The Happy Herbivore: No Wonder She's So Happy!

It's all those nutrient-rich, superfood-filled dishes she makes and blogs about (www.happyherbivore.com)

You might be happy too — or even just happier — with beta-carotene coursing through your veins and anti-cancer crucifers working at full-tilt to defend your immune system.

The Happy Herbivore (aka Lindsay from Manhattan), writes and publishes e-books ($5 each; "Pudge-Free Holidays" being the one that brings out the chuckles) on eating, cooking and being vegan. The recipes she features are simple, yet flavorful and full of power-packed proteins and greens, which are so good for you.

New to cooking? Sites like the Happy Herbivore (and tons more, just Google "healthy eating" you'll see), are there to help. You don't have to go vegan or be completely without the things that you love (pizza, a cold beer to go with it).

If we know that eating right and maintaining a healthy weight is a sure way to help prevent disease (especially cancer), and with October (and Breast Cancer Awareness month) coming to a close, try to take some of that awareness into November and beyond.

Here's a delicious place to start:

African Kale and Yam Soup

Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 cups veg broth
2 cups diced yam
5 cups kale, chopped
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 tsp mild curry powder
1 tbsp yellow miso paste
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
Line a medium pot with 1/4 cup of water and cook onions over high heat until translucent, about three minutes. Add broth, yam, remaining water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to medium and cook until potatoes are almost fork tender, about 3 minutes. Immediately add kale and remaining ingredients and cook, stirring frequently, until kale is dark green and soft, about 3 more minutes. Set aside for 5-10 minutes, allowing flavors to merge. Serves 2.

Per serving: 105 cals, 1.92g fat, 20.53g carbs 7.25g fiber and 6.78 protein

Recipe and photo courtesy HappyHerbivore.com