Soup

I made this yummy squash soup this week. Davi actually thought is was potato cheese soup at first (without the potaoes in it) It was delicious. I thought i would share it. I know it has a lot of butter in it, but maybe someone could think of a substitute and share your thoughts.

For squash soup
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 medium onion, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 lb yellow summer squash, halved and thinly sliced
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1 yellow-fleshed potato (1/2 lb), peeled, halved,
4 cups chicken stock or reduced-sodium chicken broth

for pistou
3/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs
1 large scallion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon salt
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preparation

Make soup:
Melt butter in a 6- to 8-quart wide heavy pot over moderate heat, then cook onion with salt, stirring, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add squash, carrots, potato, and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, then simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are very tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool soup, uncovered, 10 minutes.
Working in batches, purée; soup in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids) and transfer to a bowl. Return puré to cleaned pot and thin with water if desired; simmer 3 minutes. Season with salt.
Make pistou while vegetables simmer:
Pulse mint, parsley, and scallion in a food processor until finely chopped. With motor running, add oil in a stream, then add water and salt, blending until incorporated.
Swirl 1 tablespoon pistou into each bowl of soup.


Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Summer-Squash-Soup-with-Parsley-Mint-Pistou-235736#ixzz28SQvudjj

Gaylene

Names

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If you comment on a post and use your own email your name will show up.  If you want to comment and can't log in with your email you can log in with this blogs information.  Just remember to add your name at the bottom of your comment.  This way everyone can see what people are thinking.

Love all the comments that this is helping people.  IT'S GREAT!!

Chelsa

Yeah for Chey and Amy

Way to go for putting this together for everyone!  I am seeing good changes already, as I know everyone should be.  This is a sugar thing for me, but is helping some unwanted inches disappear.
Ok, sending my comment in on the 8 hours of sleep, I like Gaylene's idea that she commented on that if you want put it into your personal goal, go for it.  I have sleeping issues that have come because of things that are somewhat out of my control.  So my vote is no on the point for sleep.  Also, it might be wise not to change the rules in the middle of the challenge.
All your recipes look awesom.  Good Luck everyone.

KayeLynn

Zucchini, Black Bean & Rice

Tonight I made this for dinner:

Super delish and very filling.  My kids didn't eat it (shocker) but my hubby loved it.  Enjoy!

This recipe is from HERE 

 I did switch out a few things:

*I used olive oil instead of canola oil...I just like the taste better
*I used roasted red peppers instead of a green bell pepper
*I used shredded mozzarella instead of the cheddar
*I used brown rice (the already made, just warm up kind from Trader Joes), if you use this option, you don't need the water.  I cooked the rice in the microwave and added it to the skillet

NUTRITION INFORMATION*

Serving Size	4 servings (1-1/4 cups each)
Calories	276

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon Pure Wesson® Canola Oil
• 1-1/2 cups quartered lengthwise, sliced zucchini
• 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 can (15 oz each)  Whole Black Beans, drained, rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 oz each) Hunt's® Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Garlic, undrained
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup instant white rice
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and bell pepper; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans, undrained tomatoes and water. Increase heat and bring to a boil.
2. Add rice; stir well. Cover; remove from heat and let stand 7 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with cheese.

~Britney

Questions, Concerns & Comments

First of all I want to say thanks to all of those who decided to take the challenge.  When Amy and I started talking about this we never thought we would get 30 people to do this with us.  Second, I'm guessing we all have different reasons/goals in mind for participating.  With that said I wanted to address some things.

Q:  Can I get half a point for 15 minutes of exercise?
A:  Nope, full points only, gotta get that full half hour in.


Q:  What is a full glass?
A:  I'm thinking we should be getting at least 70oz of water.

Q:  If I cheat can I have more then one treat?
A:  Heck yes.  You already lost your point.  Eat away.


Q:  What if we have a tie with points in the end?
A:  Please keep track of your free cheat day, I know its a free point but it may have to break a tie if someone only cheats once or twice.


Q:  Would you like to add an extra point for 7 hours of sleep?
A:  PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS, I'm not going to add an extra point without consulting you guys.

There have also been quite a few concerns about what is/isn't healthy.  I was pretty concerned for a couple days about all of the questions.  My husband was also giving me a hard time about how to track stuff.  We are all busy people.  I wanted to do this as a way to help myself get motivated.  Not all of us have the time to be checking in with someone or logging our food somewhere everyday.  I don't want to make this overly hard.  You know what works for you and we are getting posts from a few of you with healthy recipes that are great.  In the end I hope that the changes you make in your diet work for YOU.  I hope they help YOU reach your goals.  Feel better about yourself.  Make your family healthier.  Whatever it is YOU were looking for when YOU signed up for this.  So...keep posting to help others make healthy choices.  See my picture, this is about YOU.  I am not going to hover over you like a crazy person (I only do that to myself), we are all adults who can make our own choices.  I hope you are all ok with that. 


Gift Certificates

Like I said, more people signed up then we thought.  We originally were thinking we'd get about 10 people and we would maybe do one or two $5 gift certificates.  We have 30 people that have paid.  If you do the math that is $620!!  We asked for comments on what to do, here are a few.

*Visa Gift Cards came up.  Great idea.  If you would rather have cash please chime in.  But, I will not go buy gift cards.  I will simply hand you some cash.  I'm a busy mom too. 

Would you rather have two winners a week @ $10 each or one winner?  (Leaving the rest of the money for the pot in the end.)  This is your money so I would really like your input.  Even if we do 2 winners a week there will still be $500 for the end winners.  What do you think?

Also, once you win a gift certificate should you be able to win again?
Remember, to be eligible you have to get at least 8 points each day for the week.

I hope I have addressed everything I have been asked about.  Please comment on here for all to jump on and see.  The majority will decide on some of these questions.  If you don't comment your voice can't be heard and then you might not like the answers.  

Pumpkin Protein Shake

I love pumpkin flavored things, especially this time of year.  This shake satisfies my pumpkin craving without having to bake something sweet.

1 c almond milk
1/4-1/3 c pumpkin
1/4 c greek yogurt
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 t pumpkin pie spice (nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and all spice)
1 T stevia (or honey or agave)
4-5 ice cubes

I believe this had about 275 calories when I added it up.  and 29 g of protein.

-Nikki

Love the ideas for 'real' food so i don't have to make separate food for me and my family. Here is one that works for us. Fast, easy and yummy. For dessert we had fresh raspberries - but my kids wanted to know where the icecream was! ~ Dela

Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

2-3 tsp oil

1 lb chicken breasts; cut into strips
1 cup water
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
½ tsp garlic powder
1 1/4 cups minute brown rice
2 cups frozen broccoli (i like green beans better)
½ cup cashews

 Heat oil in skillet. Add chicken and cook 5-7 minutes until cooked through. Add water, teriyaki sauce and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Stir in rice, broccoli and cashews. Cover. Cook on low 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes.