Lentil-Veggie Soup

From Slow Cooker Favorites Made Healthy (Better Homes & Gardens Cooking).

This was a surprisingly delicious soup. It was actually much thinker that a soup, but thinner that a stew. As Rachel Ray would say, a "stoup." This soup has 0 grams of fat and 12 grams of fiber, so it's very healthy! It takes a long time to cook so you have to kind of plan when you are going to make it. I made it around 8 pm the previous night and we had it for lunch the next day. It reheats wonderfully.

I have a huge slow cooker, so I doubled the recipe. I makes A LOT so be prepared! Also, while it doesn't call for it, I added salt and pepper. It was just to bland without it.

Note: I planned on this being my first soup after my master cleanse. It may be a bit to hearty for most, but we had it with no troubles.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup chopped carrots (2 medium)
• 1 cup celery (2 stalks)
• 1 cup chopped onion (1 large)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans vegetable broth or chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 (14 1/2 oz) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
• 1/4 cup snipped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. In a 3 1/2 to 4-quart slow cooker place lentils, carrots, celery, onion, and bay leaf. Sprinkle with basil, oregano, thyme and garlic. Combine broth, water and undreained tomatoes. Pour over all.
2. Cover and cook on low-hear for 12 hours or on high-heat for 5 to 6 hours. Remove and discard bay leaf. Stir in parsley.

Creamy Asparagus Soup

From The Vegan Chef - Vegan Recipes - Beverly Lynn Bennett

This was my first vegan recipe ever! It was simply delicious! Not hard to make at all and I followed the directions very closely. The next time I may cut the water just a tad, but besides that the soup came out perfectly. This makes a lot of soup, so plan on having it for while. It was so delicious, though, I even had seconds!

Note: This was our second soup the day after the master cleanse.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs. asparagus, tough ends trimmed
• 3 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 cups onion, diced
• 1 T. garlic, minced
• 1 T. lemon juice
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 1/2 T. cornstarch or arrowroot
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
• 3 T. freshly chopped basil
• 1/2 t. sea salt
• 1/8 t. white pepper
• 1 cup soy milk, rice milk, or other non-dairy milk of choice
• 3 T. nutritional yeast flakes
• Garnish: thin slices of lemon
• 
  

Instructions

1. Cut the tips off the asparagus, place them in a steamer basket, steam them for 2-3 minutes or until tender, and set aside.
2. Thinly slice the stems diagonally, place them in a steamer basket, steam them for 4-5 minutes
3. or until tender, and set aside.
4. Measure the water left over from steaming the asparagus, add additional water to measure 7 cups, and place it in a large pot.
5. Add the potatoes, onion, garlic, and lemon juice, and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
7. In a blender or food processor, place the cold water and cornstarch, and blend well to combine.
8. Strain the cooked vegetables from the broth, reserving the cooking liquid, transfer the cooked vegetables to the food processor, and return the cooking liquid to the pot.
9. Add the fresh herbs to the cooking liquid and stir well to combine.
10. Add half of the reserved steamed asparagus stems to the food processor and puree the mixture until smooth.
11. To the pot containing the herbed cooking liquid, add the pureed mixture, reserved steamed tips and stems, and the remaining ingredients, and stir well to combine.
12. Remove the pot from the heat and set the soup aside for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
13. Taste and adjust seasonings, as needed.
14. Serve hot or cold and garnish individual servings with a thin slice of lemon.

Master Cleanse Day 10

Success!!! We did it! Ten days! I am really excited that I accomplished this and I really feel great. Now, I must be honest and admit that I did kind of end a day early since I started the orange juice today, but we will get to that later.

I drank the tea for the last time last night and was able to sleep until about 5 am when I started having cramps. Not horrible cramps, but annoying. They were pretty bad in the morning when I got out of bed. I passed some strange stuff. It looked like squid ink. It was weird. Once I did that I felt much better. Those must have been some serious toxins. Blech! I did the salt bath just because I wanted whatever was in there to get out! That went fine. Since I was passing this I probably should have stayed on the cleanse another day or to, but I have to tell you the thought of it was too gross. For the first time the thought of drinking the lemonade was really unappealing. I guess once my mind was made up to stop, I just really need to stop. I just can't drink that again for awhile.

So, I had orange juice today! YUM!!! This is what is recommended when you first stop the cleanse. I drank it all day and it was cold, delicious goodness. I felt pretty good all day, but I have to admit I was getting pretty hungry. The lemonade does really fill you up.

