Raw Carrot Morning Soup & Views From The South Western US

Home sweet home. We have been on the road for 10 days. Being on the road in the South Western US is not exactly a culinary treat, let me tell you that. Unless you have a weakness for biscuits with gravy. Las Vegas is of course the exception here. But never mind, because the nature you see in this part of the world, will blow you away. It is majestic and overwhelming and so very varied. Here is the brief version of our tour: We drove from LA through Arizona and saw 225 million years old petrified woods and stunning Canyon de Chelly, which many Indians still call their home.

We continued to Colorado, where we crossed the Rocky Mountains and nearly dropped our jaws several times while driving on the Million Dollar Highway from Silverton to Ouray. So beautiful. So colorful. So steep. We turned the car back West after a stroll on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall, saw Denver skyline from a distance and once again crossed the Rockies. On the way back West, we took the Northern road and drove through Utah, which is home to some of the most unique geologic formations in the world. Vast views of land changing in colors from red to yellow to green, twisting canyons and rock plateaus. We explored amazing Bryce Canyon with wondrous sandstone formations and Zion National Park with drastic, colorful, steep cliffside and blue rivers. We shot hundreds of photos.

Here is a peek of Bryce Canyon:

Looks like a castle, right?! There was drama in the sky.

It’s huge. See the people in the cracks below?

Last stop Las Vegas. Unlike any place else. Yes, the carrot soup recipe is coming, be patient. The kids’ favorites were a trip to the 4 stories high M & M’s World  and a dip in the pool at the Mirage Hotel . We enjoyed the best meal of the trip at Japonais, which serves contemporary Japanese food. I am still dreaming about it!

So here it is, the first meal I made for myself when we returned was a raw carrot soup and I could feel my cells joyously dancing!

Special equipment: blender or food processor

• 2 carrots
• 2 oranges
• 3 dates
• spices eg. ground cinnamon or fresh ginger
• 2 tbsp chopped nuts

1. Peel and cut the carrots.
2. Squeeze the oranges and chop the dates into smaller pieces.
3. Add a dash of cinnamon or finely chop some fresh ginger for a great morning kick.
4. Blend or process until smooth.
5. Top with your choice of nuts and serve. My favorites are macadamias or almonds.

Yields 1 serving