Chicken Tortilla Soup

I thought when I moved to California I would always be warm. Not so. It has looked like this a lot the last month or so and it's cold! Not Utah cold, but definitely California cold and it has put me in the mood for a nice HOT bowl of soup. So how about a recipe for one my favorites from my friend Sandra. Chicken Tortilla. YUM. If I start now, it will be done in time for dinner!

Chicken Tortilla Soup:

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic minced

1 tsp Olive Oil

-saute until clear

2 c. shredded chicken

2 c. whole corn (canned or fresh)

2 c. black beans rinsed and drained

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 10 3/4 oz can of tomato soup

2 14 oz cans of chicken broth

2 T. Jalapenos chopped

2. medium zucchini's sliced

1tsp cumin

1tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp chili powder

Combine all ingredients, bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 hour

Top with tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced avocado.

Now let's talk a little KTF. I don't have any tips or any interesting information for you today, just a little story of my own that may or may not motivate you to go work out.

So, I had a surprise workout yesterday that just about did me in. What I mean by surprise is, me and my girlfriends showed up for our favorite class at 10am and SURPRISE, we had a sub and we didn't do turbo kick. We did Body Pump instead. What? Holy Moly - that was crazy. Heavy weights, a million reps, a *motivating instructor who was a combination of singing Disney princess and a drill sergeant, and my weak, weak muscles has has turned me into kind of lame-O today. To top it off I decided to do the Turbo Kick workout this morning at 9am to make up for the one I missed yesterday. Don't get me wrong - it was awesome, but my legs feel like jelly and one of my knees buckled on me today. I almost fell over into the street!

I think I might change into sweats and some warm and fuzzy socks, turn on Pride and Prejudice ( i love that movie) and stay in bed for the rest of day. Then I'll have my kids bring up soup and hot chocolate and give me hugs and kisses and tell me that they love me, like I do for them when they are wiped out or sick. I want my mommy, but since she lives in Utah - the kids are going to have to fill her shoes.

I can't believe I just said I want my mommy.

Oh and some home made chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Hartman makes good cookies. After all I think I burned 2000 calories these last 2 days, so I can have a cookie. Right?

Don't listen to me! Go get your gym shoes and work out. Work out until you can't stand anymore. My body hurts, which in turn makes my brain hurt and I'm rambling. Go work out!

*Disney Princess Drill Sergeant Body Pump Instructor: Definition: A pretty girl who talks so sweetly to you as she explains the routine and the suggested amount of weight to add to your bar (in some cases it was two times the amount you warmed up with). Once the music starts she starts you out slow, warming up your muscles, she sings along with music, and then she builds on it and your suddenly moving faster. When you are about to die, she tells you that there are only 2 rounds left of this segment! She makes this yelling/growling sound at you saying, "come on team, push through this you can do it, don't give up, let's do this!" Then she looks straight into your eyes and almost dares you to quit. You kind of want to, but you don't. Then, when you're done and you almost drop the bar on your foot because your arms don't work and your legs can't support you, she says "cool." - Strangely, she is very motivating and somehow without saying a word, convinces you that you need to come to her class more often.