Thursday, December 22, 2011

CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE SOUP

Hi everyone,

It's been a long time since my last post. I'm so sorry.  I've been really busy.  I'm doing really well on my weight loss/healthy living journey.  As of last Tuesday, I had lost just over 48 pounds. About two weeks ago, I started the GAPS diet.  You can click here to learn more information.  It's a really super healthy program that is not just for people with mood disorders...but also for people like ME, who have auto-immune conditions. In my case, I have ulcerative proctitis, a minor form of colitis. Anyways, here are the materials that I work with...I'll blog more about them later.  My main reason for posting today is tell you my easy recipe for chicken vegetable soup.

THESE ARE THE MATERIALS THAT I WORK WITH. MY NATUROPATH IS A CERTIFIED GAPS PRACTIONER, AS WELl. I HAVE A WORKBOOK WHERE I RECORD EVERYTHING I EAT AND DRINK, THERE'S A BOOK, A WONDERFUL COOKBOOK AND A DVD WHICH DEMONSTRATES HOW TO MAKE THE VARIOUS RECIPES.

Now I have a super easy recipe for chicken and vegetable soup.  I will be posting about this again, because I forgot to take a lot of pictures when I made this soup.

First, I place a whole, organic chicken in a slow-cooker and add about 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of Celtic salt.  My slow cooker is really small, so I can only make one chicken at a time. Also, if it comes with giblets, make sure to include those in the slow-cooker. It really enhances the flavor.

Set the slow-cooker on low for 7 to 8 hours.

Once your chicken is done  cooking, pull apart all the meat from the chicken and place in a big stock pot.  Optional is to include the giblets such as liver and gizzards...chopped up really fine, they're good for you...extremely good for you, and you won't taste it in the soup.

Once you've pulled apart all of the meat, you strain the broth into that same stock pot using a fine mesh strainer.  This lets you keep all those yummy chicken juices and healthy fats without adding all the gross bits like tissue and bones :) :)

Okay...so when my chicken is about 30 minutes from being finished in the slow cooker, I add chopped broccoli, purple onions and rainbow carrots to my steamer. You can add whatever veggies you like. I like a lot of color ;) :)

When that's done, add those steamed veggies to the stockpot with the chicken broth and meat.  Put that on the burner on medium heat and  heat it through to your liking.. :) :) 

This is what my soup looked like last night.
THIS SOUP TASTES AWESOME AND IS TOTALLY GOOD FOR YOU.  I USED ALL-ORGANIC INGREDIENTS. YOU CAN USE WHAT YOU LIKE.

I also added three little "fingers" of fresh, organic and chopped garlic. So good and the house smells awesome :) :)

Well, that is my simple recipe for chicken and vegetable soup. I eat this quite a bit as part of my diet. It's healthy and the fats and veggies are good for the gut, they help add healthy bacteria to the gut.

That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs, Heather :) :)

p.s. I also added a tablespoon of bacon fat to my bowl of soup and one egg yolk....from an organic egg.  It won't work with regular eggs....but that's a story for another time.  I am also making yogurt from fresh, raw cow's milk. That will be ready sometime this afternoon.

27 comments:

Sheila said...

Hi Heather,
Good to see a post from you. Your soup sounds so good. We really like soup at our house but for some reason, I've never made chicken vegetable soup--just beef vegetable. Congrats on the weight loss--I so need to be working on that too. I'm off to check out your GAPS link--I have so many stomach issues--maybe it will help me too. Have a wonderful weekend. Take care.

Sue said...

Congratulations on your weight loss, Heather, and for eating a healthier lifestyle. I like that you are using organic. it truly is the best way to cook.
Your chicken soup looks so delicious. Great job.
Wishing you and your dear family a most blessed and joyous Christmas.
Sue

Patti said...

Looks delicious, and I love that it's chock full of good-for-you foods.

You are doing such a fantastic job on your weight loss/healthy eating. You are definitely an inspiration to the rest of us...proof positive that weight loss CAN be accomplished.

Congratulations!!

Love,
Patti

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Heather congrats on your weight loss! That is fantastic and good for you! Thank you for this yummy recipe too!

Merry Christmas!
Hugs,
Maryjane

Beth said...

I've missed you, Heather. Congratulations on your weight loss. You are doing great!
Merry Christmas and may 2012 bring you every good thing!
Hugs, Beth

LV said...

That is wonderful your are doing so well on your diet. The key is sticking with it and you seem to be doing that. That soup certainly would taste good on these cold days.

