Fat-Burning Soup (per L. Miles)

Recipe is from Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital.  It is used by overweight heart patients to lose weight rapidly before surgery-modified slightly.  Makes 10-12 servings.

1 carton of BEEF BROTH (or 2 packets mixed with water)

2 envelopes of ONION SOUP MIX

1 small can of TOMATO SAUCE (or paste) to thicken broth

1 can (32 oz.) of DICED TOMATOES (or equivalent fresh)

2 cans of GREEN BEANS (or better equivalent fresh or frozen - 3 “cans” for larger batch)

2 cans of CARROTS (So much better fresh – 10 raw carrots – 3 “cans” for larger batch)

1 bunch of CELERY, chopped or sliced

1 tsp. “VEGIT” all-purpose low-salt seasoning (or more to suit taste)

Cut the raw veggies into small or medium pieces.  Combine ingredients in a large pot and add enough water to cover.  Bring to a boil for 5 minutes then simmer until veggies are tender (about 20 minutes).  It will store in the frige for the week; you don’t need to freeze it. (It tends to lose its flavor, because it hasn’t enough salt.)

This soup can be eaten anytime you are hungry, and you can eat as much as you want.  It will not add calories!  The more you eat, the more you will lose.  Fill a thermos in the morning if you plan to be away during the day.

Supplement this soup with raw fruits and vegetables.  Cantaloupe and watermelon are lower in calories than most other fruits.  Drink only unsweetened juices, tea, coffee, diet pop, skim milk, and water, water, water (6-8 oz. glasses a day). 

Do not eat the following while eating this soup: bread, alcohol, dried foods, or fats (FYI: nuts are 90% fat). [That is L. Miles talking…will comment below…I believe in good fats…avocados, olive oil, almonds and even walnuts.)

Because everyone’s digestive system is different, this diet will affect everyone differently.  This eating plan will clean your system of impurities and give you a better sense of well being.  After 3 days, you will have more energy than when you began (if you do not cheat).  After a few days you may find that your bowel movements have changed.  If required, eat a cup of bran or fiber.  After only 7 days, you will begin to feel lighter by about 10 pounds (less if you cheated) and have an abundance of energy. 

“Laverne’s Plan” [don’t know who this is]: Eat a high fiber breakfast with fruit and milk (to stay regular).  Eat the soup for lunch and dinner for 5 days each week, snacking in-between on raw fruits and veggies (or even more soup).  Then eat a “normal” diet on the weekends.

Warning: Do not eat this soup indefinitely or you will suffer malnutrition.  This is why eating regular foods on the weekends is recommended. 

[Nothing beats eating healthy meals.  This is just another healthy meal full of veggies, which you can not get enough of.  I don’t recommend crash diets, which this is basically if this is all you eat.  Don’t think “diet” just eat healthy.  Make healthy eating a lifestyle and not an exception.  Eat fresh foods – not processed, fried, or too much breads.  So when you go back to normal eating you won’t gain weight back again.  Just incorporate this recipe as another good meal.  It does take time to plan and prepare, but you are eating to live, not living to eat as I once read in a book I’ll Never Be Fat Again, by Carol Livingston Stuart - http://www.amazon.com/Ill-Never-be-Fat-Again/dp/1569801487/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239131294&sr=1-1. -- Antara]