Monday, January 31, 2011

Easy 6 Can (Very Lowfat) Chicken Tortilla Soup

Since this is the last day of January - and of National Soup Month - I thought I'd 'slip' this repost in...with different pictures.  I just made this again this weekend and don't ever get tired of it.

This quick and easy soup is listed in the 'lighter choices' in my cookbook under soups/salads.

Refried Bean Soup

Since I've been posting some sweet recipes, I thought I would share a  favorite low fat recipe.  Soup always makes for a delicious meal - especially in the fall...or in the winter.   We love this one and enjoy it often.   It's a quick meal for busy families.

It only takes a few ingredients and I always keep these on hand so when I get hungry for this quick and easy soup - I'm rarin' to go!




REFRIED BEAN SOUP

chopped celery and onion to taste
2 Tb. olive oil
1-15 oz. can refried beans
1-15 oz. can black beans, rinsed & drained
1 - 8 - oz. jar salsa or 10 oz. can of rotel tomatoes, drained
1 - 15 oz. can 99% fat free chicken broth
1 -15 oz. can whole kernel corn, undrained
1 - 10-oz. can chunk chicken
(or fresh cooked)

Sautee celery and onion in oil. The veggies add a nice crunch and add nutrition. I use as many low-sodium or lowfat ingredients as possible.

Stir in refried beans first, then
gradually add broth.


Add remaining ingredients; stir and heat.

(I drained the beans in this darling mini colander - a fun gift from a sister of my heart, Lois.
She's the one who gave me this recipe a few years ago.  It's one of the most repeated recipes in my kitchen.)



Or if you're in a hurry, just mix all six canned ingredients in a large saucepan in order given and heat through.


This tasty dish is low in fat - and has 49 grams of fiber - total - in this recipe!!
1 c. = Calories: 160; fat: 3 gr.;fiber:7 gr.


It is wonderful with a grilled sandwich,  quesadilla or tortilla chips.

Enjoy every slurp!

Linked to Tuesdays at the Table
          Recipe of the Week







Friday, January 28, 2011

A fun and busy time at Nana's - Brownie Crackles and Baking Cup Flowers

Want to share a fun afternoon I recently enjoyed with two of my granddaughters...


Chloe (nearly 10) & Charlie (almost 12) live only a couple of blocks away, so it's fairly easy for us to get together, and we enjoy a fun time in the kitchen together.


They had a day off school, so I brought them here to help me, and help me they did!! 


I had mixed up some dough in the breadmaker (dough setting) earlier in the day, and they did a super job rolling it into balls, then ropes, then tying them into knots. It was their first experience doing anything with bread dough, and I thought they did great.  

OK - maybe they were having just a bit too much fun posing for the picture!   

Silly girls!!!!!


We truly love living up to our BAKER name! *-*




While the rolls were rising,  we mixed up cookies using a brownie mix.  They were a little messy, but oh so tasty.  This recipe will be at the end of this post, along with the dough for the rolls too.  ('final' pictures also)



In between baking times, we made some adorable paper baking cup flowers.  We used tootsie pops for the center of the 'flowers' and they were cute as can be. The girls went into their 'assembly line' mode and I was amazed at how quickly these went together. 

I made the leaves and that was the most difficult part, but not really that difficult.


credit: Skip to My Lou


Instructions can be found here at Skip to My Lou.
Cindy has tons of creative and frugal craft ideas there -
please take time to check her out.  There are great ideas for homemade gift giving, holidays and getting the kids involved.

The girls also played a new game that my family had enjoyed playing at my recent sibling get-together.

(Charlie is a redhead, but with the light shining above her, she looks blonde?)
Now Chloe REALLY is a blondie =)

We layed pencils, one at a time (though 2 at a time is even more challenging), on a table.  They would pick one up - balance it on the backs of their hands, toss it up and catch it, then add the next pencil.  They were determined to work at it, and they both ended up being able to catch 7 pencils at a time.  Pretty good I'd say!

But we had pencils flying everywhere a few times - it was fun to watch.

It is a great game for young kids...and adults.

This is the picture taken at the end of our afternoon together - quite productive, huh?

TEAM WORK!!

How thankful I am to have Nana times like this with family making memories to cherish a lifetime!  I trust this is a legacy I am leaving for them...
for all my family.

I was thrilled to send some of these goodies home with the girls so we didn't feel pressured to eat them all ourselves.