Faye Henry said...

Keep up the good work my dear and thanks for the wonderful recipe.. Have a blessed Christmas...

aimee said...

Great job on your weight loss Heather!!
Your soup sounds yummy, especially on this very cold, foggy winter night:)
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Blessings always,
Aimee

Leaon Mary said...

Heather you are doing so fabulous!! WhooHoOoo! Cheering for you girl! Your soup sounds delicious and I really need to give it a try!! Thank you for sharing the recipe. -- I've never heard of rainbow carrots... will have to look for them. Please keep sharing your recipes!!. Congratulations on your weight loss and healthy lifestyle!! You're sweet inspiration!!! Hugs, Lea

gloria said...

Congratulations on your weight loss, Heather. I am so very happy for your weight loss! That is quite an accomplishment. Lifestyle eating is the healthiest and best way to keep weight at normal. You can pray for me in this regard. And the chicken soup sounds delicious. The grandkids love chicken soup, so we will have to try the recipe. IN His great love and joy, Gloria

Hélène Flont , french illustrator said...

☆☆☆☆☆☆Chère Heather, un bien heureux Noël ☆☆☆☆☆☆ Merry Christmas to you and yours ☆☆☆☆☆☆

http://www.atelierflont-rosesandotherseasons.com/images/noel%20blanc/MerryChristmas-RosesandOtherSeasons.swf

Lebenslust was sonst said...

Liebe Heather,ich wünsche dir und deinen Lieben ein schönes Weihnachtsfest.Vielen Dank liebe Heather für deine lieben Kommentare.Alles Liebe von Edith.

tinemor said...

Kos deg masse!!
Klem, Tine
PS! Jeg har nå lagt ut linken til NRK innslaget på bloggen min

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

I love your canister set that you have in the photo.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Heather,
Thank you for your nice visit and comment.
I have a lot of the red-rimmed dishware. I started collecting it when I got married. It's very pretty for the Christmas season especially.

Wishing you and those you love, a Very Happy CHRISTmas!

Hugs,
Sandi

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

You are doing fabulous on your weight loss. And that chicken soup does sound fabulous.
Keep up the good work!
Kim

Cindy Adkins said...

Merry Christmas, Heather!!! I hope you have a wonderful holiday!!! XO Cindy

Cindy Adkins said...

And WOW on the weight loss--that is fantastic!! You must be so proud-and you know that I know how hard it is!!! xo Cin

Brenda ~ The Heminger Farmhouse said...

Hi Heather :) Wow, congratulations on the weight loss!! You go girl!!! Wishing you and yours, a Very Merry Christmas, and a Joyeous, Healthy, and Happiest of New Year ♥

Warmest hugs, Brenda

Sharon said...

Heather!!! Congratulations on your weight loss! That is awesome!

Your soup recipe looks delicious, thanks for sharing.

I pray that you and your Dad have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!

Love,
Sharon

Annesphamily said...

Hope you are having a beautiful Christmas! Wow! You have lost a lot of weight! I hope you are doing well. Send me your address via e mail. I wanted to send a Christmas card to you!
Merry Christmas! Good to see you here! Hugs Anne

Terri said...

Hello Heather, I am so glad to hear you are doing well. Congratulations on your healthier lifestyle! I too am on the GAPS diet. My son and I have been on stage 4 of intro for the last two months. We started GAPS intro in August. We are finding it helping for sure. E-mail me and we can talk broths! Yay!
Hugs,and Merry Christmas!
Terri

tinemor said...

48 pounds?!?
WOW!!
That´s fab!!!
Hug, Tine
Norway

Unknown said...

your recipe sounds awesome..and as you know I have colitis... and need to start eating better.so Im gonna try your recipe.. Im curious.. what are your food triggers? I cant do dairy,mexican, peanut butter,etc,,,
Well you are doing an awesome job on your weight lost.. keep up the good work..

Elyse said...

hi heather,

hugs and congrats on your weight loss! it's not easy, that's for sure. rooting for you!!! your soup looks yummy, too.

wishing you health, happiness + creativity in the new year!

xo
elyse

Camille said...

Yippeee and yahooooo!!! Well done on the weight loss Heather! Yummy...your soup sounds good. I *love* homemade soup with freshly made stock...sooooo good for you!!!

May the LORD richly bless you this coming year.

Many blessings,
Camille

how to grow inside said...

You can pray for me in this regard. And the chicken soup sounds delicious. The grandkids love chicken soup, so we will have to try the recipe. IN His great love and joy, Gloria