Single Man's Soup - A Stupid Simple Recipe

On yet another cold and rainy night in what is supposed to be sunny Los Angeles, I received a call from my BFF, celebrity hair stylist, Billy Lowe with a simple request. "Meg! I want soup tonight! Can you come over and make it here?"

Knowing my dear bachelor friend, I began to ask questions pertaining to cookware and basic food supplies to see just what I had to work with. There were no knives, no chopping board, no salt, no pepper, and no olive oil BUT, he did have a stock pot, an a couple of wooden spoons.

My love for a challenge in the kitchen was ignighted by this request. My passion for teaching the kitchen clueless also perked right up. I then set off to a nearby Trader Joes to pick up the ingredients.

Here's the recipe:

Single Man's Soup

1 bag chopped vegetables (we used Asian Stir Fry Vegetables)
1 bag chopped onion
1 box Just Chicken (cooked and ready to eat)
1 box Chicken Broth (organic, free range)
2 tablespoons Earth Balance Buttery Spread (or Olive Oil)
Salt and Pepper to taste

First we sauteed the onion in Earth Balance butter substitute. Next we added the whole bag of veggies followed by the entire box of broth. We then added salt and pepper until it tasted great. We brought that to a boil then turned it down to low to simmer for a few minutes. We both like our veggies to be a little bit crunchy so we didn't cook them for long. For the last few minutes, we added the entire box of Just Chicken. You want to add the chicken last so that it just gets heated and not over cooked as it will become tough. Next thing we knew, it was ready to eat.

With no soup ladle, Billy improvised, using a mug to scoop his soup out. He had one bowl that he insisted I use while he used a glass, two cup, measuring cup. We then sat down at his table (yes, he does have a table) and began to devour this hot, delicious, simple treat. And it was tasty. Billy gushed about it's goodness - from it's health value to it's flavor - all throughout the meal. He loved it so much, he had a second helping - also known as four cups of soup!

When asked if he would make this soup again on his own, Billy offerd an emphatic "Yes!" But, we both agreed it's a lot more fun to make it together.

You can find all of these ingredients in most super markets. At Trader Joes, the soup cost about $15.00 (including salt and pepper grinders).

For a Trader Joe's near you, click here.

Food 411 - Goji Berries (Chinese Wolfberry)

This is one delicious berry that has received lots of attention in the natural health communites over the past few years. The goji berry, also known as The Chinese Wolfberry, is a small red berry that, when dreid, tastes slightly sweet, is a little bit chewey but always satisfyingly yummy.

Goji berries have a number of health benefits with a high antioxidant content.`They are also high in iron, selenium, vitamin B2 and vitamin C. Goji berries have been shown to have anti cancer properties, anti inflammatory, cardiovascular and benefits for serious diseases associated with the eyes.

A word to the wise:

Goji Berries are often treated with organochlorine pesticides (linked with cancer) where they are grown in China. Those grown in Tibet claim to be organic but there has been some question about that. High amounts of pesticide residue has been found on shipments to the US. The use of poisons are questionable, so thier consumption is up to your discretion. Avoid off brands found in mainstream markets. Markets like Whole Foods are very strict on what they will sell. They are an excellent resource for more information on goji berries.

If you would like to try a delicious tasting goji berry, you can find them at Whole Foods Markets. They are excellent as a stand alone snack, in oatmeal, on salads or with vegetables. For the best Goji Berries - organic and consciously grown - you can order them online by clicking here.

Food 411 - Brussels Sprouts

These tiny little cabbages stirred my gag reflex like no other food when I was a child. I waited until I was over 40 to try them again - fresh, that is. One bite and I was hooked. They are amazing fresh and bitter frozen so only eat the fresh ones.

Brussels sprouts are in the same family as the best leafy greens on the planet - kale, collard greens, kolrabi and broccoli. They are rich in vitamins A, C and folic acid and have been linked with the prevention of colon cancer. They contain a powerful anti-cancer compound called sulforaphane that stir frying and steaming don't seem to diminish, however, boiling does.

A word to the wise:

Brussels sprouts contain small amounts of the compound goitrin which can interfere with thyroid function. Not to worry, though, you would need to eat a massive amount for this to occur. Their health benefits far outweigh any risks.

