Creamy Broccoli Soup

So I wanted to talk a little bit about making a couple of small changes. In my last post, I had a recipe and it called for sea salt. Now, until recently, I just bought the regular iodized salt. That salt has been stripped of all the vitamins and minerals, and it's basically just sodium, which most people get too much of in all the processed, packaged food. What you need to get is sea salt. There are a few different varieties, pink Himalayan, Grey Celtic salt, but this salt will give you minerals that your body needs.

Another thing that is really good for you is apple cider vinegar. But not the pasteurized kind. The best kind is Bragg's  organic raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. It has protein enzymes and liquid aminos. There are lots of health benefits to it. You can use it in recipes, use it on salads, or take shots of it. When I was sick this past fall, and had a terrible cough, Cory found a remedy online of a glass of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in it, and it made me stop coughing so I could go to sleep. But I wouldn't recommend drinking that for it's delicious flavor...

People these days are obsessed with low-fat foods. Hey, I can eat all the cookies I want, because they're fat-free! I'm sorry sister, but you're fat-free cookies ain't keeping you from getting fat. I think people are terrified of fats. But there are good fats, and there are bad fats. We all know trans-fats, polyunsaturated fats, and monounsaturated fats are bad.  But there are very good fats out there that are essential, like saturated animal fats and unrefined coconut oil. So don't be afraid of fats, just make sure you're eating the right ones. So with all that being said, here is an amazing recipe using good fats.

Creamy Broccoli Soup

3 tbs fat (butter, olive oil, lard or bacon fat)

1 small onion, diced

I garlic clove chopped

1 qt chicken broth 

1 large head broccoli

Salt and pepper

3 carrots, chopped

1 cup canned coconut milk, goats milk or heavy whipping cream.

Cut florets off broccoli. Heat fat in pot until melts on med-low. Add in onion, stir until clear. Add garlic clove Cook for 1 minute. Immediately add chicken broth, carrots and turn up to med-high. Bring to a boil. Next add broccoli and cook till tender.  Pour into blender, and puree.  Pour back into pot and add milk. 

When we started thinking about this diet change, I was worried about what to eat on days that we didn't feel well. I'm sorry, but if I'm having a tummy issue, I don't feel like crunching on raw veggies. I want something warm and comforting. God always has His perfect timing, even on the little things. This recipe came from my dear friend, Grace. My last post was about a couple other recipes she had given me, roasted chicken, and chicken broth.

     So I made that yesterday, the broth and all. This morning, poor Chase woke up with a stomach bug. Yuck. I'm really hoping that this diet helps with his tummy, and immune system too! If there's a bug going around, he will get it. When he started complaining that he was hungry, I kept thinking, "What in the world am I going to feed this child?" Everything I suggested, he wrinkled his nose and turned down. Then I thought of this soup, and he said sure. It was really quick and easy, and it was amazingly delicious! I was eating a bowl when Ryland came in. He looked at it and said, "Ughh, what IS that?" I fixed him a small bowl, and he said he loved it. A couple minutes later, I hear a large clang, run into the kitchen to find Ryland climbing on the counter trying to get seconds. Good stuff! Grace suggested getting some fresh sourdough bread and making croutons with it. I wish we could do that, and maybe some cheese. But maybe you guys want to try that.

So once again, Grace, thank you for your thoughtfulness! I'm trying to talk her into creating her own blog, because she has so many useful and wonderful things to share. Who's with me on that?!