Smart Soup

As the saying goes some people eat to live others live to eat.

I have to admit I am the latter. I do not snack at all through the daytime however at night when I am hunkered down in front of the Food Network then the munchies really get to me watching all those great meals being prepared. It is starting to show as well as most of my fall pants are tight at the waist.
So whats a girl to eat in the evening except carrot and celery sticks when trying to drop a few pounds?

Well I have started doing what Weight Watcher members and celebrities have been doing for years, eating Vegetable Soup whenever I get hungry in the evening.
The best part? It is virtually carbohydrate free and very low calorie as well as being high in fiber and nutrients.
This soup is quick to throw together and doesn't require the long cooking time that soups with meat and beans require.
You can vary the ingredients with different types of vegetables such as zucchini. This recipe can be doubled, tripled or made to suit any size. I freeze portions in small containers to last for a few days in the fridge.
This soup also makes a great lunch or light supper.


I am hoping with a stepped up workout program and this soup that those pounds will melt away.
I'll keep you posted!


Low Cal Vegetable Soup

• 3 large carrots sliced
• 1 celery stalk sliced
  
• 1 sliced onion
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
  
• 1/2 cup green beans
  
• 1 cup of baby spinach
  
• 1/2 cup of peas
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
  
• 1 can of diced or whole tomatoes .
• 1/2 tsp each of basil, parsley and oregano
• salt and pepper to taste

In a large soup pot either spray with cooking spray or add a bit of olive oil.
Saute the carrot, onion and garlic over medium heat until softened.
Add all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Cheers!

Smokin'!

Whenever I go to the butcher or market one of the things I immediately seek out are smoked pork chops.
Once you've tried them you will be a fan forever.
The thing is however they are not an easy thing to find in our city and if you are lucky enough to find some you end up paying around 5 dollars per small pork chop.

I stumbled across gold the other day when I found a smoker box for the barbecue and hickory chips for less than half price at a local hardware store.

Smoking meats is not as intimidating as it looks. You don't even need a fancy smoker box.
Strong tin foil will do. The best foods for smoking are pork, chicken and fish.
They are lighter and less dense than beef. You can lay sprigs of herbs in the smoker box to vary the flavor. You can even get different types of wood chips such as hickory and apple wood that change the flavor of the meat as well. Once you get the hang of it you can try larger cuts of meat such as pork loin roasts and whole chickens.

So with a little preliminary planning your on your way to a smokin' good meal!



Basic Smoked Pork Chops

• 1 pkg of loin pork chops
• 2 cups of hickory wood chips
• few springs of rosemary

Soak 2 cups of chips in water for an hour or two. Place the wet chips in the smoker box or tin foil poked with holes. Place on the barbecue and heat till the chips begin to smoke (around 2 or 3 minutes). Place the pork chops on the opposite side of the side of the grill that the smoker box is.Turn off the burner under the meat. Cook medium low until chops are rosy pink and done in the center. Keep the lid closed while cooking so the smoke stays inside.

Wine Suggestion: Blush