My workouts have been quite intense this week (check out the average hear rate for one of my workouts). I guess I shouldn’t wish for Sunday, I just want it to be Saturday afternoon so I can chill.

Anyways, I wanted to share a soup recipe with you that Marc made this past weekend. He had a recipe that he has been wanting to make and without me asking he started prepping and cooking soup on Sunday!! A break from cooking is always nice for me!

These past couple of weeks, it has been so cold and snowy around here. I don’t know about you guys but we have definitely been making more “comfort foods.” Soup is very comforting for me. It warmed me right up and left me with a full belly! We all know a Full Belly= Satisfied!

SAUSAGE, KALE, & POTATO SOUP

Ingredients:

• 1 package chicken sausage
• 1 bunch Kale, pulled or cut into small pieces
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4-5 white potatoes cut into small chunks
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¾ tablespoon oregano
• 1-teaspoon basil
• 1-teaspoon crushed red pepper flake (more if desired)
• 2 cups low sodium chick broth
• 2 cups of water
• ¼ cup milk
• Add Salt & black pepper to taste

Directions:

Place sausage in a large pot on medium-high heat. Turn occasionally until all sides are brown. Remove from pan and cut into slices ¼ wide. In same pan add onion and olive oil cook on low heat until golden brown. In another pot boil potatoes for 5-10 minutes to soften. Add all remaining ingredients except the kale, into the large pot with the onions and cut sausage and simmer for 35-40 minutes. Before serving the soup, add the kale to the pot and cover for 10 minutes to wilt the kale.

I love the Kale in this soup, it adds a nutritious punch, but the potatoes keep it hearty and filling. If you aren’t into kale try subbing in spinach. ENJOY!

What is one of your winter comfort foods?

Are you a big soup fan?

White potatoes are higher in starchy carbs but that doesn’t mean they are bad! It’s not like they are packaged and loaded with chemicals or artificial ingredients. They are NATURAL. and are a good source of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C.

There’s no lie.. I am a POTATO girl. I like white & sweet potatoes served any way. I do avoid the fried kind and I stay away from  full fat potato chips. However, I will take a baked potato or oven roasted potatoes any day.

Here are some ways I enjoy my sweet & white potatoes

• Baked in the oven, wrapped in tin-foil
• Chopped and roasted in the oven with olive oil & seasonings
• Baked as fries drizzled with canola oil
• mashed with skim-milk and a little butter or olive oil

When it comes to food, I think everything in moderation is okay!!

They are sure to impress your family

Simple Red Spiral Potatoes

Ingredients:

4 medium red potatoes

1 tablespoon Olive Oil

1/2 teaspoon parsley

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Make slices in the potato but make sure not to cut through the bottom. Drizzle potatoes with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and parsley.

Bake for 30 minutes or until top of potato is slightly crispy. YUM!