I walked to the produce market to get everything for our weekend. It was a good walk and it was so fun to go shopping for food and have meals to prepare. I prepared our soup for tomorrow. We are having a vegetable soup that simmers in the slow cooker for 12 hours. It felt so good to be back in the kitchen and even better to know I was cooking a really healthy meal. I will post the recipe tomorrow once I have tried it.

Tonight Joey and I had fruit. Now, that wasn't recommended in the book, but we wanted to chew. We both just really wanted real food. We had kiwi, banana and mango. It was smart that we had to peel it all ourselves because it took up time and filled us up. It was very satisfying! The fruit tasted amazing. Right now, I feel totally fine, so I don't think it was a mistake. We ate very little and chewed very carefully. We wills see how we feel tomorrow!

There is one thing that is kind of interesting. I am a bit sad that the cleanse is basically over. It really has been a big part of my life the past ten days and I think I will miss it a little. Not the lemonade, but doing it. I guess I will need to set a new challenge for myself!

Master Cleanse Day 9

Wow! For some reason the number nine seems like such a milestone! In many ways it seems like I just started this thing the other day and at the beginning the end seemed so far away! Well, the end is almost near. YAY!

Today was not really eventful on the cleanse front. I am still passing solid toxins (sorry if that is too vivid) but I didn't feel bad like I did yesterday. Yesterday really was the worst of all the days. I drank the tea last night and didn't have to get up once during the night! That was nice. I got a really good nights sleep. I don't have to rush to the bathroom nearly as much as I did the first five days or so. What a shame that my body is getting used to this and I am about to taper off! I drank my salt water today and I am actually getting used to it. I still drank it in three rounds, but I did it one right after the other. Once again I will say, if you do this, start off that way! Don't try to drink down a quart at once. YUCK!

I made my very last batch of the lemonade today as Joey and I are going to start juice tomorrow. I must say I won't miss it, but I will kind of miss the routine. How easy it is just to get up and make all your meals for the day in 15 minutes! Even Rachel Ray couldn't do that! :-) Drinking the stuff, though, I don't think I will be craving it. I have grown a bit tired of it. I will say, though, that not once did I think it was gross, just monotonous.

So, as I said, Joey and I are going to start drinking orange juice today. Ideally, I would go at least one more day or longer since I am passing solid toxins, but this is a practical thing for us. Joey has been on this two days longer than I have since I had to wait until after Tuesday to start. We both really want to get back into eating this weekend and since tapering off isn't something you could really do when you are going to work, the weekend seems to be our only option. Tomorrow is orange juice all day and maybe a little fruit. Saturday is soup (we are making two) and Sunday we will have more soup and I am making a vegetable tofu dish for Sunday night. We have really planned this out. I have known since last Sunday exactly what I am making. It is so fun to be thinking about cooking again. I really miss that!

Anyway, I will be keeping up my Master Cleanse journal for at least another week since that is part of the process and then I can go to blogging about our new food adventures. We are not going vegetarian, but we are definitely going to eat more vegetarian meals. That is really part of the cleanse, too! Get those toxins out and start over! Honestly, I don't crave meat at all. Nor to I crave alcohol. In fact the thought of alcohol is really gross. If that is the only thing I get out of the master cleanse, then hallelujah! That is enough.

Master Cleanse Day 8

Today was tough! I was so tired this morning and so cranky all day! Not to be gross but I have started releasing solid toxins. It's really making me feel a bit poopy. I don't feel sickly, just tired. I drank the tea last night, but didn't have to get up in the middle of the night, thank goodness!! This morning is when I started the toxin thing. I didn't really understand what was going on, but after looking at some Cleanse blogs, I found out that was it. Now, this one diary I have been reading said that when she went through this on Day 8, she decided to keep drinking the lemonade until she only had mucus again. NO WAY JOSE! I can't do this beyond tomorrow and Friday. Okay, I actually could, but I am tired of it and I have my whole weekend of getting back to food planned. Two soups on Saturday and a special veggie tofu dish on Sunday. Besides, I think I really have gotten what I need out of this - a change in lifestyle!

So, there is one thing I did learn today that is new for me. Boy, exercise really helps the mood out! Even just a short walk! I was super cranky today. I had to meet someone from work to get some files a few blocks away. About a five minute walk really. Well, after walking down the hill and back up I really felt much better. My mood totally improved! I need to remember to take a little walk even if it's only 15 minutes! I especially need to do that if I get cranky!!!

Master Cleanse Day 7

Wow, I am almost there! I can't believe it! I am really glad I am doing this, but I will be more glad when it's over!

