Really Good For You Soup

I christen thee "If this soup does not cure what ails ya, I don't know what will."
I made this soup chock full of good for you ingredients last night and everybody loved it. Plus I was feeling stuffy, groggy and like I might be getting the crud again last night and now I feel fine. Weather I feel better because of the soup, a good night's sleep or the decongestant is up for debate, but I think all 3 have a good effect on the stuffy olfactory area.

So here you go... Really Good For You Soup.

• 1/2 stalk of Burdock Root (get this at the Asian Market like Super H) 
• 1 package of Shiitake Mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
• 1 head of Swiss Chard, rinsed and roughly chopped
• 1 medium onion, sliced into 1/2 moons
• 3 cloves of garlic, diced
• 1 tablespoon of white miso
• 1 sheet of dried seaweed (or any other sea veggie) 
• 1 box of veggie broth
• 1 tsp of olive oil
• Cilantro or Basil to garnish
• Dash of Siracha (rooster sauce) if you want a kick

Wash, scrub and peel the burdock root. This stuff is dirty - as it should be - it's a root, however it is worth it because this is the ingredient that makes this soup SUPER HEALTHY. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory, detoxifier and it boosts your immune system to new heights. I like cooking with Asian ingredients, it seems like they have a good handle on the good for you, don't get cancer, live a long and healthy life food choices. Regarding your taste buds, burdock root reminds me of jimica or a bland carrot as in it really does not have much flavor but a good bit of crunch.
Anyway... I digress...
So now chop your peeled burdock root into small pieces. Put about a teaspoon of olive or veg oil into a stock pot. Saute the onions, burdock and garlic. Cook until the onions are really tender and take care not to burn the garlic. Throw in the swiss chard and mushrooms. Let this mixture steam up for about 5 minutes. Stir it all around and let it get happy. Next pour in a box of ORGANIC veggie broth. Put the sheet of seaweed on top and let it get soggy.  Cover and cook this mixture for 30 - 45 minutes.  The seaweed will break up in the soup as it cooks. About 5 minutes before serving add a tablespoon of miso. Stir it in well.
Serve with your preferred garnish - either basil or cilantro and add a dash of Siracha if you want a little kick.
As I was eating this last night I thought that the soup could deal with a hot pepper - so I may try that next time. Otherwise - it was delicious and hearty.
Enjoy and eat well!
Namaste,
Heather

Soul Food

It has almost been one full month since my sister's cross over and I am feeling drained. There have been many changes in the last few months of my life and lots more in the last few weeks. I know I need more energy and I want my zip back. I know that depression, tears and bad days are normal and I welcome all of them. I want to move through this with dignity, strength and clarity.  Clarity of the mind, body and spirit. A clear head can not come with spirits, dairy, fat and sugar clogging my veins. I have enjoyed comfort food of mac and cheese, pasta and fried everything for long enough and I feel the need to gain clarity (not to mention energy).  My brain fog is thick and my sleep is sketchy at best. I do not want to continue like this.

Almost every morning I wake up and one of my first thoughts is "The Daniel Fast." I ignored it, and I don't know why the thought is there. I have only heard of this fast in passing and have never fasted before in my life. The closest I have come to fasting for spiritual reasons is giving up brownies for lent. Last week I brought up the Daniel fast on facebook and in yoga class. It just so happens, that most of my students have fasted for spiritual and mental clarity. Another happy "coincidence" was that one of my newest students had a book on the Daniel fast in her car.
OK God, I hear you. I submit.
Tomorrow, I am starting a modified version of The Daniel Fast which is based on the Biblical scripture Daniel 10:2-3: "In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three while weeks were fulfilled."

I have not completely heard from God the exact details of my fast. I will spend time in prayer and meditation tonight and see if I can gain more clarity on this. This meditation will be post yoga and pre -sleep.

