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| Robust Tomato Smoothie Soup |
- 1lb brown tomatoes
- 3-4 carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- 1 avocado
- 1/2 yellow onion
- 3 large garlic cloves
- 1 tsp celtic sea salt
- 1/2 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp cayenne
Makes (about) 50 oz
Put everything in your Vitamix blender and blend into a juicy smoothie soupy perfection! I let my blender run, while I was tidying up the kitchen and it warmed this smoothie up and made it even more soup like for me. So great on this cold snowy winter night.
This tastes like the best tomato soup ever. Seriously, I'm not just saying it because I made it. I'm saying it, because it really is that good. Campbells Soup ain't got nothing on me! I debated on 1/2 the onion or a whole one and was glad I opted on half. It blended in just splendidly and wasn't over powering. Neither was the amount of garlic. So play around with your onion and garlic, depending on the size of each you use, you may need more or less. I also contemplated adding an actual avocado or avocado oil...I opted on the avocado. I'm glad I did. It made it thicker and creamier while implementing the omega's that we all need and love so much. This soup smoothie definitely will get repeated.
TIPS:
(1) Leave the Vitamix blender running and it will warm you soup smoothie up. You'll forget your eating raw!
(2) If you want your soup less spicy start slowly sprinkling in the cayenne. I tend to be heavy handed and love cayenne, but I realize everyone doesn't love it, as I do. So start with sprinkles from your 1/2 tsp measure spoon and use to your liking.
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Some Health Benefits
Carrots: Did you know the carrot is a root vegetable? It's sweet and succulent taste is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and dietary
fiber. They are exceptionally rich
source of carotenes and
vitamin-A.
100 g fresh carrot contain 8285 mcg of beta-carotene
and 16706 IU of
vitamin A. Studies have found that flavonoid compounds in carrots help
protect from skin, lung and oral cavity cancers. Carotenes are converted in
to vitamin A in the liver. Beta-carotene is the major carotene that is
present in these roots. Beta carotene is one of the powerful natural
anti-oxidant helps protect body from harmful fee radical
injury. In addition, it also has all the functions of vitamin
A such as vision, reproduction (sperm production), maintenance of
epithelial integrity, growth and development. Carrots are rich in poly-acetylene anti-oxidant
falcarinol.
Research study conducted by scientists at University of Newcastle on
laboratory animals has found that falcarinol
in carrots may help fight
against cancers by destroying pre-cancerous cells in the tumors. Fresh roots are also good
in vitamin C; provide about 9% of RDA. Vitamin
C is water soluble anti-oxidant.
It helps body maintain healthy connective tissue, teeth and gum. Its
anti-oxidant property helps body protect from diseases and cancers by
scavenging harmful free radicals. This root vegetable is
especially contain good amounts of many B-complex group of vitamins
such as folic acid, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin, pantothenic
acid,
etc that acts
as
co-factors to enzymes during substrate metabolism in the body. It also has healthy levels
of
minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, manganese and
phosphorus. Potassium
is an
important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling
heart rate and blood pressure by countering effects of sodium.
Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant
enzyme,
superoxide
dismutase.
Tomatoes: The
antioxidants present
in tomatoes are scientifically found
to be protective against cancers including colon,
prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic tumors. Lycopene, a flavonoid antioxidant, is
the unique phytochemical
present in
the tomatoes. Red varieties are especially concentrated in
this antioxidant. Together with carotenoids, it has the
ability to protect cells and other
structures in the body from harmful oxygen free radicals. Studies have
shown that lycopene
prevents skin damage from ultra-violet (UV) rays and offers
protection from skin cancer. Zeaxanthin is
another
flavonoid compuond present abundantly in this vegetable. Zeaxanthin
helps
protect eyes from "age related macular
disease" (ARMD) in the elderly persons by filtering harmful
ultra-violet rays. The vegetable contains very
good levels of vitamin A, and
flvonoid anti-oxidants such as beta-carotenes,
xanthins
and
lutein. Altogether, these pigment compounds are found to have
antioxidant properties and
are take part in vision, maintain
healthy
mucus membranes and skin, and bone health. Consumption of natural
vegetables and fruits
rich in
flavonoids is known to help protect from lung and oral cavity cancers. In addition, they
are also good source of
antioxidant vitamin-C
(provide 21% of recommended daily levels per 100 g);
consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance
against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals. Fresh
tomato is very rich
in potassium.
