Sunday, September 27, 2026

Carrot Ginger Zucchini Soup – Cozy Fall Vegetable Soup Recipe


fall vegan vegetable soup in a bowl

A Chilly Fall Day Calls for Cozy Soup

Do you like the taste of fresh ginger? I do, and this easy carrot ginger zucchini soup feels cozy, soothing, and tastes delicious. 

My son's garden is still flourishing with zucchini, even though fall has officially arrived. When he gifted me three zucchini yesterday- two yellow and one green, I knew I wanted to put them to good use.

yellow zucchini on a plate

 With the cooler temperatures we are experiencing (lows of 50-55 degrees) and a steady chilly rain outside, I was definitely in the mood for something warming and soothing— A pot of homemade soup sounded just right.

Bowl of carrot ginger vegetable soup in a bowl

This Soup is A New Twist on my Previous Fall Favorite

I previously shared my recipe for Carrot Apple Ginger Soup that many enjoyed. A delicious combination, but with fresh zucchini sitting on my kitchen counter, I wanted to switch things up and use the zucchini in my soup. I decided to make a something similar but more savory -carrot ginger zucchini soup.

vegan carrot ginger soup in a bowl with spoon

Creamy or Brothy?

One soup two ways!!! Broth-like or Creamy

You can make it creamy by blending it with an immersion blender or eat it the way I prefer it, as a broth with chopped veggies. 


Fall vegan vegetable soup


Creamy vegan carrot ginger soup in a bowl

Light, flavorful, warming and simple to make, this soup hits the spot. It cooks quickly in the Instant Pot, but you can also make it just as easily on the stovetop, if you prefer. yellow zucchini chopped a cutting board

I love how many nutritious vegetables are packed into one simple bowl. The carrots, zucchini, onion, potatoes, and ginger bring plenty of color, flavor, and antioxidant-rich goodness to this healthy fall soup.


bunch of carrots

I enjoy eating this soup as a broth filled with delicious chopped vegetables. If you prefer your soup blended, thick, and creamy, get that immersion blender out and blend away for a creamy silky bowl of soup. You could even add a little coconut milk (or cream if that's your preference) to this comfort soup. 

creamy vegan carrot zucchini ginger soup

A generous amount of freshly grated ginger adds a genuine warmth to the recipe without overpowering the delicate flavor of the other vegetables. * However,  If you are like my husband, and you don't like the taste of fresh ginger at all, you could omit it and just add more vegetable bouillon powder.

Sometimes a New Recipe Just Happens

It’s funny how a new recipe can come together. Sometimes I don't start out with a recipe in mind at all. I simply look at what I have on hand and let the ingredients inspire me.

That’s exactly what happened here.

What I like best about my soup recipes is that they are simple, calling for only a few easy-to-find ingredients that are healthy, low carb, and nourishing.

So, if you still have zucchini coming from your garden—or you simply find some beautiful zucchini at the market—give this easy fall vegetable soup a try.

How do you feel about fresh ginger in your cooking? Are you ready for soup yet? 

Ingredients: 

2 cups of chopped or sliced carrots 
2 cups of diced potatoes
3 cups of chopped yellow (or green) zucchini
1 cup of chopped onion
1 flat teaspoon of freshly grated ginger (or more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Water to completely cover vegetables ( maybe 1 inch above veggies)
1 tablespoon of (Gluten-free) chicken flavored vegetarian bouillon powder (or paste)
Optional: If blending -add some coconut milk or cream

Directions: 

Put everything into the liner of the Instant Pot. Secure lid and set to pressure cook for 7 minutes. Once done, allow to sit for about 4 more minutes before releasing the steam according to the manufacturers directions. When all steam is released, carefully open the lid.

*Soup always tastes best after it has a chance to sit a while and the flavors have a chance to mingle.

Stove Top Version

**If using the stove top instead of the Instant Pot, add two more cups of water since water will evaporate on the stove top, but it doesn't in the Instant Pot. 

If using a soup pot, put everything in and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for about 20 minutes or until all vegetables are well cooked. When done allow to sit for a while for flavors to mingle before serving. 

