Leannern,
Do you have a submersion blender? The handheld thing that you just put into the pot or bowl...fast and easy and barely any cleanup.
I am making my winter soups right now, I sautée using olive oil some onions, celery, carrots, herbs (cilantro & parsley), garlic if you wish, then add a potato or 2 and a few zucchinis. (sometimes I add an overripe tomato and a tsp of sugar to offset the acidity) You can throw a few marrow bones or soup bones into it for a healthier broth or just add water and a bouillon cube instead of salt.
Let cook until all of the vegetables are soft, remove the bones and blend.
Makes for a really satisfying, healthy soup that is both pouch-friendly and winter-friendly...add more potatoes for a thicker, more satisfying soup, more zucchini for a liquidiser one...play with the recipe by changing out veggies according to your own taste and then sprinkle it with some parmesan cheese for flavor or some curry spices.
I am really enjoying it right now, I make 2 or 3 pots/week.
Sharon