(Tidbit: When our firstborn granddaughter, (redheaded) Ashtyn McCrae (who is 16 & driving - on the road even! - was learning to talk, I could NOT wait for her to learn to say G-R-A-N-D-M-A (as I called both my grandmothers) so we went with the shortened version, and it wasn't long and she could say "Nana"...oh what music to my ears!  Now - both my dau-in-loves and their extended family members, all call me Nana...and I am blessed. (As I wipe a tear from my eye just typing that up=)

And while we're on the subject...just so you know and you can anticipate with me, our daughter Deb is due very soon with child #3 (grandchild #8 & grandson #3 for Papa & me).  Her due date is March 12, but the little guy (redhead?) isn't going to wait that long and will be a February baby. So if I'm gone from here for a while, I'll be at my daughter's, getting acquainted with Mr. Taylor, and cooking up some things for her freezer.

OK - Back to the kitchen...(kinda)
This cookie recipe is in my cookbook.

(Have I mentioned how MUCH I love having these favorite recipes right at hand?  What a joy that is for me!  I no longer have to search high and low to find the recipe from the last time I used it. Little did I realize what a favor I was doing for myself as I began to type up the 300 recipes in my cookbook!) 

WHEWIE!



BROWNIE CRACKLES

1 (19 ozs) box fudge brownie mix
(9" X 13" size)
1 c. all purpose flour
1 egg
1/3 c. water
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 (6 ozs) bag semisweet chocolate chips
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Grease baking sheet. In large mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, flour, egg, water and oil; mix well. Stir in choco chips. Place powdered sugar in shallow dish; drop dough by tablespoonsful into sugar; roll to coat.  Place 2" apart and bake 8 - 10 minutes or until set.  Remove to rack to cool.  Yield: 4-1/2 dozen.

These are great with vanilla chips too!


EASY YEAST ROLLS
(Adapted from Taste of Home)

(I made 1/2 batch in the breadmaker)

2 pkg. (1/4 oz. each) active dry yeast
(one pkg. is = 2-1/4 tsp.)
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
(I blended it, then used half)
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tsp. salt (I used less)
6 - 6-1/2 c. all purpose flour

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm (not hot) water.  Add the sugar, egg, oil, salt and 4 cups flour.  Beat until smooth.  Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 - 8 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface.  Divide into four portions.  Shape each portion into 12 balls.  To form knots, roll each ball into an 8-in. rope; tie into a knot.  Tuck ends under.  Place rolls 2" apart on greased baking sheets.  Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 - 45 minutes.

Bake at 350 for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown. Spread butter over top while still hot. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yield: 4 dozen

Nutrition Facts: 1 roll = 78 calories, 1 gr. fat, 4 mg. cholesterol, 100 mg. sodium, 14 gr carbs, trace fiber; 2 gr. protein


I think it's time for a nap - I'm worn out from just reading about this busy time

Enjoy a lovely weekend!




Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Baked Oatmeal - WW style

Another healthy and delicious recipe for you to try...from my cookbook.  I just had to include this enjoyable dish.


If you don't make any changes to the recipe, it's only 2 Weight Watchers points for each good-sized serving.



I love a bowl of oatmeal anytime of the day..but since I was recently told my cholesterol is a bit high....I am eating more oatmeal than usual to try to bring it down.  I don't take any RX drugs and I don't want to start, if I can help it.


This is an easy dish to put together on the weekend for the week ahead.  Then your breakfast is all ready for you.

It only takes a few everyday ingredients...



I had some apples that needed to be eaten, so I chopped them and added them to the oatmeal, along with some raisins. 


My grandma always plumped raisins for our oatmeal when she came to visit, and it's something that has stuck with me.


I even order raisins for my oatmeal when we eat out. I also love toast with my oatmeal too.


Soooo give it a whirl (or a whisk=) and let me know what you think, or if you have any ideas for options.  Adding any dried/fresh fruit would be good too, but of course, would change the WW points for each serving. 


This is a picture of my first helping - I enjoyed it with a little bit of leftover eggnog. DARE TO BE DIFFERENT!  *-*






BAKED OATMEAL


2 c. dry oatmeal, uncooked
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 - 1/2 c. sugar of Splenda (I used part brown sugar Splenda as I like the richness it adds)
1 c. fat free skim milk
1/2 c. Egg Beaters (or use egg whites) (I used 3 extra large egg whites)
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla extract or maple flavoring (I used 2 Tb. sugar free pancake syrup)
1 Tb. ground cinnamon (can use part nutmeg if you prefer)


Preheat oven to 350. Coat an 8" square baking dish with cooking spray. In large (or medium) bowl, combine dry ingredients.  In another bowl, combine wet ingredients, then stir the two together.   Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 35 minutes.  Yield: 6 servings

Serve warm with milk or cream.

