Cream of Vegetable Soup

Dawn

Hames Columist

There is no canned soup that tastes this amazing. This soup is one of my new favourites. Veggies are full of healthy antioxidants and beneficial fiber.

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A. Both onions and garlic are anti-inflammatory. Onions contain quercetin which is a potent anti-oxidant. The quercetin in onions does not degrade with heat in soups; it is only transferred into the broth. Onions are also a good source of chromium which is useful for a healthy blood

Helen Row Toews Columnist

Never too late

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” - George Eliot

George Eliot was the pen name of renowned novelist Mary Ann Evans. She grew up in England during the Victorian era when writing was considered unladylike. At that time, women authors faced many obstacles when trying to publish their work which was part of the reason for her use of a male pseudonym. Her motivating words, hastily penned on the back of an old grocery list (by me, not George Eliot) and attached to my desk with a length of sticky tape, have been inspiring.

I won’t bore you with a tedious trip down memory lane, but I will tell you I wanted to be a writer as early as I can remem - sugar balance. Celery contains at least twelve different anti-oxidants that have shown to protect our cells, blood vessels and organs. Celery is also anti-inflammatory, calming to the nervous system and hormone balancing. Broccoli is a vegetable that is a good source of vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. Broccoli is a nutrient powerhouse, with a 1/2 cup providing your daily need for vitamins C and K as well as significant amounts of Vitamin A and at least 18 other vitamins and minerals. Broccoli has antioxidant abilities, antiinflammatory properties, and unique cell detoxification abilities. Chicken broth is full of beneficial minerals. If you are intolerant to gluten or dairy, you can thicken the soup with cornstarch and substitute coconut cream or almond milk for the dairy. I hope you love this soup as much as I do.

Cream of Vegetable Soup

1/4 cup butter

1 cup finely chopped onion

2 cloves garlic chopped finely

1 cup grated carrot

1 cup finely chopped celery

1 cup chopped broccoli

1/3 cup flour (regular unbleached)

3 cups chicken broth

3/4 cup cream

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

Grated cheddar cheese for topping