Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup - Skinny Style!

:: Ingredients ::

4 cups water

2 chicken bouillon cubes

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 cup fresh basil {garnish}

1 tsp fresh diced garlic
½ bay leaf

1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
½ cup flour
½ cup butter

 2 cups skim milk

1 cup Parmesan or Asiago shredded cheese

 Makes about 2 quarts (about 8 servings)

Approx. 234 calories per serving

:: Directions :: 

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan or the microwave. 

Add to the slow cooker with the two bouillon cubes. 

Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, garlic, salt, pepper, italian spice and bay leaf.
Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft. 

Approximately 6 hours in blend the ingredients together with a hand mixer until smooth.
About 30 minutes before serving, prepare a roux. 

Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. 

Stir constantly with a whisk for 2-3 minutes. 

Slowly add the milk, stirring as you do so. 

When thoroughly blended and smooth add to the slow cooker slowly, stirring as you do so.  
Stir in the Parmesan cheese. 
Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.

Recipe origin: http://utah.todaysmama.com/

I just added a few things and skinny-fied it to fit into my diet plan. 

Edamame Salad Sandwich

 

A very healthy take-off on the egg salad sandwich, I give you the edamame salad sandwich!

The following goes in the food processor:

One 8 oz. pkg of edamame, cooked and shelled

1 heaping spoonful of olive oil mayonaise 

A sprinkle of sea salt

Drizzle sesame oil over top 

A handful of toasted cashews (or whatever nuts you like)

Blend ingredients, then pile up on your favorite bread! So easy, right?!

Enjoy ♥

SIDE NOTE:  

Sorry about the blurry picture, my phone is terrible - it definitely does not do this sandwich justice.
Hopefully I'm getting a new one soon - a Mom's day present from my hubby! 

Yeah, he rocks like that.

Simple and Yummy Chicken Salad

So I come home from shopping at Sam's Club this evening and to my delight there was an unexpected visitor
at our house. My step-daugher, Emily! I, of course, invited her to stay for dinner.
Then was left to ponder...what should I make? 

Here's what I came up and it was really simple to prepare - it only took me about 20 minutes. 

It's a super easy dinner for all you busy moms out there who need to get a nutritious meal on the table, and an added bonus, not too much clean up!

Ingredients:

Salad:

A handful of cherry tomatoes, diced

One can of corn

One can of black beans

The breasts from one of the roasted chickens you can get almost anywhere for like $6 or $7, chopped

A handful of spinach, ours was from our garden, chopped

1 cup of mango salsa (regular salsa would work too)

Dressing:

2 tbsp of chopped onions

1/4 cup of the salsa

2 tbsp of olive oil

one lemon, juiced

a couple good shakes of coriander and lime pepper seasoning

Chop up your salad ingredients and place in a bowl. Add dressing ingredients to the food processor or blender. Blend. Then add your dressing to the salad and fold in gently.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream on top and a side of Tostitos Hint of Lime Chips.

Enjoy! ♥