Spicy Minestrone and a New Year Revolution

How is that juice cleanse going? Have you made it through day 15 of your Whole 30 challenge? Are you still convinced Paleo is the way to go in 2017? A diet hasn’t been on my New Year’s resolution list for a long time. I usually stick to audacious goals like last year’s where I vowed to enjoy my Sundays more (which I’m happy to report I stuck with the entire year). But over the Holidays I ate enough food to sustain me for a month on “Naked &  Afraid” and drank so much wine I’m only now starting to stop oozing alcohol from my pores. Let’s just say I have some catching up, or rather, taking off to do.

But my holiday overindulgence isn’t the only reason for me to make sure I eat my veggies.

Health is the new wealth!

I’m turning forty this year and determined to be the best version of myself, inside and out. With age comes wisdom and I’m finally realizing there’s mean girl that’s taken residence in me and she’s been feeding on my confidence for far too long. She pounces on me like a school yard bully and says things like “you can’t do that, you’re not smart enough and you didn’t go to school for it.” “Bahahaha! you started a food blog, what do you know about cooking and baking?” “You should really be farther along in your career, especially considering you don’t have kids.”

Isn’t she awful? I hate her. I should name her so every time she pops up on my shoulder I can tell her to GO AWAY! How about I call her “Veronica”? I’m open to suggestions.

Drastic times call for drastic measures and I’ve finally given Veronica the middle finger and delivered her eviction notice. This year I’m calling for a revolution rather than a resolution. This year I will be myself, give it my all, and stop comparing my beginning to other people’s middle.

Will Spicy Minestrone make me a better person? Probably not, but when I eat well I feel better and I have more confidence and energy. If a warm bowl of tender vegetables with a fiery kick is the price I pay to feel better, I’ll happily invest.

TIP: Save your Parmesan cheese rinds and add them to your simmering soup for extra flavor depth.

Who’s with me?!?! What are your resolutions or revolutions for 2017? Regardless of what you plan, may the New Year bring you much happiness and good health too.

Here’s a great soup to get you started. It’s loaded with nutrients and fiber from all of the veggies. It’s a low calorie and tasty way to curb your hunger as you tackle your new year resolutions. The hot sauce will give your metabolism a boost too. Enjoy!

Spicy Minestrone

Mise en Place

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 3 celery, chopped
• 1/2 of a red onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 4 Tablespoons hot sauce (try Crystal, it’s so delicious)
• 6 cups chicken, turkey or veggie broth or stock
• 3 stalks of kale, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 can of cannellini beans, rinsed
• 1/2 of a lemon
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon Thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
• Parmesan cheese rind (optional)

Directions

1. Over medium heat, warm the olive oil until you see it shimmer (1 -2 minutes)
2. Add the carrots, onion, celery, salt, pepper and saute for about 5 minutes
3. Add the garlic, thyme, oregano and cook another minute
4. Add the hot sauce, broth/stock, tomatoes, bay leaves, and cheese rind
5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes
6. Add the kale and zucchini and simmer another 10 minutes
7. Add the cannellini beans, lemon and taste for seasoning, adding salt as necessary
8. Discard the bay leaves and cheese rind and enjoy!