Try Something New Tuesday: Southwest Chicken Soup

You may recall that I recently challenged my May Madness group to share some healthy recipes with me. One that spoke to me as soon as I saw it was Karen's Southwest Chicken Soup. Anything that sounds like it might have a little spicy kick to it is definitely up my alley! And it is so simple to make that I knew it would be perfect for our hectic life!

Here's what you'll need.

There is also supposed to be a 1/2 package of frozen corn in here. I totally forgot about it! I'll do better next time!

First you're going to cook about 3 cups of chicken. This will probably be about 3 - 4 chicken breasts, depending on size. I boiled mine then chopped it up in the food processor.

Next you put 12 oz. of salsa verde in a large saucepan. I'm going to be honest: I used the whole 15 oz. jar instead. I like it spicy! Let the salsa warm over medium heat for about 2 minutes.

Then you add your chicken.

And stir in your cannelini beans, corn (assuming your don't forget like I did), chicken broth and seasonings.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

That's it!!! It's done! So easy! And the verdict?

They all loved it!!!

This one loved it so much she had 2 bowls!!!

We served it with some sour cream and corn chips, just like chili. I had mine plain, and it was delicious! It will definitely be on our regular rotation.

I loved the nutrition on this dish too! I calculated it to be under 300 calories and about 40 grams of protein for a sixth of the recipe. And I would say we definitely got more than 6 servings from it. Hearty, filling AND low-calorie?! Yes, please! It meant I got an extra piece of chocolate after dinner!

Thanks, Karen, for the wonderful recipe!!! I am so thankful to have you for a friend and neighbor!

Karen with one of her sweet boys.

Southwest Chicken Soup

• 12 oz. salsa verde (I used an entire 15 oz. jar)
• 3 c. cooked chicken (about 3 - 4 chicken breasts, depending on size)
• 1 15 oz. can cannellini beans, drained
• 3 c. chicken broth (I used 4 cups)
• 1/2 package frozen corn
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. chili powder

~Empty salsa in large saucepan. Cook 2 minutes on medium-high heat. Add chicken, beans, broth, corn, cumin and chili powder. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Amazing Weekend!

It has been an amazing weekend! It started on Friday with 2 big events: the boy's graduation from preschool and the oldest's big choir concert. Since we couldn't be in two places at once, we were so thankful for Aunt Melissa who offered to go to the concert with our eldest. If we couldn't be there, she was definitely the next best thing! Thank you, Melissa!!!

Meanwhile, we went to watch the little graduate. He was soooo excited! He kept turning around to whisper things to me from his seat.

They performed lots of cute songs. The boy was into it. He kept looking at me to make sure I was clapping. If I didn't start clapping fast enough, he would mouth "CLAP" to me. 

Can you spy the boy???

Here he is during his big moment. This is when his teacher announced he wanted to be Luke Skywalker when he grows up. Proud doesn't begin to describe it.

Afterward, there was a cookie reception. Here's the boy with his BFF's.

Family photo minus our little songbird.

Memaw and Papa were representing too.

Saturday morning, I got up early and went to workout with my mom. She has been doing Chalean Extreme, and I have been wanting to do one of the workouts with her. We did a weight lifting workout, and I am feeling it today! I loved the combination of upper and lower-body exercises. This program is perfect for anyone wanting to incorporate a combination of weight training and cardio into their fitness routine. Here we are after our workout in all our sweaty glory.

The remainder of Saturday included soccer, baseball, and a FUN birthday party for my favorite one-year-old boy that may or may not have included me jumping in a bouncy house while wearing a fake mustache. 

I woke up today to some serious love from the kiddos. Here's the Mother's Day haul.

Please take special note of the card made for me by my oldest.

See me right there in the middle of the world? All those other X's are all the other mothers who are not as good as me. Ha!

We had my mom and dad over for lunch. The menu included:

Grilled Chicken

Corn Salsa 

Peas

Fried Squash

Cinnamon Apples

Fruit Salad

Warm, Homemade Sourdough Bread

Skinny Peanut Butter Pie

Here's my colorful plate.

It was pretty delicious if I do say so myself! And I was thankful to spend some time with my precious mother on this special day. She is an amazing mother to 4 who has served all of her children selflessly since birth. She continues to seek opportunities to take care of us even as adults! I am blessed to have her in my life. Love you, Mom!

And equally thankful to spend time with these sweet babies who are responsible for making me a mother.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Question of the Day:

What did you do to celebrate your momma?

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

This week has proven difficult to feed my family. Most nights, I prepare our dinners, and we try to eat together. I like to make sure my kids are getting their share of vegetables and have a balanced meal.

But this week my big girls started a stroke clinic that is about 30 - 40 minutes from our house. It will only last a few weeks, but it's definitely a challenge for us. By the time we get home on those nights, it's nearly 7:00. I need a dinner that I can get on the table very quickly since they all need to be ready for bed by 8:00. 

This week we had frozen pizza (oh, the horror!), hot dogs (in my defense, I ate a veggie burger), and mac & cheese. By last night, I was ready to put some REAL food into my kids. So I went for an old favorite: chicken tacos.