Today I had to go to our office in Sonoma so I didn't drink the tea last night nor did I do the salt bath this morning. I really didn't want to risk having to go on the way there. I will say that I think that part of the cleanse is actually more important than I thought. You really do need to flush yourself out and these two things seem key to that. I will drink the tea tonight (and probably wake up at 2 am!)

The day wasn't bad at all. I was in better spirits than I had been in ages and it felt good for people to notice that I have trimmed down and look healthier. I might even be motivating some people to do the cleanse! I packed up my lemonade and took it with me. I only took half of it because I didn't want to have to go on the way home either!

At lunch I went to Whole Foods with a friend because I wanted to pick up some Nutritional Yeast I knew they would have it. It wasn't bad being in there. I didn't look at things and drool or anything. It wasn't hard at all. What was hard was going back to the office and smelling all the food people were heating up for lunch. I don't know who decided to have some cheesy goodness at 4 pm, but I almost ran into the kitchen to steal it from them! It's the first time I really was around people eating and everything smelled good.

I got home and actually had a tiny poo, which was strange. I worried that maybe I had gotten up in the middle of the night and night ate, but I could find any of the usual signs when I searched for them. (Usually, the peanut butter is mysteriously gone.) I guess that was because I had skipped the wash and the tea.

One thing I have noticed is that when I am hungry I crave all the thing that are not good for me. Since I am a meal skipper by nature, it will be very important for me to keep my body fueled so that I don't fall into bad habits! Once I had the other half of my lemonade I was fine.

I am feeling pretty good about myself for making this far and will feel even better when I finish and can start on my healthy adventure. We really intend to change our eating habits and eat as healthily as we can. That doesn't mean I am still not having that quesadilla a week from tomorrow. Come hell or high water, we are having Mexican that day with all is cheesy, fatty goodness!

Master Cleanse Day 6

Today turned out much, much better than I thought it would. First off, I am really tired of that tea waking me up in the middle of the night. It is probably just me, but if you ever have that tea and wake up four hours later, it's a pattern. It's not that I really mind, but I just can't fall back to sleep! Anyway, just a little whine, when there is so much good!

So, I didn't lose any weight from yesterday and I do not, how do I say it politely, have as busy bee bowels as I have the past days. Even the salt wash pretty much just went through me. I may have really cleaned myself out, but we will see. Despite not having had a lot of sleep I did have a lot of energy, but was a little down and anxious. I have four gym sessions left so I went to a training. I was a little worried because I am really out of shape and have only one training (last week) in the past year. You know, I really kicked ass today! So you totally can be active on this diet! That's a good thing to know! I didn't feel light-headed or anything. I actually felt awesome after the gym! Who would have thought that?!!

Since I was pretty busy working today, I really didn't obsess about food like I did over the weekend. It wasn't a very hard day at all. Just, like I said, I just want this to be over because I am tired of it! Tomorrow I actually have to go into the office so I am skipping the tea tonight and skipping the bath tomorrow. It's over an hour to get there and since I am carpooling, I really can 't stop along with way.

Only four more days to go!!!

Master Cleanse Day 5

YAY! Half way there! I have to tell you the weekend was a bit of a challenge. To be honest, I am a little tired of the cleanse. I am not hungry, just tired of it. I lost two more pounds, though, so that's a good thing. Boy, though, do I want to eat!!! I am already planning how we are going to come off this diet next weekend. I really do miss cooking! Also, I still really want a quesadilla.
This is exactly what is went through my head all weekend:

So, I took the tea last night and once again, four hours later, it hit me. That part is getting old. However, I am really starting to detox now. Lot's of mucus. (Sorry if that is gross.) I am not going to the restroom as frequently, which is nice since I do have to go into work one day next week. I had a slight headache today and am not sure why. I had it at first, then not for a couple of days and now it's back.

Today was not unusual, it's just like I said, I want real food and I want to cook. I feel better than I have in a long time and have plenty of energy. Five more days!!!

Master Cleanse Day 4

Today really was a great day. Both Joey and I had so much energy and were totally out and about. He is on his sixth day, so it goes to show that you don't get worn out on the cleanse. (It also shows you can get out of the house.)

The tea, of course, kicked in at 3 am. Exactly four hours after I drank it. That seems to be the pattern for me. I really can't believe there is still anything in my to smoothly move, but there is. I did the salt water bath as always, and that we just fine. Today we tried our drinks with limes instead of lemons and I actually liked it better. I could be, though, that it's just because it's a change.

