Get out your blender, because it's a great tool to use to make healthy recipes! There is a new trend that involves making soups with a blender. This is a great way to make a homemade meal in a short amount of time. You also get the benefit of knowing exactly what is going into your soup. And, cleanup is a breeze!

If you're looking for soft, easy-to-digest ways to help your loved one get their daily dose of vegetables, hot soup is the answer! The texture is warm and comforting and it's great for older adults experiencing tooth decay or dental problems. If your senior has difficulty chewing, a pureed soup can be a great alternative to raw vegetables.

Some recipes will have you combine the ingredients in the blender and then let the blender run while the soup gets hot - if your blender is not equipped for this, then once the ingredients are blended, transfer to a pot or to a bowl and heat up on the stove or microwave.

Another tip - if you prefer soup chunky, you can puree some of the soup and leave the rest chunky.

Here are some ideas for soups:

• Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Soup
• Pumpkin Soup
• Velvety Spinach Soup
• Tomato Soup (accompany it with a grilled cheese sandwich)
• Cucumber-Avocado Soup
• Vegetable Chowder
• Lentil Soup
• Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup
• Tortilla Soup
• Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Cream of Asparagus Soup
• Butternut Squash Soup

And here is a bonus recipe that you can prepare for dessert or snacks:

Homemade apple sauce in your slow cooker! -  Chop the apples, add a few teaspoons of cinnamon, then mix in a couple handfuls of raisins. The apples cook in your slow cooker or crock pot on low for six to eight hours. Stir occasionally. Apples' antioxidant levels are pretty high.