recipes

Vegan Red Lentil Detox Soup

Vegan Red Lentil Detox Soup | Well and Full | #healthy #vegan #recipe

This Vegan Red Lentil Detox Soup is comforting and nourishing, made with warming spices like turmeric and cayenne!


I am adding this note to the beginning of all my detox recipes. There is no such thing as a “detox”, as the word is used colloquially. The human body naturally removes toxins through the liver, kidneys, digestive system, and other pathways – no juice cleanses required. However, I like to use the word detox in my recipes because of its connotations – starting fresh, eating nutritious food, and helping your body be its healthiest self. I hope you enjoy these recipes!


One of my 2019 was to put in effort to mix things up in the kitchen more. I tend to cook the same thing over and over, always going for flavors and recipes I know I already like. But in doing so, I’ve closed myself off to other foods that I may enjoy just as much! For example, I went to a restaurant in Boston that had a green goddess ranch dressing. I like ranch so I thought it was a safe bet. Turns out the dressing was loaded with dill, and herb I thought I hated! But I ended up loving the dressing, and will even be posting a copycat recipe up here on the blog soon! It just goes to show that you never know when you may stumble upon a new favorite.

Something I’m working on in my life, not just culinarily, is stepping outside of my comfort zone. I currently see a psychologist to work through some of the issues of anxiety I’ve dealt with over the past few years. The reason I’m admitting this online is because there is absolutely ZERO shame in seeing a doctor or therapist for mental health reasons. Sometimes there’s things in life that we can’t handle alone. Seeing a mental health professional can be life changing, as it has been for me.

With my doctor I’ve been working on certain behavioral techniques to reduce stress and mitigate anxiety. In doing so, I’ve learned a lot about myself and the ways I’ve been handling my anxiety. There is a psychological phenomenon called experiential avoidance, which occurs when you avoid doing certain things in fear that you will experience anxiety. Learning about experiential avoidance was eye-opening for me, because I realized I do it all the time. I’ll avoid seeing my friends our leaving the house all the time because of my anxiety. In doing so, I’ve trapped myself in a box that’s becoming increasingly difficult to get out of.

But being aware of the problem is half the battle, and I’ve glad I’ve wised up to my anxious ways. Right now I’m working on stepping out of my comfort zone and doing things that I’m not always 100% comfortable doing. It’s a balance because I’m not going to do things that are flat-out wrong to me. But I am going to push myself to do things that may be a little challenging! It’s a constant work in progress, but I’m happy to be moving in the right direction :)

Vegan Red Lentil Detox Soup | Well and Full | #healthy #vegan #recipe

Vegan Red Lentil Detox Soup

This vegan red lentil detox soup is comforting and nourishing, made with warming spices like turmeric and cayenne.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

Red Lentil Soup

  • 1/2 White Onion diced
  • 2 Cloves Garlic minced
  • Neutral Vegetable Oil for sauté
  • 2 Cups Kale chopped
  • 1 Cup Red Lentils
  • 2 Cups Vegetable Broth
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt or more to taste
  • 1 Tsp Turmeric
  • 1/4 Tsp Cayenne
  • 1/2 Tsp Paprika
  • 1 15 oz Can Diced Fire-Roasted Tomatoes
  • Black Pepper to taste
  • 1 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar

Toppings

  • Fresh Chopped Parsley
  • Pumpkin Seeds

Instructions
 

  • Bring a drizzle of neutral vegetable oil (like avocado) to medium heat in a pot. Add in the diced onion, and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until onion is softened.
  • Then, add in the garlic, and sauté for another 30 seconds, or until fragrant. 
  • Then, add in the kale and sauté for another minute, until kale is softened.
  • Then add in all other soup ingredients and stir well until everything is combined.
  • Simmer soup for about 15-20 minutes, or until red lentils are completely soft.
  • Taste, and adjust seasonings if necessary.
  • Serve with fresh parsley and pumpkin seeds, if you'd like.
  • Enjoy!