Linked to Miz Helen's Full Plate Thursday

Friday, January 21, 2011

Weight Watchers Snickers Pie

OK - it's time for a healthy dessert recipe!!

This one is awesome because you won't even know you're eating lowfat! (or sugar free as the case may be!)   This definitely tastes like MORE! (as in 'I want MORE'=)

I was given this recipe by a good friend (Thank you Cathy!) a while back and I have made it often.  And it's already typed into my 'upcoming-someday' #2 cookbook.

Now that I know what to expect about putting a cookbook together, it should be a little easier, but I don't plan on having it in my hand for atleast a couple of years. I want to take my time and not rush it...and leave out a recipe I had planned on...as happened with my first cookbook. =( (OOPS - sorry Rosie!)

(And I have plans to help 'nudge' a friend, getting her going with her own cookbook, and feel VERY honored I can help at all=)

I was ready to make this pie this week, but couldn't find the frozen non-fat yogurt called for, so I got the sugar-free vanilla ice cream that was availble (Prarie Farms brand is very tasty...of course, this may change the WW points)

It only takes a few simple ingredients!! 

After allowing the ice cream to sit on the counter and soften, this goes together very quickly. 

I like to leave ripples of the peanut butter showing instead of blending it smooth.
It gives me something to bite into when I'm enjoying it!



Pour it into a pie plate and smooth top. Cover tightly and freeze for atleast 2 hours.  Remove from freezer 10 minutes before ready to serve. Swirl the chocolate over the top and you are ready to chill...so to speak!

This post has been linked to Sweets for a Saturday - check it out!

This post has also been linked to Miz Helen's Full Plate Thursday

This post has been linked to Foodie Friday


 

We have certainly enjoyed every bite of this tasty dish. Trust you will too!


SNICKERS PIE

1 pint (2 cups) vanilla non-fat frozen yogurt softened
2 TB. chunky peanut butter
1/2 pkg. (1/4 cup) sugar free dry instant vanilla pudding
1/2 cup fat free frozen whipped topping, thawed
lite chocolate ice cream syrup

In large bowl, combine all ingredients.  Mix well - pour into 8" pie pan.  (I spray a couple quick sprays with Pam...just to make it easier to get out of the dish). Cover tightly and freeze until set. 

Before serving, drizzle 2 tsps. lite chocolate syrup over entire pie.

Serves 8 - each serving = 2 WW points  (in their older program anyway - using the nonfat frozen yogurt)


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BONUS!! 

Did you know today is 'Hugging Day'?  Be sure to hug someone - then hug a few more!  It's good medicine for our souls! Check out this link - HAPPY HUGGING DAY!

Linked to Foodie Friday

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Easy and Delicious Hot Cocoa

I love chocolate!  And making hot cocoa from scratch is such a delight.

So when I read my good friend Angie's post at A'lil Country Sugar  - about making hot cocoa, I got up from my chair and went right to the kitchen to give it a try.

How can you go wrong melting a chocolate bar in warm milk to drink?  Oh my!!  To die for!



(Of course, enjoying it from a cutsie mug helps too - I received this one as a Christmas gift.  It just seems to make everything taste better. *-*)

This is Angie's version -


Hot Chocolate With Marshmallow Creme


8 oz. 2% milk
2 oz. heavy whipping cream
2 TBS light brown sugar
Heat on medium heat until the mixture bubbles around the edge.



 Remove from heat and add 2 oz. finely chopped chocolate of your choice.


Whisk gently until the chocolate is melted and well combined. You can adjust your chocolate amount to your liking. If you need to add more than 2 oz. add more.

Top hot chocolate with marshmallows or marshmallow creme and chocolate shavings.

The changes I made were....I used 1% milk, fat free half and half instead of whipping cream, and used this special dark chocolate candy bar. 



After all - dark chocolate is healthy for you - how can you go wrong with this healthy treat?

You can't!!!

(I was fortunate to have two of these candy bars and used 1-1/4 - they are 1.45 ozs each)

It was wonderfully delicious and I enjoyed every sip.  I used mini marshmallows because I didn't have the creme.  I'm not a big marshmallow fan, but when these puppies melt in the warm cocoa, I just LOVE them.

