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Thursday, October 15, 2026

Smoky Vegan Split Pea Soup is Super Delicious

A Bowl of Green Spilt Pea Soup with Croutons
Organic Vegan Split Pea Soup with Whole Grain Croutons





For a flavorful piping hot one pot soup supper, ladle out steaming cups or bowls of smoky vegan split pea soup. My smoky vegan split pea soup recipe is hearty, delicious, nutrient rich, yet doesn't contain animal products, fat, or cholesterol.



Reserve time to prepare this soup, when you know you'll be home for a few hours, whether that's on the weekend or other chunk of time during the day. Allow the soup to simmer on the stove, while you work from home, do household tasks, read for pleasure, jog on a treadmill, or watch TV. 




This recipe goes a long way. It can be served at lunch, dinner, or even as a low-cal snack. Savor its flavor two times during one week, and cut down on meal prep time, and save energy and money too.


Smoky vegan split pea soup is an economical meatless meal that tempts your taste buds, as 1 pound of organic dried split peas cost approximately $2.99 a pound. Conventional dried peas cost approximately $1.99 a pound. Use the seasonings and veggies you already have on hand, and you can whip up a meal you and your brood will love for pennies on the dollar.


Smoky vegan split pea soup is a nutrition star. It fulfills a big chunk of the daily requirement for protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Split pea soup is a good source of fuel for our bodies without added fat. Leftovers freeze well, and eating it again when its defrosted and re-heated well, prevents food waste too.



One Cup of Homemade Smoky Vegan Split Pea Serves Up:


*Hearty Taste from a Health Promoting Legume that has a long shelf-life and is available throughout the year


*Good source of Vitamin A to help support eye health


*Excellent source of Manganese, a mineral that helps maintain strong teeth and bones


*Good source of Vitamin B 1 (Thiamine), a b-complex vitamin that helps our bodies produce energy, supports the nervous system, and helps prevent digestive and memory problems


*Good source of Vitamin B 5 (Pantothenic Acid), a b-complex vitamin that our bodies use to process carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids for healthy skin


*A good source of Potassium to help build muscle and process carbs for energy


*Contains at least 7 grams of protein per serving




*Good source of copper, a mineral that helps incorporate iron into red blood cells to prevent anemia, as well as plays a role to keep blood vessels, nerves, immune system and bones healthy



*Good Source of Soluble and Insoluble Fiber, with 8 grams per serving or 65 percent of the daily requirement. Fiber helps carry toxins out of the body, increases stool bulk, and prevents constipation and other digestive disorders


*A Complex Carbohydrate with approx. 30-40 carbs per cup. 




*Big Flavor for a colorful soup packed with nutrients for only 250 calories per cup



*This non-fat recipe contains zero cholesterol and no animal products


Now, on to the recipe...



Ingredients:




Spices and Herbs for Split Pea Soup






1 pound organic dried green split peas (may sub yellow spilt peas instead of the traditional green kind as nutrition content similar)
8 cups water
2 medium chopped organic yellow onions
4 organic chopped carrots
3 stalks organic chopped celery
1/2 organic chopped zucchini
1 medium organic chopped russet or sweet potato, and small chopped parsnip or turnip
1 sprig fresh snipped organic basil or organic parsley
1 organic bay leaf
2 sprigs organic snipped oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 cloves organic garlic that has been minced
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried organic thyme
1 teaspoon dried organic sage
2 teaspoons smoked paprika (this makes soup taste smoky without having to use any smoked meat)
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce, 4 teaspoons Braggs Liquid Aminos, or 2 low sodium veg bouillon cubes

Optional ingredients: freshly minced dill, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh parsley, croutons, or grain of your choosing  


Note: I always use organic ingredients when available, because organic means produce and seasonings aren’t genetically modified, aren't sprayed with chemicals, and aren't grown in soil that contains chemical fertilizers. 


Note: All veggies can be chopped in a food processor. To keep additional prep simple, when herbs or spices mentioned above aren't in your pantry, use a substitute. Seasoning blends like 21 Seasoning Salute works well. Avoid trips to the market, and use what's in your house already. For example, you may add shallots, leeks, scallions, mushrooms, red pepper, cabbage, and assorted varieties of squash. 


