Comfort Food for when it's COLD

The other night, the hubs and I went for a walk after the kids went in bed. It was nice and peaceful and MAJORLY COLD! The next morning I was imagining a nice hearty bowl of soup for my lean and green meal. So I checked out the latest Medifast Cookbook and found a “Hearty Chiken Vegatable Soup” recipe. I changed it slightly for what I had on hand and to have it in my crock pot.

Ingredients (that I used):

2.5 lbs chicken, boneless skinless

5 cups reduced sodium, fat free chicken broth

2 cups celery, chopped

2 cups green & red peppers, chopped

2 cups mushrooms, chopped

2 cups zucchini, chopped

2 T. parsley

1 t. Thyme

1/2 t. black pepper

2 cloves garlic (I didn’t have so I used garlic powder)

1/2 cup scallions, chopped (I didn’t have so I used some dried onion bits)

I started out defrosting my chicken tenders and then chopped up my veggies. I cut up the chicken into small pieces and cooked them on the stove top in about 1.5 T of olive oil until cooked tender and drained. Then I threw in the veggies and spices altogether for a few minutes.

Poured the broth in my crock pot and then added the chicken and veggies. I let it sit on low for 3-4 hours and it was nice and hot for dinner! Makes about 6 servings at about 380 calories per serving. I did add some sea salt also and it hit the spot for my soup craving. The original recipe also called for a little cream which I didn’t have and it was still yummy without those calories!

Yesterday at my daughters volleyball game, I saw an old friend I haven’t seen in like a year. She was coming and sitting right in front of me and I had to call her name just to get her attention. Then she said, “Wow, Margene, I don’t even recognize you, you’ve lost so much weight.” I wasn’t even thinking of my weight loss, but that made me smile. You see, one of the last times I visited with her was at an event where a bunch of desserts were served, and this picture was snapped of us. (Nov. 2008)

I had my plate loaded with cake, brownies, and cream puffs and was eating like a major pig! I remember even thinking that I was hungry and I just didn’t care what people thought. After I saw my friend yesterday, I looked up this picture. I should be totally disgusted but I think it’s more FUNNY now!! So not me anymore! Change is SO SWEET! Life is GOOD!!