Super E-Z Chicken Tortilla Soup

Happy 09-09-09 all!  I actually didn’t realize it was all the same day until I was watching the news during my HIIT and they were talking about how crowded Las Vegas was going to be due to all the peeps getting married.  I imagine they will have BIG business through 2012 just for that reason alone 🙂 

When my alarm went off today, I honestly reset it and went back to bed.  I was SO TIRED, but, I couldn’t sleep.  So, I dragged my sleepiness out of bed and pushed myself further than I ever have on my HIIT.

** Happy Faces are level 8 – that’s fun that 8 ) equals a LOL

minutes 1 & 2: 3.5 mph (level 5)
minute 3: 4.0 mph (level 6)
minute 4: 5.0 mph (level 7)
minute 5: 5.5 mph (level
minute 6: 6.0 mph (level 9)
minute 7: 4.0 mph (level 6)
minute 8: 5.5 mph (level 7)
minute 9: 6.0 mph (level
minute 10: 6.5 mph (level 9)
minute 11: 4.0 mph (level 6)
minute 12: 5.5 mph (level 7)
minute 13: 6.0 mph (level
minute 14: 6.5 mph (level 9)
minute 15: 4.0 mph (level 6)
minute 16: 6.0 mph (level 7)
minute 17: 6.5 mph (level
minute 18: 7.0 mph (level 9)
minute 19: 30 seconds @8.9 & 30 seconds @ 9.0 mph (level 10)  -woohooo! I am feeling it in my legs – awesome workout!
minute 20-21: 3.5 mph (cool down & panting) Plus a few more minutes just walking really, really slow 🙂

I did have to hold on a couple of times (bad, I know) but my goal is to NOT hold on ever so that counts for something right?!

I whipped up another Protein Pancake for Meal #1 @ 7:35 am.  This time I added a little almond extract too and topped it with freshly ground almond butter and agave syrup ~ DELISH!  I honestly could eat these EVERY day.  I wish I had more carbs left to put some cinnamony fruit on it…..MMMMMM

All together with my Hooray It’s Hump Day coffee mug at work filled with Decaf.

 

For the first time ever (I think!), my breakfast did nothing for me.  I was STILL starving but I managed to hold off until 10:30 am for Meal #2.  A Choco-Nana Protein Smoothie – so creamy but not thick enough.  I really am going to move onto other flavors soon 🙂

 

I was a nice wife today and took The Husband/his co-worker lunch since they were working over by me.  I may or may not have stole a couple of The Husband’s curly fries.  Fries are such a weakness for me.  I did savor them if that counts for anything 😀  When I got back I dove right into my Leftover Spicy Sesame Beef Goodness!

And because it can NEVER be TOO HOT, i drizzled just a tad more Sriracha HOT sauce.  YUM!  I froze one serving and have one in the fridge but I think I need to move on from this dish and have something new for lunch manana.

  

I worked and worked like a mad woman today rockin’ out to my tunes.  I had to remember a few times to NOT sing out loud….I am pretty sure I didn’t because none of my co-workers said anything.  Then again, not sure I heard them with my music playing 😀 

I wasn’t totally hungry for Meal #4 @ 4:00 pm so instead of my planned cottage cheese/yogurt or hummus/fruit, I had a 100 calorie bag of Raw Almonds.

I have been CRAVING some baked homemade treats.  This morning I Janetha post her new Almond Protein Muffins and I knew I HAD to make something.  I almost made her version but realized I didn’t have all the ingredients. So, instead I came up with a Fall Pumpkin Nut Loaf that is totally BFL approved – yahoo!  I will be posting the recipe with stats next.

Do you all remember when I said I was going to make that Trader Joe’s Dump Tortilla Soup?  Well, tonight I finally did and it rocked!  Here is everything I used (excluding the toppings).

This might just be the EASIEST recipe ever.  Simple open up all these cans, drain and rinse as needed and heat for about 15-20 minutes.  I actually only used one carton of chicken broth.  It filled my entire 4 quart pot.

Serve it up with our favorite toppings.  I chopped up some cilantro, tomato, AVOCADO, low-fat cheddar cheese and make a quick batch of tortilla strips.

I also made up some Homemade Tortilla Chips to have with Fresh Tomato Salsa.

 

All together it was the perfect dinner.  Ok, it’s a little hot to have soup in the summer but I couldn’t wait to try this and it was SO WORTH IT.

Makes a ton, my guess is around 16, 1 cup servings (excluding toppings, you will need to add those separately):

Calories 155, Total Fat 2 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Sodium 800 mg, Potassium 70 mg, Total Carbohydrate 16 g, Dietary Fiber 4 g, Sugars 6 g, Protein 15 g

Not too shabby if I do say so myself!

My STAT RECAP

Calories consumed: 1,276

Calories burned: 2,686

Steps taken: 8,875

Ratios:  30% Protein, 37% Carbs, 33% Fat (way off, but, I know it’s b/c I didn’t balance out that Pumpkin Nut Bread)

Have a great night all ~ only TWO days left until the weekend – yeah!