Shredded Chicken

I'm always looking for creative ways to make meals that I can portion out and take with me to work.  Last week my husband asked that I make some chicken for him to make chicken/bacon/ranch wraps.  I threw some chicken in the crock pot and shredded it.

I didn't think about it again until this week.  I've been having a blast with it!  1/3 cup of shredded chicken fits on a bagel thin like a glove.  It's also only 3 points for the chicken and the bagel thin. 

In an effort to keep it fresh, I like to mix up my chicken.  This week I've discovered a little Frank's Hot Sauce and some Johnny's Lite Ranch mixed with the chicken gives me a buffalo chicken sandwich.  If you add 1/2 slice of provolone, some lettuce and a tomato (if you like that sort of thing), you've got a hot sammich for 5 points. 

I love buffalo anything.  This is an answer to prayer.  I've eaten at least three this week already.

I think next week I'll try mixing the chicken with some BBQ sauce and adding shredded cabbage for a backyard BBQ-ish sammich.  YUM!

Results Not Typical

This week, after a week of battling a sinus infection, I reached another milestone.  I hit the 25 pounds lost mark.  When we reach goals, our leader always asks us what's working, what's different, etc.  This time she asked how long it has taken me. 

It's only been 12 weeks. 

If you ask me what 12 weeks feels like normally, I'll tell you it feels like a long time.  On this journey, it feels like it was just yesterday that I joined.  There are days when I can't believe the number that's on the scale.  I never thought I would see it again. 

My leader was quick to mention that "my results weren't typical."  I guess I never realized how well this whole thing was working until she said that.  If I'm being honest, nothing has worked this well.

Then again, I've never wanted something more than I do this change.  I want to be healthy, eat healthy and be an example for my girls.  If I have to buy smaller clothes in the process, I'm okay with that too.

Tortilla Soup

A blog I read every day is Big Mama.  She's witty and funny.  She's also got some great recipes on her page every so often.  One of them is The Mansion Tortilla Soup.  Apparently The Mansion is a place in Dallas, Texas.  When I eat this soup I think of being on the show Dallas, enjoying this gourmet meal, pondering who shot J.R. 

I know, it's a life to envy.

This soup is that good.  It's easy and makes enough to feed all the cowboys in your life. 

Tortilla Soup from The Mansion



3 tablespoons olive oil
4-6 corn tortillas, diced
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
4-5 tablespoons of chopped cilantro (I don't include this because I'm not a fan)
1 tablespoon of cumin
2 tablespoons of chili powder


Saute all of the above until tortillas begin to crisp.


Add the following to the above and simmer.


1 cup onion puree (I diced a small onion and pureed it in the food processor)
1 large can (29 oz) of tomato puree
2 quarts of chicken stock
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cayenne Pepper to taste
To serve: top with any or all of the following: diced grilled or baked chicken, avocado, shredded cheese, crisp fried strips of corn tortilla.

I add diced chicken to the soup.  I buy an already cooked one at the store and cut it up.  I also include a can of black beans (drained) and some frozen corn.  You can add cheese and avocado to yours if you like, but that's not my scene.

I did a little points calculation for this soup, for 2 cups, it's 5.5 points with chicken, corn and beans added to it.  That's quite a bit of soup and it's filling. 

It also freezes nicely.  If you don't have too many cowboys coming over to your house, you can enjoy this for a LONG time.  It's figure friendly.  I guess it is as glamorous as being on Dallas.