Beef and Veggie Noodle Soup

Soup Sunday!

Image

 

 

Beef, Veggie and Noodle Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 onion chopped
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 3 Tbsp. cornstarch plus water to make paste
  • 1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
  • 10 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 2 cans beef broth
  • 2 cups of water
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1/2 bag frozen peas
  • 1/2 bag frozen carrots
  • 1/2 bag frozen corn
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni

Image

  1. Brown ground beef, minced garlic and chopped onion.
  2. In a large soup pot to beef and onions add cornstarch paste and stir well until well incorporated.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients except for the macaroni and cook on medium high heat for 30-45 minutes.
  4. Add 1 cup elbow macaroni and cook until tender.
  5. Adjust seasonings according to your taste.  I added more Italian and garlic seasoning at the end.

Image

 

Image

Monday Must Haves- A Random Observation

20131125-101803.jpg

I think everyone needs a dog.
This guy makes me turn into a child in that I just want to pester him, love on him and challenge him to races up and down the hallways. Sure, he drives me crazy sometimes; like for instance in this photo. I’m trying to stretch after a morning jog and he is all up in my business. He thinks I’m down on the floor for him. Ya, not so much bubby.

20131125-102212.jpg

Egg whites, Whole Grain Sandwich tTin and light Provolone Cheese.

This is a must. Every morning. If I don’t start my morning with this combination my whole day is off. Ok, maybe that’s pushing it… But I really do eat this for breakfast 95% of the time. Or some combination of egg white and whole grains.

20131125-102957.jpg

Bucky’s Fountain soda

Absolutely. Must. Have.

I go between Diet Pepsi and Diet Dr. Pepper. I know, terrible habit. But, I’m not willing to try and break it yet, so leave me be. 🙂 I always hit up the Bucky’s down the road from my work. The manager is great and I’m sure he comes to expect me every morning. Sometimes the cashier gives me the Refill Price as opposed to the New Cup price. She’s my hero. We shall call that Regular Perks.

20131125-103437.jpg

A Favorite Workout.

I have several but everyone needs to find at least one activity that they absolutely enjoy. Of course I love my Turbokick class that I teach (obvi) but I also LOVE kickboxing class. I only go occasionally due to my schedule (hashtag sad face). Right now, Monday nights is the one time I can typically get to a class, so tonight it’s on, baby!!   ILOVEKICBOXING.com

Oh, I’m also not afraid to point out that in the above pic, I am the one laying on the ground NOT participating in the ab work.

#winning

And there ya have it. The most random of random Monday Must-Haves.

Have a fab week my friends.

monday

Better For You Greek Dip

Image

 

I am completely in love with this healthy dip.  The Greek yogurt packs in protein, the calamata olives provide Vitamin E and healthy fats and the veggies and hummus offer a healthy punch of vitamins, minerals and fiber. 

Can’t go wrong, folks. 

This recipe was inspired by Iowa Girl Eats.

Ingredients

  • Greek Yogurt
  • Sun Dried Tomato Hummus
  • Calamata Olives
  • Reduced Fat Tomato Basil Feta Cheese
  • Tomato
  • Red Onion
  • Fresh Basil

Image

 

Spread a hearty portion of yogurt on a serving plate.  Top with a layer of hummus and then finish it off with chopped olives, tomatoes, onions, feta cheese and basil.

Serve with cucumbers, crackers or chips. 

 

Image

Good luck not eating the entire plate by yourself!

Image

 

 

Beating the Soon-to-Be Winter Blues

Winter is getting ready to show her ugly face here in Nebraska soon.

As in tomorrow, soon. BLAH!!!

Knowing my window of opportunity to ride was quickly closing, I text my girl Tyree yesterday at 3pm and we were on our bikes and in the wind by exactly 4:45pm.

20131120-102739.jpg

Impromptu ride…. And soooo worth it. Totally needed that open crisp air in my face. We rode for a while and then made a pit stop at The Rusty Nail for some dinner and a cocktail.

20131120-102341.jpg

I chose a mushroom Swiss burger and Tyree had the burrito plate. Warm, delicious and filling. Vodka and sugar free redbull also made its way onto our tabs. Wonder how that happened…

20131120-102622.jpg

Perfect little evening if you ask me.

This AM I woke up and whipped up an oatmeal pancake. First time making something like this and I was pretty pleased with how it turned out. I think I will continue to tweak ingredients as I go, but for the first one, I was impressed.

Oatmeal Pancake

1/2 cup oats
1/3 cup egg whites
2 Tbsp. PB2
1 Tbsp. Plain Greek yogurt
1 packet of Stevia

Mix, spread on heated griddle, lightly brown each side, soak in syrup, enjoy!

This recipe was 264 calories, 35 grams carbohydrates, 24 grams protein.

20131120-103700.jpg

I have a full day at work today. Hello meetings!!

After work I teach TurboKick at the Y from 4:30-5:15 and then it’s off to In This Moment concert at Sokol with my girl, Tyree!!

Eek!!!

20131120-104148.jpg

Have a Great Day, all!!