New Beginnings:

 Hello readers. Well, a new year is here and a time for new beginnings. This past week many states here in the USA have been hit with severe snowstorms. Pa was one of those. I must admit as a child I sort of liked the snow. School cancelations, sled riding, building snowmen, snowball fights...Now that I am an older adult, I really can leave that all behind, and for the youth to enjoy. 

Give me a warm fireplace, a nice warm cup of tea and a tv remote and I'm set. Yes, yes, I know.... You got to move. That's were being active in the kitchen is my saving grace. Not only have I almost totally revamped my kitchen, but I have been trying new recipes to try and help save my kidneys.

Don't get me wrong. Even though I have given up a lot of things I use to enjoy, I still enjoy a few, but always in moderation! I no longer add salt to pretty much anything. I have really practically cut out chocolate almost completely, and use rice milk to really limit my phosphorus, potassium, and phosphorus. 

I don't avoid red meats completely, but do limit, and watch size proportions when I do partake. You got to give a little if you want to maintain n make an improvement.  Chicken, fish, n beans are mostly a staple now to limit some of that extra protein to lessen the stress on my kidneys.

My kidney levels are staying pretty level for my CKD3, it's my creatin levels that are higher than they should be. Either way I am still tweaking my diet. My new Dr told me to do what I have been doing, but to drink MORE water. Water, water, water...

So, with that being said, and since the temperature here is currently only 15 degrees. I am making something I haven't had for a longtime because of the sodium levels. I remember going to one of my favorite restaurants years ago, the Longhorn, n having a nice warm bowl of French onion soup. It's been years since I have had one and today with the freezing temperatures outside, I believe it's time! Not for the restaurant bowl, as it's loaded with sodium, but for the quick, somewhat easy recipe I found online.

I love onions, always have, I have even been known to just whip up an onion and butter sandwich from time to time.... Yeah, you heard that right. Bread, butter, onion, n black pepper! Yum!

The recipe that follows is" kidney friendly", although the stats for sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, were not listed with the recipe.

It's fairly easy, n only takes a minimal amount of time to make. I hope you enjoy.

 

Kidney Friendly Onion Soup

2 T Olive Oil

6 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (approx. 2 large)

6 cups no salt added beef broth

2 Bay leaves

2 T low sodium soy sauce

1/4 teas ground black pepper

6 slices, 1/2-inch-thick French bread

6T, about 2 0z shredded low phosphorus cheese, like Swiss or Gruyere

In large pot or Dutch oven heat oil. Add the onions and sauté over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, for about 15 to 20 minutes until they are soft and caramelized.

Stir in the fresh Thyme (or dried) low sodium soy sauce, black pepper and bay leaves. Cook for another minute until fragrant.

Pour in the broth, bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook, partially covered, for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.

While the soup simmers preheat your oven to broil. Place 6 oven safe soup bowels on a baking sheet. Ladle the soup into the 6 bowls. Top each bowl with one slice of the French bread and top with equal amounts of the shredded cheese on each. 

Broil the bowls under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Hope you enjoy. Till next time....

Lee