Leftover Soup

I really like soup.  But sometimes I order a soup that I am just not all that happy with.  So I have to "recycle" it since I don't want to waste it!

I ordered wanton soup the other day from a Chinese restaurant that delivers to the office.  It was ok, but it was just ok.  The vegetables were not done to my liking and the broth was pretty bland.  So, I put the lid back on the container and took it home.  

I dumped the contents of the leftover container in a pot.  There was onion, brocoli, carrots, chicken, and wontons (among other things) in the soup.  Then I added garlic, salt, pepper, garlic powder, dill, and tumeric.  I also added a bunch more water and some spinach.  

I let this cook down for awhile so that the flavors could blend together and create something (hopefully) better!  After it had been on the stove, simmering away for 45 minutes or so, I threw everything into my vitamix and blended it up!  

Slightly hesitant, I tasted the mixture ... it was delicious!  So, I bottled it up and froze it to be consumed at a later date.  :)

Now I took a soup and made it into a different soup, but the same concept can be applied to whatever is in your fridge.  Just pull out some veggies that you already have, cut them up, stick them in a pot with some water and some vegetable broth (if you have some).  Then start adding some basic spices - salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dill.  You can also add tumeric or red chili powder for a different or spicy flavor!  And garlic, lots of garlic!  Just play around until you get the taste right.  You can blend it or leave it unblended as well.  It's your soup ... how do you like it?!

Meatless Monday 8/4/14: Tofu Chili

I have decided to go meatless on Mondays for the month of August. 

My first meatless meal will be somewhat familiar as I have made this dish before - Tofu Chili.  I have actually made this meatless as I will show you and alternatively with ground turkey which is also delicious!

So, without further ado, Easy Tofu Chili!!

Ingredients:

2 tbs olive oil

1 red onion (really any onion will work in a pinch)

2 garlic cloves (or more!)

1 red bell pepper chopped

1 package of Wildwood® Super Firm, Extra Firm or Firm SprouTofu®

1 can pinto beans

1 can black beans

1 can diced tomatoes (drained)

** I sometimes add some diced up fresh tomatoes too! **

2 T. chili powder

2 t. ground cumin (optional)

1 T. salt

½ t. ground cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

Saute onions, garlic and bell peppers in olive oil for 5 minutes in a large skillet.

Add add beans and tomatoes to your crockpot or to a big stock pot. Turn the crockpot to low or put the stock pot on medium heat.

Add the tofu and mash it up as much as possible!!

Then add all the spices!

If you are cooking in a stock pot, cook over medium high heat mashing the tofu with a wooden spoon for 30 minutes. If you are cooking it in a crockpot, cook for several hours, even overnight! Stir or mash occasionally if you choose.

 Then just stir, serve, and enjoy!!  :)

Twenty-Eight was ...

Twenty-Eight started with a bang.  I celebrated my birthday at the Giants' game.  I found out about a week later my best friend was pregnant.  Two weeks after that she and her husband asked me to be their baby's godmother.  Two months later I started seriously dating my first boyfriend and quickly fell head over heels in love with him.   August through December had some hiccups, but was pretty amazing.

Then everything started to collapse.  My boyfriend told me he had been lying to me and broke up with me.  My mom was having medical problems.  I had to cancel my trip to spring training to go home for my mom's surgery.  People started dropping like flies at my office as we got busier and busier.   I started gaining weight again. January through May was rough.  But it did have one big bright spot, the birth of my godson.

In June, I'd had enough.  It was time to take some control back.  I refocused on my health and fitness.  I refocused on my own personal development.  I refocused on reflection and internal awareness.  I refocused on faith.  I refocused on finding myself again.  June and July were better.

I wish I could say 28 was great.  That was my slogan starting the year.  But I would not categorize this past year as great.  A learning experience, yes.  A rollercoaster, yes.  Sometimes hell on earth, yes.  A few times wonderful, yes.  But great, no.  28 was far from great.  I am not reluctant to let this year go as I have been in the past.  I say good riddance, it's on the better things.  I doubt I will ever forget this year, hard as I may try.  But as they say, what didn't kill me, made me stronger.

So I welcome 29 with open arms.  I am in the best shape of my life.  I know who my real friends are.  I have discovered my passion.  I have started to heal my heart.   I have big dreams for 29 ... so 29, it's time to shine!! :)