It's 12.30.12 and this weekend I have created our 2013 Home Budget, finished our meal planning for the next two weeks, grocery shopped and prepped our meals for this week.
For me, a new year is not about resolutions, it's about getting back into a routine and following my heart to be a better me. Now you may say "oh she's making resolutions" but for me I'm ready for a fresh start and as I look forward to 2013, I plan to do the following:
1) Be a better wife.
2) Read the bible daily.
3) Eat cleaner and healthier.
4) Exercise more.
5) Travel.
6) Enjoy life.
We are planning to eat cleaner and healthier eating fresh fruits, vegetables and fresh meats, eating smaller portions, starting the day with breakfast and put exercise back into our daily routine. This will help Terry and I feel better and hopefully in the long run look better as well.
The past few months, I have started meal planning for the upcoming week, prepping the meals (in 45 mins to an hr on Sunday afternoons) so either in the morning before work I can put dinner in the crock pot, or just put it in the oven for 1/2 hour when we get home from work. This saves so much time and frustration trying to figure out what to make for dinner each night, last minute trips to the grocery, etc. This also saves money, planning your meals in advance, buying only what's on your grocery list will save you $$ when you go to check out.
Many of you are aware of the Lifestyle Plan that I wrote several years ago. I don't use the four letter word (diet), it just add pounds. LOL! I prefer to say I'm on a Lifestyle Plan and after trying numerous diet plans, I combined several and wrote my own 7-7-7 Lifestyle Plan with daily food journals weight/measurement journals and exercise journal several years ago. I was very successful but have fallen off the wagon the past year or two. It really does help you keep track and stay on track. I set small goals that are attainable not large goals that I can't meet that leave me feeling depressed for not reaching them. With every pound I lose, I put $5 in a envelope so when I reach one of my attainable goals I can buy myself something new or I can continue saving the $$ to go towards my new wardrobe when I reach my goal. For me its all about being comfortable in my own skin, not what I weigh or what size I wear. I learned a long time ago that I have to be happy with myself in my own skin not what others think of me or see me as.
Now on to today's meal:
I have "Fiesta Chicken Soup" cooking. It smells delicious and is only 112 calories per cup. Here is the recipe if you'd like to try it sometime.
Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken Soup
Yields: 8 | Serving size: 1 cup | Calories: 112 | Previous Points: 2 | Points Plus: 3 | Total Fat: 2 g | Saturated Fats: 1 g | Trans Fats: 0 g | Cholesterol: 21 mg |Sodium: 220 mg | Carbohydrates: 13 g | Dietary fiber: 3 g | Sugars: 1 g | Protein: 12 g
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (4.5 oz.) can diced green chili peppers
- 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, low sodium, fat free (use an additional 1/2 cup for a soup)
- 1 cup frozen or fresh corn
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Kosher or sea salt to taste
- 1/2 cup freshly chopped cilantro
- 2 chicken breasts fillets, skinless, cut into 1-2” cubes (no need to pre-cook)
Directions
Sauté onion in olive oil over medium-low heat until tender, about 5 minutes. (This step is optional. If you prefer simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and eliminate the oil.)
Add sautéed onion and all remaining ingredients to the slow cooker, stir to combine. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours.
This recipe is featured in our cookbook, Skinny Ms. Slow Cooker.
http://skinnyms.com/slow-cooker-fiesta-chicken-soup/
Copyright 2012 Skinny Ms.® All rights reserved
Until my next blog post, Bon Appetit!
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