Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

THE Original RECIPE for SLOW COOKER CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
CAME FROM MELISSA DARABIAN ON THE FOOD NETWORK
I of course changed it a bit

Republished November 11,2024

Ingredients
3 chicken thighs, skin removed (i used left over turkey that was cooked & added it the last hour)

10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans (i rinsed mine before using)
1 1/2 cups chicken broth ( i used Swanson Chicken Stock for cooking 26 ozs)

1 1/2 cups water
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 jalapeno, finely chopped (i did not have a jalapeño so i used a large can of chopped chiles)

1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Juice of a lemon
i used tortilla strips and crunched them on top of the soup
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (i used this cheese maybe a couple T per bowl)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Put 2 - 4 slices of ripe avocado on top of each bowl of soup

Directions
Place the chicken, tomatoes (and juices), beans, broth, water, onion, garlic, jalapeño (or chiles)  cumin, and chili powder in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours. (i cooked on low for about 6 hours. at hour 5 i added the turkey. i would use chicken thighs though)

Uncover the slow cooker and use tongs to remove the chicken from the pot. Once cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and shred, then return the meat to the pot. Stir in the lemon juice. Crumble a few tortilla chips into each bowl and cover with some soup. Serve sprinkled with cilantro and grated cheese.

If you want it hotter, add hot sauce while it's cooking.

This was my Instagram post since it was the first time I made it and it came out SO freaking good!!

Per serving: Calories: 275; Total Fat: 8 grams; Saturated Fat: 4 grams; Protein: 22 grams; Total carbohydrates: 29 grams; Sugar: 7 grams; Fiber: 6 grams; Cholesterol: 56 milligrams; Sodium: 364 milligrams

Original recipe from Melissa Darabian

Organic Black Bean, Turkey, 'Shroom Chili with Dean and Deluca spices

Chili for someone else because it has no GARLIC in it and 

I L O V E Garlic!!  

But, I have a good friend who just had back surgery, and she and her husband like my chili that I make just for them. The first time I made it, their request was no garlic, no onions, no mushrooms and not spicy & made with ground turkey and black beans.  SAY WHAT?!? That isn't chili!!  But over the years, they have decided that everything but the garlic is ok, so this is how I make it now, just for them. Since it's a pretty good dish, I decided to blog it.  At the end I'll tell you what I would add to it for me!  

First, I bring out the big crock pot so they can have some to eat and some to freeze.

I used over a pound of Shelton's ground turkey from happy pastured turkeys with a little S & P and I sautéed that in a little bit of olive oil just to brown it, then put it in the crock pot with the tomatoes and tomatoe paste.

Then I sautéed the shallots and mushrooms in a little olive oil and added that in. If you wanted to make this vegetarian, the mushrooms are meaty and hearty and make a great meat substitute or just a great addition to chili with meat or turkey.

Then I dumped in the rest of the ingredients and spices and turned it on low in the crockpot where it will stay for the next 8 hours or so.

Ingredients

1 or more pounds of ground turkey or beef

2 cans of organic black beans, drained and rinsed (if you remove these, it becomes #PALEO
2 cans of organic petite diced tomatoes
1 10 oz package Trade Joes crimini mushrooms, chopped up fine
2 medium shallots chopped up fine
1 jar yellow and red roasted peppers from Trader Joes chopped up
Equivalent of 1 can of tomatoe paste, though I squirted it out of a tube

2 small turkish bay leaves  

Dean and Deluca Chili Powder Blend which is what sets my chili apart from other chili because it is a rich dark perfect blend of spices!
Dean and Deluca Hungarian paprika, greek oregano, basil, thyme and cumin to taste. they don't like things 'spicy' so i never use more than a teaspoon of anything and mostly just a pinch.  Last time I made it they said it was kind of boring, because I barely used any spices, so i upped the chili powder blend in this one!  They just don't like 'hot' spicy things I think . . . or garlic!

If I was making it for me, I would add a ton of fresh grated garlic, greek black olives chopped up, red chili pepper flakes, Louisiana hot sauce & more fresh peppers chopped up. 