How do you like your soup? 

Blended and creamy or brothy and chunky? Are you a fan of fresh ginger? Are you ready for soup yet?

My Notes: 

1. All of my recipes are gluten-free, vegan, and easy to make calling for just a few healthy ingredients.

2. My son gave me yellow zucchini, so I used yellow zucchini in this soup. If your zucchini is green, your soup will be a different color. Perhaps with a green tint. Either way it will be good.

3. The garnish of fresh oregano leaves is also from my son's garden.

4. I'm an Instant Pot Girl!! I always use my Instant Pot for soup making. There is no spill over, no mess, very easy clean up and it calls me when it is done so I don't have to keep stirring or checking on the soup. 

5. I use always use organic vegetables when I can find them. I think they have a great flavor. But you do you!!!

Have you seen my plant-based soups cookbook (affiliate link to Amazon) with over 80 delicious easy soup recipes to help you find easy healthy recipes? Take a look at it on Amazon. Makes a nice gift.

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for Amazon and receive a small compensation if you click on a link from my blog and make a qualified purchase.



Friday, September 25, 2026

Blogger Reading List is Back !!



Ai generated photo 

I was so excited. The Blogger Reading List seemed to be back and working again.

 I saw at least five bloggers that I follow who recently posted and I visited each one. 

Then just like that it - I tried to view it later and -it was gone again. ??????

Then later it was back again!!!!

 It may be back by now? Who knows. 

What is your experience? Is it working for you? 

I'm hoping it's back. 

Meanwhile I'm sharing some soup recipes. 
The weather here is getting cooler. Today it is in the mid 50's. Time for soup!!!

Monday, September 21, 2026

Caught In The Act: Grabbing Some Corn

squirrel eating a corn on the cob

Yup! This may be corny, but I caught a squirrel who stole corn on the cob right off the stalk from a neighboring farm. My son happens to have a farm directly behind his back yard which grows corn.

The other day, I stopped by my son’s house. I walked through the backyard, and as I walked across the yard, I spotted something comical—a squirrel with an ear of yellow corn on the cob in his mouth!

Friday, September 18, 2026

High Protein Chocolate Cookies- Better Than Protein Bars


High Protein Chocolate Cookies on a plate
Do you ever buy protein bars or add powdered protein to your smoothies? I do, and I decided to stop doing it on a regular basis. Instead, I decided to make my own high protein chocolate cookies, and guess what I used for the natural protein?  

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Make Way for Ducklings in Boston


Bronze Duck Statue in Boston Gardens

Make Way for Ducklings in Boston

While visiting Boston, I spent some time walking through the beautiful Boston Gardens, and one of the things I discovered was the famous Make Way for Ducklings statues.

Monday, September 14, 2026

Maple- Glazed Carrots and Leeks With Pomegranate Seeds For Rosh Hashanah


When was the last time you used leeks in a recipe? This recipe for sautéed leeks and carrots with pomegranate seeds is simple, sweet, colorful and delicious. I made it for Rosh Hashanah for our holiday meal. I meant to publish it last week, but got behind while traveling. ( If you just want the recipe and not the backstory, scroll down to the bottom of the post). 

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

A Little Mini Vacation to Cape Cod For a Reunion


cape cod

Sometimes the little mini vacations aren't about seeing as many places as possible—they're about spending time with people you really enjoy. 

I just returned last night from a six-day car trip that included Westchester, NY, Boston, Massachusetts, and Cape Cod.

Monday, August 31, 2026

IN MY KITHEN -SEPTEMBER 2026

What’s in My Kitchen ?


September is a busy month in my kitchen because I’m getting ready for the Jewish New Year holiday, Rosh Hashanah and our celebrations. Right now I'm prepping in advance, and my kitchen is filled with holiday platters and ceremonial dishes, and my freezer is starting to fill up with food that I’m cooking ahead of time.

