Earth Mother Soup

 Earth Mother Soup

What is Earth Mother Soup?  Simple... it's just something I made up!   You can make it too, according to what you and your family like.

My family were all either sick, or feeling "sicky", so I decided to make soup.  Not chicken noodle, but something full of love, and goodness, and nutrition.  Something power-packed with healthy things.

So into my crockpot I put in a whole chicken, covered with water, plenty of garlic, and some blessed salt, and let it simmer for about 12 hours.

Taking my slotted, stainless steel spoon, I lifted the chicken into a large glass bowl to cool.  I put all the broth through the fat separator, and poured the good broth back into the crockpot.  I removed all skin, bones, and fat from Mr. Chicken, and shredded half the meat of the bird back into the crockpot.  I personally use more of the dark meat in soup, as it is (in our opinions) more flavorful than the white meat.

To this, I went with lots of veggies.  The colors of the rainbow, as best I could and had on hand.  A cup of green peas.  A pound of green beans.  Several carrots cut into fat chunks.  A large basket of mushrooms.  Fresh chopped green onions, sweet peppers, celery, fresh chopped parsley, and some spices.   One note about mushrooms:  Get the most fresh looking ones you see... it seems the nice brown ones are the tastiest.. they have a nice, earthy taste.  

I literally plundered through my fridge, pulling out whatever vegetables I could find.  I added them in until the pot threatened to spill over, and then put the lid on, and let it simmer.  

I could have, but didn't add the last of my organic tomatoes, the zucchini, or my baby pearl onions.  The best thing about this soup is YOU add what YOU want.  If you want meatless, then use lentils instead.  And of course, plenty of mushrooms. :)

Ladling out hot homemade soup to your family feels good.   Watching them gobble it up feels even better.   

And of course, everyone was feeling much better.  *grin*

Veggie Girl?

When I was about 20 years old, I decided to stop eating meat.  I still had eggs, (sparingly), and cheese, and once in a blue moon I would eat a few shrimp, but that was the extent of it.  When I became pregnant with my first child at age 25, the meat cravings began, and I started eating it again.

Since then, I, (for about 2 years between the ages of about 38 to 40), gave up all pork and shellfish.  That didn't last either.  Though, I know in my heart of hearts that both are very bad for you.  

Most years I give up meat for the entire 40 days of Lent.  Some years this was not difficult.  Some years, it's been hard.

About two (I think) years ago, we started doing Meatless Fridays.  As a convert to our Catholic faith, I somehow missed the boat on this.  Though a lot of Catholics no longer "do" meatless Fridays... for some reason they think it's no longer a "requirement".   I looked in the Catechism... we 'are' supposed to still be giving up 'something' on Fridays.  Because every single Friday is like a 'little' Good Friday.  So even if you still want to eat meat on a Friday, at least deny yourself 'something', or, say some extra prayers.  Not everything has to be 'taken away' or 'denied'. You can always 'add' to prayers, works of mercy, and so forth. :)  Anyway...

I've been buying a lot of natural foods. Quinoa, muesli, oat groats, granola, lentils, peas, and beans. Bulgar.  Barley.  The kids and I have been eating these things off and on.  But I am ready to 'step it up'.  

About two days ago, I was watching a video on youtube, and the couple were making lentil soup for themselves.  My hippie tastebuds started drooling and craving, and I bought 2 sacks of lentils.  Hubby asked about them, and I told him about the video and that I wanted to make some lentil soup.  He admitted he too, likes lentil soup.  Whaaaaat?   Wow.  News to me!!  Little comments like this give me hope.  LOL

Last night the four of us were watching television.  The girls and I got up and got a yogurt and some granola.  Hubby watched us, and then got himself some.  My. Husband. Ate. Granola.  *shock*  And even more shocking, was his, "Hey, this stuff is GOOD."  Wow.  Just.. WOW!  I can't believe it! :)  *does happy dance*  There is hope for us yet!

 I am going to make the lentil soup today I think.  I'm craving it.  I have several bags of dried beans and so forth in the pantry, as well as frozen peas.  So I have quite the supply.  My thinking is this:  I am going to 'try' and just be meatless during the week.  Not every day.  Just, say, Monday through Friday.  I may have days when I eat a little... I'm not going to beat myself up about it.  I would LIKE to say I was also giving up all refined flours and sugars and caffeine AND dairy.  But no.. I am just not 'there' yet.  Though I am limiting my refined flours and sugars, and I believe that is a good start.  Such as, yesterday I only had a half cup of coffee, and then fruit water all day.  Finally last night I had two glasses of green tea with honey.   Not exactly great but better than guzzling sweet tea or Cocola all day long!

Rome wasn't built in a day.  And all of us are works in progress.  In my continued efforts for our family to eat better, and more healthy... this 'has' to start with me.