Anyways, back to my original plan of this blog which is FOOD!! Hopefully with a side of weight loss Lately, I have just been eating. And eating. And eating. What can I say? I love food. I love to cook. So anyways. 6 days a week it’s all about healthy (and delicious) food. But as for day 7, it is all about cooking not so healthy, but delicious food!

Who DAT!?!?

Deliciousness in every bite!

So the other day I totally made my delicious vegetable soup and completely forgot to post. Anyways, here it is! At 9 servings (1 and 1/2 cup servings approximately) it came in at only 3 points a serving. AH-mazing! I served a little half grilled cheese made with Ezekiel bread- my personal fave- a little american cheese slice (I used regular, not low-fat), and some (1 tbsp) Brummel and Brown margarine spread.

Now back to the showstopper. The soup. Ok it’s totally not difficult but I’m kinda one of those people that will put everything but the kitchen sink in my soup. So if you don’t have one ingredient, just add more of one of the veggies, or add a completely different veggie. It’s up to you! The possibilities are endless =) As for this week’s recipe:

1-2 tsp EVOO

2 carrots- peeled and diced, I like to cut the carrot, onion, and celery about the same size

2 stalks celery- diced pretty small

1 onion- diced

1 clove garlic- minced

I put all of the previous ingredients in a big pot and let them sweat for about 10-15 minutes stirring often. You want to make sure you get these pretty soft before you throw everything else in.

1 lb extra lean ground beef (96/4)

I add in the beef with the onions, carrots, garlic, and celery to brown. After the beef is cooked thoroughly, I drain most of the fat from the pan.

Here’s the fun part. Just start adding whatever looks good. I personally use:

frozen bag of Pictsweet Vegetable Soup Mix with Tomatoes

1 can of Veg-All

28 oz can of crushed tomatoes (I prefer Muir Glen Fire-Roasted- YUM!)

I add in a little extra okra if I’m feeling creative

2 cans of chicken broth

water if you want it on the thinner side

Add all of these to the pot and bring to a boil. I add in a bay leaf and tabasco as well. Then lower it to a simmer and cook for at least 1 hour.

CROCKPOT VERSION:

I’ve had success doing this in the crockpot as well. I just cook the meat, carrots, onions, celery, and garlic as directed and then add that to the crockpot with everything else. I cook it on Low for about 8 hours and it is FABULOUS!!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

This weekend I’m attending Voodoo, a music festival in New Orleans, so I’m trying to eat food I have at my house rather than going to the grocery store. It’s been interesting. Tonight I had Balsamic Chicken, corn, and black-eye peas. Random. I know. Maybe after the next 3 weeks of travel I’ll get back to a cooking schedule. I personally use the E-mealz Weight Watchers menu plan for 2 and just eat my leftovers for lunch/dinner the following day. One thing I have noticed is that some of the recipes are off on the points so don’t get lazy and forget to put it in the recipe builder! I have been using the site for almost a month and have yet to have a repeat meal. AND best of all it is totally healthy! Everything is centered around using REAL ingredients, not boxed stuff. And you can pretty much count on having AT LEAST 2 fruits and veggies per meal. It’s TOTALLY awesome!  Here’s the website if you’re interested: E-mealz. For $15 dollars every 3 months it is TOTALLY worth it! I spend no more than $50 at the grocery store as opposed to around a hundred. I’m one of those people that aimlessly wanders through the grocery store and picks up whatever looks good. So with E-mealz I stick to the list as well as getting a few staple items for breakfast. Such a money saver!

greenmonster, originally uploaded by CoCoCulinista.

Disregard the elementary photography on this guys. It was an early morning for work and I had ZERO time to allow my green monster to get the most photogenic award. Haha! Anyways, I struggle getting my veggies in, ESPECIALLY the green leafy ones. So, I started adding a cup of spinach into my smoothies. Sounds weird I know. But seriously you can’t taste a THING! The only way you know is because of the obvious….it turns your smoothie green. Anyways, this one is a yummy one! Here’s the recipe!

Green Monster #1

1/2 cup lowfat vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
2 teaspoons whey powder
a few ice cubes
1 banana
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup of spinach

Turn the blender on pulse to get the ice crushed. Then liquefy for a few seconds. Works deliciously every time!

It’s 2 servings with a WW points of 3. Can’t beat it! Especially for the mornings you don’t want to eat something heavy before hitting the gym!

Hope you’re having an awesome Sunday!!

5 lbs. #1 Yes. I’m not posting my weight. Maybe after it is all gone I will share my horrific start. Until it all goes away =) Maybe sooner. Who knows. Anyway, the reward for the first 5 is a pedicure. I’m obsessed with them. You’ll see them frequently on the list.

5 lbs #2 New running shoes. I need some. DESPERATELY. But I refuse to buy them until I hit a good weight ‘landmark’ if you will.

5 lbs #3 Manicure. I love them too. And I think I deserve one!

5 lbs #4 New sunglasses. Oh how I love thee Coco Chanel! I’m getting some fo’ real when I get here.

5 lbs #5 Pedicure. Told you it’d be on the list a few times =)

5 lbs #6 Roadtrip. Cute Outfit for Mardi Gras. Yes. My life revolves around LSU and Saints football in the fall and Mardi Gras in the spring.

5 lbs #7 Manicure/Pedicure. Changing it up. We’re double teaming this reward.

5 lbs #8 Lulu Lemon Workoutfit. I like the word workoutfit as opposed to workout outfit. Don’t you?

5 lbs #9 Pedicure. It’ll be springtime/summertime by the time I reach this one. We’ll need a pedi.

5 lbs #10 New Jeans. Preferably the Miss Me jeans with Fleur de Lis pockets. They’re FABULOUS!

5 lbs #11 Another pedi. I told you. It’s going to be summer. I’ll need one!

5 lbs #12 2 new Lulu Lemon Workoutfits

5 lbs #13 Clothes! Clothes! Clothes! This is my goal. And I’m sure I’ll be buying lots and lots of clothes!!

Well I’m off to work kiddos. Have a good day!!

P.S. For real I’m posting the recipe for the vegetable soup with pictures. Tonight.

As for other things in the world of CC, my FAVORITE time of year is coming up!! CHRISTMAS! I’m SO excited! And the next month is going to fly by because I will be out of town 3 out of the 4 weekends in November. Can I get a WOOHOO!! I’ll share pictures of my travels for sure!