HappyThyroid Soup

...........Or, as I like to call it ""What was in the Cupboard and about to Expire Gumbo"


In any case; after my radiation thing to work on my Graves' Disease, I am now one of the millions of folks struggling to live day to day with an underactive thyroid gland; I'm now Hypothryoid.

And what fun, as the medications have to be adjusted so your mood swings are legend, your hands shake, your hair falls out, alternating sweating like a pig or freezing like an iceberg....oh and the weight gain, and don't forget the lethargy & depression.....oh yeah. It's got it all.

BUT there's hope and that's the main thing. Time. Proper care. Good diet. Right levels of Meds.


There's a lot of great books out there about hypo/hyper thyroidism , and  a few deal with the weight issues. This soup is by no means a doctor okayed thing or anythhing; but I went by the guidelines in Mary Shomon's book; "The Thyroid Diet" about foods to try, foods to avoid.

 And it's yummy. Like, really yummy. And good for you. So here's the basic recipe. I think you could add whatever you wanted really, and simmer it, and it'd be awesome. But this is my version. 


As per David's request; The HappyThyroid Soup.


 1. Diced Carrots, Onion, Red Bell Pepper, Celery, garlic - a lot, like 2-3 cups
Cut up Okra 1 Package
1 can Garbanzo beans, rinsed
1 cup soy beans
2 containers (6-8 cups) sodium/salt reduced chicken stock
1 lg can chopped tomatoes
1 cup basmati rice (or more)
3 cups water (maybe)
3 handfuls fresh spinach
peppercorns - 15 or so
garlic powder - lots
turmeric - lots like 3 tsp
chili powder 3 tsp
ancho chili powder 2 tsp
dash or 5 of hot sauce >> I like it spicy so I add more
black pepper lots
bay leaves - 2

In a big ol' stock pot, and I do mean big - heat some olive oil and saute the items in row #1
Add in Okra, saute a bit longer, a minute or two, stir lots
Add beans, tomatoes and stock
Stir well. Let this cook for a minute on medium heat
Add everything else except for rice, bring heat up to med-high
stir often, bring to boil
add rice and water, stir
add all spices to taste, keep tasting, add more 
reduce to simmer, cover

You could add more veggies if you like, whatever you have on hand. Remove from heat. 

You'll probably want to add more water as you reheat and use . Serve and eat it with whole grain crusty bread. It's yummy.
Did I mention that yet? It's yummy.

I'm freezing well over half of it in ziploc baggies. Ejnoy!!!

Chilly Mornings

This morning I went outside to enjoy the morning sunshine and have my coffee on the front porch;  and it was actually CHILLY!!!!
Uh Oh.
The End of Summer is Coming! I love summer. I love warm. I love the sun.  But after years of working/living in the southern US and following summer around; I did really miss the fall.

I love the colours and smells and feel of Fall; October has always sorta been my favourite month, with July a close second.

So let's see here. What's new and exciting....OH...I know....a few days ago in a clearance section of a local shop, I found a Whoopie Pie baking pan. YAY.
This is exciting news because I made some last year at Christmas time and they kinda spread in wacky shapes without the containing pan.....they were still quite yummy though.

BUT THEN I came across the NEW Donut Baking Pan...and I'm SUPER excited to try this bad boy out...."Michael's" store link  and even though it only does six at a time ...well... can't wait. There's THIS one recipe....   

Can't wait. After work I think........

On the sewing front...keeping the house tidy for showings etc has been a challenge on its' own. Yes, the townhouse is STILL up for sale, a steal really,  but as everyone reminds me, this is not a good time to be trying to sell. But I have faith. This has been a happy home for years and a small family or a couple starting out would be PERFECT for it.....and I happen to know you can fit a LOT of stuff in the basement....laugh.
But I can't start any big projects really, well I could, but I'd have to clean up after every time..eeeeesh.

So I starting working on small things, bits and pieces of scrap blocks, as I noticed that the THREE mini bins I had were completely overflowing and out of hand getting quite full and in need of some trimming. I've got a few finished and will be working along on those. Plus too I have some blue and white Irish Chain blocks to assemble;  and various other little projects to work on. I *really* want to make some of these Sprocket Pillows from the FABULOUS Cluck Cluck Sew  ,  one of my all time fav blog reads.

Okay. Time to go get ready for work! Enjoy your day...it's a beauty out there!!!