Saturday, August 29, 2026

Easy Zucchini Lasagna - A Healthy Plant-Based Recipe

Whole zucchini in a bowl

I promise this is my last zucchini recipe (for this month anyway).  I'm still on a zucchini kick, but since the zucchini at the farmer's stand is slowly coming to an end, so will my zucchini recipes.     .

 I've been experimenting with different ways to use it up. This time, I made a simple plant-based zucchini lasagna using slices of zucchini as my noodles with just four main ingredients: zucchini, marinara sauce, mushrooms, and tofu. (If you don't care for tofu and you eat dairy, substitute ricotta cheese).  

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Easy Zucchini Breakfast Muffins - Just 4 Ingredients (vegan and gluten-free)

   

I've been craving muffins lately, and since I have plenty of zucchini on hand, I thought I'd try my hand at making zucchini oatmeal breakfast muffins. I'm have not baked for a long time, so I wanted something really simple—and this recipe couldn't be easier.

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Hello NYC and Hello Broadway

A Spontaneous Day in New York City and a Broadway Show...

New York City photo and picture

I live about an hour and half from NYC. About a week ago, I decided to do something I had been thinking about for a while. I went online, bought matinee tickets to a Broadway show, and figured I would find someone to go with me.

Monday, August 17, 2026

Create an Adorable Cauliflower Dog for Your Next Crudité Platter


Crudite platter with a cauliflower dog sitting on top

Want to make a special crudités platter? My friend created this adorable cauliflower dog to sit on her crudité platter for a party, and it was an instant hit! It looks like it took a lot of work, but she assured me it’s actually quite easy to assemble.  

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Alaska Cruise: 7 Days, 4 Ports & 3 Excursions

Bald eagles, salmon, totem poles, seals, otters, glaciers, deer, and gorgeous flowers—our seven-day Alaska cruise was filled with amazing scenery and wildlife. Everywhere we looked, there was something exciting and new to see.

Bald eagle in a tree

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Chickpea "Tuna" Salad ; A Plant-Based Alternative to Traditional Tuna Salad

If you enjoy traditional tuna salad but are looking for a healthier plant-based alternative, mashed chickpeas are hard to beat. Not only are they delicious, but they also offer one important advantage: you don't have to worry about mercury.

A person holding a metal bowl filled with chickpeas


Saturday, August 1, 2026

Our Alaska Cruise - First Stop Seattle


Our Alaska Cruise Began with an Unexpected Surprise in Seattle

We had spent months wondering about the best time to visit Alaska. Would it be cold? Rainy? Foggy? As it turned out, we couldn't have picked a better week. Once our cruise began, we were treated to sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-60s to upper 60's  almost every day—perfect weather for exploring Alaska's beautiful ports.

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Alaska Vacation



I'm on vacation in Alaska on a cruise. I'll have lots of photos to share when I return, which should be any day since I left well over a week ago.

 Hope you are enjoying your summer. 

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Cat Sitting and Photos of Our Adventures

Cat Sitting 

My sister-in-law lives about 15 minutes away from us. She went to California for 10 days. We made a trip daily to her house to feed, clean litter boxes, and play with her two cats. We usually spent about an hour there.

They were a lot of fun and we had a good time with them . 


2 cats playing

The black and white cat is named Cookie ; the brownish colored cat is named Maple. They are great company for each other, but they still enjoyed our visits. 

I made sure to give them a "Churo" treat each time I came. They went wild over the treat and warmed up to me. 

I'm sharing some photos I took of them over the course of the week. 

Maple liked to go high up on her cat playground to give herself some space away from everyone.

cat on a playground


Cookie is the quieter of the two. She is not as playful

black and white long haired cat


Cookie likes to lay on her back

black and white long haired cat on her back


Maple loves her round tunnel. She often zips right through it in a flash!!

cat in a play tunnel

Maple looks like she posed for this picture. What a beauty.



Cookie on her scratch pad .




We had fun with them but- we and I am sure that they -were glad when their mommy came home. 

Do you have cats? We don't have any of our own- but most of our local family members have cats. 

We have a grand-cat named LuLu that I have shared about before. Lulu does not like other cats!!!