It feels like such an indulgence!

And that's always a good thing when you're trying to stick with healthy eating.  I think it's a very good thing to splurge now and then. 

Good for the mind, AND the soul...not to mention the body.

Especially on a cold snowy winter's day.  One terrific way to warm up!

From my "365 Reasons to Eat Chocolate" calendar....

If you are planning to start an exercise program, you will need the extra energy that chocolate brings.  If you are not planning to start an exercise program, you probably don't need an excuse to eat chocolate.   (Or drink it either)

MAKES SENSE TO ME!!

Keep smiling!!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Burrito El Grande Made Over


HA CHA CHANYA!
(A favorite saying of my father who spent time doing
missionary work in Haiti and New Mexico)

I was so excited to try this wonderful recipe from Kraft Foods

Maybe I was just really hungry the evening I made these, but
I couldn't believe how awesome they were.

We each had 1-1/2 and I woofed down my 1/2 before
we sat down for dinner! 

OHHHH SOOO TASTY!

Give this a try - it goes together quickly and easily.

By using the X-tra lean ground beef, 2% cheese,
whole wheat tortillas and light sour cream, you
save 330 calories & 16 grs. fat per burrito!

We will definitely be having this again soon.

BURRITOS EL GRANDE MADE OVER

1/2 lb. extra-lean ground beef
1 (16 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed
(I used black beans)
3/4 c. thick 'n' chunky salsa
1/2 c. mexican style 2% shredded cheese
6 whole wheat tortillas (10 inch), warmed
1/2 c. reduced fat or light sour cream
1-1/2 c. shredded (romaine) lettuce
3 tomatoes (1 lb.), chopped

Brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat.  Stir in beans and salsa; cook 3 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in cheese.
(I added cheese to each burrito...doesn't really matter, I'm just sayin)
Spoon meat mixture down centers of tortillas; top with remaining ingredients.  Fold in opposite sides of each tortilla, then roll up burrito style.

Take a big bite & enjoy!!!! This would be great along side one of those
soup recipes I shared last week.

Nutritional info:
Cals. each: 340; Total fat: 10 gr; Saturated fat: 3.5 gr.
Cholesterol: 35 mg. Sodium: 790 mg.
Carbohydrate: 46 gr. Dietary Fiber: 9 gr. Protein: 21 gr.

Linked to Mandy's Totally Tasty Tuesdays


Friday, January 14, 2011

Good-for-you Orange Creamsicle Smoothie & Weight Loss Tips from WW

Need a little 'pick me up'?   This is a healthy and filling drink that you're sure to enjoy.  It tastes like a creamsicle in a glass! It's great for breakfast or an after school snack. 

I was sorting through a old pile of recipes and this one crossed my path, so...I made it for hubby and me to have an after-dinner treat and it was so delicious.  He wanted more, but it was gone.  I'm sure we will try it again soon.  I always have these ingredients on hand.

Try it, you'll like it.



ORANGE CREAMSICLE SMOOTHIE

1 cup skim milk
1 (6 ozs) container (Greek) low/non-fat vanilla yogurt
1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, partially thawed
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
5 ice cubes, crushed

Combine milk, yogurt, orange juice concentrate and vanilla in blender.  Blend 15 seconds to combine ingredients. Add ice cubes and blend about 20 seconds longer until frothy.  Serve immediately - serves 2.

Nutritional info per serving: (using low-fat yogurt) 198 cals., 1.5 gr. fat, 10 gr. prot., 38 gr. carbs, 1.5 gr. fiber, 128 mg. sodium

This recipe is linked to Sweets for a Saturday

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Sometimes I just need a little pumping up to keep me on the right track headed toward weight loss, so when I came across these

I just had to share! Hope they give you inspiration also!


1.A spoonful of sugar can add up over the course of a year. Add one less teaspoon of sugar (15 calories) to your cup of morning and afternoon coffee each day and you'll save about 10,000 calories—the equivalent of about 3 pounds per year.


2.Slim down that bowl of cereal: Switch from 1 cup regular whole milk to 1% milk (about 50 calories less per cup) every day. Once your taste buds adjust, you'll be thrilled! That's a tad more than 5 pounds lost by this time next year.

