For a bit of a change I’m posting a recipe.  Mama Kelly is the usual provider of home cooked recipes on the blog, but I figured I would share one of mine that I tossed together.  

 I’m always on a diet, so I don’t often cook since I eat so little.  Hubby does most of the cooking for himself and my daughter.   But last week I wanted to make something a little different that was also yummy, healthy and filling for my dinners that I could just heat up when I got home.  Although this recipe doesn’t take all day to cook, it did come out really tasty and it was very quick and easy, plus it is low fat and low in calories.

Quick and Easy Carrot Spinach Turkey Soup
6 servings

1 box of chicken broth
1 large bag of baby carrots (10 serving size)
1 onion (roughly sliced)
In a big pot simmer (on low) the carrots and onion in the broth for about 90 minutes (or until carrots are tender.

1 lb of lean ground turkey – saute in non-stick pan, season with garlic powder. When cooked drain off excess fat\liquid.
1 bag of fresh baby spinach
2 cans of 98% fat free mushroom soup

When the carrots are tender, add the ground turkey, baby spinach, and mushroom soups to the broth.

I divided the batch of soup into 6 containers (18 oz) and will have one for dinner Monday-Friday. I shared the 6th container with the family. My hubby (who makes awesome soups all the time) liked it a lot and my daughter enjoyed it too.  If serving the soup with a sandwich or other dish you could probably get 8 servings.

It only took me about 10 minutes to prepare (the time the carrots are simmering doesn’t count since I was able to go off and do other things).

Calories:  Total of calories on all the packages was 1440, then divided by the number of servings (6) for a total of 240 calories per container.

Bright Blessings, Lady Rose

Cross posted on my other blog, Diet Pulpit.

Written by Lady RoseTags:healthy eating, soup

Yesterday was Friday the 13th, one of my favorite days. I know a lot of folks consider Friday the 13th to be bad luck but I don’t subscribe to that notion.  Instead, I chose to celebrate Friday the 13th has a day to have fun and invoke the number 13 as a good luck number.

I personally love the number 13 and there are many reasons to not fear it. There are often thirteen full moons in a year (I love the full moon!).   A baker’s dozen is 13, which means a free treat.  America began with 13 colonies, and we turned out ok.  Friday the 13th happens on a Friday, my most favorite day of the week.

Looking at the numerological symbology of the numbers 1 and 3, thirteen is a positive number: 

One is the number of self, being an individual, doing your own thing, confidence.  It is also the number of spirituality and unity. 

Three is a number of creativity, passion, spontaneity. It is also the number of completeness, balance, body-mind-soul, and the three aspects of the Goddess.

Four (Combination of 1 and 3) is the number for planning, building, foundation, and stability. It is also the number strength, wisdom, and the four seasons and the four elements (air-fire-water-earth).

So rather then succumb to paraskavedekatriaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th), I urge every one to celebrate and focus on making your own good fortune today and every day.  Superstitions are based on fear of the unknown or fear of not knowing what’s coming, but that fear can be turned around with knowledge and a positive attitude and fun.

The next Friday the 13th is Nov. 13, 2009. One way to celebrate Friday the 13th is by making up a big batch of this 13 bean good luck soup: 

• 2 cups mixed dried beans (13 different kinds, including black-eyed peas – which are associated with good luck)
• Water with 2 tablespoons salt (to soak beans)
• 2 qts Water or Chicken or Vegetable Broth
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste, add other herbs and seaonsings that you like
• Optional: 1-1/2 cups bite-size pieces lean baked ham (about 1/2 pound) or 1-pound meaty ham bone or ham hock (leave out if vegetarian)

Wash the beans, cover water and add 2 tablespoons salt, and then soak overnight.  Drain the beans and combine with 2 quarts fresh water (or chicken or veggie broth) in a large pot. Add the ham and boil for 1-1/2 to 3 hours, or until the beans are tender and cooked thoroughly. Toss in the onions, celery, tomatoes, red pepper, and salt and pepper (and other seasonings) to taste. Simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked.

Set the table with 13 bowls, a plate of 39 fresh baked dinner rolls (3×13), invite 12 friends over and enjoy!

For some interesting reading check out an interesting article on the symbology of 13 and Freemansonry (our founding fathers).

Health and happiness, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:13, luck, recipe, soup