I thank you so much for not only sharing the recipe but also for the additional Info that helps so much! Im fairly new to Substack and I love so many of the stories I read. I want to fully support everyone who has Inspired me in one way or another with a paid subscription - but I'm so new! It will take me a while to figure out where I need to go from here. Right now, I have no paid tier. I feel I need to earn your interest before I would ever ask you to pay to follow me. Please know that I have completely enjoyed reading whatever I could from your Substack. It has already touched my heart and stomach! Thank you!
And honestly, there’s no rush at all on the paid side of things. I completely understand where you’re coming from. It’s something that grows naturally over time, not something that needs to be figured out straight away.
The fact that you’re here reading, engaging, and connecting like this already means a lot more than you might think.
I also really like what you said about wanting to earn that interest first. That intention tends to come through in people’s work, and it’s usually what builds something genuine over time.
I’m really glad my writing resonated with you - both heart and stomach made me smile 😊
Alexandra, Thank you so much for sharing this simple recipe with optional ingredients for a gut-healthy soup. Soups are wonderful in every season, light and nourishing during warmer weather, yet comforting and warming when the temperatures drop.
One of my favourite ways to enjoy sweet potatoes is to steam them with the peel on after giving them a thorough wash, keeping the extra fibre intact. I love dipping them into a chilli condiment, the combination of natural sweetness and a touch of spice gives them a whole new dimension.
Another favourite is pumpkin, simply cut into chunks and turned into a wholesome soup. Sometimes, the simplest ingredients make the most nourishing meals.
I really like that idea of steaming them with the peel on. It feels like such a simple way to keep things whole and nourishing, without overcomplicating it. And that contrast of sweet and spice… it adds so much without needing much at all.
Pumpkin soup is one of my favourites too for the same reason. Just a few ingredients, but when it’s done with a bit of care, it feels complete.
What you said at the end really stayed with me - the simplest ingredients often do the most. It’s easy to forget that.
Thank you, Alexandra. I usually cut smaller sweet potatoes into two pieces and the larger ones into three or four before steaming them.
I steam most of my vegetables rather than boil them. Boiling tends to leach out a lot of the flavour and nutrients, whereas steaming helps retain both.
We also never just warm up baked beans on their own. Finely chopped onions and green chillies make them taste so much better. Simply heat 1–2 teaspoons of vegetable oil (or your preferred oil) in a pan, fry the green chillies for about 30 seconds, then add the onions and cook until lightly golden. Stir in the baked beans, bring them to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. It allows all the flavours to come together beautifully.
If you don’t have fresh green chillies, you can substitute them with about ½ teaspoon of Kashmiri chilli powder, regular chilli powder, cayenne pepper, or paprika. Adjust the amount according to your preferred spice level. Kashmiri chilli powder is a great option if you want a milder heat with a lovely colour.
This is such a beautiful, grounding piece of writing, Alexandra. The idea of a warm bowl of food being a quiet act of self-respect really resonated. I also love how incredibly adaptable this is. For anyone dealing with ADHD executive fatigue, being able to lean into quick shortcuts like pre-chopped veggies or jarred garlic makes this so accessible. I'm planning to reduce the spinach, and it's wonderful to find a recipe that is robust and comforting enough to handle that change without losing its heart. Thank you for sharing this calm.
This really touched me - thank you for writing it this way.
That idea of a warm bowl of food as a quiet act of self-respect… that’s exactly how it feels to me too, but you put it into words in a way I hadn’t quite articulated before.
And I love what you said about making it accessible. Those small adjustments - pre-chopped veggies, shortcuts, adapting ingredients - they don’t take anything away from it. If anything, they make the ritual more real and doable in everyday life.
Reducing the spinach sounds like it would still work beautifully. It’s one of those recipes that can hold small changes without losing what it is.
Soup is a staple food for me and many others…if not, why not? Your descriptive piece seems very nourishing and generous. I will be making this soup as it has all the kinds of things I love to eat and yes, there is a ritual to soup making!! I’m going to add green beans to it too. Thank you for sharing your joy in cooking and eating.
There really is a ritual to it, isn’t there? The chopping, the slow simmer, the way everything comes together gradually… it has a different pace compared to most cooking.
And I love that you’re adding green beans - that sounds like it would work beautifully in it.
I agree with you too, soup is such a staple, but somehow still underrated. It’s simple, but it can be incredibly nourishing when you give it a bit of care.
I thank you so much for not only sharing the recipe but also for the additional Info that helps so much! Im fairly new to Substack and I love so many of the stories I read. I want to fully support everyone who has Inspired me in one way or another with a paid subscription - but I'm so new! It will take me a while to figure out where I need to go from here. Right now, I have no paid tier. I feel I need to earn your interest before I would ever ask you to pay to follow me. Please know that I have completely enjoyed reading whatever I could from your Substack. It has already touched my heart and stomach! Thank you!
