Working from home has its benefits: no commuting, no real set schedule, no office drama. But it also gets kind of lonely and keeping an even perspective on a daily basis can be the biggest challenge. Would I trade the social aspect and structure of working in an office over feeling like I’m on a little island?
NOPE.
I like my island.
It’s taken me a long time to adjust to daytime solitude, but I’m getting better at it. And after experiencing and dealing with some recent ongoing + weird health stuff, I’ve decided it’s time to readjust and de-stress. These things are not an indulgence but a necessity. I do and listen to all of these daily and it’s made a huge difference in my stress level.
Please let me know if you have any favorites in the comments below … I need more stuff and I know it’s out there!
Mindfulness Apps
Headspace
Simple Habit
Podcasts
My Favorite Murder
The Real Good Podcast
Slumber Party with Alie and Georgia
Small Doses with Amanda Seales
Sawbones
Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness
Ologies
10% Happier
This Podcast Will Kill You
OK! This soup. It’s made from stuff I already had in my fridge: parsnips, cauliflower and garlic. It’s perfect for fall—but honestly I was mainly into this because of the way the crispy onions and vegan-ey bacon kept me going in for another bite. The velvety texture of the soup and the texture of the bacon (I used Sweet Earth’s Benevolent Bacon here, and Field Roast’s Mexican Chipotle Sausage for leftovers) is perfect.
Roasted Parsnip, Cauliflower + Garlic Soup
- Total Time: 1 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients
for the soup
- 1 head garlic, top lopped off to expose garlic
- 4 TB olive oil, plus more as needed
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 2 cups chopped parsnips
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for several hours then drained
- 6 cups vegetable or No-Chicken broth, divided
for the topping
- 2 TB vegan butter
- 1 onion, halved and sliced into thin, half moon pieces
- several sprigs of fresh thyme
- a few pinches of salt
- 1 package vegan bacon or sausage (tempeh, Field Roast, Sweet Earth, etc.)
- 2 TB fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
to prepare the soup
- Preheat oven to 400.
- Wrap the garlic in aluminum foil, twisting the top to create a seal. Drizzle the top generously with some olive oil and place into the oven to roast for about an hour.
- Lightly grease a baking sheet with some of the olive oil. Arrange the cauliflower florets and parsnips on the sheet, drizzling with more olive oil to coat, and adding a few pinches of salt. Place into the oven to roast with the garlic for about 30 minutes, removing once or twice to stir around to ensure even cooking.
- Once the garlic and vegetables are done roasting, allow to cool. Remove the garlic from the skin, saving any leftover oil. Transfer vegetables and garlic to a hi-speed blender, along with the soaked cashews and broth.
- Working in batches of two if needed, start blending on low, then slowly increase the speed until the mixture is smooth. Add more broth to thin the soup out as desired.
to prepare the topping
- Melt the vegan butter in a large cast iron pan over medium heat. Add the onion slices, thyme and salt and arrange in an even layer. Allow to soften, reduce and deeply caramelize for about 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so to promote even cooking. They are done when crispy and dark.
- Prepare the vegan bacon or sausage according to package instructions.
to serve
- Warm the soup as desired before ladling into bowls. Top with the caramelized onions, vegan sausage or bacon and fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hours
I can’t wait to try this soup! It looks delicious. Not only am I vegan, but I’m gluten-free as well (yeah, it’s a party at the grocery store). Have you run across any decent vegan, gluten-free bacon? Every one I’ve found has a base of gluten protein. Just wondering.
Whitney,
You can use thinly sliced or cubed seared Beyond Meat Sausages here!
This looks amazing! What a great combo. Meditation really helps me as well. I just love this girl. http://irishiggins.com/category/meditations/ She also does 1-on-1 sessions that are sooo helpful, and a self-care toolbox.
Natalie, thanks for sharing … I will check Iris out!
Great garlic, cauliflower soup recipe. Thanks Erin. This looks delicious. Will definitely try it tonight.
★★★★★
Winter has just started here in Australia and I’ve been craving soup. This looks delicious! Hopefully I can find a suitable bacon alternative (we’re getting more vegan products in Australia, but are still behind the US).
I’m sorry to hear about the ongoing health issues – I hope you are able to find answers and things that help. Podcast-wise, I really enjoy(ed) Serial, S-Town, This American Life, Radiolab and Heavyweight.
Thank you and thanks for those suggestions, Elle … I will check them out! 🙂