Tortilla Soup

When I am not feeling well, I crave something warm, spicy and hearty. My favourite indulgence is (always) tortilla soup.

This soup has just the right amount of spice (you can easily control the levels to suite your tastebuds), creaminess, and tummy-tempting taste that will keep you going back for bowl after bowl.

Ingredients:

Soup
1 can spaghetti sauce (a garlic/basil sauce works well)
1 tetra-pak low sodium chicken broth
1/2 can peaches and cream corn kernels
3 cups shredded chicken (pro tip: I buy a pre-roasted chicken and shred the white breast meat)
1 jalapeño
1 tbsp chilli powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp sea salt

Garnish
Half-fat sour cream
1 avocado cubed
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
corn or whole wheat soft tortillas (for frying)

Recipe:

1. In a medium sized soup pot, combine the spaghetti sauce, chicken broth, and corn kernels. Set the heat to medium-low heat, and allow to simmer.

2. Slice the jalapeño in half and discard seeds. Finely chop and add to the soup base (add less jalapeño if you like your soup on the mild side).

3. Add shredded chicken, chilli powder, red pepper fakes and sea salt.

4. Turn heat to low and allow to simmer, uncovered, for approximately 1/2 hour.




5. While soup is simmering, make your own fried tortilla strips for garnish as follows:

  • cut 3-4 soft tortillas into strips
  • heat 1/2 cup (or so) of olive or vegetable oil over medium heat 
  • gently drop in a handful of strips, allowing them to fry until slightly golden
  • remove with tongs and place on a paper towel-lined sheet
  • salt liberally
  • repeat until all tortilla strips are fried



6. Dish out your soup into large soup bowls and garnish with sour cream, cheese, fried tortilla strips and avocado.

ENJOY!


Monday Confessions


I've got some things I'd like to get off my chest…and (if you blog) I'd like you to join in.

Let's face it- confession is good for the soul!

1. I fed my kids Scooby Doo noodles, Kraft Dinner, and pizza all weekend
I have a cold and I'm feeling sorry for myself so I let my kids choose their menu for the weekend. Wrong choice. Canned and boxed noodles, waffles, and frozen pizza it was. I didn't even push veggies on them. In fact, I felt so crappy on Saturday morning that I allowed the 2 year old to have two slices of slightly warmed leftover pizza for breakfast. Oh, and I also bought white bread (I NEVER BUY WHITE BREAD) - the entire loaf was gone in 1.5 days. 
But on Sunday morning they both asked for homemade fruit salad- don't know if I should be embarrassed that I didn't offer that or proud that they asked for it.

2. I let my 4 year old watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians with me
Ok, I'm more ashamed of this than the waffles and frozen pizza consumed this weekend. And, in the interest of total openness, I totally didn't realize he was watching. Until he asked me why Kortney was worried about Scott going to Las Vegas and why Scott can't have drinks. OhhhhhhKaaay. I gave an (honest) explanation to my son but I didn't turn it off- my two year old eventually joined us and annoyed his brother enough to ensure they weren't listening to any of the Kardashian konversation (hangs head in shame).

3. I am obsessed with this song
#earworm. Sorry.


4. I'm also so excited for the start of baseball!!!!
I love baseball so much- winning or losing. I'm also really excited for my 4 year old (who is getting pretty close to turning 5!) to play t-ball this summer. While other parents in Canada are hoping their kids will become NHL stars I'm praying that both my boys fall in love with baseball.
#GoJaysGo

5. I'm failing the 2 year old
Oh man. The 2 year old (who is creeping closer to 3!) has become more obsessed with drinking a bottle more than I care to admit. We only allow it at night or nap time, but he just will not give it up. And the fact is, I need him to sleep because I work a lot and I need that time. It's selfish, I know, but appeasing him is currently easier than refusing him that bottle.
He also refuses to potty train. I firmly believe that we should allow children to meet milestones when they are ready but (in true confession fashion- here's the truth) I'M READY! I am so ready to be done with diapers and wipes. I want the freedom of going potty- is that too much to ask?

6. I'm (very vainly) obsessed with my headshots
You can read all about them (and see them firsthand) right here!

Feel like you have something to get off your chest?
Write your own "Monday Confessions" post and link up below! Or just leave me a comment and let me know what a fool I really am:)

The Headshots

Last weekend I took the plunge and got new headshots.

Knowing that the uber-talented CL Buchanan Photography would be taking the shots, and that they would be done in the company of my friends (on Twitter: @Clippo, @ThisMomLoves, @Sarahcasm- among others) made me feel a little less nervous.

Because, as you may have heard me say before, I am likely the least photogenic human on earth. I pull a Chandler Bing every time the camera is near me, making one ridiculous face after another.

And yes,  I am extremely hard on myself and my appearance, but I know I usually look better in real life than in photos. At least, I thought I did...until I saw these new headshots.

Headshot #1
Headshot #2

Headshot #3
Headshot #4

Headshot #5
Headshot #6


I am truly obsessed. 

They are the right mix of friendly, personal, and professional- exactly the vibe I want to give off. Now I'm just scared people will see me and real life and be disappointed:)

As many of you know, it has been almost a year since my writing was first published nationally (April, in the National Post). Since then, I have had the honour of being a weekly columnist for the Toronto Sun/Sun Media, and have tested the waters in the magazine world (still cautiously dipping my foot in wherever I can...).

To my complete surprise, however, continued opportunities to be a radio and television guest have popped up. It is a lifelong dream to be on television and radio- and when I'm doing it, I feel like it was what I was put on earth to do.

I'm not sure what the future holds or where I'm going to go with it (I pray everyday that I'll make the right choices!), but I am so honoured to have had these opportunities. 

And so, knowing full well that I want to do more television and radio, I took the plunge and got these headshots.  And I'll admit that this unphotogenic girl cried a little when she saw the finished product:)

Do you have a favourite? Let me know in the comments!


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