As I said we were out and about. We walked a ton today. I had only had one of my drinks and did okay until I got home. The only down side of today is that we both are obsessing a bit about food. Today it was quesadillas. I really really want one. Yesterday it was white rice. The good thing, though, is that I am not craving alcohol, sugar or meat. Not at all. Cheese and bread, yes, totally craving it.

So far I have lost eight pounds on this cleanse, but even if I gain it back I don't really care. For me it feels great to have my body cleaned out a bit and have energy. I will say, though, I am looking forward to next Sunday when we can eat soup!

Master Cleanse Day 3

I just finished my third day on the cleanse and boy was it a long one! Not long in that it was intolerable, long because it started early.

As usual I had my tea last night around 9. I really had trouble falling asleep, so imagine my annoyance when I finally did and the tea kicked in about 1 am. Let me just say that for the next 45 minutes or so I was not in the bedroom. My body is really flushing things out big time. One would think after two days it would be rather empty, but no no. There is more coming. This morning around 7 the tea kicked in again and I tried to ignore it, but really couldn't. Any thoughts I had of sleeping until 8 were dashed.

I did the usual salt bath and this time I broke it up into 4 glasses. I would drink one, feed some birds, drink another, feed more birds, etc. This was much better than trying to drink it down in one your two glasses. BLECH. I do say, it really goes right through you and that's not a bad thing.

The day was not hard on the hunger front. I didn't really think about it too much until I stupidly looked up restaurants for my birthday on Yelp. Duh. That passed quickly, though. I didn't even finish all my six glasses until around 7. So, the day went well. The night was another story. Joey and I are so used to having our Friday dinners that all either of us could think about was food. For me, I am really craving salad and white rice. (Not together.) It was a bit of a challenge not to just say "screw it, let's eat!" We did make it through, but I can see why people would give up on this in the middle. We are determined to finish this! I can tell you, though, I am already thinking about that soup we get to have a week from Sunday!

Master Cleanse Day 2

Today is my second day of the cleanse. It did not start off well, but is ending amazingly!

I drank the tea last night and all night long, my stomach was churning and I made many a trip to the bathroom. I really had a hard time sleeping. I wasn't going to do the salt bath today, but I really want to do this right, so I opted to do it. One thing I did differently was to split up the salt bath into two servings. I just cannot drink 32 ozs of anything down and once especially warm salty water. I was worried I was going to regret drinking the salt water, but for some reason it kind of made me feel better. I am not saying I didn't go go go go go. I really did. That is one thing everyone must be aware of - you cannot be a travelin' for about two hours after you have the salt bath. At least that is the case for me. It really did clear me out and I felt pretty good.

I only had 60 ozs of the lemonade today and I was very satisfied. I also didn't really obsess much about food, but I was really busy with work - which was good! I have to keep myself as busy as possible. The only time I had a hunger pang was when I was about to get off the phone with Joey. That is usually when I would eat dinner. That passed though.

I have to say I really feel pretty good. I am not craving really anything - even wine! That's a biggie! Now that I have done this for two days I don't see not going the full ten. This is really a committment and there is no way I am going to go through this and not complete it!

Oh, I found a great blog today about the cleanse:

http://blog.q-taro.com/health/the-master-cleanse-journal/

I can totally relate to this guy. One, he's a guy and two he's living in Japan. Mostly though, I really like his writing style and the way he is so honest about the cleanse. Check it out if you need a resource!

Master Cleanse Day 1

Well, look at me go!  I made it through the first day.  I pretty much did everything by the book.  I drank the Smooth Move tea last night.  This morning I did the internal salt water bathing and honesty, drinking 32 oz of salty water was just not possible.  I probably drank about 24.  It sure does clean you out!  There is not way I could do that salt bathing and leave the house for at least two hours.

The lemonade does not taste bad at all.  I actually like it.  I had planned on only having six 10 oz glasses, but I was starving by about 7 and needed another.  I think you really have to drink the lemonade every time you are hungry or you will go crazy!  I am pleased that I got through today and hope I can do this for ten whole days!

Master Cleanse Preparation

So, tomorrow I start the Master Cleanse. I read the book "The Master Cleanser" by Stanley Burroughs and I feel ready to do it. I have had my Smooth Move tea and we will see if that's a treat. I really am a little bit scared of this, but excited. This really is just a pre-step. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

I know this blog maybe be a strange place to post about this, but you know what? It's my blog and I am cooking! And this should really lead to some interesting cooking in the future! So, here we are on my cleansing journey! YEE HAW! I am ready for a new day! I really want to accomplish this. It means a lot to me. Thanks for the prayers, Brenda!