Happy Wednesday to all of my wonderful readers I can’t believe we are already over halfway through this week! I also can’t believe my spring break is more than half way over 
I have been quite productive during the first half catching up on cleaning, organizing, practicum hours and work. I do plan to spend the second half relaxing a bit more and this weekend Dutch and I are headed to visit my family, I can’t wait! I am also extremely excited about my amazing lunch today and could not wait to get hone from work so I could share it with you!
Creamy Black Bean Soup
vegan + gluten free
Ingredients:
2 Cans black beans drained and rinsed
1 1/2-2 c vegetable stock (make sure its gluten free)
1/4 c prepared salsa (I used TJ’s roasted garlic)
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp salt
1 clove garlic
cilantro
hot sauce (optional)
Directions: Drain and rinse beans, reserve 1/4 c and add the rest to your blender. Add 1 1/2 c stock , cumin, salsa, salt, and garlic, blend until smooth adding more stock if needed. If using a vitamix blend 3-4 minutes or until hot, if using a regular blender transfer mixture to a pot and warm over medium low heat. Stir in reserved beans, garnish with cilantro and drizzle with cashew cream. Serve! Serves 4
Nutrition Info: 233 calories 1 g fat 15 g protein 15 g fiber (without the cashew creme)
Cashew Creme
1/2 c cashews soaked
Directions: add 1/4 c cashews to a blender and cover with water, blend until smooth. Add the remaining cashews with blender running until you reach a thick cream like consistency adding water if needed. Drizzle cashew cream over prepared soup and serve!
This soup is so rich and the addition of cashew cream adds a new dimension of silkiness that makes this dish irresistible. Not to mention this soup is packed with protein and fiber to keep you full for hours!
Dessert was my mid afternoon “cocktail”
Into the juicer went, 2 cucumbers, 2 fuji apples, 1 lemon, 4 carrots, 2 c spinach, 1 c mixed greens, 2 broccoli stalks, 1 piece ginger, and 1 c sprouts. Basically a blend of everything going bad in the fridge!
Surprisingly this juice tasted awesome, so tangy and refreshing! It gave me an immediate boost of energy perfect to power me through my busy afternoon 
So today marks day 7 of my Crazy Sexy Diet cleanse and I have continued to feel better each day. The biggest change I have noticed is in my digestion, I dont have bloating or indigestion after meals, everything moves smoothly. I also don’t have that “crash” after eating, instead I feel energized and comfortable. In the week ahead I want to focus on getting even more greens into my diet and also increase my consumption of salads. Overall this cleanse has been much easier than I ever anticipated I don’t feel like im missing out on anything. I have exercised for 35 minutes each day this week but I have yet to try meditation. Definitely something I need to try during the cleanse so I plan on incorporating that in at some point next week.
This quote from day 6 really stuck with me so I thought I would share it as well as reflect on what it means to me.
Each step is a victory. Each fall is a lesson. Either way, I am improving now.
As I have progressed through the cleanse I have begun to realize every step I am making throughout the process is one towards better health. I will never be perfect, no one is, but each little change I make I have noticed a change in the way I feel and I love that. Will I ever be a complete gluten free vegan? Probably not I do occasionally love whole wheat bread, fish, and cheese, but will I save these food items of special occasions? Absolutely. Life is about balance and I believe that I little bit of cheese on a cracker filled with gluten won’t kill me, but I have realized how much better my body functions without them. In order for me to continue feeling my absolute best I realize how I need to treat my body and I plan to do that. I also plan to continue affirmations as well as daily prayer to keep my life centered on what is really important. Although I don’t believe in harsh detoxes and cleanses I do believe that everyone should do small diets and cleanses such as this one to reset their bodies and refocus on what health truly is.
I’m off to fix some dinner and enjoy the evening have a great night!
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{ 18 comments }
How did you know I love black beans!?
xoxo
Kathleen
Haha I just had a feeling you might
hope you enjoy this soup!
I love black bean soup! I’m excited to try your recipe. Thanks for the inspiring quote
That soup looks fabulous!
Thank you so much for sharing that quote! What a good one!
Loving the cashew cream addition. I’ve never tried to blend cashews. Looks like the perfect touch to add to your black bean soup. Yummy
This sounds realllly good. The cashew cream has me hardly missing anything greek yogurt could do!
Wow, the cashew cream looks awesome! And so clean! I definitely will try that one! And the juice … liquid energy!
I have a can of black beans in the pantry and now I know EXACTLY what I’m going to do with them
Yummy! Black beans are so great and this soup looks fabulous!
that soup looks so good! so simple to make too.. perfect!
Enjoy the rest of your spring break
I’ve recently really started to like black beans, and I’ve been adding them to my veggie/grain bowls, but I haven’t had them in soup yet. It looks so good!
That soup looks so good! I’m totally going to make it soon. I made a creamy carrot chickpea soup tonight which was delicious. I’m posting the recipe tomorrow. I’m happy for you that your cleanse is going so well! Rock on! <3
yum that soup sounds awesome, I love anything creamy!
Mmmmm…I love black beans! This soup looks amazing! That cashew cream sounds heavenly!
I have just started experimenting with cashews trying out some raw food recipes and it is amazing what you can do with them! I am beyond jealous of your juicer, I have been wanting one fora while but I can’t get myself to spend the money. I mean, look at all of those awesome veggies! Your body has to love you after drinking one of those!
Enjoy what’s left of your spring break!! I haven’t gotten a spring break in almost four years now
So I’m slightly jealous 
And that soup looks amazing! I’ve been seeing cashew cream pop up everywhere and kind of am inclined to try it myself.
What a lovely soup and great pictures to go along with it. I love how you used the cashew cream to go on top. I read a great book on meditation, it’s called “The 8-Minute Meditation.” It makes the process very easy and approachable. Have a great trip!
that sounds approachable which is exactly what I need, Ill look into that, thanks!
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