LULU 

My Notes: 
Please consider purchasing my cookbook on Amazon!  plant-based soups cookbook (affiliate link)



My Soups Cookbook contains over 80 healthy soup recipes and 80 inspirational quotes and time saving cooking tips to help encourage, guide, and inspire readers to reach a greater level of wellness. Plant-based soups cookbook (affiliate link)  on Amazon with a "look inside" option to see all the recipe titles and introduction.

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Red Lentil Potato Dal | An Easy Plant-Based Indian Dinner


bowl of potato red lentil dal , vegan , gluten free

Do you enjoy Indian cuisine? It's one of our favorites, and last night I made a simple, comforting red lentil potato dal that was relatively quick and easy- as vegetarian cooking goes. You gotta chop!


We're still hosting our cousin from Los Angeles, who is in the area for work. He's a film producer and spends most of the day working remotely, making him an easy houseguest. (His latest film is called "Monument" with John Voight). Since he only eats two meals a day, I like to make sure dinner is something filling. He is not a vegetarian, but he likes ethnic food.

Asian Summer Rolls- no cooking needed

shredded carrot, cucumber, zucchini on a plate
Vegetable filling for Summer Rolls along with sliced pickles, mint, cilantro etc.

To start, I served fresh Asian summer rolls filled with grated raw vegetables, fragrant herbs from my garden, and a few unexpected additions like sliced pickles for extra crunch and flavor. I paired them with a gluten-free peanut dipping sauce that I found at Wegmans, and it was a perfect match.

vegan summer rolls with peanut sauce

No Lettuce Salad- no cooking needed

For the dinner, I made a delightful salad without lettuce using canned hearts of palm, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chunks of avocado. It's one of my favorite combinations because it's fresh, colorful, and the slight juice from the hearts of palm and the creamy avocado kind of make its own dressing.



Rice and Red Lentil Potato Dal-25-30 minutes cooking

For the main course, I served my hearty red lentil potato dal over fluffy white rice. The simple dal was flavored with cumin seeds, ground cumin, turmeric, freshly grated ginger, cracked black pepper, and garlic powder (I had run out of fresh garlic). As it simmered, the kitchen filled with the warm aroma of Indian spices, making it hard to wait until dinner was ready.

The dal (and the rice cooked separately) cooked in pots on low rather quickly (about 30 minutes) so the kitchen didn't heat up too much.

a close up of a corn on the cob

Corn on cob- eaten raw- no cooking needed

Oh, I almost forgot ! I also served fresh corn on the cob from a local farmer who says his corn is Non GMO. It was so sweet, we ate it raw without cooking it. Corn is fabulous eaten right off the cob without cooking. It is sweet, crunchy, and delicious.

Yes, it was a filling meal; we were all so full that dessert wasn't even a consideration. We were stuffed!

The weather here has been brutal—104°F yesterday! It's definitely the kind of heat that makes me crave simple, nourishing meals that don't require hours in the kitchen.

How's the weather where you are? And what's been on your dinner table lately? I'd love to hear what you're cooking this summer.

Red lentil dal and rice- vegan and gluten free

Ingredients for the Red Lentil Potato Dal:  
1 tablespoon of cumin seeds
1 medium onion, diced
1 cloves of garlic, pressed or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger
2 cups of diced potatoes, or chopped how you like it
1 cup of red lentils, washed and drained
1 teaspoon of salt
cracked pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon of ground cumin powder
1/8 teaspoon of curry powder 
4 cups of water 
2 tablespoons vegetable bouillon powder
Optional: hot pepper of your choice

Directions: 
Sauté onion, ginger, cumin seeds in a wide rimmed skillet in a little water, or oil if you prefer, for 5 minutes stirring. Add chopped potatoes and coat and stir for 1 minute. Add red lentils, turmeric, pepper, cumin powder, curry powder, salt, water and bouillon. Stir, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover and cook for 25 minutes until potatoes are soft. Serve over cooked quinoa or rice.

