Watermelon Gazpacho

Love this soup for those hot Summer Days. 

Ingredients

• 5 cups chopped watermelon

• ½ cup pomegranate seeds (optional)

• 1 cup peeled, diced and seeded cucumber (important to peel the cucumber or the gazpacho will be brown)

• 1 cup diced celery

• ¾ cup diced red bell pepper

• ¼ cup diced purple onion

• ¾ cup fresh mint

• ¼ cup fresh parsley

• Juice of 1 lime or small lemon

• 1-1/2 tbsp sherry or other wine vinegar

• 1 tbsp minced jalapeno chile ( optional)

Instructions

Chop all the ingredients into chunky pieces and place in a powerful blender. Blend until you reach a consistency you like.

Chill well and serve. I like to make extra and store in a covered glass jar in the fridge.

Red Lentil Soup ( Lisa's Family Favorite)

Ingredients

1.5 tbsp Olive oil

1 yellow onion diced

2 lg carrots peeled and cut into bite size pieces

4 celery stalks chopped

1 lg zucchini chopped

2 cups of red lentils soaked for 10 minutes and rinsed well

1 lg handful of baby spinach

2 bay leaves

7 cups of vegetable or chicken broth

1 lemon to squeeze

1 tbsp of Better than Bouillon

1/4 tsp salt (The bouillon adds salt so taste before adding)

Instructions:

Heat olive oil in medium stock pot and add onions, carrots, celery, and zucchini. Sauté and soften for a few minutes. Add in lentils, bay leaves, broth, and boullion. Stir and bring to a boil. Turn down heat to a simmer and cook for 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally until veggies and lentils have soften. May add more broth or water if needed.

Remove Bay leaves. Serve and add a bit of lemon, nutritional yeast, avocado, or parmesan cheese if desired. Great the next day or place in a container to freeze for when you need a quick healthy meal or snack.

Lentils are a great source of protein, pre-biotic fiber, folate and potassium. They are low in fat, rich in minerals and a great addition to help lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar, and increase energy. A must on your recipe rotation!

Chilled Cucumber Soup

A quick, healthy, and hydrating raw chilled soup that s wonderful for those hot Summer days.

Ingredients

• 2 chopped and peeled cucumber

• 1 avocado

• 1-2 tsp of green onion

• 2 Tbsp of fresh mint

• Juice of two limes/ lemons

• 2 tsp of red wine vinegar

• 1 clove chopped garlic

• 4-6 tbsp of cold water

• 1 tsp of ground cumin (optional)

• Salt

• Sprinkle of chili powder (optional)

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and puree.

2. Serve in a chilled bowl or place in refrigerator covered until ready to eat.

3. Enjoy