S is for Soup. And Summer.

I crave soup in the summer. Pretty much all the time. Odd, I know. You'd think I'd get that hankerin' in the winter when I need warming up from the bitter cold, but no, the hotter it is outside, the more I want soup. Don't ask me. Well, if you have a backwards day and find yourself craving soup these warm summer days, I have an amazing treat for you!

I've grown rather fond of cookinglight.com and their amazing recipe selection. In fact, I spend loads of free time perusing the endless pages of meal recipes that are lower in fat and calories than their typical counter part. My wonderful cook of a mommy used to make this Chicken Corn Chowder that is simply delicious. Well I got the bright idea to add potatoes. Who doesn't like a little root in their soup if you know what I mean? So then I found this recipe for Crab-Potato Chowder on none other than cooking light as well and have merged the recipes into one delicious Chicken, Corn, Potato Chowder that I think is simply the bomb.com. Now, it looks like a lot of ingredients, but when you look closely, you've probably got a lot of this stuff just lyin' around waiting to be included!

Hope you enjoy! Let me know if you try it and what you think!

Chunky Chicken, Corn and Potato Chowder:

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter (I use unsalted, boo sodium!)
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup chopped celery (If you're into that kind of thing...Graham doesn't like celery, so I omit)
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced (A merger from the other recipe...another way to kick it up a notch!)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 large chicken breast, cooked and shredded
• 3 1/2 cups (1-inch) cubed red potato (about 1 pound)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk (I use skim and it is still delicious, so if you wanna cut out a few more calories...go for it!)
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (this time I actually just shook in a little dried oregano cause I'm too lazy and too cheap to buy fresh thyme. One day when I have a garden of herbs I'll go the fresh route!)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• A pinch of ground red pepper (just shake some in there--it gives it a little kick!)
• 1/4 teaspoon grated whole nutmeg (okay to just shake in a little of the powdered stuff here too)
• 1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
• 1 small can white shoepeg corn, drained
• 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (not really needed...just there for the presentation at the end)
• 1 teaspoon salt (I don't add this either. The less salt in our diet the better!)

Preparation

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, jalapeno and garlic; sauté 4 minutes. Add potato; sauté 1 minute. Sprinkle with flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, thyme, pepper (both red and black), nutmeg, corn (creamed and shoepeg), cooked chicken and broth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until potato is tender (may take more like 25-30 depending on how small you cut the potatoes), stirring occasionally.

Nutritional Information (Before I adjusted--less Sodium in my version!)

Calories:

265 (23% from fat)

Fat:

6.8g (sat 3.8g,mono 1.9g,poly 0.6g)

Protein:

16.3g

Carbohydrate:

36.5g

Fiber:

3.1g

Cholesterol:

47mg

Iron:

1.5mg

Sodium:

968mg

Calcium:

176mg

First Half Marathon...Complete.

I feel like typically, if you're going to run a half marathon, you expect thousands of people cheering you on, running with you, and waiting for you at the finish line to give you high-fives, water, massages, release balloons, a t-shirt, tell you how awesome you are, etc. You get the picture. Well, my first half marathon plus experience wasn't so neat. Due to the unfortunate placement of my first on-my-own wedding (worth another post in and of itself) I wasn't able to run with my awesome partner in training. And when I say unfortunate, I really mean unfortunate.

It is one thing to run 14 miles, it is another to do it alone. Although, as most of you know, I am pretty easily entertained. I spent my 2 hours and 23 minutes (I'm proud of my time for a first timer!) counting cracks in the sidewalk (OCD much?), enjoying the sights, accidentally singing the lyrics of the songs stuck in my head out loud as I passed the other bikers/runners along the way, you know, just the typical things to keep your mind occupied. I cannot run with an iPod that far, because my ears start to hurt from the ear phones, and I really just don't like the weight of the arm band being on one arm the whole time. I mean, I know I could switch it, but who wants to mess with it when I have plenty of songs in my head to keep me occupied?

Last weekend, I was able to run 10 miles. I made the mistake of running too late that time, starting around 8:30am. It was so miserably hot and I was super dehydrated. You think if I'm not going to run with an armband on my arm that I'm going to run with a water bottle? No way, Jose. There are people that can be used for such services (*clear throat annoyingly* Graham). Thanks babe for being willing to help keep me hydrated!! This week, Grahambo was super tired, and I started a little earlier (around 7:00am) and wanted him to get plenty of sleep before church so I didn't bother waking him. Thus, I ran 14 miles without water. And I made it. Only to drink 1L of water as quickly as humanly possible the second I stepped foot into the door.

I wasn't attacked by any black birds (thank goodness...this has been a recurring problem lately. Seriously.), my legs held up and my lungs felt pretty great. It wasn't until mile 13 that I really started feelin' it. Running is so mental it is ridiculous.

When I arrived home, I felt pretty good. It was only after I attempted to walk down the stairs and out of our apartment to head to church that I knew this wasn't something my body was reacting well to. Just FYI, walking backwards down the stairs really helps! I spent the rest of the day hobbling to church, lunch, a movie and then dinner. I was way too tired to cook, you know? We went out to lunch with some good friends, my awesome hubby took me to see Inception (so worth it!) and then to a great dinner of really unhealthy food at Lone Star Steakhouse. It has been years since I have been there, but I was super pumped about rolls and peanuts. A deadly combination for my tastebuds. At lunch, when I told the host how many people we had, he says, "Will a table upstairs be okay?" Normally, this would be an easy, "of course!" but yesterday, my simple response was, "Upstairs? Okay I think I can make it." Going up is definitely easier than coming down (remember...go backwards!).