3.Take the scenic route. Park your car as far as possible from the entrance to your office, the shopping mall or a restaurant and get those legs pumping. Ten minutes of daily moderate paced walking (five minutes each way burns about 20 calories) can take off over 4 pounds a year.*

4.Get your vitamin C boost with a whole orange (60 calories) instead of a cup of juice (110 calories) each day. Your 12-month weight loss: 5 1/4 pounds.

5.Go calorie-free by switching from regular to diet soda (150 versus 0 calories per can). If you drink one can per day, that's nearly 16 pounds lost in a year.

6.Flavor your sandwiches with very low-cal condiments like mustard or vinegar instead of calorie-packed mayo. Leave off 1 tablespoon (100 calories) every day and you're looking at close to 10 1/2 pounds a year.

7.Downsize, don't super-size, fast food meals. Opt for a small McDonald's French fries (250 calories) instead of a large order (570 calories) at your weekly fast-food meal. You'll enjoy the same great taste all year long but with an added bonus: almost 5 pounds lost.

Linked to Ingredient Spotlight
                 Breakfast Ideas Monday
           Ingredient Spotlight - Yogurt

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

19 Soups to warm you up & Jellied Cranberry Cutouts

Did you realize that January is National Soup Month?  No joke!

And another tidbit...in case you didn't realize...today's date is 1/11/11! Just wait til Nov. rolls around...*-*  Won't that be a fun day in our life??

I was SOOO excited when I came across this lovely & informative post from Tiffany at  Eat At Home.  I love making & eating soups in the wintertime. There is quite a list of wonderful soups here.  (Click on the link)  Thanks Tiffany!

A 'twist' on my own Cheesey Chicken Chowder recipe is among those listed - adding rice to similar ingredients as I make it.  I tried this recently, cooking, then adding some herb flavored rice.  It was awesome!

(This is a very inviting picture of Tiffany's Crockpot Chicken Soup - YUM!
I plan to try it very soon)

I will be sharing some of my own 'versions' of favorite soups too, so stay tuned for more D-LISH soup creations.

But for now -  I'm simply going to share this post with you and let you choose which ones to try.

If you're watching your weight, just try using lower fat/high fiber products and enjoy!

Stay full - and warm!

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This wasn't really worth a post by itself, so I am just going to tack in on here...

I finally took this picture just after Christmas, but had intended to show you during the month of December.  But you know how life happens sometimes...it didn't get done.

Unless your family likes to eat cranberry sauce all year long, you'll have to file away this idea for this Nov/Dec 2011.


Here's what you do....

Open a can of jellied cranberry sauce, run a knife around it and get it out of the can, in one piece (It can be done!) 

{Open both ends if you're able to and push it out  - some cans have a different seal at the  bottom that can't be opened with a can opener. Humph!}

Anyway - I stand the sauce on its side and slice it into several pieces - about 1/4" - 1/2" thick or so.  Using cookie cutters, cut into 'cutsie cranberry' pieces and display them on a pretty plate. 

If you look at the tree and star closely, I used a thin cookie cutter that imprints a design on top - that makes it even more special!

There's a much better chance they'll get eaten faster than if you just put the sauce in a dish.

Now try and remember that to use later this year....

For a ladies potluck party at church yesterday, I took cranberry sauerkraut meatballs...and a few gals asked for the recipe.  The sauce was made with cranberry sauce and a few other simple ingredients.  I will be sure to share that recipe one of these days too.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Sugar Free/Fat Free Caramel Apple Salad + 20 Tips for losing weight

I'm excited to share one of my favorite dishes with you today!

Simple...easy...delicious...and healthy!  How can ya beat it?

This is another Weight Watchers recipe - I've tweaked it a bit, but I believe you can count 1/2 c. salad = 2 points.  Hurrah!



Chopping the apples is the hardest part...and you don't even have to get the mixer out!

                                                            MMMMMMMMM!


There have been times when I've made this, taken a taste, put the dish in the fridge, get it back out, take another taste, put it back, get it out...you get the picture!  It's tough to stop eating it!

CARAMEL APPLE SALAD

1 (20 ozs) can crushed pineapple, slightly drained
1 (4-serving size) box sugar free butterscotch
pudding mix
1 (8 ozs) tub frozen fat free whipped topping, thawed
4 unpeeled apples, diced
1/2 c. dry roasted peanuts, chopped

Place pineapple in medium bowl. Stir in dry pudding mix and blend well. Add whipped topping, and stir in apples and nuts.
(I prefer to add nuts on top as they tend to soften)

You might want to make this while your family is gone - that way they'll never have to know you made it.  *-*

This recipe and picture have been linked up to

*********************************************

And a 'BONUS' read for today....