I love this recipe! First, it is prepared in my crockpot. Surely you know how dearly I love my crockpot by now. Second, it's a complete meal! I don't feel like I have to prepare extra side dishes to go with it. And, finally, it's versatile. Some of us eat it in a tortilla. Some eat it with some Tostitos and a little sour cream or greek yogurt. Or, if you're like me, you can enjoy it all by itself with some fresh salsa on top.

Here's what you'll need.

First, take the chicken at put it right in the crock pot. I usually use frozen chicken, but I just happened to have some fresh chicken breasts on hand.

Next, you're going to sprinkle on some taco seasoning. I like to make my own seasoning (using a recipe I'll post below). I double or triple it and keep it in my spice cabinet in a ziplock bag so it's ready when I need it. For these chicken tacos, I use 1 Tbsp. + 1tsp. on the chicken. If you're using a packet of seasoning you'll sprinkle on about half.

Next, add your corn. I used frozen, but you could use canned corn as well.

Then, add a can of Rotel.

Finally, rinse your black beans and add them on top.

Now it's time to sprinkle on a little more taco seasoning. If you're using your own seasoning, use another 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. If you're using a packaged taco seasoning, sprinkle on the rest of the packet.

Now you get to walk away and let it cook. You can cook it about 8 - 10 hours on low or 4 - 6 hours on high. I cooked mine on high and took the chicken out of the crock pot after about 3 hours to shred it so it would be ready when we got home from swimming. Then I let it cook a few more hours. You could also shred the chicken right before you eat.

And here's the finished product. Very filling and delicious! All the kids will eat this without any weeping or gnashing of teeth, which is practically a miracle in and of itself!

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

• 4 chicken breasts (mine were pretty large, so I only used 3)
• 1 package frozen corn (or 1 can corn)
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can Rotel
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp. + 2 tsp. of your own seasoning)

~Place chicken in crockpot. Sprinkle with half taco seasoning. Top with corn, Rotel and beans. Sprinkle with remaining seasoning. Mix slightly and cook on low 8 - 10 hours or high 4 - 6 hours. Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks. Return chicken to pot and stir.

Taco Seasoning

• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 5 tsp. paprika
• 4-1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 3 tsp. onion powder
• 3 tsp. salt
• 2-1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

~Mix ingredients. Store in airtight container in a cool dry place.

Question of the Day:

What's your best tip for feeding your family when you're short on time?

My Peanut Butter and Chocolate Nemesis

Holy sore biceps! I am really feeling yesterday's workout! But it's that good kind of soreness where you know change is happening. I got things started this morning with Insanity Plyometric Cardio Circuit. Here's what I looked like when I was finished (for your viewing pleasure):

I spent the rest of my morning taking care of these cuties.

Afterward, it was time to start making preparations for the birthday sleepover we're hosting tomorrow night. That meant lots of cleaning and this.

Muddy Buddies. These are my peanut butter and chocolate nemesis. I really can't even eat them because the next thing I know I'll have eaten half the bowl. Full disclosure: I had quite a few for lunch today. It only seemed appropriate after yesterday's post on binge eating. And there's protein in the peanut butter, right?

I needed to redeem myself with a healthy dinner. I marinated some chicken all afternoon and cooked it up with some black beans in a skillet. Then I shredded it in my food processor and threw it over a bed of spinach with my favorite salsa. So yummy!

I used the rest of the shredded chicken to make tacos for the hubby and kids.

Question of the Day:

Do you have a food nemesis? 

Date Night

Saturday is always one of those bittersweet kind of days. No school, no homework, but lots and lots of activity. This one was no exception. I started the day off with my workout. It was Insanity the Asylum's Gameday. Things were off to a good start!

I even had my own personal trainer assist me for the last 5 minutes. Here she's demonstrating proper form for a chest press.

After my workout, my oldest had an audition. Then baby girl #2 had a soccer championship game in the afternoon. FINALLY we know who the league champs are! Except...we don't...because it was a tie. Ha!

My soccer champ with her coach!

Saturday night the hubby and I got to go on a date night! When you have 4 children, getting a date night is a little like finding an oasis in the middle of the desert: a relief! We can actually put together more than two sentences of conversation without refilling a cup, breaking up a fight, or wiping a tiny bottom. 

We went out to dinner at Chili's. It is seriously one of my favorite places to go when we eat out. It's low-key. They have a huge variety on their menu. And they'll bring out bottomless chips and salsa that usually keep our children occupied until the real food arrives.

My favorite thing about Chili's though is that they have a great light menu with several dishes all under 675 calories. I've tried several things from this menu now, and they've all been delicious. Saturday's dinner was the Sweet & Spicy Chicken.

Good gracious, it was wonderful!!! I was tempted to lick the plate. The waitress came by just as I was desperately trying to scoop up the last few grains of rice. She knew better than to ask me if she could take my plate yet. SO good!!!

I always check out the nutrition information for a restaurant before we go out to eat. That way I already know what I am getting before we even arrive at the restaurant. I love that we can still go out to eat, and my kids can see me making smart choices.

Do you check out the nutrition information at restaurants before you order?