100 g contain 237 mg of potassium and just 5 mg of sodium. Potassium is
an important component of cell and body fluids that helps
controlling heart rate and blood pressure caused by sodium. They contain moderate amounts of many vital
B-complex vitamins such as folates, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin as well
some essential minerals like iron, calcium,
manganese and other trace elements.
Celery: Celery leaves are rich source of flavonoid antioxidants such as zeaxanthin,
lutein and beta-
carotene, which have anti-oxidant, cancer protective, and
immune-boosting
functions. It is also good source of
vitamin-A. Vitamin-A and beta-carotene are natural flavonoid
antioxidants.
Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and
skin, and for vision. Consumption of natural foods
rich in flavonoids helps body to protect from lung and oral cavity
cancers. The herb is also rich in
many
vital vitamins including folic acid (provides 9% of RDA),
riboflavin, niacin and vitamin-C, which are
essential for optimum metabolism. Fresh celery is an
excellent
source of vitamin-K,
provides about 25% of DRI. Vitamin-K help increase bone mass by
promoting osteotrophic activity in the bones. It also has established
role in Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in the
brain. The herb is very good source of
minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, manganese, and magnesium.
Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps
control heart rate and blood pressure. Its leaves and seeds
contain many essential volatile oils that include terpenes, mostly
limonene (75 to 80%), and the
sesquiterpenes like β-selinene (10%) and
humulene; but its characteristic fragrance is due to chemical compounds
known as phthalides
(butylphthalid and its dihydro derivate sedanenolid) in them. Essential
oil obtained
from extraction of celery plant has been used in soothing remedies
for nervousness,
osteoarthritis, and gouty-arthritis conditions. In addition, its seeds,
and root
has
diuretic (removes excess water from body through
urine), galactogogue (help breast milk secretion), stimulant,
and tonic properties.
Avocado: Did you know...even though an avocado is a “fat” fruit, it is useful in losing
weight? Thanks to the monounsaturated fats, which avocado
contains, it helps you get your stomach “full” much quicker, and reduces
the temptation of eating sweets. Much more, avocado
prevents deficiency disease caused by vitamins or minerals, which are
more often seen in diets. It also provides nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber,
potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. They also act as a
"nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble
nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are
eaten with the fruit. Not to mention this little fruit is loaded with omega 3's. Avocados also bear a lot of the carotenoid lutein than
whatsoever additional usually devoured yield; and, Xanthophyl, which protects
against macular decadence and cataracts, two crippling age-related eye
diseases. Research further shows that some chemical
compounds in avocados are capable to search for pre-cancerous and malign
oral cancer cells and destruct them without harming good cells.
Onion: Onions are a very good source of vitamin C, B6, biotin, chromium, calcium and dietary fiber. In addition, onions contain good amounts of folic acid and vitamin B1 and K. Like garlic, onions also have the enzyme alliinase, which is released when an onion is cut or crushed and it causes your eyes to water. They also contain flavonoids,
which are pigments that give vegetables their colour. These compounds
act as antioxidants, have a direct antitumor effect and have
immune-enhancing properties.
The onion is the richest dietary source of quercitin, a
potent antioxidant (also in shallots, yellow and red onions only but not
in white onions), which is specifically linked to inhibiting human
stomach cancer. Quercitin in onions also thins the blood, lowers
cholesterol, raises good-type HDL cholesterol (preferred dose: half a
raw onion a day), wards off blood clots, fight asthma, chronic
bronchitis, hay fever, diabetes, atherosclerosis and infections. It's
also an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiviral, thought to have
diverse anti-cancer powers. Quercitin is also a sedative. So far, there
is no better food source of quercitin than onion skins.
