Vegetable Goodness

I've been trying to get more vegetables in my diet and have less meals with meat in them.

Vegetable soup is my go-to food. Sometimes I will look up a recipe to get different ideas for spices but most of the time I just wing it.

I love to use my crock pot. It cooks it evenly and I don't need to worry about having an open flame on the cooktop all day.

I start with a veggie stock. I like to keep dry granules on hand that you just add water to. I also like a creamy veggie base that comes in a little jar. It has to be refridgerated and you add water to it too.
In this I added:
1 onion
5-6 asparagus spears (from my backyard :)
2 zucchini
1 red bell pepper
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 large sweet potato
10 baby carrots
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 can kidney beans, rinsed
1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed
About 1 Tablespoon Mrs. Dash
Freshly ground pepper

It depends on what I have on hand when I'm making it. Sometimes I add frozen peas, white potatoes, corn, broccoli, yellow squash and even brown rice. I've added quinoa before too.

It never comes out like the time before. This is sometimes frustrating when I really liked a certain formula and I try to replicate it. But mostly it is more interesting and fun. Yum!

I make a LOT of it and then have bowls for lunch later in the week or even supper when everyone else is having hot dogs or pizza.

It's easier to eat right when you plan ahead. It is for me, anyway.

What do you think of meatless meals? Do you have a favorite recipe for vegetable soup?