Poor Man Soup

This past week I've had some sick kiddos to deal with.  Add some rainy weather to the mix and soup just sounded fantastic!  Growing up we had this often.  It's a versatile and easy meal.   My favorite way to prepare it is in the crock pot.   All the flavors and smells become amazing after a day in the crock pot!   Today though - I used just a pot since I was short on time.   

 Ingredients 

1 lb ground beef

3 potatos peeled and diced

small - medium package of frozen mixed veggies

1 box of stock

2 cans tomato sauce

1/2 tsp tyme

1/2 - 1 Tbs Parsley

3/4 tsp cardamom

2 bay leaves (remove after cooking)

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Like I said, this is super easy and very versatile.  Don't like something?  leave it out!  Want something added?  Toss it in!  Use what you have in your house already! I start with browning the meat.  Recently I've been eating Bison or venison instead of beef.  today I used bison.   I put the entire box of vegetable stock, tomato sauce and potatoes into the pot.*  let cook for about 5 minutes then toss in the frozen veggies, meat, tyme, parsley, cardamom, and bay leaves.    Cook on high for about 15 minutes.   Eat while its hot!  Very quick, easy and delicious! 

I would love to hear what you thought if you made this! 

My Promise to You...or.... Because I Let it Happen

I'm reading the book Push by Chalene Johnson.  It's a goal setting, weight loss, personal life achievement type book.  Pretty good.  I'm on day 24.   She says to make a promise to people that you will achieve your goals.  So here is my goal to you - I WILL lose 70 lbs.   I need to be healthy for my family and for myself.  Currently - I can't stand the way I look.  I hate the way I feel in clothes.  Shopping for jeans is pure torture!  HELLLOOOO!  NOT EVERYONE LOOKS GOOD IN SKINNY JEANS!  I'm 5 feet tall and 186 lbs.  I do not need to be in the same aisle as skinny jeans!  I am short and frumpy.  I've got thights and a butt that require a back up signal.  Skinny jeans make me look like The Little Red Hen.  Come now...I don't need that. 

Aside from clothes shopping - the way I feel about myself is horrible.  Every sit up is a painful visual reminder of just how much I let myself go.  Can you believe this crap?  I LET myself get this way!  Did you read what I just wrote?  I. LET. MYSELF. GET. THIS. WAY.  Nobody forced me to eat an entire row of oreos.  No one forced me to eat french fries.  No one forced me to eat ice cream.  Despite my knowing how unhealthy it was for me, despite my growing size, despite my desperation to be healthier, I let it happen.    Some people tell me, "well, things happen."  Well, they do.  But you know what?  I didn't stop it. 
As I sit here typing, my little ones are fast asleep.  I wonder...what kind of example was I to them?  Well, today, a pretty darn good one!  Lots of outdoor activity at the zoo, healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner, and an afternoon work out.  That is the mom those kids deserve.  Healthy, fit, and happy.   That's the mom I WILL be.  And you know what?   I'm going to let myself get that way!

Is everyone giving up sugar for Lent?

Seems that way sometimes doesn't it?  I remember a time when I was working at walmart and I was discussing Lent with a customer.  I mentioned a friend who gave up sweets every year.  The woman got angry and stated that she hated when people did that because they were doing things for the wrong reason.  But are they? 



1 Corinthians 6:19-29- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (KJV)

Are we not to take care of our earthly bodies?  My body IS a temple.  Why is it such a bad thing for me to give up sugar?  I love sugar.  I am addicted to sugary foods.  My relationship with sweet foods is not healthy - clearly or I would not be here!  I need to take care of my body.  God gave me a body to do good, not be lazy and gluttonous.  I know that I will be tempted but you know what, knowing that I'm giving it up for GOD will hold me even more accountable.   Knowing that I can't have it because I gave it up for him will make me stronger.  I know I will be tempted (Peeps - speckled egg M&M's, ICE CREAM) but with God's help I know I can get through it.

So while some people may see giving up sugar as a stupid Lent tradition, I think it's wonderful.  When we give up sugar we begin to notice how God designed our bodies to work.  We will learn how it will make us feel.  I don't think God would see it as a bad thing. We are improving our bodies and minds.  I have no regrets or feelings of guilt for this choice of mine.  I am embracing this Lenten season with the help of God.  Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (KJV)

What are your plans for lent?  Give up something?  Taking on something? Both?