Onions contain a variety of organic sulphur compounds that provide health benefits. Sulphur-containing amino acids are found as the proteins in onions as well as garlic and eggs. These specific amino acids are called methionine and cystine and, amongst other things, they are very good at detoxifying your body from heavy metals. In fact, they are able to latch on to mercury, cadmium and lead and escort them out of the body. Vitamin C,
also contained in onions, is excellent at detoxifying the body and is
effective in removing lead, arsenic and cadmium. So increasing
consumption of onions can help the body to get rid of these harmful
metals.
To help keep your blood free of clots, and make the most of the health benefits of onions, eat them both raw and cooked. Prescribing
onions for heart patients is hardly routine among cardiologists. But
Harvard's Dr. Victor Gurewich, advises all his patients with coronary
heart disease to eat onions daily. One way the antioxidants in onions can protect you against cancer is by
reducing the DNA damage in cells caused by free radicals, studies
reveal. All onions and onion relatives (garlic, leeks, chives and
scallions, or spring onions) are rich in organosulfur compounds shown to
help prevent cancer in lab animals. In fact, an onion extract was
found to destroy tumor cells in test tubes and to arrest tumor growth
when tumor cells were implanted in rats. The onion extract was
shown to be unusually nontoxic, since a dose as high as forty times
that of the dose required to kill the tumor cells had no adverse effect
on the host. In addition, shallots have been shown to exhibit significant activity against leukemia in mice.
Onions have also been shown to have a significant blood sugar-lowering action, even comparable to some prescription drugs. The
active compound that seems to be responsible for lowering glucose works
by competing with insulin for breakdown sites in the liver, thereby
increasing the life span of insulin. Onions have historically been used to treat asthma,
too. Its action in asthma is due to its ability to inhibit the
production of compounds that cause the bronchial muscle to spasm and to
relax bronchial muscle. Onions have potent antibacterial activity, destroying many disease-causing pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella.
Garlic: Strong flavored, garlic cloves contain many
noteworthy minerals, vitamins, anti-oxidants,
and phyto-nutrients that have proven health benefits. Its bulbs contain organic
thio-sulfinites such as diallyl
disulfide, diallyl trisulfide and allyl propyl disulfide
that can form allicin
by enzymatic reaction, which is activated by disruption of bulb (like
crushing,
cutting etc). Laboratory studies
show that allicin
reduces cholesterol production by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase
enzyme in the liver cells. Allicin also decreases
blood vessel stiffness by release of nitric oxide (NO); thereby bring
reduction in the total blood pressure. It also blocks platelet clot
formation and has fibrinolytic action in the blood vessels, which helps
decrease the overall risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral
vascular diseases (PVD) and stroke. Research studies also
found that consumption of garlic is associated with possible decrease
in the incidence of stomach cancer. Allicin
and other
essential volatile compounds in the garlic also found to have
anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal activities. Garlic is an
excellent
source of
minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
The bulbs are one
of the richest sources of potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium,
manganese,
zinc, and selenium. Selenium
is a heart-healthy mineral, and is an important cofactor for
anti-oxidant enzymes in the body. Manganese
is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme,
superoxide
dismutase. Iron is required for red blood cell formation. It contains many flavonoid
anti-oxidants like carotene beta, zea-xanthin, and vitamins like
vitamin-C. Vitamin C
helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge
harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.
Celtic sea salt: Salt is used to help bring out flavor in food, but did you know that it actually has a nutritional purpose that our bodies need? Sea salt naturally helps you to build up a strong immune system so
that you can fight off the cold virus, the fever and flu, allergies and
other autoimmune disorders. Sea salt is alkalizing to the body, as it has not been exposed to
high heat and stripped of its minerals, nor does it have any harmful
man-made ingredients added to it. Thus it can help you to prevent and
reverse high levels of acids in the body, which in turn eliminates the
risks for serious and life-threatening diseases. Believe it or not, but sea salt can also help you in weight loss. It
helps the body to create digestive juices so that the foods you eat are
digested faster, and it helps to prevent buildup in the digestive tract,
which eventually can lead to constipation and weight gain. Sea salt is effective in reducing inflammation in the respiratory
system. Thus the production of phlegm is slowed down so that you can
breathe easier again. Some say that sprinkling sea salt on the tongue
after drinking a glass of water is just as effective as using an
inhaler. But the great thing about sea salt is that it has no side
effects when taken in moderation. When salt is taken with water it can help to reduce high cholesterol
levels, high blood pressure and help to regulate an irregular heart
beat. Thus sea salt can help to prevent atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes. Sea salt can help to reduce the need for insulin by helping to
maintain proper sugar levels in the body. Thus the salt is an essential
part of the diet if you are diabetic, or at risk for the disease. Just over 1/4 of the amount of salt that is in the body is stored in
the bones, where it helps to keep them strong. When the body lacks salt
and water it begins to draw the sodium from the bones, which then
eventually can lead to osteoporosis. Thus by drinking plenty of water
and consuming salt in moderation you can prevent osteoporosis. Potassium is essential for helping the muscles to function properly.
