What to Eat When it Rains?

It’s been raining for nearly two days.  I was at my sister’s house in LA over the weekend, where we were revved up about our weight loss programs and exercising.  She has lost more than 15 pounds in the last few weeks, and I have gained ten of my twenty pound loss back since I had major surgery in September.

I feel really good, and have written down everything I put in my mouth – whether it is a bite, or a taste or a nibble!  That seems the only way I can get a measure of control and stay out of denial about “how little” I eat!  Most of the women in our Tuesday night WWG group have voiced the same problems.

I was grateful I didn’t have to leave the house today.  The power was out in the area except it seemed, my street, so I took the opportunity to cook in case my electricity went out too. I love to cook in this kind of weather. But, what to eat when it rains? 

I remembered this hearty and spicy, low-cal and low-fat recipe that my sis gave me for Spicy Chili Soup! I’m not sure where it originally came from, but I added some of my own touches to my version anyway. I made it with ground turkey, but you could use 7% fat ground beef for a tasty, yet still healthy difference.

Spicy Chili Soup

Dice and brown 1 medium onion and 1/2 large bell pepper in a scant bit of olive oil (use a large no stick skillet)

When that’s done, add 1 to 1 -1/2 pounds of ground turkey** and cook thoroughly in onion/pepper mixture.

Add 1 can (14-16 oz) of diced tomatoes (with green chilies added, or “mexican style”) to mixture.

Add 1 package of dry Taco Seasoning and 1 package of dry Ranch Dressing (or Dip) Mixes and stir into turkey mixture.

In a soup pot, empty the cooked mixture from the skillet and add the following – use 14-16 oz. cans:

1 can of whole kernel corn (drained)

1 can of chili beans (not drained)

1 can of black beans (drained)

1 can of kidney beans (drained)

1 6-8 oz. can of diced Ortega chiles

1 6-8 oz. can of diced jalapeño chiles (if you like it spicier)

Add about 3 – 4 cans of water (maybe a little more) to the mixture in the soup pan, and heat thoroughly until steamy hot!

** For even fewer calories, brown the turkey first in the skillet and drain any visible fat.  Then, add the diced onion and bell pepper (or cook it separately, then combine with cooked turkey).

I have Weight Watchers Points for this as 2 pts per cup, but I understand you could figure this out on-line with their calculators (and paid membership).

You could top with some low-fat shredded cheese, or add over a dry baked potato, or even serve over some tortilla strips!  Add low or no-fat sour cream or pcs. of avocado, fresh cilantro for some other garnishes!

Enjoy! And stay dry!