Orzo Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped into rounds
• 1-15oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1-16oz can cannelini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1-14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup orzo pasta, cooked
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garnish: fresh Italian parsley

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot and sauté the onion, garlic, celery and carrots until tender, about 10 minutes.
2. Add the zucchini and continue to sauté for 5 more minutes.
3. Add the beans, fresh basil, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, vegetable broth and diced tomatoes. Partially cover the pot and simmer the soup for 10 minutes.
4. While the soup is simmering cook the orzo pasta according to the package and set aside when done.
5. When you are done simmering the soup turn the heat down to low and stir in the spinach and parmesan cheese. Allow the spinach to wilt and the cheese to melt. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. In soup bowls serve a scoop of orzo pasta and pour the soup over the orzo. Garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

Forget calories, focus on food quality, and let your body do the rest.

1st replace processed carbs with whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, and modest amounts of whole-kernel grains.

2nd eat an adequate amount of protein, which can include plant sources.

3rd enjoy plenty of delicious high-fat foods—nuts, nut butters, olive oil, and even full-fat dairy, rich sauces and spreads—because fat is filling and has minimal effect on insulin.

 When you eat this way, blood sugar, hormones, and insulin change more gradually after the meal. Fat cells calm down and store less. Hunger decreases. Metabolism speeds up.

Making 2017 Your Most Successful Year

 

I can.

These two words contain infinite strength. We often start sentences with "I’ll try," or "I wish I could," or even "I can’t." I believe the words "I can" precede whatever will actually happen for you.
The phrase “I can,” much like the phrases "I will" and "I am,” can have a transformative influence over your confidence. See what happens if you rephrase "I can’t read maps" to "I can always get where I need to go."

Write down one goal for each area of your life.
                        

Write down one goal for each area in the coming year. Pick something for your personal, professional, romantic, physical, spiritual, and financial lives. They can be simple. Maybe it’s building a profile for yourself or reading a book. If a big idea doesn’t jump out, pick something small and concrete.

Pick one word to help guide you in 2017.

Don’t get bogged down trying to come up with the perfect word. Think of one quality you’re looking to cultivate. Some ideas include: discipline, compassion, patience, drive, joy, and bravery.