Chicken Tortilla Soup

This soup is a staple in our house. We love it in the winter and we love it in the summer. Serve with whole wheat, low-fat cheese quesadillas and you have a delish, healthy meal. Just be sure to make enough for leftovers because it's even better the next day!

 

Ingredients:
* 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil 
* 1 cup onion, chopped 
* 1 cup chopped bell peppers (I use just whatever colors I have)
* 1/2 tsp or about 2 cloves garlic, minced 
* 3 cups low sodium fat-free chicken broth 
* 8 oz can tomato sauce  
* 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (plus more for garnish) 
* 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained 
* 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes 
* 1 cups frozen corn 
* 1 tsp cumin 
* 1/2 tsp dried oregano 
* 2 8 oz skinless chicken breasts (16 oz total), shredded    

Directions:

1.  Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

2. Add onion and peppers and sauté until soft, about 6-8 minutes (I add a few Tbsp of the chicken broth to the veggies to keep them moist while sautéing an prevent burning). Add garlic for the last couple of minutes 

3. Slowly add the chicken broth, tomato sauce and bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer.

4. Add cilantro, drained beans, diced tomatoes, corn, cumin, oregano and chicken and stir.

5. Cook on low for about 1 hour.  

6. Serve topped with small amount of shredded cheese and a spoonful of medium salsa for a little kick! (I make the soup very mild so my littlest can eat it. Hubby and myself like to add the salsa to spice it up!) 

 

 

 

Serving size = 1.5 cups

Baked Tilapia

Baked Tilapia

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic or about 2 cloves (I always keep a jar of the ready-minced garlic in the fridge.)
• 1 tsp  paprika
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp dried mustard
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 4 tilapia filets, thawed

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium sized bowl combine olive oil, garlic and seasonings.
3. Pour oil/seasoning onto plate. Dip each filet into the seasoning and place it on the baking sheet.
4. Pour any remaining seasoning over the filets on the sheet and place the baking sheet in the oven.
5. Bake for 10 -15 minutes until flaky.

Serve with brown rice and a side of veggies and you have a perfectly balanced meal!

 

Tilapia is a great choice because it is packed full of lean protein and essential nutrients such as B12,  which helps keep you mentally alert; Niacin, which is necessary to keep your body functioning at an optimal level, and Selinium, a nutrient known to decrease your risk against cancer and heart disease. It contains very little fat, no carbs and no sugar and is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure and keep heart disease at bay.

 

Coach Kelli

    

    
      Thanks for checking out my FB page and blog! My name is Kelli and I'm a 35 year old, stay-at-home mom of three- ages 8, 5, 4. I began my fitness journey about 3 years ago after months of unsolicited "encouragement" from my husband. (Let's be real- no one wants their significant other telling them they should work out, even if the mean well.) But after watching him go from being tired and moody to his former energetic self after starting P90X, I decided I needed "some of what he was having". I knew deep down that I wasn't being the best mom, wife or me that I could be because I just felt blah all the time. I wanted that energy and confidence back, so I decided to take his advice and start working out. Initially, I was just using the elliptical and treadmill but it made me feel good and gave me something to look forward to every day.

     I saw some of my FB friends post about a Beachbody program they were doing called T25. Looking for something different than my usual workout, I ordered it for myself. That's where it all started. I was hooked! The simplicity and convenience of the Beachbody nutrition guides and workouts I could do at home were just what I needed. (Seriously, loading 2 or 3 kids up and heading to the gym was not happening.) I will admit that with T25 I didn't follow the nutrition guide because I thought I ate "healthy" already. It was when my hubby and I began Body Beast (me and the words Body Beast=funny) that we got serious about the nutrition guide, started drinking Shakeology daily and began eating "clean". After finishing Body Beast I moved on to 21 Day Fix Extreme and am now mid-way through Hammer and Chisel. I also have Cize that I do with me 7 year old.The programs are addicting!

     Anyways, as my initial interest in Beachbody products, health and clean eating grew, I came across pins and posts from Beachbody coaches. These people were so motivating! They made me not only want to work-out, but share my story-journey-passion with others just as they had. So recently I decided to become a Beachbody coach. And by "coach", I simply mean someone who is going to motivate, inspire and help you stay accountable while reaching your fitness goals. I won't harass you to purchase Beachbody products, but I will share with you the products I love and use. You'll likely see workout selfies and food posts, but who doesn't love those! (insert sarcasm)

     So, if your looking to get in shape and shed a few pounds or just be a healthier, happier you please like my Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/kelliharris.fit ) and let's get started!