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(post, Annie Witkamp)
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I am making a change in my ho-hum weekdays and for you that means that my posts will be done in the afternoon instead of the morning. I think this change will help me become saner, force me to workout regularly and benefit my blog with a more balanced day. This is what happens: the afternoon saunters or flat out charges in, I make excuses not to workout and then begin working on something else instead of on me. Evening comes and I don’t have my hardcore cardio put in and feel like a piece of you know what. I tell myself tomorrow but that usually doesn’t happen. I might get in a walk for pleasure, not exactly heart pumping exercise, with Greg once in a while but now that the cold weather is coming, those will dwindle. FYI: I did make pierogies as I mentioned yesterday and will post those Monday. I intend to get up earlier, do my morning cardio, strength train a few days a week and put my mind in a better state so that the rest of my life doesn’t suffer. The last 3 plus years have had their toll on my sanity. Graduating from college with 3 or 4 times the average grad’s debt, job search, horrible first job experience, forced to move back home, husband’s job search, realization that the job hubby received is ran by a psycho and not going to happen after 8 months, unemployment, tackling student debt, weddings and their issues, moving again, issues with friends, finding out my degree holds no value in our new location, loneliness, no money leftover at the end of the month, displeasure with our location and on and on. In my mind I see myself running headstrong and smacking into a brick wall, then I turn right and do it all over again, as if I’m in a box. I have probably made a good 50 squares by now. Sometimes I might be going that way slightly slower than before but I usually gain momentum and you know the drill, smack into a wall. Anyone else feel this way? Well, come Monday, I am climbing out of the box and pacing myself as I run towards a new goal. Soup has been my choice of comfort lately. I enjoy making a large bowl that will last most days of the week as my lunch. Mine are cost-effective, filling and help to keep the calorie count down. This recipe has been one of my favorites from Rachael Ray- Smoky Sweet Potato Chicken Stoup although I changed it to turkey in more of a soup form. She combines soup and stew to describe the consistency. If you’re looking for a fast, easy and appetizing soup, try Smoky Sweet Potato Turkey Soup. Smoky Sweet Potato Turkey Soup Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped 2 ribs of celery, chopped 1 medium onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1-2 chipotles in adobo, chopped with sauce salt/pepper 1 tsp dry thyme 1 bay leaf ½ cup dry white wine 5-6 cups chicken broth 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and chopped 1 lb. turkey or chicken, thawed and shredded (I used a rotisserie turkey but her recipe used uncooked) cilantro-garnish sour cream- garnish Heat a soup pot over medium heat and add olive oil. Add carrots, celery and onion for a few minutes, then add garlic, chipotle in adobo and salt/pepper. Cook until veggies are soft. Add the bay leaf and thyme for a few minutes, next the white wine and allow to reduce. After a few minutes, add broth, cover and raise the heat until it boils, then reduce heat to a simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add turkey or chicken and sweet potatoes, cook until both are cooked through which could be 20 or so minutes. Portion out and top with sour cream and cilantro. The sour cream is great to cool down the heat and the cilantro adds a fresh flavor. I love this soup, so simple and good.