Broccoli Lentil Soup and a new way of thinking

I made this because it includes so much of Livies two favorite things lentils and broccoli. Livy will eat just a giant bowl of lentils cooked in Vegebase all by themselves at night and the same with broccoli so I was excited to see if she liked it. Noah likes it even more than her it turns out but it went over well with both of them and it is super filling.


So this soup is JAM packed with nutrients. And I think that is why I will make it again in the future it was really filling, and you know that you are spending your calories with the highest nutrient dense foods possible so there is no guilt.  Holy crapper it is so thick in the end because there is so much in it. While I was making it I was saying under my breath I would never make it again after every ingredient I had to prepare and add because there is so much in it. But it was Yummy and turned out worth it.

This way of eating is becoming like Dr. Fuhrman said it would as you practice it. We have by FAR been by NO means even close to perfect, except really with the kids because we have more control of their diet for now lol. But just training my brain to look at the food I am putting in my mouth, and wondering if I am totally wasting calories or if I am getting the most "bang for my buck" nutrient wise. It really does just take time and practice like he says! He so smart:) When I know that the bulk of my calories for the day ( at least 90%) are coming from the most nutrient dense possible, meaning highest amount of nutrients packed into each calorie, I don't feel guilty having a little bite of something not really nourishing. But I am looking at that food appropriately now. Instead of seeing BULK as the best way to get calories into my kids, I see the "meat and potato" approach for what it is, mainly empty macronutrients, just fillers in my kids belly, devoid of micronutrients and phytonutrients and yes sure keeping them "alive" but not improving that life at, not helping the body have the nutrients it needs to properly get rid of waste and build up and handing them a possible disease ridden painful future,

The more people that ask about this diet, and I watch their response, the more motivated I am and determined, and even proud to be a nutritarian. Healthy food is not addictive. If the most fit and trim person, says there is no way they want to give up sweets or junk food, you tell me that is not an addiction. To live the SAD (standard American diet) is to live with food addiction. I for one don't want to be controlled by food in ANY way EVER again. When my ENTIRE day brightens up, at the thought of that pint of icecream at home in the freezer, and some Better Cheddars and my Thursday night t.v shows to watch with them, that is power taken from me. That is food addiction. That is a chain to this world I would rather live without.

The thing I cant wait for the MOST, is when this diet is so second nature, and we've been doing it long enough our cravings and addicitons to different foods are totally gone, and the kids are happy and prefer the healthier food, which is already happened a lot for them, and we can eat when hungry, be satisfied and look forward to every other activity and uses of our time this world has to offer. That might seem to someone else weird to even think about, but because I have to learn and entire new way of cooking and thinking, my days are consumed with new recipes, food chopping, cooking and shopping for food and FEEDING the kids lol. I do it happily don't get me wrong, I am truly enjoying this. I love filling my little book with new recipes, following new blogs and reading along the forums on dr. Furhmans websites. But it is still a GIANT battle with the kids. They have been gone from me for 3 days now while I work for Jord at the shop and I have no idea what next week will hold with the kids and their attitude towards food. I only know I am filled with optimism today. I wont let food be a bad experience with them next week. It is inside my head the real battle exists, I feel about to implode when I start worrying they are refusing things and hardly eating. But I have to remember I just had their wellness visits and their pediatrician said they are a perfect picture of health. Both of their BMI's are exactly in the middle range, they haven't been sick once all winter except for a little runny nose. Life is good. I am so glad to have such a wealth of knowledge about nutrition today. I just finished Dr. Fuhrmans Eat for health. I think the only one of his I haven't read is the "super immunity" so I shall get online and order it right now! wee haw I am loving learning this stuff.

so on to the recipe haha
Broccoli Lentil Soup

 

 

Serves: 8

Preparation Time: 45 minutes

 

Ingredients:

8 cups water

2 cups carrot juice, fresh or bottled

1 pound dried lentils

2 pounds plum tomatoes, chopped

4 cups chopped broccoli

2 onions, chopped

3 celery stalks, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

6 cloves garlic, minced

3 small zucchini, chopped

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 yam, peeled and chopped

3 tablespoons Dr. Fuhrman's Riesling Raisin Vinegar or balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup raw cashews or 1/4 cup raw cashew butter

Instructions:
Place all ingredients except yam, vinegar and cashews in a large soup pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes. Add yam and simmer for an additional 15 minutes or until lentils and vegetables are tender.
Remove from heat. Add vinegar.

Remove 2 cups or more ( I suggest you double that) of soup and puree with the cashews in a food processor or high powered blender. Stir back into soup.