Recipe: Light & Creamy Zucchini Soup

How is it possible that it has taken me until now to blend hemp seeds into my soup because O-M-G is it delicious!! Hemp seeds are amazing powerhouses of protein, omega 3 & 6, amino acids and are very easy to digest. They're small and easy to sprinkle on just about everything. Unlike nuts, seeds won't aggravate Pitta which makes them perfect for the summertime: a good balance of nourishment and digestibility. You want to keep them refrigerated, and it's best not to cook them. 

Zucchinis are one of my favorite vegetables. They're ideal for Pitta, good for Vata, and are fine for Kapha in moderation with ample spicing. This soup will leave you feeling like a) you want another bowl because it tastes so good and b) totally satisfied because it's so tasty. Something you might notice about this recipe is there's hardly any salt, and that's because it really didn't need it. Salt is a natural digestive and very heating, so during the summer is best to be used minimally so as to not provoke Pitta. Be prepared to make a big batch if you're sharing with friends because everyone will want a second bowl! :) Enjoy!  

LIGHT & CREAMY ZUCCHINI SOUP

1 T ghee (could use coconut oil instead if needed)
1 small yellow onion, chopped
large dash salt
1 c water
3 medium zucchini, ends removed and chopped into 1/2 inch half moons
2 T hemp seeds
extra hemp seeds for garnish


In a medium to large pot, melt the ghee over medium-low heat and then add onion and salt. Stir and sweat the onions for 6-7 minutes. Once the onion is translucent, add water and zucchini. Bring water to boil then cover for 3-4 minutes or until zucchini is fork tender. The water will not cover all the zucchini; do not worry. Once the zucchini is tender, turn off heat and put zucchini-onion mixture in a blender with hemp seeds. Blend with towel on top of blender (see this photo) until smooth. Return contents of blender to pot and reheat if necessary but don't cook longer. Add an extra dash of salt if needed, but I found it fine without. Serve in bowls with a sprinkle of hemp seeds on top. Enjoy!

*I'm sure this would also be spectacular with a little fresh lemon juice or fresh chopped fennel or basil to garnish. Play around with it and have fun. 

• Vata Dosha: Very good. Use 2 T ghee, and do not use coconut oil. Adding 2 T fresh lemon juice to the blender will aid digestion. Use more salt as you like. 
• Pitta Dosha: Excellent!!!!
• Kapha Dosha: Good: Blend in 1 c steamed leafy greens along with 2 T fresh lemon juice to recipe. Can add ground cumin, a sprinkle of paprika or fresh ground black pepper if needing something extra. Don't use more salt. 

In my world, there's very little to complain about; life's been pretty sweet... I've been getting new challenging poses from my teacher, relaxing in the woods at my grandparent's cabin in Butte Meadows, preparing for the awesome Summer Detox & Ayurveda Intensive, and getting excited about my new Saturday yoga class that I'll be teaching for the summer! 

Plus, did you hear it was my birthday? Yep, I turned 28. Whoa- no denying I'm grown-up now. Anyway, it was a great day and what was one of my favorite birthday presents?? Kale and cabbage grown by 2 delightful yoga students in their patch at the community garden! They often give me vegetable gifts that they grow and I always feel like it tastes better than any of the produce I purchase. Dr. Claudia Welch sent this article out in her last newsletter that gives some very interesting scientific support as to why I might be finding this difference: Sin, Virtue and Plant Medicine by Dr Claudia Welch.