It's Autumn equinox....one of the two
times in the planetary calendar when the length of the day and night are approximately equal at every place on earth, and Fall is in full swing here in Virginia.
Already the leaves are starting to change the acorns have been falling and the early evening air is crisp and chill. The fruits of summer are starting to fade while the farmer's markets are filling up with all kinds of winter squashes, gourds, pumpkins and all the different variety of apples. It is the beginning of soup season and so I made soup today as I was craving it all week... I'm posting the recipe below, it is very easy and cooks in no time flat. Autumn is a time of major transition and change on so many levels and it is definitely stirring me up. I am overflowing with a multitude of new ideas and I can barely contain myself.
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| My study station |
Part of this is because I am learning so much through
my studies at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.....I can hardly wait to get up to my woman cave to study each night after a full day's work. You can see my portable workstation where I spend most evenings listening to lectures and watching videos and doing exercises to increase my own self awareness, release old patterns from my past and learn new and invigorating ways to build my future and my health coaching practice. I'm working hard to build my new website which will be completed soon. I am making new friends and connecting with health coaches all over the country and the world. Can you tell how excited I am? In coming posts I will definitely share with you some of the new teachers, books and resources that I'm finding amazingly helpful and inspiring.
I'm also excited because I have been making many new connections here in my town and at the same time I am deepening existing friendships. I am indeed being nourished on many levels and that is really what it takes to feel grounded and whole and happy. Food of course nourishes us and healthy food choices really help but the food we eat is just not enough....we need deep nutrition on all levels to live our best lives.
Taking time to cook our food is a nourishing activity and of course takes time. First we have to decide what to eat, then go buy the ingredients and on and on. It does help to have the pantry stocked with good food so when you the urge to cook something nourishing comes you have everything you need at your fingertips. Some of the best recipes can be whipped up in very little time ...the soup I made for lunch today was a recipe that took 5 minutes to prepare, 30 minutes to cook and it was made up of all very basic staples that every natural food kitchen should have (a future blog post no doubt). So here is the recipe for Soothing Soup which was adapted from a recipe that I obtained many years ago from a Waldorf School Parent Cookbook.
Soothing Soup (serves 4)
This is truly a favorite and it really is soothing. This will be a recipe you turn to again and again. It is extremely easy to make and takes about 30 mins to cook.
Make sure you have red lentils on hand all the other ingredients are staples. You can add a TBS of chopped fresh ginger and garnish with cilantro.
1 onion, peeled and chopped
2 T olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 cup split red lentils
4 cups water
2 Tbs lemon juice
sea salt and black pepper to taste
Saute onion and garlic in oil til soft. Add lentils and water. Boil until the lentils are soft usually 20-30 minutes. Can blend in blender or use hand blender or leave as is. Add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. You will probably want to double this the next time. Reheats well.
for a printable version of this recipe click here
I'm off now to work and explore more of what the Autumn and my life is calling me to do....learn, connect, create, cook, enjoy the weather, relax and so much more. Please feel free to comment and share in the dialogue with what is stirring with you this season.....I'd love to know.
Be well and at peace,
Lisa
