Celery Soup - Mine versus Cambell's

I have just made a creamy celery soup, that works out at circa 62 calories for an average serving of 284mls or 86.5 for a generous (400 mls) portion. 

The creaminess comes from the use of nuts and the thickness from the use of chia seeds.  It's not Heinz or Campbell's but then that's not what i am looking for.  What is shocking is that Campbell's has 120 calories per serving.  Not bad you say and then you find that the serving size is actually 120mls, or half a cup.  Come on, who has 1/2 a cup?  Ok so it condensed, so if you let that 1/2 a cup down with water and had a whole cup - woo-hoo - you'd have had 240 calories, compared to my 51.9.

I had a "generous portion" in a large pasta bowl which was about 400mls.  That was 86.5 calories.  The same commercial soup would be: 400 calories!  

Ok you say, but campbell's is yummy, thick and unctuous.  Mine is good too, but even better when you look at the nutritional profile of the ingredients.  Mine contains:

- Water

- Marigold Swiss Vegetable Bouillon powder (see http://www.marigoldhealthfoods.com/) 

- Chia Seeds

- Raw Cashew Nuts

- Celery

- Carrot

- Garlic

- Absolutely NO NASTIES!

NB - It should have had onion in it, but i forgot!  

So lets see what Campbells puts in their soup: (Source: http://www.campbellfoodservice.com/details.aspx?code=700):

Water, Celery, Vegetable Oil (Corn, Cottonseed, Canola, and/or Soybean), Wheat Flour, Modified Food Starch, Contains less than 2% of: Salt, Soy Protein Concentrate, Monosodium Glutamate, Cream Powder (Cream [Milk], Soy Lecithin), Yeast Extract, Flavoring, Beta Carotene for Color.

I am not saying for a moment that Campbell's Celery Soup is bad for you, i'm merely pointing out that if you are on a VLCD or you want to contribute to your health and well-being there are ways to do it and ways not to.  

Slurp, slurp, slurp!  

Tropical Green Smoothie

Listening to the radio this morning, I was so angry. Some research has been published suggesting giving statins to all people over 50 regardless of risk. Aargh. Big Pharma making gazillions. People as victims. Come on people take responsibility for your own health!

Every time I go to the Drs they try to push statins at me. This week they tested me for diabetes. All clear and normal, thank goidness. I may be a chubby chap over 50 but i try to look after myself. Statins? No thanks! My cardio risk has actually declined over the past few years and my blood pressure and cholesterol are both lower than they were.

So despite being tempted to celebrate with a bacon sandwich, I made this:

A Tropical Health Promoting Green Smoothie:

In a high powered blender (such as a vita mix) add:
- ice cubes
- water (see optional below)
- a banana
- some pineapple
- some mango
- a large handful of spinach
- a slice of peeled ginger
- a teaspoon of cinnamon

Plus (optional)
- coconut water and or coconut milk
- protein powder (I use a hemp based one)
- splosh of flaxseed oil
- teaspoon of maca powder
- teaspoon of chia seeds
- teaspoon of manuka honey

Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy.

Sit back and sip feeling smug that you are taking responsibility for your health and not popping some pill that makes big Pharma loads of money and be happy that the smoothie does not give you nasty side effects either!

Green and pleasant start to the day

Been up since early morning as I'm suffering with a nasty cough, cold and 'flu symptoms. Just blooming great - Easter Weekend. Sheesh.

So do I start my day with chocolate or something healthy? Despite the allure of the Lindt bunny and the perverse pleasure I get from biting the ears off, I resisted and started the day off with this:

In a high powered blender, place:
- 2 ripe bananas
- half a bag of washed fresh spinach (you could use frozen)
- 1 large or 2 small peeled oranges
- some coconut milk
- some coconut water
- ice
- some fresh peeled ginger root (to taste)

Whizz up till smooth.

It turns into a really creamy green fresh tasting smoothie.

Better than a Lindt bunny, although it will lose its ears soon enough!

Happy Easter. (Hops off).

The Boat Race, my Dad - Fred and an unhealthy snack!

I know that I usually blog about healthy food on here, so you may want to skip this one!

It was the boat race today. As a family we always used to get together and watch it. My Dad would stop whatever he was working on. The car, the garden, the lawns etc. He would not just come in, he would shower and change first. He always did that if he had to pop to town for any supplies. I used to find this annoying but it was just his "standards" and made him what he was and much of what I am.

These memories reminded me that on long weekends, bank holidays and some Saturday's he would create a "nosh" which usually was Chinese or Indian based with lots of chilli and garlic. (Rare flavours in Dovercourt at the time).

Fred would also make unusual snacks. He would create all sort of wonderful tasting nibbles.

So...having been struggling with some nasty germs for a few days I really wanted something tasty.

In a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil on a high heat.

Then add about enough popping corn to cover the base of the saucepan and half again. Quickly toss in the oil until all coated. Clamp on the lid and turn heat down and shake as it pops. As the popping dies down turn the heat right down to low, cautiously lift lid and quickly stir to ensure all kernels are popped.

In the microwave gently melt a large knob of butter with some sea salt and peeper. Once melted add a splash of lemon or lime juice and a few splashes of chilli/hot sauce. Mix and pour over popcorn in the saucepan. Turn over thoroughly till all flavoured.

Serve and enjoy.

And by the way - Cambridge won today, so my family would all be happy as we always supported them in the Honeycombe household.

A great, simple healthy detox soup - just what you need when you have a cold or 'flu.

Sod's law. It's Easter and thanks to some kind soul, I have a swelling throat, a cough and aching limbs. Perfect timing, thanks.

I needed something hot and soothing and healthy as I was craving carbs, dairy and chocolate. None of which will help, but would be easy to just grab.

So here's an idea:

In a bowl put a few of any of the following finely shredded veggies:
- peppers
- spring onions (or regular if not)
- garlic
- carrots
- celery
- ginger
- mushrooms
- coriander
- some whole baby spinach leaves

Then boil the kettle and make up a small jug of miso soup, adding a dash of hot sauce, a few drops of lime juice (if you have any) and a dash of a seasoning such as Mrs Dash seasoning or wheat free soy.

Mix the miso and let it rest for a minute. Pour it over the veggies, stir and serve.

It was just what I needed. Clean, fresh, and warming. Spicy and just hot enough to quell my swelling throat.

A tart that's good for your heart?

Ok, so now i have your attention! This is a heart-healthy juice, that i just made up.

In a juicer, juice:
1 lemon (unwaxed or washed in warm water to remove wax)
A piece of root ginger (an inch makes it spicy, use more or less if you'd prefer)
1/3rd of a med pineapple with most or all of the skin removed (i'm lazy, so just remove the worst)

Add this juice into a blender, plus:
1/2 a bag of spinach (ideally fresh or you can use frozen)
Some coconut water, and some ice.

Blitz till smooth.

If it is too sharp, and you like it, add some manuka honey.

It is so refreshing and zingy and TART and good for you at the same time.

Enjoy - but don't your other half, you've just had a tart! (Sigh - Stick to food Baz and do jnot go into comedy).

Not another blooming juice - Yes - A yummy Kale one...

This is an amazingly delicious juice, that sounds pretty awful.

I think it must be the apples that work their magic....

Juice -

2 packed cups of kale, or half a loarge bag of prepared kale.
2 green apples (I used granny smiths)
1/2 a large bulb of fennel
3 large celery sticks

Serve over ice.