Noodleless Chicken Soup

Noodleless Chicken Soup 

Chemical and carb free this chicken soup is really good and good for you !

1-2 cups water  we like out soup a little thicker so we used a cup 

4 cups organic chicken broth (costco)

2 bay leaves 

2 cups cooked shredded chicken 

2 cups baby carrots 

2 cups celery chopped or 2 cups organic green beans chopped

1 onion chopped 

salt/pepper to taste 

feeds 5 

1 cup 210 calories 

Combine all ingredients bring to a boil reduce to simmer for 30-40 minutes until carrots are tender 

This recipe is great to use up any leftover chicken from your dinners, or just buy a rotisserie chicken. I use the breasts for salads and the leftovers for soup or chili. Feel free to have this for lunch or dinner because it is carb free ! And unlike the canned versions of chicken noodle soup this one is chemical free so save any leftovers in the freezer for a sick day and as always ENJOY ! 

                             

Confessions of a sugar addict

SUGAR !

Insert your child's  Easter basket in the center of this picture

Confession, I am a sugar addict... oh it send's my brain into a tail spin I LOVE IT, but not what it does to me. I lose self control the more I eat, the more I want, the more I want, the more I eat. My heart beats faster, my blood sugar spikes then I crash and want more. This roller coaster usually gives me a  headache, makes me cranky and after a day of splurging I can easily gain a pound or two overnight ! Truth is I'm carb sensitive and most of us are. If you have self control can eat a piece of candy and walk away oh how I wish I were you ,but I'm not. Now that I've lost 32 pounds this is the first Easter that I will not be giving into the "BASKET"the one that calls my name. Which meant changing up how I do things, just as any successful person that has recovered or is in recovery from an addiction needs to be proactive in making changes about tempting areas if they want to remain successful. So here's what I changed to set my husband and I up for success over the holiday weekend and I hope will help you too. 

Just a visual encouragement as we head into Easter weekend. Just pop your child's Easter basket filled with "goodies"in the middle of this chart. My children's baskets will have less in them this year, and instead of buying bags of candy that have to be opened and distributed among the baskets and ultimately my mouth ,because who can resist handling all that

candy and without having some ? NOT ME !  So I only purchased their personal favorites in a single serving size. This keeps ,me from having open bags of candy to deal with, and it's better for my kids. They get one and they are done ! It's also less expensive. My kids also love gum, beef jerky and chips. Since I no longer buy chips on a regular basis they are now a real treat.

Though I grew up celebrating the Easter bunny,candy and hunting for eggs more than the Resurrection of Jesus. In my short walk with Christ I have learned that we have a God that loves us so much that he sacrificed his own son to have a relationship with each and everyone of us ,yes even me and you. The good news is he is especially fond of the broken ones and boy did I qualify in that arena ! So when you see an Easter basket a bunny or candy ,just pause for a moment give thanks to Jesus for the amazing obedience to his father for going to to cross, to lay down his life for you. Taking on your sin so you could be free from it. Why would anyone do such a thing ! LOVE because he loves you. Then thank God for his willingness to sacrifice his only son, so he could have a relationship with you. Why would anyone sacrifice their own child to such a horrible death ? LOVE because God really does love you that much, and make no mistake no matter who you are he LOVES you. Love is a perfect gift it forgives, heals ,restoress and strengthens. How can it do all that, because his love is perfect ! My prayer is that all of us this Easter are reminded of that PERFECT LOVE and receive it to the fullest. Have a wonderful Easter everyone enjoy the day and the precious time with family and friends. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life  John 3:16

Gardinerignite

Cool Beans Salad

Cool Beans Salad 

 500/600 calorie lunch idea 

Made this salad yesterday morning to take the the Zoo ! 

It turned out great had the leftovers today and guess what it was even better the second day. 

Love this recipe because it requires zero cooking since it's served cold it's perfect to make on the weekends and have for lunch during the week.

Ingredients 

1/2 cup frozen corn 

1 can garbanzo beans 

1 can tri blend beans 

1 can diced tomatoes

1 bell pepper finely chopped

1/2 onion finely chopped 

1 tsp Cumin

1 tsp chili powder 

1 tsp garlic salt 

2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar

Feta Cheese 

We use the Kroger Simple truth organic canned goods for all of our recipes they are clean and organic. Feel free to use whatever brand you prefer. Drain all the cans the put all the ingredients except for the cheese into the mixing bowl including the frozen corn (nope you don't need to cook it first) mix well cover and put in the fridge it'll be ready in a few hours the longer it sit's the yummier it gets. Add the cheese crumbles just before serving salt and pepper to taste. Makes about 4 cups one cup is about 264 calories, Add an apple and a light Greek yogurt  and you've got a perfect lunch !

500/600 Calorie lunch on the go !

Lunch on the Go !

500/600 calorie lunch on the go 

So I am little spoiled when it comes to lunch since I work from home. On occasion I am out all day for different reasons in which case I have to pack a lunch. This lunch came in at 528 calories I wish I had some Applegate lunch meat to add to this, but I didn't. So if you have some lunch meat add it ! Applegate or Boars head are the best lunch meat to eat they are actually meat without all the "extras" that aren't even food. The regular brands are mostly not meat so pass on those from now on. Also you'll need to weigh your ingredients I promise it doesn't take long and you'll see the pay off on you scale and waistline. 

2 cups romaine

1 boiled egg

3 oz grape tomatoes

1/2 cup chopped bell pepper 

1 cup mushroom chopped 

1 ounce feta cheese 

1/2 avocado chopped 

2 tbs Balsamic vinegar (Trader Joe's is my favorite this isn't a dressing just plain balsamic vinegar most bottled dressings are nothing but bottles of chemicals, no thanks...)

1 container of Greek yogurt for dessert 

All this is 528 Calories ! 

Crock pot roast beast

Crock pot Roast Beast  

With onions & Green Beans 

no carb dinner idea

Not sure about you ,but I LOVE my crock pot I use it all the time I just throw stuff in and it does all the cooking while I work. I love this particular recipe because I can make two meals at once, but first let's make tonight's dinner Roast Beast.

What you'll need 

Roast (I always look for one on sale)

Beef broth you can use the cubes if you prefer ,but organic beef broth is better for you.

1 large onion 

salt/pepper 

Frozen green beans you can get a huge bag of organic ones at Costco for next to nothing & they are delicious ! 

minced garlic 

Coconut oil 

Place roast in the crock pot cover with broth or water and add the recommended number of cubes, the liquid does not need to completely cover the roast, but does need to come close. Add salt and pepper. Cut the onion up into wedges separate them and put them in the crock pot with the roast. I put this on in the morning around 7:00/8:00 cook on high all day, it'll be falling apart by dinner no knife needed ! Spoon some of the broth and onions from the crock pot  right onto your roast so yummy ! 

Garlic Green beans. Heat a spoonful of coconut oil in a saute pan add the beans follow the cooking time on the back of the bag about half way through add the minced garlic at least a teaspoon we make enough for 5 people so I use a tablespoon season with sea salt. 

You'll have to calculate your own calories depending on the cut of meat you use we had Angus roast (it happened to be on sale) This meal came in around 400 calories with 6 ounces of meat , the onion and 1 1/3 cup of green beans. 

Stay tuned before you clean up this dinner you can easily turn the left overs into tomorrows lunch, Beef Vegetable soup which I'll post tomorrow !

Pbjcreations