Vegan Red Lentil Detox Soup | Well and Full | #healthy #vegan #recipe

P.S.

If you make this vegan red lentil detox soup and post it on Instagram, be sure to tag me @wellandfull and #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your takes on my recipes :)

15 Comments

  • Reply
    Jennifer Bliss
    January 21, 2019 at 1:44 pm

    Looks great! I posted about a Lentil Soup today, too!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 23, 2019 at 1:58 pm

      Soup twins!! ;) Lentils are so cozy and delicious in winter!

  • Reply
    Things2Eat
    January 22, 2019 at 7:46 am

    I really appreciate the head note, as I am starting to purposefully not include recipes with the word “detox” and “clean” in my pins and my blog’s meal plans.

    If you use the term detox to mean “fresh start”, why not call it Fresh Start Lentil Soup? Or “Reset” or something of that nature? I know I would prefer to share a recipe with those terms in the name over “detox”.

    Just a thought – thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes with us.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 22, 2019 at 1:55 pm

      Hi there, thank you for your thoughtful note. I like using the word detox because it has positive connotations – starting over, making a healthy change, effecting a positive impact on your life. I recognize that the word has been co-opted by a certain subset of the wellness community to mean “diet” or “juice cleanse”. But in using the word detox in my recipes, I’m trying to take it back and educate people on what it really means. In doing so, I’m hoping I can help people understand that true detoxification happens in the body already, no juice cleanses required :) I hope this answers your question!

  • Reply
    Katya
    January 22, 2019 at 8:30 am

    5 stars
    Hello Sarah :) Your soup looks amazing: thick, protein-rich and flavour-rich, a perfect winter soup. :)

    I have to admit that your recipes are only a part of reasons why I come to your blog. You sharing your stories and struggles is also really fascinating for me. I have struggled with anxiety for years and used to visit a therapist a lot. I am slowly learning now how to cope on my own, how to recognise my triggers. I’ve also learnt that those triggers can be really tiny things: trying a new food, getting an email from a stranger. So you experimenting in kitchen or trying a new dressing is by no means a little thing; it is a HUGE step in overcoming anxiety. I wish you all the luck on your mental health journey. Sending mental hugs :)))

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 22, 2019 at 1:56 pm

      Hi Katya, thank you so much for your kind note! Anxiety can be really difficult to deal with, and it affects many people in different ways. Recognizing things that trigger anxiety is such a crucial step towards healing! I wish you the absolute best on your mental health journey as well :) Hugs!

  • Reply
    pat marino
    January 23, 2019 at 6:50 am

    5 stars
    soup looks delicious I will be making it.
    p.s. I am also from Conn.
    it is very cold. Pat.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 23, 2019 at 1:56 pm

      Hi Pat, I hope you like the soup! Please feel free to leave any feedback when you make it! :) And it’s been so freezing here, I’m usually a winter person but I’m very excited for spring this year ;)

  • Reply
    Jess @choosingchia
    January 23, 2019 at 7:38 am

    5 stars
    I loveeee red lentils! Awesome soup Sarah love all those spice combinations too, perfect for winter:)

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 23, 2019 at 1:56 pm

      Thanks Jess!! :) I love red lentils too :)

  • Reply
    Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
    January 23, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    It sounds like you are making great progress with overcoming anxiety! That is something I struggle with as well. I think it is such a common thing and we could all benefit from a little therapy. And I love that you realized you actually do enjoy dill, when used in the right recipes. It’s one of my favorite herbs! :)

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 23, 2019 at 8:30 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind note, Sarah! I have a long way to go in tackling my anxiety, but it feels good to be on the right path :) And I’m so glad I finally realized I like dill as well! ;)

  • Reply
    Ela
    January 24, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    5 stars
    Your lentil soup looks delicious, Sarah! So comforting and warming for winter. :)

  • Reply
    Laurel
    January 24, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    I LOVE red lentils and can’t wait to make this soup!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 26, 2019 at 12:08 pm

      Thanks Laurel! :)

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