Note: If you don't care for very thick soup, puree less and add more water or veg broth. 




What to Do:


1. Soak split peas for up to 8 hours in enough water to cover by 2 inches. Soak the peas in at least 6 cups of water, because spit peas will expand when soaked. Pour off liquid, pick out any grit that remains, and rinse well.

2. Place peas in a Dutch oven or large pot. Add minced garlic cloves, chopped onion, chopped carrot, and chopped celery and dry sauté for a few minutes (3-5 minutes) or use a few drops of water if veggies begin to stick. Then pour in 8 cups fresh water or combination of water and veg broth. Put in bay leaf, and any optional veggies. If you add additional veggies, use an extra cup of water for each veggie you include. Season accordingly. Cover pot and lower heat to medium. Dried herbs and spices can cook the whole time. 

3.Cook until peas and veggies are tender and partly mushy, anywhere from 3/4 hour to an hour or more. Don't forget to stir every 10-15 minutes to avoid soup from overflowing or sticking to bottom of the pot.  Add fresh snipped herbs a few minutes before you're ready to take the pot off the stove. 

4. Remove soup pot from heat. Put on a cutting board or other heat resistant surface. Use an immersion blender or food processor to puree soup until it is blended to a consistency you like. 



An Immersion Blender or Food Processor Purées
Use an immersion blender or food processor to puree the soup 






In my house, we like thick yet creamy soup. Adding potatoes and pureeing the soup makes it thick without having to bulk it up with extra ingredients.



We serve pea soup with whole grain crackers, or with a slice of toast with almond or peanut butter. At other times, we combine it with leftover rice, quinoa, or barley. We keep it simple, and add cooked grains to the soup as it heats, for a terrific one dish meal.


Bowl of Split Pea Soup With smoked paprika and basil garnish
Smoky Vegan Green Split Pea Soup with Smoked Paprika and Basil Garnish




Enjoy the Homemade Goodness of Smoky Vegan Pea Soup, a whole food with no additives or preservatives, no refined sugar, low sodium, and no harmful ingredients used to bulk it up. Your meal mates will be delighted by this soup's lively taste and so will you!


I'm glad you stopped by. Before you go, please take a moment to comment and then pin or share this post (with my URL link included) on social media of your choosing. Sharing is caring and I appreciate your help in spreading the word about this blog.

Want additional soup recipes? Here are a few suggestions.







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Thursday, October 1, 2026

6 Bedtime Affirmations to Help Us Get A Good Night's Sleep



Sleep Affirmations




Research and life experience indicates that reciting affirmations before bed can boost our sense of well-being, and help us feel calm, and able to drift off to sleep. If sleep is hard to come by and we have racing thoughts, worry, or stress overload, this post offers 6 positive affirmations to replace ineffective pre-bedtime thoughts and ideas with  positive statements and powerful phrases instead. 



Affirmations are positive statements that are recited and repeated aloud to confirm or reinforce the idea that something is already true and bountiful in our lives.


Science says saying affirmations aloud before bed is an ideal way to clear the mind. Repeating affirmations on a consistent basis helps us deal better with daily stresses of living, and reminds us to nurture ourselves, and affirm we are safe and secure. Read "The Benefits of Positive Affirmations" for more.

💖


6 Bedtime Affirmations to Help Us Get A Good Night's Sleep



1.  I calm my racing thoughts, by focusing on my breath, and breathe in and out mindfully.


Sleep Affirmation


2. I develop a nighttime routine that helps me slow down, relax, and go to bed each night with ease. I am consistent with self-care and get deep, restorative rest and sleep.


Sleep Affirmation



3. I am letting go of anxiety and fear about the future. In this moment, I am safe and deserve a good night's sleep.


Sleep Affirmation




4. My mind, body, and spirit are worthy of kindness, and each day I choose serenity; I choose peace; I choose love. 






5. I let go of striving, fixing, and analyzing. I affirm I'm able to let life unfold, and release my desire to force outcomes.



Sleep Affirmation



6. Relaxation and sound sleep are basic needs I give myself permission to enjoy.



Sleep Affirmation




Do you compose and recite affirmations before going to sleep? Why or why not?

I shared my original affirmations with you in hopes that they will resonate with you. Try your hand at writing and reciting affirmations of your own.