My Notes: 
1. You could add jalapeño peppers or any hot pepper while cooking if you like it hot!! I don't... 
2. Use vegetable broth instead of water and bouillon powder.
3. Everything in this meal is gluten-free

ReNext Multifunction Stainless Steel Julienne Peeler Vegetable Peeler Double Planing Grater Kitchen Accessories Cooking Tools
I used a julienne peeler to grate the vegetables in a jiffy. 
It was called ReNext Multifunction Stainless... and it works great. 

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for Amazon. If you click on a link and go to Amazon and you make a qualified purchase on Amazon- I will get a small commission. 

Sunday, July 12, 2026

One Pot Tofu Recipe | Easy Vegan Skillet Dinner


One pot tofu recipe with vegetables and rice                                                                                        
This one-pot tofu skillet dinner has become a favorite in our house because it's simple, hearty, and incredibly versatile. You can make it with rice or quinoa, depending on what you have on hand, and it's also an easy way to use up whatever vegetables are in your refrigerator. It's not the prettiest or most photogenic dish I'll admit. 

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Fireworks and a Big Storm


balloons spelling USA 250

A Quick Fireworks Show—and an Even Quicker Dash to the Car

How was your Fourth of July weekend? Ours was pretty quiet, but we still managed to get out and enjoy a little holiday fun.

On the Fourth, we headed over to watch the fireworks at Sesame Place in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Instead of dealing with the crowds inside the park, we joined hundreds of other people who had the same idea—parking in the shopping center across the street. Everyone unloaded their lawn chairs and lined the edges of the parking lot, settling in for the show.

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Easy Vegan Potato Salad With Fresh Pesto

\

yellow bowl with potato salad and pesto

If you're looking for a fresh twist on traditional potato salad, this easy vegan potato salad is one recipe you'll want to make all summer long. Instead of a heavy mayonnaise dressing, tender potatoes are tossed in a homemade basil and cilantro (or parsley) pesto that is bursting with robust flavor.

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

IN MY KITCHEN - JULY 2026

What's In My Kitchen This Month? 

Lots of produce from the local farmers market. 

The farner's market has officially opened for the season, and I couldn't be more excited. There are about eight local farmers who participate—including three certified organic farms—it's the perfect place to stock up on fresh, seasonal produce.



There is simply no comparison between vegetables that were picked that morning and those that have traveled hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach the grocery store. Freshly grown and picked produce is bursting with flavor, and because it's so fresh, it also retains more of its nutrients and lasts much longer.



The market is held every Saturday morning, nestled in the countryside about 20 minutes from my house. I never know exactly what I'll find. Every week brings something new as different fruits and vegetables come into season.



This week's haul included crisp cucumbers, leafy greens, bok choy, celery, cabbage, fresh herbs such as cilantro and dill, zucchini, dandelion greens, onions, and red potatoes. 

Of course, bringing home all that fresh produce means I'll have to spend some time prepping it and cooking it. 



I like to wash everything as soon as I get home. Some weeks I'll prep individual salad jars for easy lunches. Other times I simply wash and dry everything before storing it in reusable produce bags or containers. Spending a little time upfront makes healthy eating much easier during the busy week.



One thing I discovered this weekend was that my deck makes the perfect produce prep station! Instead of covering my kitchen counters and floor with dirt, leaves, and water, I carried everything outside and worked on my outdoor patio table. It's easier to hose down the deck than have to wash the kitchen floor. 



I washed, sorted, and trimmed my vegetables while enjoying the fresh air, and when I was finished, cleanup was incredibly easy. No muddy kitchen floor to mop afterward!

There's something satisfying about opening the refrigerator and seeing it filled with colorful, fresh produce that's washed, prepped, and ready to use. It inspires me to eat more vegetables, try new recipes, and make the most of everything that's in season.

I made a potato salad with pesto using the potatoes and herbs which I will be sharing the recipe soon.

New Serving Spoons

salad servers, black and white check handles


 Do you shop at your local farmer's market? When you get home, do you wash and prep everything right away, or wait until you're ready to use it? 

Joining Sherry at Sherry's Pickings for her monthly IN MYKITCHEN blogger's share. Anyone can join in . 

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