Eight Things
One. When did I get so annoyingly healthy? Let me just tell you… eating wholesome Vegan Carrot Ginger Coconut Soup makes Nachos with jalapenos, sour cream, and extra guacamole taste AWESOME! I know this to be true.
Two. Does this shadow make me look fat? Don’t answer that…. unless you want to say that I look skinny. Then you can totally answer it. This is me and my best friend Rachel. Rachel just moved to Missouri. I didn’t cry when she drove away with her car packed to the gills with her belongings…. except I totally did, I just didn’t want her to see me.
Three. It’s hard when people go and you’re left to stay. It makes me want Nachos with jalapenos, sour cream, and extra guacamole.
Four. I spend more time than I would ever want to at the laundromat… that’s because I love clean sheets, and I don’t own 7 sets of clean sheets. There are a lot of lines at the laundromat. Lines of tables. Lines of tiles. Lines of baskets. Lines of Venice beach weirdos. There is time at the laundromat to sit without computers. There is time at the laundromat to stare at the swirling dryer… it’s like yoga, but not yoga.
Five. Why is it so hard to mature, and learn, and grow when it’s so easy to flub, slip and regress? The growth, the maturation, the learning…. man oh man that takes courage. The flubbing, the stumbling, the regression…. blerg… recognizing that takes courage too.
All of these things I told you about Turning TwentyOne… trust me when I tell you that I only know these things from thoroughly and frequently falling on my face.
Six. There is a certain amount of kindness that you must grant yourself to keep learning and growing… and slipping and flopping.
Kindness and green things. Give this to yourself.
Seven. There’s a lot I can learn from this animal: eat everyone’s food and always assume that everyone wants to play with you.
Eight. When in doubt… because we’re all in doubt sometimes… think of yourself as the underdog, play the Olympic theme song in your head, and root for yourself like crazy. That’s what I’m doing. It’s working. Know why? Because underdogs always win, even when they dont.
….and it’s totally ok if you’re looking at me like I’m crazy right now.
Vegan Carrot Ginger Coconut Soup
This soup is the picture of health. Sweet carrots are cooked down and mixed with spicy ginger and creamy coconut. It’s vegan. It’s healthy. Your insides will totally throw a parade in your honor. I like to serve this soup with crusty bread… I like to serve everything with crusty bread.
serves 4 to 6
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 tablespoons minced ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
4-5 cups diced carrots
3 cups vegetable broth
1 cup light coconut milk
salt and pepper to taste
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and saute until onions are translucent, about 4 minutes. Add ginger and saute for another 4 minutes, until softened and fragrant. Add coriander and diced carrots. Stir to incorporate. Add the vegetable broth, reduce heat, and simmer mixture until carrots are completely softened, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 20 minutes.
Using a blender, blend soup in batches until smooth. (You can also use an emulsion blender in the pot and never have to move the soup… if you’re into that sort of convenience.) Return soup to pot, stir in coconut milk. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve soup warm with crusty vegan bread.
Kale Chips
These are not potato chips. Don’t let anyone tell you that they taste as good as potato chips. They don’t. Potato chips are uuuuhhhh-mazing. These chips are also delicious. Believe it or not, kale bakes up into a crisp paper, chip-like consistency. The flavor is light, but green… and you can add just about any seasoning you’d like. Old Bay Seasoning? A total dream come true. Try them. The crunch is addicting. Oh! I like using dinosaur kale (the flatter kale variety) because they leaves are more easily removed from the stalk. Try any kale you can get your hands on!
1 pound bunch of dinosaur kale
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
any seasoning you’d like: Old Bay Seasoning, Grill Seasoning, smoky paprika, chili flakes, sea salt and coarse black pepper.
Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Thoroughly clean and dry kale leaves. Remove the fiberous center stalk from the kale by tearing the leaves away from the stalk. The center stalk will bake up very tough, that’s why we remove it.
Place kale leaves on one or two baking sheets. Leaves should be in a single layer for the most part. Sprinkle with olive oil and seasoning. Toss with your hands. Add more seasoning if you’d like.
Place pan(s) in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove sheet(s) and toss leaves with tongs. Return to the oven to bake for another 15 minutes. after 30 minutes of baking, turn the oven off and allow the leaves to dry in the cooling oven for another 30 to 45 minutes. They’ll be crisp and ready to snack on in no time!
Store kale chips in an airtight bag. They’ll last anywhere from several minutes (because they’re an irresistible snack) to several days (because your husband doesn’t like kale).
Monica
The soup sounds amazing…I can’t wait to make it once the weather cools down a bit! And, those kale chips look so tasty!!!!
Nat
NOM. xxx
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
haha my cat is currently sitting on my desk rubbing her face all over my computer and trying to sit on my keyboard. I want her to go away, but she’s just so darn cute!! I need some soup.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Kale chips may be healthy but they are also delicious, great comfort food meal!
Becca
There totally are lots of lines at the laundromat.
Jessica Ann
What the heck is Old Bay seasoning? Also, I like how you made the soup to match your cat. Also, I am sorry your friend is gone. My sister is going to America for 6 months and I am going to cry and cry. (Yours lives in Seattle so you probably get me)
Jess
xx
Cristina
I’m all for these kale chips. They need to become my new obsession and quick!
Kathryn
I am totally on board with healthy recipes at the moment and these both look awesome.
PS I’m rooting for you too.
Scott at Real Epicurean
Delicious looking soup…like everything you make!
Cayla
Oh that look soooo GOOD! Its just what I’m feeling like. I’ve been having rough week and need something just like this. Just a quick question, Is there any alternative for Kale? I live in Fiji and there isn’t a whole foods store here – or anything close. :( and I’m totes needing this meal.
Oh and hi5 for being the underdog! They do always win. Annddd they never die either. ;)
Frances @ The Foodess Files
Lovely! I was just trying to think of how to correct the damage done by the plum almond tarts and raspberry crostatas that the summer demanded. DEMANDED, I tell you. This is wonderful way. :)
Liz
I totally know what you mean about the under-dog always winning. They always do even if they come last. And no I didn’t look at you weird when you said that! :D (and we always cheer hardest for the under-dog in Australia)
Rebecca A E
Pps i want to smell his face.
leaf (the indolent cook)
I can totally get on the health food bandwagon with carrot soup and kale chips. Love both! And I would also very much like a gorgeous cat to keep me company. x
Rebecca A E
Yummy vegan! Yes Joy….yes. First comment?! I’m totally immature and proud to take first comment place. Ps i love your cat