On Successes...and Soup...

I figured since my last post was a whole "woe is me, why the hell don't my boobs work" post, I should probably post something that doesn't make you wonder if I need professional help. 

Sometimes...I actually think that I have my shit together. Usually, it only lasts for about 5 minutes before life reminds me who is in charge, BUT every so often I feel like I'm on top.

We had predictions of a hurricane for this week, then it turned into a tropical storm, and then they told us it would be nasty rain and wind. Regardless, our house is surrounded by trees and Alex's job requires him to be called out if there's any trees down or damage. Which meant that I had to get my behind to the grocery store. I've been using God's gift to families...Pea Pod...but I didn't order in enough time.

So...me and both kids went to the grocery store...

Thankfully, they were angels. Well... Angel Baby is always an angel, it's the little monkey that is always a wild card. BUT, I bribed him with the (awful, germ filled) car cart and my phone. I am not above bribery and I am not above using technology to get a few minutes of peace and quiet. It doesn't always work, but a quick reward of a free cookie when things started going hanky at the end and I was golden.

I was mentally patting myself on the pack walking out to my car when I realized I had no idea where my car keys were. I knew this had to be the moment that life reminded me who was in charge. I was trying to figure out what to do with my giant car cart full of stuff while I looked around the store for them (and wondered if they remembered that I also lost my keys in there once before, along with one of John's shoes, his blankie, and a couple other random items that had me walking up and down every aisle...and only at THAT particular store when I frequent three different ones...) However, the Gods must have thought I needed a break because I then remembered that I had clipped them to my belt loop and they were still there when I checked. 

I also timed this endeavor to coincide with lunch/nap time. Now some of you seasons Mamas might be thinking that's a gamble. And you'd be right. It could go either way. But, this worked in my behavior. Well behaved children AND they were quickly asleep soon after I got home, which left me with time to unpack, cook, eat, etc. 

I've actively started to try to lose this wonderful baby weight, so I made a soup that I saw Sia post on Instagram. I know. I know. Grocery shopping AND cooking all in the same day? I'm a superhero. (Don't worry, I saved face by making everyone eat leftovers for dinner that they were sick of eating under the guise of not wanting the food to go bad. I don't really care. I'll throw food away because it looks at me wrong. Mama just has a limit to what she'll do in a day.

It was shockingly delicious. I say shocking because it's a vegetable soup, which doesn't seem like it could be all of that exciting, BUT I am here to tell you that this soup is a wild ride for your taste buds. (And you thought I was losing my edge being home alone with two kids all the time...pshh...look at how crayzay I get...)

I threw in some ground turkey because Mama loves a little protein with her lunch (I'm ignoring that that sounds dirty...mainly because I can't think of which route I want to go with it and "that's what she said" seems a little juvenile...as I snicker writing it...)

Also in a surprising twist of fate (are you on the edge of your seat?) it made enough for lunches for the rest of the week. I know. I was as shocked as you were. I channeled my inner basic bitch and stored them in mason jars. Woo, I get a rush just saying that. 

So, sometimes I have my shit together. Kind of. Well... enough to take both of my kids on an errand AND make myself a healthy lunch. 

Also, because I'm a giver, I'll leave the recipe here too. I tried to see if she had it on her site, but she didn't. But, she is awesome so check her out. She's at "Diary of a Fit Mom". 

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey

1 yellow onion, diced

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup diced carrots

4 cups spinach

1 cup green beans

1 whole bell pepper, chopped

1 can diced tomatoes

6 cups beef broth

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups broccoli florets

2 cups sliced zucchini

Directions:

1. In a large pot brown ground turkey and onions.

2. Sprinkle 1 tsp garlic powder over mixture.

3. Add carrots, spinach, green beans, and cook an additional 5 minutes.

4. Stir in bell peppers, undrained tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, and seasonings. Simmer 6-7 minutes. 

5. Add zucchini and broccoli. Simmer an additional 5 minutes or until softened.

I sprinkled a little fresh Parmesan cheese on top too. Delish. Enjoy and thank me later!!!