Its like free meals.

Ok, so to continue on our healthy adventure with veggies with soup.....practically FREE soup! :)
This may sound a bit disturbing at first for those of you who don't let the food on your plate touch each other, but I promise it taste fabulous in the end!

Every serve a veggie stir fry and have just one spoonful left at the end of the meal that no one can eat? What about that last spoonful of corn, green beans? What about the fresh veggie tray from last weekend's get together that no one wants anymore, but it starting to spoil? Well here is the cost effective, healthy and yummy answer!

Dump ALL these scraps in a plastic container measuring four cups. Keep it going in your freezer until it is full. When full, get it out and dump in a stock pot or your crock pot and add:
2 chopped onions, chopped and sauteed in olive oil
4 cups of broth (we like chicken - no MSGs added though!)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp FRESH rosemary
28 oz (3-4 cups) tomatoes in juice
Bring to a boil and turn down heat, or let simmer all day in crockpot. YUM!

Here are some tips:
*If using fresh oregano or thyme use 3 tsp. Many times I will pass the fresh herb section in the grocery just to see if any are on clearance because of purchase by date. I shop them up when I get home and put in freezer to use in soups like this. I really like the taste of fresh herbs.
*Use those chopped up broccoli steams we talked about last week!
*Sometimes I have dumped in left over rice into my veggie frozen tub.
*Making Kale Chips? Don't throw the steams out - chop them up and throw them in your veggie frozen tub!
*Don't pitch ANY left over veggies!!!!!
*Concerning the tomatoes in juice - try to buy in jars, not cans....I have read in several places the can mixed with the acid in tomatoes can create toxic chemicals. Best yet.....use some of those frozen tomatoes from the past summer's farmer market or from the plant you had in your back yard!
*Chicken broth - again, making your own is free and easy. I will post it another day, but for you busy moms just get the boxed broth with no MSGs added....good as gold.
*If you don't have the herbs/spices to make this, no fear...just go ahead and make with only the tomatoes in juice and broth. With all the "flavors" mixed together from the leftovers it will still taste scrumptious.

My mom use to make this ALL the time growing up as kids. Mainly for cost effectiveness. But now I see that not only is it saving money, it is really vital to have these good nutrients in our bodies as much as we can. Plus KIDS LOVE IT.....throw in a couple whole grain Ritz crackers, of course. :)
Enjoy!