Showing posts with label routine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label routine. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Weekly Food Prep #1: Soup

Photo by www.sallypasleyvargas.com
Save for the hot hot summer months (and even then I often make a summer soup of sorts) I am a lovable soup eater.

Soup is great when you're thirsty, hungry, sleepy, tired, sick, excited...I could go on for days about the AWESOMENESS of soup. I will spare you my ramblings and get to the point.

Every week, and I mean every week, I make a pot of soup. It's my creed. It's my sanity.

Now for those who say, "Meh, I like soup but I get bored if I have to eat the same thing everyday." I say: stick with me...you'll see. I will offer options for modifications that will entertain even the miser-iest of us all, my bubby.

Now, as I was saying...ah, yes SOUP.

Photo by www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

Reasons why I like making soup:
1) Pour it all in a pot and walk away. (for the most part)
 - Soup usually cooks itself, minus a bit of stirring here or there and the occasional check that it's not boiling too vigorously, it usually requires minimal "kitchen work." This is a HUGE bonus for me, and will be for you too if you're the kind who has a bit of time to chop and prep and then other things to do. Soup is a good option for those strapped for time.

Photo by www.sallypasleyvargas.com

2) You can make soup out of just about ANYTHING.
 - You've got carrots, peas, corn, potatoes and garlic on hand...let's make some soup! No carrots, okay, no problem. Throw lentils, pumpkin puree, onions, and some celery in, add water and season to taste...and we've got soup! Leftover rice and stirfry in the fridge, throw it in there...add some chopped kale, seasonings, and chopped red peppers...and we've got soup! The list goes on and on...

Photo by thecafesucrefarine.blogspot.com

3) It's filling.
 - Anyone responsible for feeding themselves can easily say, "once I eat, I don't want to be heading back to the kitchen in an hour or so in search of food." You cook, you eat, you get on with your day. No one has days and hours to spend cooking and cooking on end just to survive. Soup is the answer of all answers. You eat some, not yet full, eat some more.

Photo by www.culinarycircle.com

4) It's cheap.
 - Most of the time when I endeavor to make soup, I look in the fridge, cupboards and crisper, see what's around, make a pile on the counter, pick out some options and "throw it in a pot." I'm not kidding. Once it starts cooking I season to taste, put the lid on and walk away. I don't tend to grocery shop to make soup. You can very often use what you already have in your pantry and reduce your trips to the store.
Photo by thepioneerwoman.com

5) It's healthy.*
 - Now this one is tricky, depending on what you put in it. If we're talking ham hocks and fried butter onion soup...or mac n' cheese soup (there exists such a thing)...not so healthy. Just because you cook it down and throw in a veggie or two doesn't necessarily make it good for you. We CAN however, make our soup choices largely veggie-based, limit the salt and try not to over cook them. These suggestions can help to preserve the nutrients in our soups and make them a very healthly alternative.


So, there you have it. My humble plea for weekly soup-making. I encourage you to make some yourself this week! Share your "spontan" recipe below!

Afraid of making TOO much soup? here's a tip on how to freeze leftovers.

Simple Meal Suggestions (3 part post)

My weekly regimen:

Photo by parenthoodandkids.com

SO, most people have a busy schedule that allows for limited access to fresh, nutrient-rich foods. The typical American diet consists of whatever is quick, easy, and tasty. We are often know, world-wide for burning our candles at both ends (if you've ever heard the saying). And this is unfortunately often the case.

Photo by ohsheglows.com (an awesome place to get fantastic recipes)
We get sick, and don't take the time to find out the root of the cause. We simply look for the quickest cold-suppressant we can find that will allow us to keep working and moving along at the daily grind pace.

We could stand to learn a lesson (or two) from some other cultures that value their rest.

I digress...

Photo by adetokunbohr.wordpress.com
I endeavor to present to you my Weekly (Sunday's are my free-est day of the week) Work-Week Food Prep Regimen.

The name is actually longer than most of these items take to prepare so let's begin....

Weekly Food Prep #1: Soup
Weekly Food Prep #2: Salad