Recipe for Raw Creamy Broccoli Soup

Today, I decided that soup was a perfect lunch choice.   The following recipe was adapted from "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Raw". 

Raw Creamy Broccoli Soup 

3 cups of Broccoli florets

1 1/2 cups water

2 TB. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 cup raw cashews

1/2 cup celery

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1 TB. nama shoyu

2 TB. nutritional yeast

1/8 tsp. salt

1 clove garlic

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

Putting all of the ingredients in the Vitamix, I blended for about one minute.  Water can be added to reach desired consistency.  The recipe states that cauliflower may be used in the place of broccoli for a creamier soup.  May be served warm from the blender or at room temperature.  It says this makes 6 cups but mine did not.  I did not add any extra water so it made a little under 3 cups.  I ate half and will save the other half for later.  I really enjoyed the spicy flavor.   

Hemp Milk (from scratch)

(Recipe used from Thrive by Brendan Brazier)

Hemp Milk

3 1/2 cups water
1 cup hemp seeds
2 tbsp agave nectar

In blender, combine all ingredients.  Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

*Chocolate Hemp Milk
Follow recipe above and then add 2 tbsp cacao nibs for 100% raw.  (Cacao does contain caffeine.  I use the cacao powder, rather than the nibs.) Blend all ingredients.

I'm posting this recipe because I had fallen into buying convenience items such as Blue Diamond unsweetened Almond Milk.  There is nothing wrong with that but my goal for 2015 is to return to more of my "raw" vegan diet.  In years past, I ate about 90% raw.  Over the last several years I have added many of the new vegan foods and snacks into my diet.  I've also added pounds and new blood pressure meds.  So, for 2015, my goal is to eat more raw vegan, a little more each week.  In the past, I made almond milk with the nut bag.  These seems much easier and if you are on a busy schedule, consider adding this recipe for Hemp Milk.  If you have a different recipe, I'd love to hear about it.  Have a great week!

** 1/24/15  Update on the hemp milk... I have been using it now for several weeks rather than purchasing Blue Diamond Unsweetened Almond Milk and I'm SOLD.  It has a creamy consistency all week long in the fridge.  I also increased the water to 4 cups to 1 cup of hemp seed since I use it in my smoothie where I add a couple of Brazil nuts and almonds.  If you haven't tried it, I think you will enjoy it.  The agave could also be adjusted to your preference and vanilla bean could be added, too.  :-)