Soups that Nourish Soul and Body

Soups that Nourish Soul and Body

By: Susan Schiller

From the series, "Healthy Recipes that Nourish Soul and Body"

In yesterday's article, "It's Love Calling" I shared with you how my body had been shutting down from years of trauma and emotional pain. Unceasing pain, bleeding, and chronic fatigue resulted. Without medical insurance I was hesitant to get a hysterectomy, so I prayed a lot. The arrival of two friends brought about a healing miracle and the beginning of a life change in regard to my eating habits.

My diet is one thing Papa God pointed out to me that needed changing, if I wanted to avoid the growth of tumors and other maladies that are common to women my age. I would be remiss if I didn't share with you the physical side of my healing, as it relates to nutrition. I believe in spiritual miracles – instantaneous, awesome, and for today – and I'm grateful for them! I also believe Papa God wants us to choose nourishing lifestyles, to the best of our ability, to prevent the pain of illness.

In writing, "Combat PTSD with a Cup of Kombucha Tea," I shared with you a daily nutrient-dense drink that I've put into my lifestyle that costs about 5 cents a day. In addition, I'd like to open up one of my kitchen cupboards and share with you the next weapons in my war on disease: lots of whole foods, like beans. Easy to store, high in protein and fiber, low in calories and fat, and they cost just 50 cents per meal serving, per person. (It's also one of my personal goals to eat well on $3/day or less!)

Part of My Wellness Arsenal!

About 3-4 times a week I cook soups that nourish both soul and body. My husband takes leftovers for his lunches at work, along with fresh veggies and homemade bread. The soups freeze well and make leftovers that taste just as good the next day, as the first!

This week, for example, I cooked Minestrone Soup, which is loaded with 10 different fresh vegetables, two kinds of beans, and a ton of great spices! I also made a rich Lentil Stew that can be ladled over mashed potatoes or brown rice. I love how the house smells yummy for several hours a day as my soup slowly cooks on the stove or in the crock pot.

In our house we try as best we can to eliminate all processed foods, including white flour. Gradually we're learning to replace sugar with raw honey and other natural substitutes. I learned the hard way to watch labels closely, avoiding anything that with sorbitol or other additives that are notorious for creating digestive problems.

Here's a quick and simple recipe that is one of our favorites: Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Large Onions
• 1 Teaspoon Minced Garlic
• 3 Carrots, diced
• 2 Stalks Celery, diced
• 3 1/2 cups Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups Lentils: soaked, rinsed, drained
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
• 3/4 cup White Wine
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 7 cups Chicken Stock
• 1 Spring Fresh Parsley, chopped
• 1/2 Teaspoon Paprika
• 1/2 cup Parmesean Cheese, grated

1. In a large stockpot, saute onions in oil until glossy. Stir in garlic, paprika, celery, and carrots. Saute for 10-minutes.
2. Stir in tomatoes, chicken stock, lentils, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Add wine and bring mixture to boil. Slowly reduce heat and cook 1-hour on low, tell lentils are tender.
3. Sprinkle soup with parsley and parmesean (optional).

It makes10-12 servings, at approximately 50 cents a bowl. It's rich in protein and fiber, low in calories and fat, and easy on the digestive system.

I like to serve it with homemade cornbread!

Stay tuned, and I'll share more recipes in the future that are good preventive health care choices that also are easy on the pocketbook! Nourishing both soul and body is part of my own lifestyle change in 2013, and I hope it blesses you!

What are you doing to nourish and protect your health, spiritually and physically? Really, I'd love to hear! There's a comment box just a little ways down, if you'd like to take a minute to share – I read every comment 🙂

With all my love,

Sue

Susan Schiller knows how it feels to lose everything: marriage and family, church and reputation, finances and businesses, and more. Susan's upcoming, interactive memoir, "On the Way Home," tells the story of how she came to be known as "the most abused woman" her counselors had yet met and how she learned to navigate her way out of hell to a rich and satisfying life. In her lifetime, Susan has served in duties ranging from home school mom – to pastor –  to full-time deliverance minister – and to Midwest regional prayer coordinator for a large international ministry. These days you can usually find Susan soaking in her favorite hot springs pool, reading a book (or several), blogging, baking bread, or hanging out with her family and friends. You can get a free copy of Susan's upcoming book, "On the Way Home" by registering here.

Copyright 2012, Susan McKenzie, http://TeamFamilyOnline.com. Permission is granted to copy, forward, or distribute this article for non-commercial use only, as long as this copyright byline and bio, in totality, is maintained in all duplications, copies, and link references.  For reprint permission for any commercial use, in any form of media, please contact Susan Schiller.

Note: This article is part of my ongoing life story writing and is not meant to give medical advice. In all matters pertaining to ones' health, I recommend that you contact your health specialist or physician regarding dietary changes and decisions regarding your health!

Tagged as: "Love from Papa" Series, Deborah White Dove