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Day 1: Nourishing Vegetable Soup 🥣

Day 1: Nourishing Vegetable Soup 🥣

A hearty, nutrient-packed soup that’s as easy as chop, dump, and simmer!

Ingredients:

✅ 1 small green cabbage, chopped
✅ 3 carrots, sliced
✅ 3 celery stalks, chopped
✅ 1 onion, diced
✅ 3 cloves garlic, minced
✅ 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes (no salt added)

✅ 1-2  russet potatoes, chopped
✅ 4-6 cups vegetable broth or water (enough to cover)
✅ 1 zucchini, chopped (optional)
✅ 1 cup brussel sprouts, trimmed & chopped (optional)

✅ 1 cup green beans, trimmed & chopped (optional)
✅ 1 tbsp dried oregano
✅ 1 tbsp dried basil
✅ ½ tbsp thyme (I use poultry seasoning)
✅ ½ tbsp smoked paprika
✅ Salt & pepper to taste
✅ Juice of ½ lemon (optional, for brightness)

Instructions:

1️⃣ Chop all vegetables (keep it simple—rustic, chunky cuts are fine!).
2️⃣ Dump everything into a large pot—veggies, canned tomatoes, broth/water, and spices.
3️⃣ Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 min to 2 hours until veggies are soft and flavors are blended.
4️⃣ Adjust seasoning, squeeze in lemon juice (if using), and serve warm!

🛠️ Time-Saving Tips:

• Buy pre-chopped onions, carrots, and celery (aka "mirepoix") to save time.
• Use frozen green beans to skip trimming and chopping.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, blend 1 cup of the soup and mix it back in!

✅ Prep Time: 10 min
⏳ Cook Time: 45 min - 2 hrs (simmer & forget!)
🍲 Servings: 4-6

Nutrition Commentary for the Vegetable Soup 🍲✨

This hearty vegetable soup is a nutrient powerhouse, packed with fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals that support energy, immunity, and digestion. Here’s why it’s a fantastic addition to a plant-based energy-boosting plan:

🔋 ENERGY & NOURISHMENT

• Complex Carbs for Sustained Energy:
• Russet potatoes provide slow-burning carbohydrates to keep you feeling full and fueled.
• Carrots and green beans offer natural sugars and fiber to stabilize blood sugar levels.

💪 IMMUNE & ANTI-INFLAMMATORY BOOST

• Tomatoes (Lycopene Powerhouse)
• Rich in lycopene, a potent antioxidant that supports heart health, skin protection, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Garlic & Onions
• Contain allicin and sulfur compounds that enhance immune function, fight infections, and support detoxification.
• Brussels Sprouts & Cabbage (Cruciferous Superstars) 🥬
• Detoxifying & Hormone Balancing: High in glucosinolates, which support liver detox pathways and reduce inflammation.
• Help eliminate excess estrogens & toxins, improving metabolism.

🧠 BRAIN & MOOD SUPPORT

• Celery & Leafy Herbs (Oregano, Basil, Thyme) 🌿
• Contain natural polyphenols and apigenin, which promote brain function, reduce stress, and improve memory.
• Lemon Juice (Vitamin C Boost) 🍋
• Enhances iron absorption from plant foods, helping to prevent fatigue and support oxygen transport in the blood.

💦 HYDRATION & DIGESTION

• High Water Content
• Keeps the body hydrated, which is key for energy production and preventing fatigue.
• Dietary Fiber (Cabbage, Carrots, Brussels Sprouts)
• Supports gut health, promotes regular digestion, and feeds beneficial gut bacteria for overall well-being.

🌟 Overall Benefits

✅ Deeply hydrating & nourishing – Perfect for increasing water and nutrient intake
✅ Anti-inflammatory & immune-boosting – Rich in antioxidants, vitamins A & C, and gut-friendly fiber
✅ Supports detoxification – Cruciferous veggies help flush out toxins & support liver function
✅ Balances blood sugar & reduces cravings – The fiber and complex carbs keep energy levels stable

This soup is warming, healing, and incredibly easy to digest, making it a perfect first meal for a plant-based reset! 🌿🔥