It is not quite cold enough for winter soups, but I wanted to bring the crockpot out of hiding, and a soup is always a safe bet. I always try to make sure my soups are hearty and filling, as there is nothing worse than a canned soup that is literally broth with some soggy vegetables. After looking at the ingredients in my fridge, and the lovely homegrown tomatoes in my kitchen, I settled upon a Chicken Tortilla soup. I decided to bulk it up by adding plenty of other highly nutritious ingredients to make it more satisfying. It is also a great way of sneaking in vegetables that are barely noticeable with the vibran
t flavors.
Although it may seem like there are a lot of ingredients, they are all pantry basics…..other than Adzuki beans, which can be substituted for black beans….I just had them on hand, and they are so nutritious, I had to use them!
It is so easy to just mix the ingredients, pour them over the chicken. The hardest part is a few hours before you are going to eat when it smells amazing, and you want to dip in. The Greek yogurt makes a much healthier substitute for sour cream. You can then use the leftovers as a healthy evening snack. Did you read my post on 5 Tips for Preventing Late Night Overeating?
This is a very runner friendly soup; it full of vitamins and minerals in the vegetables to keep your body ticking over well. Served with a nice crusty slice of bread, it is very balanced, and perfect for a winter night. This would not be a great option before a hard workout/race, but is a pick me up to rehab you back to health after sickness or pushing your body to its limits in a race. If you have raced hard recently, did you see why I think it is best to Take A Break After Racing?
#FuelYourFuture
- Tomatoes are not only full of lycopene; found to reduce the risk of cancer, but they contain plenty of Vitamin B6, which help with the storage of glycogen in muscles to help you run faster for longer
- Chickpeas are a perfect post run legume that contain protein, carbohydrates, and are high in fiber
- Adzuki beans are one of the superfoods of the future; extremely low in calories, while being high in protein and fiber to regulate digestion
- Chicken is a lean protein that softens up into tender, succulent meat to rebuild your sore muscles after a hard effort
- Red bell peppers are high in Vitamin C; repairing your damaged connective tissue
- Cayenne pepper helps to remove bad cholesterol, and maintain your cardiovascular system, along with speeding up your metabolism to keep you burning calories long after your workout finishes
