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!