I would serve it with greek yogurt and colby/jack cheese shredded on top of it and maybe some more olives chopped up on top.  I USED to serve it with crushed up fritos and sour cream and cheese on top.  It was yum, but I don't eat fritos anymore :( 

Mish Mash of Italian Paleo one pot dish for dinner or whenever . . .

Paleo Spaghetti . . . kind of . . . sort of . . . but not really

So, I haven't made anything new for awhile until tonight.  This is really a mish mash to resemble spaghetti/italian something because I was missing Italian food. Basically Spaghetti and Meat Sauce.

I started with:
one sweet onion, chopped
about 6-8 ounces of brown crimini mushrooms chopped
sautéed in a little olive oil because i don't like cocoanut oil but that's what i should have used

Then I added 1 pound of Shelton's ground turkey to the veggies

Season with whatever you want but I used S & P, garlic, Dean and Deluca Oregano and Basil

I then added the threads from one pre-cooked spaghetti squash that I had roasted in the oven and pulled the 'spaghetti threads' out  ( here is how to do it in case you need directions: http://www.kitchentreaty.com/how-to-cook-spaghetti-squash-two-different-ways-in-the-microwave-or-in-the-oven/ )

I also had some crunchy roasted cauliflower that i chopped up and added to the whole thing, 3 big florets

Then I added about 3/4 of a jar of gluten free, organic pasta sauce and heated it all up. You could also just use fresh tomatoes cut up and some organic tomatoe sauce, maybe a little tomatoe paste instead. Add some red pepper flakes to make it hot. Grate some cheese over the top of it and even mix it with real spaghetti to make it go farther if you aren't doing paleo.

It actually tasted really yum, even though it's not the prettiest thing i have ever made.  

Baked Tilapia with Olive Tapenade & Cauliflower Mash

Another (sort of) Paleo friendly meal

As I might have mentioned, I am eating dairy on my new lifestyle change of eating, way of life, so not pure Paleo. Though I still say that none of us were there at the time of the cavemen, so who really knows!?  

This was the easiest meal to make because I used some pre-prepared foods.

Trader Joe's has a new Mediterranean Olive tapenade that has a lot of good stuff in it.

I took a piece of tilapia and covered it with the tapenade, baked it in the oven for about 30 minutes at 350.

Then I made a variation of my favourite cauliflower mash with cheese and garlic in it.  I used a bag of microwave cauliflower and placed whole garlic cloves in with it, to soften the garlic & some butter with S&P to taste.

added the garlic and some shredded cheese then used my immersion blender to get it smooth.  Yum!!

Healthy Vegetable Soup #Paleo #Diabetes #vegetarian #South Beach

Big batch of healthy vegetable soup!

One thing I have always loved is soups.  I have started making them in the crockpot and pretty much throwing in all the veggies I have and letting it be different every time. I eat it before dinner so that I get vegetables and it fills me up so I don't eat as much for dinner.  

I made a big batch of this the other day and then froze individual portions to have at a later time. I also sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top before I eat it.

I always put two things in for the base. One large can organic diced tomatoes,and one box Trader Joe's Organic Hearty Vegetable broth.

This is what I put in the soup this time.  Trader Joes sliced crimini mushrooms, a whole bag, two organic golden beets peeled and sliced, one organic sweet potato sliced, one sweet mayan onion sliced, one large organic broccoli crown broken up,  three organic carrots peeled and chopped, & three stalks celery chopped, some organic green beans cut in half, a couple of yellow summer squash and at the very end, a half a bag of organic spinach.  I like big chunks of vegetables in my soup so I do a rough large chop. I try to buy everything organic.  I season with S&P, lots of grated fresh garlic, Louisiana Hot sauce and  SPIKE .

This was the finished product in the crockpot! It's really good! Use your imagination. Cook on low in the crockpot 8 hours or 4 hours on high, depending on how crunchy you like your vegetables.

What's for Paleo breakfast, Part Two!

These are another variation on eggs in muffin tins.

