Soup kitchen

Just before I left Canada, Sam sent me a recipe of vegetable soup. Here is the original content:

BASIC FAT-BURNING SOUP
Shopping List
1 or 2 cans of stewed tomatoes
3 large green onions
1 large can of fat-free beef or chichen broth
1 pkg. fat-free soup Mix
1 bunch celery
2 cans green beans [or fresh]
2 or 3 green bell peppers
2 lbs. carrots
Cut veggies in small to medium pieces. Add water to cover.Season with salt, pepper, parsley if desired, boullion, soup mix. Add necessary + optional vegetables and seasonings as desired. Bring to rapid boil - cook for 10 minutes, then reduce heat and simmer until veggies are tender. EAT this soup anytime you are hungry. EAT as much as you want, whenever you want. This soup will not add calories. The more you EAT the more weight you will lose. Fill a thermos in the morning and take to work.You may DRINK lots of water, [6-8 glasses a day], unsweetened juces, tea, coffee, cranberry juice. OPTIONAL ADDITIONS: Fresh mushrooms, zucchini squash, yellow onions, chopped garlic, chili flakes, cabbage, fresh green beans and tomatoes. The basic fat burning soup can be eaten any time you feel hungry -- eat as much as you wish. Remember the more you eat the more weight you will lose.

I started this soup four days ago, making a large pot everyday. I also add Chinese mushrooms, wood ears (type of fungus), and fresh bamboo shoots. Mushroom and fungus have excellent anti-oxidant properties and add flavor, while bamboo shoots have very high fiber content. These three extra ingredients add a very nice texture to an otherwise boring soup. I don't know how much weight I will lose because I still eat other stuff, but the soup definitely cuts down my appetite for carbs, and that should help in controlling my weight. One thing for sure if you want to try this soup: get some quality toilet paper, your bottom will apreciate it. Never in my life I have bowel movement four to five times a day......Fact is, it is a great tasting soup, even Frankie loves the soup, and she has had problems with constipation all her life. She now has beautiful bowel movements twice a day.......

Sam, if you are reading this, please have Irene make mom this soup and have her try it at least once. It may be very beneficial for her, as this soup is excellent for cleansing and lets face it, we all need more veggies.

To your health!