This is so kind of you to say - thank you.
And honestly, there’s no rush at all on the paid side of things. I completely understand where you’re coming from. It’s something that grows naturally over time, not something that needs to be figured out straight away.
The fact that you’re here reading, engaging, and connecting like this already means a lot more than you might think.
I also really like what you said about wanting to earn that interest first. That intention tends to come through in people’s work, and it’s usually what builds something genuine over time.
I’m really glad my writing resonated with you - both heart and stomach made me smile 😊
Thanks for fully understanding what I was saying. 🌹
Alexandra, Thank you so much for sharing this simple recipe with optional ingredients for a gut-healthy soup. Soups are wonderful in every season, light and nourishing during warmer weather, yet comforting and warming when the temperatures drop.
One of my favourite ways to enjoy sweet potatoes is to steam them with the peel on after giving them a thorough wash, keeping the extra fibre intact. I love dipping them into a chilli condiment, the combination of natural sweetness and a touch of spice gives them a whole new dimension.
Another favourite is pumpkin, simply cut into chunks and turned into a wholesome soup. Sometimes, the simplest ingredients make the most nourishing meals.
This was such a lovely read.
I really like that idea of steaming them with the peel on. It feels like such a simple way to keep things whole and nourishing, without overcomplicating it. And that contrast of sweet and spice… it adds so much without needing much at all.
Pumpkin soup is one of my favourites too for the same reason. Just a few ingredients, but when it’s done with a bit of care, it feels complete.
What you said at the end really stayed with me - the simplest ingredients often do the most. It’s easy to forget that.
Thank you, Alexandra. I usually cut smaller sweet potatoes into two pieces and the larger ones into three or four before steaming them.
I steam most of my vegetables rather than boil them. Boiling tends to leach out a lot of the flavour and nutrients, whereas steaming helps retain both.
We also never just warm up baked beans on their own. Finely chopped onions and green chillies make them taste so much better. Simply heat 1–2 teaspoons of vegetable oil (or your preferred oil) in a pan, fry the green chillies for about 30 seconds, then add the onions and cook until lightly golden. Stir in the baked beans, bring them to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. It allows all the flavours to come together beautifully.
If you don’t have fresh green chillies, you can substitute them with about ½ teaspoon of Kashmiri chilli powder, regular chilli powder, cayenne pepper, or paprika. Adjust the amount according to your preferred spice level. Kashmiri chilli powder is a great option if you want a milder heat with a lovely colour.
Amazing. Thanks for sharing
This soup sounds really good! I love most of the ingredients. I would like to try this!
Nice 😊 let me know how it turns out
This is such a beautiful, grounding piece of writing, Alexandra. The idea of a warm bowl of food being a quiet act of self-respect really resonated. I also love how incredibly adaptable this is. For anyone dealing with ADHD executive fatigue, being able to lean into quick shortcuts like pre-chopped veggies or jarred garlic makes this so accessible. I'm planning to reduce the spinach, and it's wonderful to find a recipe that is robust and comforting enough to handle that change without losing its heart. Thank you for sharing this calm.
This really touched me - thank you for writing it this way.
That idea of a warm bowl of food as a quiet act of self-respect… that’s exactly how it feels to me too, but you put it into words in a way I hadn’t quite articulated before.
And I love what you said about making it accessible. Those small adjustments - pre-chopped veggies, shortcuts, adapting ingredients - they don’t take anything away from it. If anything, they make the ritual more real and doable in everyday life.
Reducing the spinach sounds like it would still work beautifully. It’s one of those recipes that can hold small changes without losing what it is.
I’m really glad it brought you a sense of calm.
This sounds great, and really hits the mindful eating point home. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you 🙏
Dear Alexandra,
What a lovely soup recipe ! The sweet potato, is it to be cut into small pieces or smashed? I’m keen to prep this one. :)
Thank you 🙏
The sweet potato to be cut into pieces 😊
Let me know how it turns out.
Soup is a staple food for me and many others…if not, why not? Your descriptive piece seems very nourishing and generous. I will be making this soup as it has all the kinds of things I love to eat and yes, there is a ritual to soup making!! I’m going to add green beans to it too. Thank you for sharing your joy in cooking and eating.
There really is a ritual to it, isn’t there? The chopping, the slow simmer, the way everything comes together gradually… it has a different pace compared to most cooking.
And I love that you’re adding green beans - that sounds like it would work beautifully in it.
I agree with you too, soup is such a staple, but somehow still underrated. It’s simple, but it can be incredibly nourishing when you give it a bit of care.
Let me know how it turns out when you make it.
Awww