New Years fun = Detox time

 

Happy New Year!

 

We had the best New Years - 3 days up in the North Georgia Mountains (Blue Ridge) with 4 of our nearest and dearest.  Oh my gosh I wish I was still there!  Sam does too!

 Highlights of our trip to the mountains - football, lots of good food (each couple took a night to cook, which is always so fun), late night dance parties, hot tub fun, bloody marys, and getting to spend 3 days with these rock stars!

 Oh, and we had FOUR big dogs in the cabin!  Never a dull moment!

I definitely have the post holiday blues tonight.  And since this is a food/health blog, I have to point out that after all of that fun, I came back feeling disgusting from all of the eating and drinking that has gone on for the past 4 weeks, this weekend being the grand finale.  I spent several hours today feeling way too sorry for myself but finally got off my butt and made things happen.  

Ate a healthy lunch.  

(Hummus, cheese, and tomato sandwich on whole wheat with peppermint tea)


Cleaned.  Grocery shopped.  Ran 3.5 miles. Did a 45 minute Dave Farmar power yoga video.  Felt better!  Funny how exercise always does the trick.  I am SO looking forward to several weeks of "detox" after a very indulgent holiday season.  Starting now!


Tonight I made a great soup for dinner, inspired by a recipe I saw on The Biochemista.  She calls this "Magic Soup" and I can see why - it was super easy and delicious!  I've posted the way I cooked it below but this is definitely something you could add lib and just use what you have.  

"Doctored up" Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 box of Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup (I used Pacific organic brand)
1/2 onion, chopped 
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 box frozen spinach
1/2 block extra firm tofu
1 can mixed beans
handful cherry tomatoes
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
salt and pepper


Directions:
See if you can stay with me here...combine all ingredients and cook until done!  (I let mine simmer about 15 minutes).  


Let me know if you make this.  I'll definitely be keeping a box of the Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup on hand in the future for emergency pantry dinners!


Have a great week!  I hope to report back about a VERY healthy week soon.