My fridge is still jammed packed with fresh veggies and leftover ingredients from Saturday’s party, I’ve been eating a lot of chocolate mocha cake the last few days which is all right. But I’m also stocked with fresh cabbage, celery and plenty of other ingredients from the recipes we created. After 2 days of eating nearly 100% raw, I was craving a hearty soup for dinner. What’s fun about the Vita-Mix is being able to create a delicious, rich soup base to simmer just about any veggies you want in. So I went to work on a creamy tomato soup base to simmer leftover shredded cabbage, carrots, celery and cauliflower in.
Creamy Tomato Soup Base
- 1/2 cup hemp seeds
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. dried oregano
- 2 tbsp. dried basil
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 sun dried tomatoes
- 1/4 nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp. tahini
- 4 cups water
Blend all the ingredients in a high speed blender until thoroughly mixed and pour into large soup pot over desired combo of chopped veggies. Simmer over low-medium heat for about 30 minutes and serve. Makes 4 servings.
The soup came out wonderfully for a vegan soup and reminded me of a rich, cream-loaded tomato basil soup. But I think this version is much healthier. The soup base would make a decent stand alone raw soup as well, but I enjoyed how the veggies simmered in it absorbed the flavors and made it more of a meal soup.
I let this soup simmer while hubby baked ribs for his dinner and it got me thinking about Saturday’s party. One of my mom’s dear friends was there and she expressed frustration about wanting to eat healthier, but couldn’t because her husband wouldn’t like the heavy veggie-based dishes and she felt compelled to serve and eat what he likes. To me that’s odd, but my mom explained it’s pretty traditional for her generation. It made me thankful that my non-vegan hubby and I can make and eat what we want allowing us creative freedom and some nights our meals are total opposites, mine is all veggies and his, well… Usually he has my vegan creations for a veggie side dish. But I think it’s great we can accept each others diets and not fear criticism. On the flip side, it’s important for couples to be observant and open about disordered eating habits. But one should never feel pressure to eat a similar, unhealthy diet just because that’s what the other wants. What are your thoughts?
you said it perfectly. as long as you and your partner are respectful and kind about each others’ eating habits/preferences, nothing should be an issue. im lucky because kyle can cook. he also enjoys vegan meals and will have whatever i make if i make enough for him. i can tell when a certain dish will be good for us both or whether its not really his scene. he hates squash, so thats one thing that ill get all to myself. that said, i enjoy cooking for him, too. i let him do his own meat thing, but ill make dairy dishes for him. he is consuming very little meat these days though.
That’s great that Kyle enjoys a lot of vegan meals too and I enjoy cooking for my hubby if he’s into what I making, he’s been eating less meat with so many vegan foods in our freezer and pantry now like Sun Warrior protein powder and Sunshine Burgers. Sounds like you two have a great thing going.
i would never not eat ‘my path’ just b/c scott didnt want it. omg that would be the silliest thing ive ever heard!? but yes, i hear it a lot from others.
i could go on and on but yeah, i would never sacrifice what i know i need to eat/do just b/c someone else (in my household or otherwise) didnt want to do that/it.
your print recipe feature. love it. tell me if that’s a widget you got from somewhere or what. I dig it and want it!
Completely agree, a relationship should not hold someone back from their dietary path. It made me sad because my mom’s friend seemed emotional and fearful at the idea of implementing a diet change even if just for herself. If anything, she should to maybe be a positive influence for her hubby.
I’ll send you an email on the WP mod for the print feature.
First, that recipe looks incredible. You’re really helping me thing outside of the box on how I approach ingredients and methods of cooking.
I suppose it is generational but my aunt (in her 60’s) went vegetarian a few years ago. She cooks for my uncle (v. meat and potatoes) and she cooks her vegetarian meals. (She does sneak soy crumbles in his chili sometimes and he doesn’t notice…LOL)
My husband is not vegan. He makes his own foods that require meat products and we share the veggie / non-animal based food making. I’d prefer that he didn’t eat meat but I don’t nag him. He’s supportive of my choice. He’s been on a cleanse with me for 10 days now and has eaten mostly vegan with no complaint.
That’s wonderful that your aunt cooks her vegetarian dishes and meat for your uncle, I did that for my hubby for a bit when I first cut out meat and now he mostly cooks his own stuff.
I don’t mind that my hubby eats meat, but I worry sometimes he’s not getting enough veggies when he completely skips what I prepare for wings or something. I’d love for us to try a cleanse together, that’s great your hubby is doing it.
I am a wellness coach, and the number 1 reason for women to not improve their habits is based on their family members….either their husbands would refuse to eat anything differently than they currently do or (this one always gets me the most)….they have to have kid food in the house so they can’t eat healthy! I understand that it’s difficult, but I also have an issue with the idea of feeding kids junky crap. I know, I know…they say their kids won’t eat anything differently. I never said it would be easy to improve things, but whose in charge?
*Steps off soap box.
The soup looks great :)
Agreed on kids eating crap, I don’t have an memories of my parents preparing mac n’ cheese or other kiddie processed foods separately from the healthy dishes for dinner growing up, my parents were strict about that which I’m thankful for now. No one should feel trapped in a bad diet they want to improve because that’s what other family members eat, they should take the opportunity to be a positive influence.
I do think that that is more common with the older generations. I feel very lucky to have a husband who not only *agrees* to eat the things I want to eat, but actually LIKES them! He talks all the time about all of the foods he never would have tried if we weren’t married– things like tofu, tempeh, kale, etc.
This soup looks great! I always forget about making soups in my vitamix!
That’s awesome that your hubby likes your eats too, mine has tried a lot of exotic foods too because of me like sushi, artichokes, etc.
I love making soups in the Vita-Mix, so many flavor possibilities when I can puree veggies and fresh spices into it. Pureed hemp seeds make a great creamy base.
I have family members that say the same thing. It’s frustrating because most the women I know that think this way are smart and independent women in other areas of life so I’m not sure if they really don’t have the desire to make the healthier choices and are projecting their husbands’ desires as the reason or if they really are that overly compliant. I feel very fortunate that Ryan and I have a similar view on food/eating. I’m sure with some families the added expense of separate meals might be a consideration, especially if children are involved.
Great point and that’s so true! My mom’s friend is a very experienced nurse, also very smart and independent. And she’s such a wonderful and sweet person who could really benefit from a healthier diet.
It’s funny, because I really don’t think too much about it. I grew up in a house where my mom and I ate very differently from my dad and my brother (over the years they’ve succumbed to the “dark side” though), but she usually just made ONE meal that could easily be customized so everyone was happy.