2012 feels good. I feel in less control, I feel calmer, and I feel present. I feel like finally listening to myself. When my body is tired, I'll rest. Giving myself and others permission to do as they please, instead of always wishing someone would be kinder or eat healthier. Being more open and accepting. Yes, open and flowing. Just letting things go and letting things happen. So today, I felt like making soup. I don't usually have this overwhelming need to cook after working all day, but today I really wanted to make soup. I remembered a broccoli soup recipe from Soulemama and i had broccoli in the fridge so broccoli soup it is. Lance played with the boys outside while I cut up the veggies and made a quick batch of beer bread. It was very satisfying to see all those veggies combined and prepared to provide nourishment. What is great about this meal is that it takes the same amount of time for the bread to bake and the soup to cook. I cleaned up the kitchen and checked my emails while everything cooked.

Broccoli Soup:
2 crowns broccoli, cut into chunks
2 leeks, sliced
red onion, cut into chunks
4 medium red potatoes, cut into chunks
water
salt and pepper
heavy cream or sour cream (optional)
Put all veggies in a large soup pot. Add water until veggies are just covered. Add a few teaspoons of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 45 minutes until broccoli and potatoes are soft. Use hand blender to puree soup directly in soup pot. If you want to add cream, we add about a TBS. to each bowl, but it is not necessary. Soup is thinner than you expect, but delicious.

Beer Bread
3 cups self-rising flour
3 TBS. sugar
1 can of warm beer (I microwave the cheap stuff)
Preheat oven to 375. Mix ingredients with a spoon and put into a well greased, (I use butter), ceramic bread bowl. Bake for 45 minutes.