Weight Loss Vegetable Soup

olive oil

sweet Vidalia or yellow onion, peeled and diced small (about 1 large onion)

(about 2 stalks)

garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced

green cabbage, sliced into thin ribbons (about 1/4 to 1/2 head depending on size)

medium/large red bell pepper, seeded, trimmed, and diced small

medium/large yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded, trimmed, and diced small

carrots, peeled, trimmed, and sliced thin (about 1 1/2 large carrots)

green beans, trimmed into 1-inch pieces (I prefer fresh but frozen may be substituted)

sliced mushrooms (baby portobello, white, or your favorite)

low-sodium vegetable broth

petite-diced tomatoes (I use low-sodium)

edamame or one 15-ounce cans garbanzo, cannellini, or kidney beans, drained and rinsed, optional (I use low-sodium beans)

bay leaves

teaspoon cumin

dried oregano

dried thyme

dried rosemary

cayenne pepper, optional and to taste

to 3 teaspoons salt, or to taste

black pepper, or to taste

broccoli florets

zucchini, diced small (about 1 1/2 large zucchini)

to 2 tablespoons lemon juice, optional (brightens up the flavor)