I'm making soup today. I love soup. It's the easiest thing to make that can fill you up and keep you going without having to do a lot. You can put almost anything in a pot, give it some time (and maybe thyme) and it's something delicious in a few hours.
One of the other reasons I really like soup is I don't have to fuss and it keeps me full. I read somewhere that a study was done on people that ate soup and how it contributes to weight loss. I figure it was probably commissioned by a soup manufacturer. But, what came out of it was...eating soup fills you up and helps prevent overeating. I believe this. When I eat soup I either don't want anything else, or don't want a lot of anything else.
Soup also brings people together. I used to run a cafe. We made fresh soup everyday. It became a regular habit for people to start calling up early in the morning to see when the soup would be ready because we sold out everyday. People would come visit my kitchen on the premise of coming to see me, but I secretly thought it was so that they could get first crack at the soup! I loved it!
One of my favorite stories to read to my sister was a book called "Stone Soup". I've also heard it called "Button Soup". It is the story of two strangers that come to a new town. The townspeople are all hiding in their homes trying to stay away from the strangers. This town is full of people struggling to keep their heads above water, keeping what they have to themselves, living with the idea of the scarcity of life.
So, the strangers build a fire, right in the middle of town. They put on a pot to boil and drop in a stone. Now, everyone in town sees this and is very curious. Finally one brave soul comes out and asks what they're making. "Stone Soup" one replies. The townsperson laughs because that just sounds ridiculous. How can you make soup with a stone? The stranger proceeds to stir saying, "Yep, this is going to be good. Of course, it would be better if we just had some carrots and onions." Now, the townsperson, no longer fearful of the strangers, offers them a couple of carrots and onions. The story continues with each curious townsperson coming out to investigate and eventually offering a small something to add to the pot. Laughter and sharing ensues, bringing the townspeople together, sharing with one another and eating a delicious pot of ~ Stone Soup.
People talk about their grandmother's/mother's chicken soup. There is even a whole book series about it being "soul food". Soup is like a miracle in a pot. The soup I'm making today is vegan ~ so no chicken here. However, it's permeating the house with a wonderful smell. It just smells like a giant hug. If I weren't so far away from my friends, I would probably have at least 6 - 8 people at my house tonight for dinner. And the meat-eaters among them wouldn't even notice that it was vegan. The laughter and joy fills you up right along with the soup, and nothing seems to be missing.
I encourage you to put on a pot of soup. With just a few ingredients, nothing fancy needed and some time, you'll have a pot full of joy to share with your friends and family.
Let's eat!
Yours in joy, Robyn
No comments:
Post a Comment