Recipes

Carrot soup with a little kick!

My co-workers and I love, LOVE, love to talk about food.  Today was no different, so when one of my coworkers started talking soup-my ears perked up quick! I LOVE soup in a probably not so healthy way, especially in the winter time.  She mentioned making a carrot soup with curry….”HMMMM,” I thought…that sounds AMAZING.

I will admit the underlying effort to lose the belly fat that this winter has given me as a not so sweet gift fueled my motivation to head to the grocery store after a very busy day at work. I picked up a bag of “horse carrots” as my youngest calls them, shallots, and some fresh herbs so I could make my OH so yummy soup for dinner.

This was such a hit, and you can omit the crème fraiche if you desire!
This was such a hit, and you can omit the crème fraiche if you desire!

Here’s the recipe and what you will need:

6-8 large “horse” carrots, pealed and chopped

2 shallots, roughly chopped

2 cloves of garlic, smashed

6 cups of organic vegetable stock-low sodium if possible

2 sprigs of fresh thyme

2 pats of unsalted butter

1-2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil

Seasoning: Tumeric, Curry, Cayenne pepper, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Garnish-Crème Fraiche and chives

Get a large sauce pot and heat to medium high heat.  Add in your butter and olive oil.  Add all the veggies, and sauté until soft.  Add your seasonings, but just a pinch at a time to ensure your get the right flavor.  Next, add your stock, and bring to a boil.  Reduce down to a simmer and let cook for about 25 minutes.

Remove the soup from the heat, and puree with a blender or immersion blender until smooth.  Return the soup to the heat, and let simmer for a few additional minutes while you ensure the seasoning is just right.  Garnish with crème fraiche and chives, and serve!  I accompanied the soup with a yummy shrimp salad (dressing free-just marinated the shrimp in lime juice, salt, pepper, and evoo!) that was the perfect pairing for this spicy soup!

Can I get a YUM!?
Can I get a YUM!?

Question-are you a soup eater?  What is your favorite kind?  Do you enjoy making your own soups?

Thanks all, I hope you have a wonderful week!

❤ Michelle

food

A little lost…

After having spent last weekend with my husband celebrating our ten year anniversary, I found myself quickly slapped in the face with the reality of work, life, etc. I don’t hide the fact that my job is just a job, and not a passion.  I don’t hide things very well.  And it all hit me like a ton of bricks this past week.

I didn’t want to run. Wait…I don’t want to run.  Major issue.  But I have literally NO motivation or desire.  Dropping temps with snow and ice have left my heart…well…cold.  My running shoes have sat dormant minus a couple dreadmill runs that were honestly terrible.

Last weekend I spent the weekend with my husband, cooking, drinking wine, and enjoying good food.  And I felt the pull…I want to be a Chef.  I love to create food. It’s my one GO TO place no matter the weather, time constraints, or stress.  I love…to cook. I may not be a Chef…but I have that desire.

So here’s a few pics of last week since I’ve been absent.

our first cooking class!
our first cooking class!
bacon wrapped dates
bacon wrapped dates
stuffed pork chops, YUM
stuffed pork chops, YUM
homemade meatballs with spaghetti
homemade meatballs with spaghetti
My happy place
My happy place

So with my November goals falling short, I will push forward with writing, cooking, and working out as often as possible.  Thank you all for your unending support.  May this winter funk end, soon!

Michelle

dedication, food, goals

Surgery and smiles, and some shrimp too…My nearly Wordless Wednesday post

I finished this hump day with a quick dready run.  I didn’t want to run (bite my tongue, I know) but needed to keep moving…

11-5running

During the work week meals are usually prepared within less than an hour.  This shrimp dish, prepared with a marinara sauce bought from my favorite local Italian market to which I added – sautéed garlic, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and celery along with added oregano, parsley, basil and crushed red pepper flakes was a WIN.  I served it over rice pasta, and it truly was a hit.  I love how the simplest yet healthy meals can make my family happy.  Who needs take out?

11-5shrimp

My daughter came to me last week in tears.  Her BFF had an injury…”Mommy, can you fix him?” She asked with tears in her eyes.  Sigh…I am not crafty AT ALL.  But I went to Hobby Lobby on my day off and purchased stuffing and a sewing kit.  “Yes, baby…Mommy can fix him.” Sigh…please, Lord.  Let this work…

THIS face...
THIS face…

So after dinner, we got our instruments ready, and our “transplant material” aka stuffing, laid out.  It was time for surgery.

The entry wound was located…and after finding an additional wound I knew we had to be careful…so every so slowly we stuffed, packed, and made sure each piece of stuffing we transplanting was in the correct place.

entry wound number one...
entry wound number one…
let the transplants begin!
let the transplants begin!

And after spending 15 minutes trying to thread the needle…we had great success.  It was time to start closing the wound.

Don't worry, no one was hurt!
Don’t worry, no one was hurt!

After 30 minutes of preparation and dedication, Pink Bear was himself again.  And my youngest daughter found her smile…

Mommy!  He's good as new!
Mommy! He’s good as new!

I can now rightfully say my resume has broadened…adding in the fact that I am now a Mom, a wife, a friend, a photographer, a Chef, a housekeeper, a maid, a lab supervisor, a runner, a mover, a shaker, and yes…a surgeon.  To stuffed animals only, LOL.

Today I left the stressors of life behind me…and I nurtured the needs of my kids. Today, my youngest needed me.  And who doesn’t feel good being needed?

At the end of the day, I made time for me, my family, and with that my heart is full.  My decluttering for the day included not feeding into negativity although it was tough…

What have you done lately to ‘step outside of your box?’  Do you believe in decluttering both mentally and physically?

Day 5 and I am still on track for my November goals.  YAY!  How are you doing?

❤ Michelle