So here we are in February already!  How are your new year's resolutions coming?  Did you hope to eat healthier this year?  I'll let you in on a secret:  one of the easiest ways to eat healthy is to eat a lot of soup!  And soup is a snap to make yourself.  It's satisfying to create and eat a luscious pot of soup. 

Here's the easiest set of directions (not a recipe, really, because it's much looser!)  Start with a pot that you've put a couple of glugs (you know, when you turn the bottle over...glug...glug) of olive oil in and get it warming on medium.  Chop an onion and throw it in.  Stir it around a bit as you chop other stuff:  celery, bok choy, carrots, cabbage, kale, mushrooms, whatever you have around!  Throw them all in and keep stirring now and then.  Then throw in some salt, pepper, thyme, other seasonings if you have them like turmeric, garlic powder, chili powder... experiment!  Maybe just keep the seasonings to about 2-3 not counting salt and pepper.  And just so you know, salt and pepper with only 1 other seasoning is really great too.

               Doesn't this look delicious? 

Then add a can, carton, or your own fresh made (idea for another message!) chicken stock.  Add water to fill the pot.  Cover and simmer for awhile until the veggies are soft.  Oh, and add some meat if you want.  Bison is lovely and good for you too.  Check out North Star Bison (www.northstarbison.com) for some lovely Wisconsinites who grow excellent bison!  Then sit down with some good bread, real organic butter, and a big bowl of your delicious, warm, and satisfying soup!  You'll be thanking me for making it so easy to keep your new year's resolutions!

Here is a picture of our latest bunch of graduates.  They had a happy graduation in January!  Congratulations to all of you!