Sea salt not only contains small amounts of potassium, but it also helps
the body to absorb it better from other foods. Thus it is effective in
helping to prevent muscle pains, spasms and cramps. Sea salt also has shown to be effective in treating various types of depression.
The salt helps to preserve two essential hormones in the body that help
you to better deal with stress. These hormones are serotonin and
melatonin, which help you to feel good, and relax and sleep better at
night. Didn't know that using a pure natural salt could do all of that, huh?
Curry and Turmeric: Turmeric, the primary ingredient in curry, is responsible for many of
the dish’s health benefits. The most prolific may be its effect on
those who suffer from arthritis or otherwise sore and inflamed joints.
Turmeric may reduce swelling and ease the pain associated with
inflammation of the joints. This claim has been tested conclusively on
rats. Another benefit of the turmeric in curry is a reduced risk for
Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. This is because of curcumin within the
turmeric; curcumin can identify plaques in the brain called amyloid
plaques. In excess, amyloid plaques can interfere with the brain’s
wiring and cause memory to degrade over time. If you ingest enough
curcumin on a regular basis, the curcumin will bind to the plaque and
keep it from reproducing. Turmeric has been found to reduce the risk of developing prostate,
breast, skin and colorectal cancer, possibly because of its antioxidant
properties. It may also at least reduce the speed at which these cancers
progress. However, ingesting curry alone will not erase your risk for
cancer. Other ingredients in curry, such as chili pepper and even curcumin,
are beneficial in boosting your body’s immunity and healing properties.
This is because they’re rich in vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A
and vitamin B6, and they boost the infection-fighting cells. Ingredients in curry such as asafoetida, allspice, anise, cardamom
and black pepper may be helpful in easing digestion problems.
Indigestion, constipation, loss of appetite, stomachaches and even
hemorrhoids may improve after ingesting the dish on a regular basis. While a diet of only curry won’t keep the pounds off on its own, it’s
actually a well-balanced way to get a variety of vegetables and
proteins that may help you burn fat cells. Black pepper is the dish’s
ingredient that’s best able to break down fat cells. A number of ingredients in this dish are purported to help ease the
frequency of an asthma sufferer’s symptoms. Asafoetida and curcumin
alike can help regulate symptoms of mild asthma. Many ingredients in the dish, such as turmeric and cinnamon, are rich
in antioxidants, which can help improve the appearance of your skin and
help prevent the negative cosmetic effects of long-term exposure to
pollutants or smoke. The curcumin can also improve the appearance of
your hair and nails by providing necessary proteins.
Parsley: The herb contains no
cholesterol; but is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and
dietary fiber which helps control blood cholesterol levels, prevents
constipation, protects body from free radicals mediated injury and from
cancers. Parsley contains many
health benefiting essential
volatile oils that include myristicin,
limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene. The essential oil, Eugenol,
present in this herb has been in therapeutic use in dentistry as a
local
anesthetic and anti-septic agent for teeth and gum diseases. Eugenol
has also been
found to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics, however, further
detailed studies required to establish its role. Parsley is rich in
poly-phenolic flavonoid anti-oxidants including apiin,
apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin; and has been rated as one
of the plant source with highest
anti-oxidant activities. The herb is a good source
of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium.
Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids that helps
control heart rate and blood pressure by countering the effects of
sodium. Iron is essential for heme production inside red blood cells.
Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant
enzyme,
superoxide
dismutase. It is also rich in many
antioxidant vitamins including vitamin-A,
beta-carotene, vitamin-C,
vitamin-E, zea-xanthin, lutein, and cryptoxanthins. The herb is also an
excellent
source of vitamin-K and folates. Zea-xanthin
helps prevent age related
macular degeneration (ARMD) in the retina of the eye in the old age
population through its anti-oxidant and ultra-violet light filtering
functions. Fresh herb leaves are also
rich in many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin
B-5), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), niacin (vitamin B-3), pyridoxine
(vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential
during carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism by acting as
co-enzymes. It
is probably the richest
of the entire herb source for vitamin
K. Vitamin K has been found to have potential
role in bone health by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bones. It
has also established role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients
by limiting
neuronal damage in the brain.
Oregano: Oregano contains
impressive list of plant derived chemical compounds that are known to
have disease preventing and health promoting properties. The herb parts contain
no cholesterol; but are rich source of dietary fiber, which helps to
control blood cholesterol levels. Oregano contains many
health benefiting essential
oils such as carvacrol,
thymol,
limonene, pinene, ocimene, and caryophyllene. The
leaves and flowering stems of the plant are strongly anti-septic,
anti-spasmodic, carminative, cholagogue (help gall bladder secretion),
diaphoretic (sweat production), expectorant,
stimulant, and mildly tonic properties. Its decoction is taken by
mouth for the treatment of colds, influenza, mild fevers, indigestion,
stomach upsets and painful menstruation. Thymol
is also been
found
to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal activities. The herb is rich in
poly-phenolic flavonoid anti-oxidants (vitamin A, carotenes, lutein,
zea-xanthin and cryptoxanthin) and has been rated as one of the plant
source with highest anti-oxidant activities. These compounds help act
as
protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive
oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease
process. The active principles in
the herb may increase the motility of the gastro-intestinal
tract as well as increase the digestion power by increasing
gastro-intestinal secretions. This exotic herb is an
excellent
source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and
magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids
that helps control heart rate and blood pressure caused by high sodium.
Manganese and copper
are used by
the body as co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide
dismutase. Iron helps prevent anemia. Magnesium, and calcium are
important minerals for bone metabolism. Fresh herb is an
excellent source of antioxidant vitamin, vitamin-C.
Vitamin C
helps
body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful,
pro-inflammatory free radicals.
Cayenne: Cayenne contains health a benefiting alkaloid
compound called: capsaicin,
which is a strong spicy pungent character.
Early laboratory studies on experimental mammals suggest that
capsaicin has anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, analgesic and
anti-diabetic properties. When used judiciously it is also found to reduce
triglycerides and LDL cholesterol
levels in obese individuals. Fresh cayenne peppers, red or green, are rich
source of vitamin-C.
Vitamin-C is a potent water
soluble antioxidant. It is required for the collagen synthesis in the
body. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body required for
maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones.
Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body protect from
scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity)
and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body. Cayenne chili peppers are probably
the richest spicy source
of
vitamin A. In addition this prized spice is also home for
anti-oxidant
flavonoids such as carotenes, lutein, zeaxanthin and
cryptoxanthin. Together, these antioxidant substances in
capsicum helps to protect body from injurious effects of free radicals
generated during stress, diseases conditions. The spice contains very high levels of
essential minerals.
The spice if even consumed in small quantities regularly would
provide sufficient levels of iron, copper, zinc, potassium,
manganese, magnesium and selenium. Manganese is used by the body as a
co-factor
for the
antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase.
Selenium is anti-oxidant
mineral. 100 g of cayenne peppers provides 2014
mg or 47%
of daily required amount of potassium. Potassium is an important
electrolyte inside the cells and body fluids that helps controlling
heart rate and
blood pressure and counter the effects of sodium. Cayenne is also good in B-complex group of
vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin and
thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that
body requires them from external sources to replenish. B-complex
vitamins facilitate cellular metabolism through various enzymatic
functions.
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