For recipes, click here

Food 411 - What's a Nitrite?

Sodium nitrite is a preservative found in cured meats. It is used to preserve the color and to prevent bacteria from forming in the meats. Its use allows for a longer shelf life for these meats.

Nitrites in their pure form can kill a human being with just a few grams. Sodium (salt) is added to the nitrite to lessen the toxicity of the chemical. The use of sodium nitrites have been linked to both colon cancer and COPD, a serious, degenerative lung disease.

A word to the wise:

Nitrites are not necessary to preserve meats. They are used largely for economic reasons for manufacturers that want to keep them on the shelves longer and prevent liability if the meats are not properly monitored by stores and restaurants. It has become easier to find sandwich meats that do not use sodium nitrites. Trader Joe's, Whole Foods Market and many health food stores will sell these meats in abundance.

For a Trader Joe's near you, click here.

Nana's Gluten Free Cookie Review

I was at Rainbow Acres in Marina Del Rey with a dear friend today. She suggested I try Nana's Gluten Free Cookies. Her cookies are also fruit sweetened, egg and dairy free. Being a chocolate fiend, I chose the "Chocolate Crunch Cookie". Here is what I thought.

I like the big, individually wrapped cookie concept with the bright yellow and purple wrapper. The "O" in "NO" has a line through it with a drawing of a shaft of wheat. I thought, "clever". When I bit into the soft cookie, I immediately noticed the grainy texture of the flour. That's a big deal to me after nearly two decades of trying gluten free baked goods. It doesn't have to be grainy.

The flavor was nice. I really liked the crunch of the chocolaty rice and the richer flavor contained in that puffy rice crunch. It was like they added cocoa puffs to the recipe - without the nasty sugar content.

Over all, I enjoyed this cookie. It was satisfying and great to eat after a simple lunch of tuna salad and a veggie juice. I liked that I only had to buy one big cookie. It's nice not to have to commit to an entire box of them (for a number of reasons.)

As always, I recommend limited sweets, even ones that are fruit sweetened and especially gluten free ones with the high sugar content of rice flour, tapioca and potato starches. I would never say never to sugar unless you know it will do serious damage to you. Once in a while, go for it. Enjoy a delicious treat and as for Nana's, I recommend it as a healthier alternative to a lot of the products out there that are aiming mainly for taste and not nutrition. This brand cares. That's my impression.

For more information on Nana's, click here

Food 411 - Olive Oil

First cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has incredible healing properties for the body. It can prevent the formation of and even purge gall stones from the gallbladder. It has a balance of essential fatty acids that bring brilliant health to the skin, hair, stomach and intestines. Consuming 2 tablespoons of raw EVOO a week can help in the prevention of colon cancer. Don’t shy away from the fat content when you read it on the label. These are good fats that the body needs for health. The body processes these essential fatty acids to your benefit.

A word to the wise:

Be careful which type of olive oil you buy. Pay a little extra for first cold pressed EVOO. It is the best with the least amount of processing. Light olive oil does not mean less calories and therefore it is better, it means that the olives have been pressed and pressed then pressed again until there’s very little flavor and not nearly as much nutrition left.

If you want to learn about how olive oil can help you cleanse gallstones, e-mail Dr. Meg at meg@deliciousandhealthy.com .

For a copy of Dr. Meg's cookook and guide for going gluten and dairy free, check this link out: www.lulu.com/deliciousandhealthy

Food 411 - Basil

Just one whiff of this miraculous plant can send your senses into overdrive. Basil has antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties all contained in their delicious leaves. When used fresh and raw in salads and pesto, basil can help you get better faster from a cold or infection. Basil oil has proven useful in the treatment of acne and other skin conditions. It has also been linked with help in healing asthma and arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

A word to the wise:

Dried basil does not carry the medicinal weight that fresh basil leaves do. There are many varieties of basil. They are varied in their makeup but they all contain similar properties. Try Genovese basil for delicious pesto or lemon basil in salads.

For a fantastic basil pesto recipe, see the cookbook and guide "Done With Dairy. Giving Up Gluten" at www.lulu.com/deliciousandhealthy