Warming Winter Soups & Stew
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Warming Winter Soups & Stew

One-pot wonders: Nutritious homemade soups and stew to warm your body and soul

Winter is the perfect time to cozy up to a warm bowl of soup or stew. As easy to make as they are to love, homemade soups are a delicious way to get your daily dose of fresh veggies and beans, all with much lower salt content than store-bought options.


Hearty Lentil & Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, diced

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1 cup lentils, rinsed

1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz., no salt added)

6 cups vegetable broth

2 cups chopped kale or spinach

Salt & pepper to taste

 

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes.

2. Stir in garlic, cumin, paprika, and thyme. Cook for another minute.

3. Add lentils, diced tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Stir in kale or spinach and cook for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Serve warm.

 

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, diced

3 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup wild rice, rinsed

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or low-fat milk)

 

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes.

2. Add garlic, thyme, and black pepper. Stir for another minute.

3. Pour in broth and add wild rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 35 minutes.

4. Add chicken and simmer for another 15 minutes, until chicken is cooked.

5. Remove chicken, shred it, and return to the pot. Stir in almond milk

6. Serve warm.

 

Spiced Sweet Potato & Black Bean Stew

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 can black beans (15 oz., drained & rinsed)

1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz.)

4 cups vegetable broth

Salt & pepper to taste

Fresh cilantro for garnish

 

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté for 3-4 minutes.

2. Stir in cumin, chili powder, and paprika. Cook for 1 minute.

3. Add sweet potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes, until sweet potatoes are soft.

5. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

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Introducing Dr. Amy Freeth

Amy E. Freeth, MD, resumed endocrinology services at SVMC in March 2020. The practice, known as SVMC Endocrinology, is a part of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) and Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). It replaces the Bennington Osteoporosis Center, where Dr. David Gorson had provided similar services to the community until his retirement in 2019.

How do you describe endocrinology to people who don’t know what it is? The endocrine system is made up of glands that make hormones. These hormones are chemical messengers that travel via the bloodstream to communicate with the cells and organs of the body. Hormones are important for growth, development, mood, metabolism, and reproduction. These glands include the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal, testes, and ovaries.

Endocrinology is a practice of medicine that specializes in disorders of these systems. Disorders most commonly are related to underactive or overactive function of these glands and require replacement of the hormone or specific treatments such as medications, ablation, or surgery.

Since hormones function in feedback loops and are part of a larger complex functional system that exists in flow with the human body, replacement hormones or treatment of endocrine disorders can be challenging and involve changes to our lifestyles that support the optimal functioning of the body.

What diagnoses are most common among the patients you treat?  Pituitary tumors, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, Cushing’s disease, primary hyperaldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, obesity, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

What sorts of treatments do you offer? I offer comprehensive consultation and management of endocrine disorders. I also interpret testing and make treatment plans for endocrine disorders. I also provide interpretation of bone density reports and perform fine needle aspiration biopsies in collaboration with Radiology Associates of Bennington. Technology is increasingly becoming more important in the management of diabetes. Technology includes glucose meters, insulin pumps, and continuous glucose monitoring (sensors). I work with certified diabetes educators to create a team approach to diabetes management. As we develop this new department, we are looking for innovative ways to help people regain and optimize their health. I have training in nutrition counseling and health coaching to help people find their path to good health.

Why is it important for patients who need an endocrinologist see them regularly? Your endocrinologist is part of your health team and has experience and a deep understanding of what is happening within your body to help assess, guide, and co-manage your disorder. There is testing that may need to be done to make sure you are living with optimal hormonal balance. Allowing hormones to run too low or too high can have lasting adverse effects on the body leading to other disease or imbalances.

How do you help protect patients who need to come into the office from infections, like COVID-19? At this time, I am seeing patients via telemedicine and phone visits. This week we are starting to see a portion of our patients in the clinic. Patients can register on the phone and wait in their car until the room is ready. Patients will be screened for fever and should wear a mask. Staff will wear proper protective equipment and follow guidelines for handwashing and cleaning of the rooms.

Since many patients who will likely want to come to the endocrinology clinic will be members of high-risk populations (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and the elderly), patients will have a choice of the type of visit they have.

Dr. Freeth sees patients 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday in Suite 307 of the Medical Office Building located at 140 Hospital Drive in Bennington. For an appointment, call 802-447-4555. The schedule will expand to additional days as needed.

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