This time I used one of my new favourite things, chicken apple breakfast sausages by Aidell, sliced them up and put a couple slices in the bottom of each of the sprayed muffin tins. For the 6 muffins, I cut up 3 green scallions, and divided those between the 6 muffins.  I then took 3 eggs and about 3/4 cup of egg whites, beat those with some S&P, put in a handful of shredded cheese and poured in some Louisiana Hot Sauce, to taste.

You can also make these by dicing up a bunch of veggies like peppers, green onion, broccoli,mushrooms, artichokes diced up & use canadian bacon or ham all diced and added into the sprayed muffin tin, then just beat the eggs that you have added the shredded cheese & S&P, i also add hot sauce, pour OVER the veggies & meat, and bake at 375 for about 20-25 minutes.   

12 Unexpected Reasons to Drink More Water this New Yea

10 Unexpected Reasons to Drink More Water

I drink a ton of water. I gave up all soda, diet soda, artificial sweeteners four years ago. I only drink water, bubble water, tea, & coffee. I liked these posts I found at Greatist and wanted to share because I think it's so important.

If you don’t already have a sweet water bottle that you love, it might be time to invest. We’ve found some convincing reasons for you to knock back more H2O.

Water’s the most popular beverage in the U.S., according to data from the Beverage Marketing Corporation. This is an encouraging stat, because as recently as 2016, carbonated soft drinks took the top spot.

Sugary drinks are a huge health hazard, upping the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.Trusted Source

Choosing water over soda, juices, and other sugar-laden “soft drinks” can reduce your risk. Plus, it has a bunch of benefits for your body — even some you might not expect. Take a look.

1. Keeping in balance

Water makes up about 60 percent of your body. Drinking enough H2O maintains your body’s fluid balance, which helps with nutrient transportation, temperature regulation, digestion, and more.

2. Munch control

Drinking water could also help with weight loss. Studies have found a connection between water consumption and losing a few pounds.

Trusted Source
The secret reason? Water simply helps people feel full and, as a result, consume fewer calories.Trusted Source

3. Muscle fuel

Sweating at the gym causes your muscles to lose water. And when your muscles don’t have enough water, they get tired. For extra energy or to push through that final set of squats, try simply refilling your water bottle and taking a few slugs. 

4. Kidney helper

Your kidneys process about 150 quarts of blood daily, sifting out waste and transporting urine to your bladder. But they need the right amount of water to clear out the stuff your body doesn’t need. Let’s drink to that!

5. Productivity boost

A glass of water may be just what you need to really focus at work. Research has shown that even mild dehydration can have negative effects on attention and memory.Trusted Source

Plus, the more you drink, the more often you’ll need to take bathroom breaks. Those quick walks to the loo will help you stay alert, too.

6. Fatigue buster 

Move over, coffee — water can also help fight fatigue. One of the most common symptoms of dehydration is tiredness. Just another reason to go for the big gulp! (Not the 7-11 kind.)

7. Hangover helper

If booze has gotten the best of you, help a hangover with a glass of water to hydrate your body and stop that pounding headache.

8. Keep things flowing 

Nobody wants to deal with digestion issues. Research has shown that dehydration contributes to constipation in some people, so drinking more water may help make things, ahem, move smoothly.

Trusted Source

9. Sickness fighter

Water may help with decongestion when you’re feeling under the weather. But drinking fluids hasn’t been scientifically proven to beatcolds, so don’t swap this for a trip to the doctor or other cold remedies.

10. Brain washer 

A 2013 study found a link between students bringing water into an exam room and better grades, suggesting H2O promotes clearer thinking.

Trusted Source

While it’s unclear whether drinking the water really had anything to do with getting a better score, it doesn’t hurt to try it out!  

Bottoms up: Your action plan 

The amount of water we need is up for debate, but the Institute of Medicine recommends 9 to 13 cups per day for adults. Your needs vary depending on your activity level, your age, and how much water you consume in coffee, tea, or water-rich veggies and fruit. 

