Sooo Very French Chicken Leek Soup

A while back I began reading a book called, "French Women Don't get Fat".  The title intrigued me, however I only browsed through the first three chapters and set it aside.  I'm revisiting this book because 1) I'm French 2) I got chubby,  3) I like reading the same genre for which  my book will be, and finally, because I lost weight after following one simple trick.

In the book, the author struggles with her weight, especially after spending a year in America.  The land of plenty!   Long story short....when she returned to France several pounds heavier she began to evaluate her habits and findings.  For me, it was interesting reading and I identify with many of her ideas and ways of eating and preparing food. 

The one "trick" to jump start her weight loss regime was "Miracle Leek Soup".  The other day I had a slab of chicken, leeks in the crisper drawer, loads of spinach, garlic etc., so I adapted her recipe to create my own soup hoping for a miracle!  This was better than I thought it would be and to create the "mood",  I sat down in my formal dining room and "really" focused on the midday meal, another pointer from the book.   The serendipity was that I lost a full pound the day after.  Hmmm...I guess I'll finish the book now.

French Chicken Leek Soup

2 servings

1 large chicken breast, previously cooked, baked, broiled or boiled and shredded

2 leeks, green ends removed, cleaned.  You'll be left with a 4 inch size piece.  Slice thinly.

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 cup water

2 handfuls of spinach

1 tsp coriander (optional)

a couple drops of chipotle hot sauce (also optional, but adds a nice heat)

In a heated saucepan put the oil in , then garlic and leeks.  On low heat, soften but do not brown.  Add the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, lower the heat to simmer, cover and cook for about 20 minutes or longer.  There you have it!  It's even better the next day!

Peach Pie Smoothie

Yes, I admit it.  I am a foodie.  I have files of recipes that I have tried and others "waiting in the wings".   As part of the kitchen remodel, I decided to purge most of the ones I knew I'd never try and really made a dent in them.  But,  my "to do" cooking file is getting bigger by the minute as I wait and wait to be able to bake or cook.  It's kind of a bucket list in the cooking arena, if you will.  I don't have a bunch of cookbooks, surprisingly enough.  I create most of my own recipes.  On the short list is ginger ice cream, cocoa seared scallops,  homemade limoncello, sweet polenta pizza and pumpkin anything!

Until I can have these goodies, I made hubby and I a peach pie smoothie.  With one sip of it, last night,  the cravings were gone.  It's tasted every bit as decadent as a real live peach pie.  Well, maybe that's going a bit far, but it was delicious!

Peach Pie Smoothie

In a blender crush 7-8 ice cubes.  Peel and core 2 ripe peaches (makes 2,  1-cup servings)).  Put them in the blender with the following:

A couple drops of liquid stevia sweetener

a dash of cinnamon

a drizzle of fat free half & half

a drizzle of vanilla

Puree it all for about 10 seconds and voila - peach pie, or something like it.  Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.  Very nice...

Thick & creamy peach pie smoothie

The Colors and Flavors of Fall

This is my favorite time of year.  It's a time to harvest and "close the book" in my garden.  The weather has been holding steady with 70ish temperatures, barely any wind and the trees are making a brilliant spectacle of themselves.  It's their time to shine and they don't disappoint in these parts of the woods.  The sky is a deep blue almost every day with a spattering of clouds and the clean crisp air compliments my walking routine.

My inspirational view while walking

With the Fall comes a variety of flavors, too.  By this time I should have made pumpkin bread, pancakes, soups and maybe some stews.  But, my kitchen has been severely lacking of any signs of creativity and those great Fall flavors.  Yes, still on the "eating plan" and I have lost about 18 lbs.  Hooray!  On the other hand I feel sorry for my hubby having been deprived of some of the nice meals he's grown accustomed to over the years.  Fear not, it won't be forever.  It just seems that way!

Fresh pumpkin gnocchi with sage butter

pumpkin ginger pie bars!

If you're looking for a few pumpkin ideas, look no further.  These are the "best" of last year, same time!  Pumpkin gnocchi and a pumpkin ginger pie bar recipe for you to make and enjoy.  Let me know how they turn out!  I know, I'm itching to try them once more, SOON!

What's on your Bucket List?

Yesterday, I happened to catch part of a show on TV where one of the segments talked about, What would you order for your last supper?  I only saw one of the responses and this gal wove a dream to rival no other.  She'd be sitting in the French countryside with a loaf a crusty, yet soft on the inside, baguette smeared with salted honey while sipping a glass of the best local wine.   And that was just for starters....

I thought for a moment and found I couldn't be as decisive as she was.  Do I need to clarify my dream?  Perhaps..but, is it possible that I have many?  I'd say so..I know my last supper would be in some exotic location, maybe one which I haven't visited, yet!  Do you have a "bucket list"?  

If you're wise, you develop one at a young age..don't wait to do the things or go to locales where you can't fully enjoy what it has to offer.  Take for instance,  the hills of Tuscany!   Would you be able to climb to the top of Cortona's lofty paths.  They seem to stretch to the Heavens!  Or maybe you'd like to zip line over the canopies of jungles in Costa Rica, snorkel in the balmy clear waters of Hawaii or Tahiti or sit at that French bistro nibbling on a fresh from the oven chocolate croissant.  The list goes on and on...

Lunch Italian Style

Climbing the Hills of Cortona

I guess my point is, don't give up on any of your dreams.  Be ready for any opportunity.  As for me, my "bucket list" seems to get longer and longer as I travel and my horizons are broadened by each country and culture that I experience.  Where to next?  Not sure...but, I'll be crossing it off my bucket list.  And once it's deleted, it doesn't mean "never to return".  I have to admit, I'm still haunted by "the boot" shaped country of Italy.  It feeds me in every way, including my stomach and SOUL!

Tips for Fooling Your Tastebuds

As most of you know I've embarked on another "diet plan".  This has been the story of my life, unfortunately, because of the choices I've made and probably because of the "pudgy gene" I've acquired!  I take one look at my lineage (grandmother) and I see the pounds lining the areas where I constantly try to carve them away.

Over the years and with alot of knowledge in this area, I've come to realize that you need to fool your taste buds.  This will make the road to weight loss an easier and more flavorful path. 

Here are my tips:

Instead of peach pie cut up a  peach, sprinkle with cinnamon and truvia. mix it well and enjoy!

Roast, roast, roast your veggies with a sprinkle of olive oil, sea salt and pepper.  The roasting brings out the goodness and sweetness.  My favorites are roasted red peppers, eggplant, bok choy and believe it or not, cabbage!

Roasted cabbage with lemony mahi mahi

When you have a sweet tooth, make a fresh fruit smoothie.  Just ice, about a cup of fresh fruit, a dash of truvia and vanilla and water. blend and you have it!  My lifesaver has been an orange smoothie.

If you like applesauce, make your own.  Don't buy a big jar filled with chemicals!  Peel and chop apples, add a little water and cinnamon and cook on low.  If you don't want chunky applesauce. place in the blender for a swirl.

And finally, start an herb garden with perennials like oregano, thyme, lavender, chives, and some mint.  Come summertime add cilantro, parsley, basil and rosemary.   With these you can embellish your meats, fish, salads, desserts and dressings or marinades.  My latest creations have been numerous variations of marinades like chili lime, ginger lemon thyme, or rosemary lavender dressings.

Dried lavender from the garden.



Dried oregano ready for the sauce!



Dried Lemon verbena - great in anything!

If you're limited to lettuce, dress it up with handfuls of herbs.  It will wake up the taste buds and fool them into thinking you're eating something special.  But, actually you are!  You grew and nutured those herbs for that healthy meal...