Stay tuned...this Saturday is a 16.0 mile run. Can't wait! (Can you sense my sarcasm?)

I'm Lovin' It.

There are so many things I am excited about this year on my birthday, one of which is that I get to go back to ol' North Cackalacky two weeks from tomorrow to see my family and celebrate our myriad, okay not quite a myriad, I mean, a myriad feels like a whole freakin' lot, ANYWHOO, many family birthdays around the end of July and August. Mamaw's (if you don't know Mamaw you totally should) is Aug. 1, Mommy's is July 31, Mine is July 29 (the one that matters...jk, of course....), and Seester's is Aug. 9. So, yeah. Maybe a myriad. EITHER WAY, its a lotta burfdays. So, when pondering my birthday wish list this year and I noticed a blender had made the cut, I paused. I mean, a blender, really? I immediately scratched it off because I am wayyy to young to be putting appliances on my birthday list right? Unless it's a bread maker of course. No one could ever be too good for some delicious home made bread. Can you tell I'm tired? Yes ma'am...

I am a dessert now rather than later kind of girl. When my mom told me I was going to be sent my first birthday present here to IA, 10 days early, I just became giddy. You have to understand what the gift was! Drumrolll please.......


Tada! A Hobo International "Lauren" Clutch in Coral. I have been wanting one of these suckers for way too long now. Don't know what a "Lauren" clutch is? Well I'll show you! I'll even include the description!


Get excited. Thanks Mom and Dad!!


Well, even more exciting than this new girl toy is the thought that a year ago on my birthday, I was having the most exciting night of my life (at that point....bah!) and was asked on a simple birthday date with my wonderful boyfriend Graham Ashe. I was running a little behind, but hero Graham to the rescue saved the day and made the most romantic lakeside birthday dinner for me. As it was getting dark I hear Graham ask, "So do you want your birthday present now....or later..." We've already discussed this. I'm a dessert now person. So he gets out the infamous album with the ring box in the back. I was so ecstatic and called friend after friend after friend all the way home to Winston-Salem, NC to find out they were all in my kitchen waiting for me to celebrate with them!! I was the only one left out of the secret...I'm still impressed babe!


It is so hard to believe it has already almost been a whole year since our engagement! What an amazing, whirlwind of a year it has been and will continue to be, that's for sure. Although it will be hard for Graham to top last year's birthday present (ha!) I'm just so thankful that I will get to spend this birthday as my first with such a wonderful husband.

New Years Resolutions

So I understand we all make these silly little things called New Years Resolutions every year, usually something supposed to make us a better and healthier person (or not, depending on your preference...). I have never successfully kept any of mine. I mean, a year is a long time!! Well, I thought 2010 would be a good year to start!

On January 1, 2010, I promised myself I would train for a half and then a full marathon. When I found out we were moving, the half marathon I had already scheduled and paid for (boo) in April in Charlotte, NC was obviously no longer an option and I was discouraged. Thankfully, I have met a couple amazing girls to train with here in CF and I am back on track! Please be praying for no injuries and discipline as I try to conquer this goal!

September 11, 2010: Park to Park Half Marathon in Waterloo, IA

October 17, 2010: IMT Des Moines Marathon in Des Moines, IA

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Hebrews 12: 1-3

"Real Girls Shoot Guns"

My BFF from high school was a mad rifle shooter. And I mean, mad in the sick sense. She even had a shirt that donned the title to this blogpost. I totally wanted to be as cool as her when I grew up someday...WELL...Over July 4th weekend, I finally got my chance! First of all, let me get things straight. I'm not a hunter. I never will be a hunter. And as much as my darling husband wants to bring home a stuffed deer head one day, I will have to stay as far away from the thing as possible to avoid bursting out in tears every time I see it. Okay, I'm not actually that bad, BUT I'm just not into killing innocent animals for the joy of a trophy corpse on my wall. 'Nuf said. HOWEVER, getting the thrill of shooting a gun at some colored water filled bottles and targets, way more fun than I even thought it would be!! One of my crazy classmates from high school/Graham's lifelong friend/one of the groomsmen in our wedding, Chris Gilpin, was insane enough to drive form Denver, CO all the way to Iowa for the 4th holiday! Not just to see us, of course, but his gorgetta girlfriend Taylor who is originally form a little town called Ottumwa about 2 hours directly south of Cedar Falls. We had a blast playing putt-putt at maybe the most well kept secret hot spot in all of Ottumwa, enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by Taylor and shooting the guns owned by her Father, who served in the Army. It was great getting to see our awesome friends and making new memories in a totally new place! Here are some pics for you to enjoy:

Us at the sweet putt putt course

Notice the obstacles we had to avoid

I totally got a hole in one on the 19th hole (yes the 19th hole) so I won a free game! Can't wait to drive back down a couple of hours away to use it! (Who am I kidding, it's already framed on our wall.)

Lookin' good in our glasses and white t's

Awesome couple #1

Awesome couple #2

Yes this happened.

I married him for his sexy socks.

Chris lending a helping hand

So proud I hit 2 bullseyes from 100ft away laying down!

In other news, we went back to Cedar Falls on the 4th to enjoy the fireworks...which were cancelled and rescheduled for the 5th. Which were then cancelled and postponed until next July 4th. I mean, come on people! July 4th with no fireworks???

We also got a grill. Holla holla holla. It's cute ain't it?