On Miso Soup

SPECIAL MISO SOUP

This special fermented grain and bean seasoning is high in essential enzymes
that re-establish intestinal flora. It has an alkalizing effect and has been found in scientific studies to prevent cancer and heart disease. Macrobiotic proponents feel it is an invaluable ingredient in the daily diet, along with tamari/shoyu (soy sauce) sea vegetables (for grains) and sea salt (for greens).

On the Holistic Holiday at Sea every breakfast began with miso soup -- a Japanese tradition. For the past almost four years I've been making a conscious effort to include soup to start at at least one meal a day -- the practice began when I was served soup lunch and dinner for two weeks on a life changing holistic healing retreat with Drs. Molly and Quentin Laird of Community Supported Anthroposophic Medicine in Ann Arbor. This system was inspired by the visionary Rudolph Steiner and first introduced at the Lukas Klinic in Switzerland.

The bonus benefit I find in beginning meals with soup - hot or cold - for fast- over-eaters like myself, the soup reminds me to slow down - breath and savor each bite. I usually consume smaller quantities and less calories when soup is served first -- sipping soup provides time to notice the sensation of satiation!

So here's what I prepared for my Pittsburgh Soup subscribers this week - and will take to Berkeley Springs West Virginia to share with Spa Festers on Saturday the 29th at The Ice House:

Today’s versión of Miso Soup includes the following ingredients:

Infusion of Kombu (kelp), soy-free aged chick pea miso, Braggs soy-based tonic in lieu of soysauce is packaged separately for those ok with soy - as is cubed tofu --, dried ginger, dried shitake mushrooms, carrot, shallot, mustard greens, fresh water chestnuts, baby bok choy,miran - rice wine and sesame oil. Add the chopped raw baby spinach when gently reheating the soup cooking until just wilted.(And tofu if you want soy added)
Garnish with raw scallions. If soy is not an issue - try a version seasoned to taste with Tamari/shoyu soysauce and compare it to Braggs - see what you prefer.

If you need more warming – you can add leftover brown rice/millet/quinoa when you reheat the soup. Buckwheat noodles are a gluten-free favorite of mine.

Chanting Ingredients always start with my Jain mantras:
The first one, to center and protect: Navkar Mantra and for healing: Shivum Astu

My Chanting/healing music ingredients during the Miso making included a wonderful ancient Chinese Proverb I learned on a CD by Sweet Honey and the Rock and have shared with Tai Ji companions many times -- and it really centers me - perhaps even without their voices here, you too will feel a shift? Picture it starting and concluding with the sound of a single chime:

Where there is light in the soul there is beauty in the person.
Where there is beauty in the person there is harmony in the home.
Where there is harmony in the home, there is honor in the nation.
Where there is honor in the nation there is peace in the world.

Bon Apetito!! L'Chaim!! In JOY!!

From you I receive, To You I give, Together we share and From this we live
Many Species...One Planet...One Future
~I See You ~ Namaste ~
Yours in Wellness, Gratitude, Vitality and the Rhythm of Nature,
Suzen Sharda Segall

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© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

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Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years