Summer Minestrone

I've decided to start posting my favorite vegan recipes for my sisters and friends who want to start eating less meat and more plants. Lots of people tell me they want to start eating more meatless meals but have no idea what to make. I'm hoping these posts will help make it easier, and I'm happy to share my enthusiasm for plant-based, animal-free cuisine!

I'm so in love with the vegan lifestyle and how good it makes me feel, physically and emotionally. I've never felt better, even being 9 months pregnant! I've read and researched enough to feel confident that a diet based on plant foods alone is not only adequate, but much healthier, in so many ways. If you're interested in reading up on all of the benefits of a vegan diet, I would recommend these great books: The China Study, Eating Animals, The Kind Diet, and In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto.

I made this minestrone soup tonight because I'd been craving it all week. Not sure anyone else feels like soup in the middle of summer but I love it any time of year! And I thought it would be a good way to use our garden vegetables. I modified this from a recipe I found online. It's really simple, easy, and so tasty!

4 cups vegetable broth
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
2 potatoes
2 carrots
1 zucchini
corn (fresh or frozen)
whole wheat pasta (any) -just a little, abt 1/2 cup
collard greens (I prefer to cabbage b/c they are packed with more nutrients, but use cabbage if you want)
can of kidney beans
2 T Italian seasoning
salt & pepper (to taste)

Chop veggies and put all ingredients together in a big pot. Simmer 15-30 until veggies are soft. That's it! I didn't have celery or I would have put that in. Oh, and you should add the collard greens last, about 8 min. or so before you eat it, so they don't overcook. but no biggie if they do. I simmered over too much heat and lost liquid, so I had to add water. So simmer gently, or just add water if you need to.

For dessert we had this zucchini bread with chocolate chips, so delicious:hellyeahitsvegan.com