Detoxing from the Toxic!

"Stay away from toxic people, they have a problem for every solution"

Is it the end of January already ???

 I haven't blogged in almost 4 months hidden away in my hidey hole trying to make sense of some of the nonsense happening in my life. Health has never been an afterthought for me - so eating right and exercising is something I have been very consistent about...but what does one do about one's stress level...

Yet some wisdom did arise from some of my experiences:

1. Speak Up - don't bottle up the experience, if things don't seem right, they aren't right
2. Ally Up - Get out of victim mentality, you have a support network - leverage it
3. Wisen Up - Figure out if there is really a solution, if not move away - get away from that situation
4. (Don't) Give Up - Absolutely do what is right for the situation, don't give up ever! My father always told me that the hardest thing to do is - that thing that is right! But if you don't do it your conscience will never let you live it down.

And most importantly remember "Strong people know how to forgive, but smart people never forget"

As I was unravelling myself from toxic people and situations, I was also mindfully getting my body to that place of equilibrium that it is used to. I made a super-simple Mushroom, Lentils and Barley Soup (two times in a row) which really hit the spot this week. 

Barley is a super grain which helps with weight loss, reducing blood sugar and blood pressure, improves lipid profile (not recommended for someone with Celiac Disease) - the word I used to describe it to a non-believer it's like a brush on your internal organs, cleaning you inside out...

Lentils - you don't want me writing sonnets but honestly what's not to like with high protein and high fiber

Mushrooms - another ingredient that a lot of people love to hate... they have riboflavins for heart health,  lots of antioxidants (selenium, folate, beta-glucans...). I love mushrooms...the earthy flavor and the texture.

The soup I made was a very very simple one that lasted many a meals for our 3-Person Family. I store my soups in mason jars and then heat and serve with 1-2 toasted whole grain slices of bread (which one you ask : Dave's Killer Bread). Without further ado let's get to the recipe ( I have added links to the ingredients that are not easily available)

Detox Barley, Mushroom and Lentils Soup

What's in it?

• Chopped vegetables - 4 big stalks of  Celery (organic),  5 big carrots, 1 Box of white Organic Mushrooms (12 Oz), 1 medium onion, Grated Ginger (small knob), Half a bunch of fresh parsley
• 2 Containers Bone Broth  - 8 oz (I use vegetable broth on the days that we are keeping it meatless
• Water - 2 Quarts 
• Bragg's Liquid Amino
• Bragg's Sea Kelp Seasoning
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 1 cup of barley (soaked with the lentils in hot water for 1 hour)
• 1 cup of mixed lentils  ( I swear by these lentils - very delicious and you can get a bigger bag in your neighboring indian store for a lot less!)

How I made it?

• Turn on Saute Mode on your instant pot
• Add 1 tsp Olive oil ( oil of your choice)
• Saute the grated ginger and onions
• Add the Chopped vegetables, sprinkle with Bragg's Liquid Amino ( I put about 3 tablespoons) and the Sea Kelp seasoning ( 2 teaspoons)
• Add the lentils and barley ( that you pre-soaked in hot water for an hour)
• Add the bone broth and water
• High Pressure Manual on 10 minutes (no release)
• Stir...add Salt & Pepper to taste
•  ENJOY!

Servings

This is about 12 servings. 

This soup  has < 200 calories and > 8 grams of Fiber and 10 grams of Protein.   True is the saying  "Soup is Cozy"