When I was in Mexico this time I around I really appreciated how the culinary culture uses everything, no waste. That's what tortilla soup and chilaquiles are doing- using the left overs and making them even more delicious by getting better flavors out of them.
 
For this tortilla soup I followed two recipes, adding a bay leaf to give the soup more flavor.  I also used my instapot. The first time I made it, I used 2 frozen chicken breasts. The second time I made it, I used left over rotisserie chicken. Both were delicious. Also feel free to make substitutions to suit what you have on hand. I didn't have corn, so I used riced cauliflower instead.

You can always use store-bought chips if you don't have the time or energy to make your own.  But I do love making my own because they are healthier and so good. Recipe at the bottom.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper , seeded and diced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 bay leaf
  
• 1 lb chicken breasts, (2 medium)
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes 
• 10 oz diced tomatoes with chiles 
  
• 32 oz chicken broth 
• 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 14 oz can corn, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped, divided (reserve 1/4 of it for garnish)
• 1 lime, juiced
• Greek nonfat yogurt
  
• Cheddar cheese
  
• Red onion
  
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste

Instructions:

1. Saute the the onions in the olive oil for a few minutes, until translucent, then add the garlic and jalapeño until softened.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients- chicken, chicken broth, black beans, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juices, corn, cilantro, ground cumin, chili powder, and bay leaf.

3. Cook in the pressure cooker for 15 minutes.
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4. After you release the pressure, remove the chicken and shred it with 2 forks.

5. Serve with whatever you like- I used greek non-fat yogurt, white cheddar cheese, lime wedges, cilantro, and red onion. And of course, tortilla chips!

Homemade tortilla chips

Preheat oven to 370 degrees.  Slice 8 corn tortillas into either strips or triangles.  Coat with 1 tbsp of olive oil and spread over a cookie sheet on parchment paper.

Bake for 10-15 minutes, check every 5 minutes and turn to cook evenly.

Inspired by:
https://natashaskitchen.com/chicken-tortilla-soup-recipe/https://www.spendwithpennies.com/chicken-tortilla-soup/ 

Join me on Nov 22 as we kick off the Holiday Challenge for 2023!

For 6 weeks, we will work out together and increase our well being by setting goals, eating well, cutting back on sweets and alcohol, being more mindful, and keeping each other accountable.

It's going to be fun and we will feel great. 
​Sign up here today.

My client got in a biking accident a few weeks ago. She landed on her knees and developed a huge bruise on her right quad. I loved the fact that she still wanted to come in and move her body; she could have easily written those weeks off as “injury time.” As we trained her upper body, stretched, and moved, she told me she hadn’t done anything on her own and she was in a funk. I told her of course she was, and that it was ok. Her body still has bruises and marks. It’s going to take a while for it to heal. That’s the physical part, but there is also emotional scarring, fear, and trauma she has to work through. Give yourself time. Time to heal. Time heals almost everything. 

I told her that my brother died 4 months ago, and I'm just starting to feel like myself again. I miss him and yet I feel connected to him as I celebrate his time with my friends and loved ones. I'm able to celebrate his life through his memories. It takes a while to process it all and go through all the emotions consciously or in a sober manner. We want to be on the other side, but our emotional body might need more time, so we must learn to be gentle with ourselves. It's so easy to keep busy so as to not really look it, or to eat and even drink as an avoidance strategy. Sober October couldn't have come at a better time. Put simply, sober really just means not being addicted or intoxicated. I took a break from drinking and did a bit more writing and being in nature.

We have to try different things like drawing, crafting, singing, dancing- anything our body is calling for to release that heavy energy- before we can invite healing into our lives. One of you mentioned doing less sugar or mindless scrolling on social media. That's perfect, it helps us to be more aware of how we spend our time and energy. The body can store emotional pain, and sometimes movement finally allows it to release. I’ve been talking to my nephews and sharing stories about their dad. I put his pictures up on my altar this year and had friends over to hug, laugh, and cry. All of it is healing. So celebrate your loved ones and be grateful that we are still here to enjoy playing this game of life together!