos forming foods etc. either way I will enjoy your challenge!!
Jacqui
Hi Jacqui. Thanks for your suggestions, I will enjoy having a look at the books that you suggest. xx