Just in case you need some incentive and encouragement about sticking with healthy eating, I thought I'd share these realistic tips & ideas from

HANG IN THERE!! And enjoy a wonderful weekend.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Lowfat & Easy Cheese Soup..and a Song 2011

TA-DA! We've arrived in a new year..and another decade! It's unbelievable how fast time flies isn't it?


WELCOME to 2011!!!  A year of new beginnings and second chances...and my first blog post of the year! I look forward to visiting with many of you and getting to know you even better in the months ahead.


I SO love the saying..."Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes".

Sure seems that way with me - the older I get, I cannot keep up with how quickly the days...months...and years get by me.


I guess we can probably agree the #1 NY Resolution has to do with our diets! I really went 'hog wild' over the holidays and feel it too. UGH!

I am miserable and need to get both feet back up on the 'healthy eating wagon'.


That's one reason why I added the new 'veggie' background to my blog - to remind me to eat healthy and more salad!  

I hope to focus my January posts about healthier eating dishes & habits. With my dear hubby being diabetic, I've got some pretty terrific low fat/low sugar recipes!

In the past, I have lost weight by following the Weight Watchers plan. It worked well for me, but after a while I needed something more.

I plan to stick with lots of the WW recipes in the new year, and hope you enjoy this favorite of mine.

Some of the goals I aiming for are:
  • eat more veggies and fresh foods
  • make time to exercise atleast 30 minutes 5 times a week
  • drink more water (I don't get thirsty, so it's hard for me to think of it...even though I sometimes fill a jug of water to keep with me...it's just a difficult thing for me to do)

2010 was an awesome and wonderfully blessed year...I enjoyed two glorious vacations, spent special times with family and friends, and got to live my dream-come-true by having my cookbook published...then, with God's Hand of Blessing...sold over 400 in 5 short months. 


We are headed into this new year with new news that my hubby - who is 100% disabled because of Agent Orange - is facing even more health issues.  He's had low kidney function for many years, but a few days after Christmas was told his function has dropped to 20%.  Dialysis begins at 15%. 

So looking ahead, we know there will be changes and challenges, but nothing is impossible with God.  And I believe that with all my heart. 

I try to begin my new year with a theme (usually a scripture verse) to wrap my heart around during the year. {For example, for 2009 my theme was "Joy and peace is mine in 2009" - Romans 15:13} 

This year, I heard a song on January 1st and thought to myself 'This is it! This is my theme for the year!" I cried and cried as I listened to the words of this song that deeply stir my heart and soul. 


These are lyrics to the chorus of the Christian contemporary song "I Will Follow Christ". 

Chorus:

I will follow Christ
I will run the race
Fighting the good fight
Standing on my faith
I will wear the name of Jesus
I will give Him all my life
As for me no matter what the sacrifice
I will follow Christ

I look forward to the year ahead...even though we don't know what the future holds...we know Who holds the future, and that's good enough for me. 

I have made this soup recipe so often, I have the recipe memorized. Very easy and delicious - and wonderful at 1 WW point per cup!

As you can see in the picture, I like to use a combo of broccoli & cauliflower, and even better - I use California blend veggies - with carrots also. MMM!

Enjoy this with a delicious salad and you'll feel better, physically and emotionally, about eating healthy. 

ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!


It only takes a few simple ingredients!

                                             



Cheese Soup

4-15 ozs. cans of 99% fat free chicken broth
2 - 16 ozs. bags of vegetables - broccoli or broccoli/cauliflower combo
1 can rotel tomatoes (If rotel are too spicy, try using italian, or unseasoned tomatoes), drained slightly
10 oz. 2% light Velveeta

Cook vegetables in broth until tender - add tomatoes and velveeta and stir until cheese is melted.

Makes 10 cups

WW points - 1 per cup


I normally saute chopped onions and celery in oil before I add the broth and vegetables..just to add a little crunch.  Oftentimes, I mash the veggies with a potato masher instead of having large chunks. It's an option so do as you like best. Of course, if you prefer, use fresh raw veggies instead of frozen.

WHATEVER YOU DO.....ENJOY EVERY BITE!
Best wishes on sticking with your goals. I try to tell myself I need to stick with it until Valentine's Day - when I can reward myself with a little chocolate for being good. I think rewarding ourselves..somehow...is very effective when it comes to goal setting.

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