Chicken Cabbage Soup

Chicken Cabbage Soup is perfect for a cold day! It will warm you up from the inside out and fills the house with the coziest smells. It can be topped with your favourite Mexican toppings for a completely different experience, such as avocado, sour cream, corn chips, and salsa, or enjoyed on its own!

The weekend has been cold and rainy. However, I am not too upset about it because I have caught a bad virus and do not have the energy to do much besides lay around. To help with the rainy day blues, and to fight this virus, I made some chicken cabbage soup! The smells are wonderful and make me feel warm and fuzzy, and it is a great comfort food for those blue days.

While feeling under the weather it can be difficult to eat healthy, or eat at all. I have found it easiest to fill the body with comfort foods and smoothies for some substance. I have not been overly hungry so I have been focusing on eating small meals so my body has some fuel. Once this virus is gone I will get back to eating regular meals and snacks. 

Chicken Cabbage Soup

12oz Chicken Breast Cooked
1 Can Low Sodium Diced Tomatoes
1 Carton Low Sodium Chicken Broth (4 Cups)
1/4 Cup Chopped Onion
1/2 Cup Snow Peas
1/2 Cup Carrots
1/2 Cup Broccoli
2 Cloves Garlic
2 Cups Cabbage
Fresh Dill, Fresh Parsley, Cayenne Pepper, Chilli Powder, and Black Pepper

In a pot saute onions and garlic until clear, add chicken, broth, and the fresh dill and parsley. Bring to a boil.
In a separate pan fry cabbage with 1tsp oil (I used coconut oil) and the cayenne and chilli powder until light brown.
Add tomatoes and remaining vegetables to the soup pot. Once boiling again add cabbage and let simmer for 30 minutes.

This makes 10 cups of soup and is very low in weight watchers point values.

I topped my soup with a quarter of an avocado and some corn chips. It would also be delicious with grated cheese and a tablespoon of sour cream, but I am still avoiding dairy.

Happy Sunday!

k.

Summertime popsicles

These creamy and fruity popsicles have a splash of pomegranate juice, and are perfect for a hot day/ They are gluten, dairy, and guilt free! One will not be enough, and that is okay!

Summer is finally right around the corner! The weather is heating up and the sun is shining (or it should be. As always, the long weekend has brought rain with it)! Summer brings cravings for slurpees, ice cream, and other cold delights that aren't always healthy. I have a love for ice cream that is only satisfied by eating A LOT of it. To try and stop these cravings before they start I made fruity frozen snacks with a creamy twist. They are gluten free, dairy free, and healthy! They fit perfectly into the weight watchers points plus allowance and are great on a hot day.


Fruity Frozen Snacks with a Creamy Twist
1 Cup Almond Milk
1/2 Cup Cultured Coconut Milk
1 Cup POM pomegranate juice
1 Banana
1 Cup Strawberries
1 Cup Blackberries

In a blender combine milk, yogurt, and banana until creamy.

Divide strawberries and blackberries into popsicle trays (I used 2 trays with 8 molds. They were $3 at wal mart)

Pour pomegranate juice into trays until they are approx 1/4 full.

Fill with the cream in the blender.

This recipe makes 16 servings.

If eating healthy can be this yummy, I think reaching my goals will be easier AND enjoyable. You should not have to suffer in order to lose weight and get in shape. Its about making the right choices. Depriving yourself of the things you love will only lead to binging later on. Treat yourself and things will seem easier and worth it!

I hope everyone is having a great long weekend! Stay safe.
k.

The beginning.

This is my journey through life as a busy student. I am working hard to find the motivation to get healthy, be fit, and enjoy the simple things in life while going to school and working a part time job. This is common for many students and I hope that through the support of others people will be motivated to be the best that they can be! Life passes by so quickly and every moment should be enjoyed, the good and the bad.

In my late teens I was diagnosed with Celiac disease, it seemed like the worst thing that could ever happen. This meant no more perogies, cold beer and clamato, bread, or pasta. For the longest time I would cheat, only to regret it later. Now I live a gluten free lifestyle and feel better for it! I love cooking and baking. Being gluten free has allowed me to have fun in the kitchen and develop new and exciting meals that make me forget all about fluffy bread, and delicious potato filled perogies. My love to cook and try new ideas makes eating healthy much more enjoyable.

Recently I rejoined weight watchers. I have a nasty sugar addiction, and love quick meals and snacks. The items I chose may have been quick, but they were not overly healthy. However, the good feelings that I get from eating healthy make it so much easier to stick with it. I have been slacking off at the gym since summer classes started (I have only gone a few times, and keep cutting my workouts short). For the upcoming week I am setting my goal as attending yoga three times, and getting in 4 good workouts. Hopefully in the next few weeks my routine will be back to normal.

All goals can be reached with dedication. People never stop growing and changing. Life is not static, it is always moving. Every moment needs to be enjoyed because once it is gone, it is gone forever.

I hope that this blog will keep me motivated and on track to reach my goals. I invite everyone to join in with me on this journey. There may be failures, setbacks, and disappointments but overcoming these will only make the journey more exciting and I will be stronger for it!

k.