This much I know:
Vegan - no meat, no dairy, no animals
No alcohol
No sweets
No pre-packaged food

God has the vision for my life, I need to plug in and connect. This may mean that I unplug my toys too - TV, computer and iPhone for specific periods of time during the day. I am not sure how long this fast will last - I am still waiting to hear what God has planned for me.  It may be for the full 21 days, it may not.

Ahimsa in Sanskrit means non-violence, peace. I think factory farming is violent to animals and our planet. When I see "Mechanically Pulled Apart Chicken" on Colleen's chicken nuggets - I cringe. Yikes. What a way to die. If you don't think this is nasty, watch the documentary Food Inc. and tell me what you think after you watch it.  *By the way, that brand of chicken nuggets do not cross our threshold now.

Ahimsa toward myself is not allowed. No violence in my body. To torture my liver, gall bladder and intestines with toxins is a form of self deprecation.  I will not belittle my body with toxins. I will not be foggy because my veins are clogged with unnatural food. I have said for years that "this is not what God intended us to eat" now its time to walk the walk with a spiritual cleanse. I have cleansed before, but never for spiritual reasons. All my other cleanses have been for me, my flesh, my ideas. This is God's plan for me. I am listening.

My intention is clear, I need more clarity, peace and sleep.  I need to be closer to God and my family needs me to be at my best. I want to feel better. God wants me to feel good, He loves me, and He is showing me the way.

$UGAR

I always tell my clients that are looking to lose weight that its 90% what you eat and 10% exercise. The amount of sugar we eat is insane and it needs to be stopped! But, I am trying to eat a low sugar diet and its darn near impossible. Forget any convenience foods...or soup...or even my favorite hummus. I about keeled over when I saw that my favorite hummus had high fructose corn syrup in it...gag.

Mmmmmm....breakfast

I love breakfast, its my favorite meal. However, I tend to skip it or just grab something sweet like a granola bar or a high fiber cookie. Yeah, a cookie. Its one of those TLC cookies with like 5 grams of fiber in it, leave me alone!


Anyway...really...we need to eat a good breakfast. We alllllllllllll know this. We have heard it all our lives, but who has time to whip up a good for you breakfast when you are not sure if you put mascara on both eyes or just one???

Well, I have come up with some solutions. I will share with you some great, quick, easy recipes that will get your digestive fire going in the morning and give you good, consistent energy until lunch.

The first recipe is for a yummy to the tummy oatmeal. This will take some prep work, but only one night a week.

Ingredients:


2 - 3 apples (depending on size)


1 teaspoon of grated ginger (fresh only please!)


1 teaspoon of cinnamon (honestly y'all, I am only guessing on the measurements, play around)


1/4 cup of dried cranberries (see if you can find the unsweetened kind)


water (or soy milk)


oatmeal


pinch of salt


butter


PURE REAL *NOT HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP* MAPLE SYRUP (I abhor high fructose corn syrup)

On a night when you are already cooking (this will save you time) cut up your apples, grate your ginger and throw about a pat of butter in the pan. Then throw the apples, ginger, cranberries and cinnamon in there...let it get all nice and soft. Turn the pan down low and let them go for a while. We are stewing the apples, not frying them.

Put your apple goodness in a bowl and store it in the fridge till the next morning.


Also, while you are at it, you can pre-measure out your oatmeal, salt and a dash of cinnamon for the next day, put it in a Tupperware bowl and have it ready for you in the morning. Maybe this will take some pressure off and you will actually get mascara on both eyes.

In the morning - if you have time - boil your water and cook your oatmeal the old fashioned way - on the stove. Mix in your apple goodness, a little pure maple syrup and enjoy.


If you don't have time for all of that, add water to the oatmeal, add your apples and stick it in the microwave until its done. I find that you have to add more water when you cook it this way, or it will turn out like a mass of goo that is not very appetizing. Go with the stove top if you can.

Hope this help with your morning rush! And don't forget to get all your makeup on and shave BOTH legs.

Love and Light,

Heather