Loading...

Clean Cream of Tomato Soup with Chickpeas

This soup was inspired by the first chilly day of September and a bag of dried chickpeas in the cupboard that were calling my name. Its influences are a mélange of African, Middle Eastern (in the sense that it’s a chunky stew) and Italian thanks to its tomato base. The beauty of this soup lies in its simplicity. The bite of the chevre marries perfectly with the blandness of plain tomato sauce – the kind in a can and not loaded with sugars and oils. A flurry of spices and other extras aren’t necessary. Just let it be simple.

Sure, this is a deliciously thick soup. And it’s also healthy fast food that can be thrown together in under 30 minutes if you have two cans of Chickpeas (also called Garbanzos) on hand. It gets its creaminess from a log of chevre, and added substance from sautéed cherry tomatoes, thrown in at the end. Even my 18-year-old fast-food aficionado loves this one. It’s easy, inexpensive, and most of all, healthy. You’ll feel both satisfied and loved after a bowl of this. Guaranteed.

Ingredients:

3 cups of cooked Chickpeas (if reconstituting dried beans from the bag) or 2 cans drained Chickpeas

1 4-5 ounce log of Chevre (goat cheese), room temperature

1 container of cherry tomatoes

1 32-ounce can of tomato sauce (no sugar or oil added) I like Tutto Rosso brand

1 tablespoon of butter for sautéing the cherry tomatoes.

Instructions:

In a medium frying pan, melt butter then add rinsed cherry tomatoes. Cook over medium heat until their skin wrinkles a bit or they pop. They should be shrunken, not charred. In a larger stockpot, cook tomato sauce over medium heat for two minutes then add chevre. Whisk gently until blended and sauce becomes a creamy orange color. Add the Chickpeas. Then add the cherry tomatoes and stir gently, don’t whisk or they tomatoes may break apart. Heat until just bubbling and serve immediately.

SOOO Good!

SOOO Good!

Get a Signed Copy of “Clean Comfort,” From The Comfort Of Your Home

Get a signed and personalized copy of “Clean Comfort: An Adventure in Food, Courage, and Healing” from the comfort of your home!

Send an e-mail request to StaceyMorris345@yahoo.com and I’ll shoot you a PayPal link. The cost is $21 for U.S. residents, and includes shipping.

It makes a great gift for yourself or someone you love.

How I Did It...Deliciously

How I Did It…Deliciously

Exhibit 27A or Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy

Exhibit 27A:

This is me…not being impacted in the least by loose skin from a 185-pound weight-loss. I got up this morning, sat in gratitude outdoors as I sipped an almond milk latte, executed Mix Tape in the DDPYOGA series, made a blueberry smoothie, did a coaching session with a very courageous and hard-working client, ate a clean lunch, am tackling 2 writing deadlines, and later will head out to a cocktail party, all dolled up.

Aiming for the Stars!

Aiming for the Stars!

I must point out that NONE of the above would be taking place if the 185 pounds had remained affixed to my frame. The loose skin, however, has never, and I mean NEVER clipped my wings. And it would do so only if I sunk into a mindset that allowed for that. And that, my fellow Truth-Seekers, is most definitely not happening.

Be judicious about the thoughts you feed yourself today. Make ’em as nutritious as the food you’re eating, and as strengthening as the DDPYOGA workouts – BANG!

Nothing's going to stop me - especially the perils of negative thinking!

Nothing’s going to stop me – especially the perils of negative thinking!

Why Waiting for Motivation to Strike is A Mistake

I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately centering around motivation. There are people out there, awash with good intentions, yet plagued with apathy (I’ve been there). They order the DDPYOGA DVD’s and that’s as far as it goes. The next step is partaking in some intense rounds of self-loathing and recrimination for not following through. You don’t have to be Freud to ascertain this is not a healthy cycle.

Motivation is a wildcard and I can’t profess to know how to suddenly wield it when the cloud of apathy sets in, but here’s what works for me: I listen to all the excuses and reasons why I should not workout, that day, or at least put it off a few more hours. I don’t give much thought to whether the reasons and excuses are valid or not.

I simply listen to the chorus in my head pulling me away from the DVD and television. Then I get a little amused at what a Herculean effort they’re putting in to keep me from the mat. They’ve got debating chops that a seasoned litigator would admire.

And then (this next part is key)…I go ahead and do the workout anyway.

Don’t wait for the magic moment when your tail’s wagging and you’re raring to go. That probably won’t happen.

The only key I know to making the most out of the workouts is to simply do them. No matter who’s trying to stop you, just hit the power button, unfurl your mat, and begin. It’s 30 minutes out of your day. And a priceless investment in your future.