I guess my reasoning for simple foods is having a toddler around. I don’t have too much time to throw together meals that take longer then 30 minutes! So on Monday afternoon I mixed up my afternoon snack… check it out below.

I am linking up with Jenn for another WIAW post.

I woke up at my normal time Monday morning at 6am. This time I struggled to get out of bed. Usually I pop right up. The lack of sleep from the weekend really caught up to me. I splashed my face with cold water and drank a 1/2 cup of coffee and before I knew it I was ready to go. My breakfast was 2 eggs over easy served over sautéed spinach with some toast on the side.

After my 730am Group Power class I had oatmeal with peanut butter

and a Coffee Protein Shake w/ a banana

For Lunch I had leftovers, chicken marsala with zucchini & squash plus some roasted potatoes & an orange.

In the afternoon I did a quick insanity workout and opted to refuel with a bowl of Lentil Soup and some plantain chips.

This was totally a new afternoon snack for me it was a great change and I loveddd it. Not only was the lentil soup filling but it was also nutritious and tasty.  The plantain chips gave me my salt fix that I needed!

Marc made delicious roasted chicken on Sunday so I had a piece of that for dinner with some green beans and sweet potato. The chicken was slow cooked so it literally melted in my mouth!! Yum.

I always like a night time snack to end the night. I’m usually hungry around 8pm so I made a quick Chocolate Shakeology shake and drank it while I watched some TV to end my night.

What’s your go to afternoon snack?

Do you tend to eat similar foods every day?

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?

I’m trying to think of what healthy dessert to make tonight for my valentine. I love this Chocolate Decadence Cake recipe from eatingwell.com I have made it before so I think I might do it again if I have time!

I figured I would post some things that I have been enjoying this past week.

This Coconut, Cranberry, Granola from Trader Joe’s. It is so delicious and I can’t seem to keep myself away.

Roasted Red Pepper & Cauliflower soup… this soup has been a lunch staple this week and perfect for cold weather days!

Fig Bars (Trader Joe’s) They are a good low calorie nutritious snack!

I love any type of berry, and these Blackberries were a bargain for 99 cents a container so of course I couldn’t pass them up

Greek yogurt..  Chobani yogurt is made with natural ingredients. What’s not to love!

I am slightly obsessed with sweet potatoes. I’m not joking. I guess there could be worse things to be slightly addicted to like chocolate right? I also made a chicken with swiss chard in a sherry sauce that I had with the potato. I’ve never really cooked with swiss chard so I was a little nervous but it was actually quite tasty and I’m definitely going to make it again!

Since Trader Joe’s has been a theme this post.. If you haven’t tried any of their Hummus you NEED to. Especially this edamame hummus. It is so creamy and is a great afternoon snack with some veggies or whole grain crackers! I love Trader Joe’s!!

I hope you have a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! 

If you don’t have any of the vegetables that are listed in your fridge you can always substitute! This is a simple recipe that makes a ton and can feed a whole family or makes great leftovers for the week.

Healthy Chicken & Veggie Soup

Ingredients:

3 Chicken breasts (about 1.25lb)

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped celery

2 cups chopped kale

1 medium onion chopped

1 cup organic low-sodium chicken broth

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

3 tablespoons any jarred marinara sauce

salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Fill a large pot with about 6-8 cups of water, place chicken breasts in the pot and boil for 30 minutes. Scoop out any chicken fat from the top of the pot. Add in remaining ingredients (veggies & seasonings). Boil for 30 minutes and then remove chicken breasts and shred with a fork. Return chicken to the pot and continue cooking on medium heat for 30 minutes. Serve hot in a bowl and sprinkle with some parmesan cheese!

Serves 6, per serving approximately 195 calories, 4g fat, 8g carb, 2.2g fiber, 32g protein

Optional: Cook up and type of small pasta or noodles and cook separately. Serve the soup over the noodles.