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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Zero-Point Vegetable Soup


I have been a Weight Watcher for over 10 years and have seen many recipes for 0-point Vegetable soup. I have made it so many times. I would always make it a little bit different but over the years I have perfected my recipe. One of the reasons I love it is because it is healthy, warm, hearty and filling without many points/calories. Before I was Lifetime I would make this on Sundays a couple of weeks during the month and snack on it when I was hungry. Now that I am Lifetime I just make it randomly when I am craving it. For those of you who aren't familiar with Weight Watchers just ignore this paragraph.

I have found that when I make too much of it I end up throwing it away, I know you can freeze it but I don't like it after it's been frozen. So for me this is the perfect portion. Also I do not like mushy vegetables which is why I give so many time lines and the order to the directions of this recipe. Once the vegetables get too soft I won't eat it.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup onion, diced
3/4 cup carrots, diced
1 small red potato, diced
2 cloves fresh garlic
1 & half cartons of Chicken Stock (48 oz)
1 14oz can diced tomatoes
1 ear fresh corn, kernels removed
1/2 cup peas (frozen)
1/2 cup baby Lima beans (frozen)
1 cup green beans (frozen)
1 zucchini, sliced
1 cup of cabbage, sliced thinly
2 t fresh lemon juice
1 t salt
fresh cracked pepper to taste
1 T fresh chopped parsley
1 t olive oil

Directions:
Heat a large pot over med-high heat, add the oil. Next add the onions, carrots and potatoes and cook for about 5 minutes then add the garlic allowing the vegetables to sweat and soften. Turn the heat to high and add the chicken stock, stirring and scraping the bits of vegetables off the bottom of the pot, cook on high for 10 minutes to allow the soup to simmer. Next add the tomatoes, corn, peas, Lima beans and green beans. Simmer for about 5 minutes then add salt, pepper, lemon juice and parsley. About 5 minutes prior to serving add the zucchini. At this point, taste and adjust salt, pepper as needed. To keep the cabbage crunchy I add the cabbage to the bowls before I ladle in the soup.

Diced veggies ready for the soup!



I like  crunchy cabbage so I finally found that this method keeps the cabbage from getting soggy.
Top the soup with more fresh parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon for a fresh taste! My husband and kids like to melt mozzerella cheese over the top. 


Menu for Feb 17-22

This is a crazy week, but who am I kidding when is it not a crazy week? Here goes with what's gonna be served at my house this week!

Sunday: Left overs! I have a huge salad and some left over steak so I'm gonna have a steak salad and make steak sandwiches for the family.

Monday: Balsamic Pork Tenderloin
I am serving this with mashed potatoes or maybe quinoa and fresh green beans that have been quick steamed then tossed in olive oil and and shallots. I doubling this recipe because I am bringing this to a friends house who recently had a baby. It is an easy recipe to double and people who are having meals brought to them will really appreciate not getting another random casserole!


I usually serve this with steamed kale and brown rice, it is so easy, hearty and yummy!

Thursday: Making some new! Not sure what I am making on Thursday but I do have some chicken in my freezer that I need to use but I will let you know when I come up with it :)

Friday: Beef Tostadas 

My niece and nephew are staying with us for the weekend and they love making these at my house  All kids love making these because they FUN the bonus is that they are yummy too!


Have a great week!
Cheers!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

This Week's Menu


Finally the original intent of this blog comes to fruition! When I first started this blog the point was to share my weekly menus with those who wanted some healthy recipe ideas to feed their family for the week. I am a total planner! I find that when I plan ahead for the week I am more successful in so many ways. I spend less money at the grocery store, because I know exactly what I need and what I'm going to make each night so I don't make multiple trips to the store during the week. I eat healthier because I plan healthy meals and I can plan my day and even lunches because I know what I'm going to make each night. I look at my calendar and plan accordingly, for example this week my son is in a basketball tournament on Monday and Thursday  my daughter also has dance on Monday and I teach a 4pm yoga class, there is no way I am going to be able to make a healthy dinner that night if I don't plan ahead! I had to make meals that I can make ahead of time or in the crock pot because I am not going to have much time for prepping.

I typically get the paper on Sunday mornings and while having breakfast and coffee with my family on I ask for everyone's input on what they want for dinner during the week I plan my menu and my big Sunday grocery shop. This also helps during meals times when my kids try to complain about what we are having I can remind them that they each made suggestions on Sunday so to zip their mouths up if they have something negative to say. Ha!

Now that I am working and have less time to plan and prepare meals I am feeling grateful  that I have so many recipes on this blog to pull from. This morning my daughter and I went through recipes on my blog and picked out what we wanted to eat this week.

Today I am heading to the store. I am going to buy all the ingredients we need for the week! Fingers crossed that I get it all. I am leaving my kids home with my hubby so I can focus when I am there!

Weekly Menu (Just click on the meal name and it will take you to the recipe link)


Today is Super Bowl Sunday, we are still depressed since the Falcons didn't make it so we aren't planning anything big for tonight, just a bowl of sweet southern comfort to ease our pain.

Monday: BBQ Pork in the Crock Pot
We will have these sliders with left over Brunswick stew and I will whip up some quick slaw!

Tuesday: Skillet Lasagna
We have swim lessons at 4:50pm on Tuesdays so I need something quick this busy weeknight! This is so easy, lasagna in 30 minutes...sign me up!! Sever with a quick salad for the perfect meal!

This is a total family favorite. I usually serve this with edamame in the shells my kids love those!

This is one of my favorite dinners ever! Can't wait for Thursday night!

Enjoy and have a great week!
Cheers!