Please share any sleep affirmations you relate to in the comment space provided below.
What self-care practices help you maintain balance? Please explain below.
I read and appreciate every comment, but am not able to publish those that contain links.
Tip: Try to be consistent with a daily affirmation practice for at least three weeks. Then check in with yourself to note whether you feel more relaxed and/or capable of dealing with tension and stress than you did before.
Thanks for the visit and please share the love on social media with a link back to this post.


Note: This post is intended for information and educational purposes and is not given as medical advice. Consult with your healthcare providers, if you seek medical or psychological guidance. 


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Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Delicious Guilt Free Gluten Free Vegan Cornbread

Loaf of delicious cornbread

 

There's nothing finer than munching on freshly baked homemade cornbread. Guess what? Eating it can be free of guilt and gluten. Look below to discover how easy it is to prepare and serve this treat, one with good taste, yet without refined sugar, dairy, or gluten.

 

 

Cornbread is versatile, and goes great with a piping hot bowl of Black Bean Soup. It also is the perfect side with Vegetarian Chili or other whole food plant-based stews.



Cornbread goes great with bean recipes

 

Perhaps you prefer cornbread as a snack, when you’re craving comfort without the bloat of wheat-based bread. My recipe is simple to make and doesn't have cholesterol. An added advantage is that baking bread at home saves  bucks. 


 Nan's Exceptionally Delicious & Easy Cornbread


Prep time is approximately 15 minutes and cook time is 30 (cook time varies, and depends on your stove accuracy and elevation).

Fun to Bake

Festive

Fresh

Fabulous

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds
4 Tablespoons warm water
1 cup ground cornmeal (if you like very flaky cornmeal use coarsely ground, for more cake-like batter use finely ground cornmeal)
1 cup gluten free flour of your choosing (I like fava or chickpea flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups almond milk or other nut milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce (healthy substitution for oil, and a product to make cake moist)


Optional ingredients for a sweet tasting cornbread: cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and coriander. For Southwestern style: add chopped roasted poblano and /or a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes, and one half cup of thawed frozen corn or corn off a fresh ear of corn.


Slice of cornbread with blueberry topping


Note: I use organic ingredients when available, because organic means nutrient content is higher and product is not genetically modified, not sprayed with chemicals, and is not grown in soil that contains chemical fertilizers.



What to Do:


1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Start by selecting a loaf pan (1.5 qt.-2 qt. size), or round cast iron baker's skillet and spray it with cooking spray or use a drop of olive oil on a paper towel to coat bottom and sides of pan.

3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together ground flax meal and water and set aside for 15 minutes. This combo acts as your binding agent. 

4. While that's setting, get a large bowl, and place corn meal, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into it. Whisk ingredients together.

5. Then, get the bowl with the flax seed mixture and add milk, maple syrup, apple sauce, and any optional spices you want to add to it. Whisk to combine.

6. Pour milk mixture into flour and fold until there are no dry spots and batter is slightly lumpy.

7. Pour batter into a baking pan and put on the middle shelf of a preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. For Southwestern style savory cornbread mix in a teaspoon of any form of chopped chili pepper or chili flakes you enjoy, a cup of sweet red bell pepper, and 1/2 cup of corn kernels. Pour all ingredients into a baking pan and put on the middle shelf of a preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.


9. If you're not eating the cornbread right then, let it cool to room temperature, and place bread in an airtight container and refrigerate. To serve as a dessert or sweet snack, eat a delectable slice of cornbread with berries or fruit spread. Serves about 3 or 4 people. 


Slice of Cornbread


Wishing you a hearty appetite and mouthfuls of good flavor. Serve this scrumptious cornbread for a family dinner, solo meal, snack food, or even for Thanksgiving. Just don’t forget to give thanks for this bounty. Cornbread stays fresh for 1 to 3 days at room temperature, 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator, and up to 3 months in the freezer. 

What type of cornbread do you enjoy? Sweet or savory? Please share in the comments section below.


I must admit I like them both. I like savory with soups, casseroles, stews, and chili. Sweet is neat as a snack and dessert. 


Please comment below.  If you try this recipe, please let me know how it worked for you.


I appreciate every comment, but will not be able to share those that contain links. Thanks for understanding.

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