Here’s how to keep yourself hydrated: Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up and a glass 30 minutes before eating any big meal. This will help control your appetite, too, if that’s something you’re looking for.

Get in the habit of keeping a water bottle on hand at all times. If the taste begins to bore you, try adding a squeeze of citrus or infusing water with other flavors.

Before you know it, all the benefits of water will be right at your fingertips… and in your body.

by Laura Schwecherl ·  Updated on August 21, 2019 · Health

           

• 
• 1665
• Email

Photo by Marissa Angell

12 Unexpected Reasons to Drink More Water this New Year

With the holidays finally behind us and healthy habits on our minds, many are trading pitchers of beerfor glasses of water. Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution to drink more H2O or you’re still fending off that January 1st hangover, we’ve uncovered some convincing reasons to knock back more water in the New Year.

Water It Down — The Need-to-Know

Water is the second most popular beverage in the U.S. after soft drinks. This is a scary stat, since sugary soda is a huge health hazard, upping the risk of obesity, stroke, and other heart problems^[1][2][3]. However, these dangers can be avoided if people choose to drink water, which doesn’t have negative side effects. So help put the sugary stuff to the side and it make water the number one drink of choice. Plus, the benefits really are endless. (Just take a look!)

• Fluid balance. Roughly 60 percent of the body is made of water. Drinking enough H2O maintains the body’s fluid balance, which helps transport nutrients in the body, regulate body temperature, digest food, and more.
• Calorie control. Forget other diet tricks — drinking water could also help with weight loss. Numerous studies have found a connection between water consumption and losing a few pounds^[4][5]. The secret reason? Water simply helps people feel full, and as a result consume fewer calories.
• Muscle fuel. Sweating at the gym causes muscles to lose water. And when the muscles don’t have enough water, they get tired^[6]. So for extra energy, try drinking water to push through that final set of squats.
• Clearer skin. Certain toxins in the body can cause the skin to inflame, which results in clogged pores and acne^[7]. While science saying water makes the skin wrinkle free is contradictory, water doesflush out these toxins and can reduce the risk of pimples.
• Kidney function. Our kidneys process 200 quarts of blood daily, sifting out waste and transporting urine to the bladder. Yet, kidneys need  enough fluids to clear away what we don’t need in the body. Let’s drink to that!
• Productivity boost. In order to really focus, a glass of water could help people concentrate and stayrefreshed and alert.
• Fatigue buster. Move over coffee — water can help fight those tired eyes too^[8]. One of the most common symptoms of dehydration is tiredness. Just another reason to go for the big gulp! (Not the 7-11 kind.)
• Hangover help. If booze has got the best of you, help a hangover with a glass of water to hydrate the body and stop that pounding headache.
• Pain prevention. A little water can really go a long way. Aching joints and muscle cramps and strains can all occur if the body is dehydrated^[9].
• Keep things flowing. Nobody wants to deal with digestion issues. Luckily, drinking enough wateradds fluids to the colon which helps make things, ahem, move smoothly.
• Sickness fighter. Water may help with decongestion and dehydration, helping the body bounce back when feeling under the weather. Just beware — drinking fluids hasn’t been scientifically proven tobeat colds in one swoop, so don’t swap this for a trip to the doctor or other cold remedies.
• Brain boost. A study in London found a link between students bringing water into an exam room and better grades, suggesting H2O promotes clearer thinking. While it’s unclear if drinking the water had anything to do with a better score, it doesn’t hurt to try it out! 

Bottoms Up — Your Action Plan

The amount of water people need per day is up for debate, but studies suggest adults need nine to 16 cups of H2O. However, this number varies depending on activity level, age, and how much water people are consuming in coffee, tea, or water-rich veggies and fruit.

Here’s how to keep yourself hydrated: Begin by drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up, and 30 minutes before eating any big meal. (This will help control appetite, too.) Get in the habit of keeping a water bottle on hand at all times. And if the taste beings to bore, spice up the taste buds with a squeeze of citrus to the glass! Before you know it, all the benefits of water will be right at your fingertips…. and in your body.