Crockpot Taco Soup (and maybe a slight breakdown)

Since I'm riding the bench for the foreseeable future thanks to a super awesome bulging disc (more about this later), I'm having to be super careful about my caloric intake.  I'm not slaying it in the gym 5-6 times a week, so I can't eat like I was earlier this year (all good foods, but a little more volume to support my working out).  This.sucks.a lot.  So, to the kitchen I go, and in my world - the easier the better!  I made this on a whim today, and we may have a new addition to the Hutcherson Menu!

All I did was brown a pound of beef, and seasoned it with 1/2tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1tsp garlic powder,1tsp chili powder, and S&P.   I didn't cook it all the way, and dumped it and the juice into my crockpot.  I then added a whole (chopped) orange and yellow bell pepper (I can't eat green and red, we do not get along), a chopped onion and a whole bag of shredded carrots (I may have overbought carrots when trying to make a cake this weekend...this overpurchase may have prompted this recipe).  The last addition was three cans of fire-roasted tomatoes.  Set on low and let simmer all day.  Top with avocado, a squeeze of lime - perfection!   The big kid also liked this, so that was an added bonus! **If you like a lot of flavor, which I do, I would add the above spices again and stir in before cooking.  It needed more punch, I thought!**

I won't win any photography awards with this picture, but it was super yummy!

Back to my back.  I am about to head to the pool so I won't stay on here to complain too long, but it effing SUCKS to have this issue.  Like, I'm full on wanting to throw a huge temper tantrum about it.  I already deal with chronic back pain due to my crooked back, but this is a whole other level that I was and am truly not prepared to deal with.  It's so hard to have my workout plan for Hawaii completely wiped out, and for me to swallow the "it will be a 6-8 month recovery" news.  Seriously?  I'm trying to not totally lose my shit over all of this, and I know in the grand scheme of things it will be ok, but right now I just want to kick and scream.  It's already hard enough to keep from blowing up to 400 lbs, and now I have to be hyper vigilant about what goes in my mouth because I'm not able to do much more than walk in the water.  Some days...life ain't fair.  Whomp Whomp.

1st Day of Spring

Happy 1st Day of Spring!  This weather is amazing, I have new flowers and got a killer workout in this evening.  I'm a pretty happy girl.

So, as far as working out is going - every day is better and better.  I'm still a little sore from surgery, but I feel like my strength and endurance is growing.  Confession: I totally had a moment at the gym the other day where I caught myself wondering around and not really doing anything.  I felt really overwhelmed.  I hate having to jack with the machines or try and remember correct form.  So, I decided to bite the bullet and remedy that.  I contacted my good friend and hired him one day a week to kick my rear.  I conned my mother into joining me, too!  I wasn't going to do it alone, and well..there is no escaping my mother so she is a good accountability partner.  I'd never hear the end of it if I bailed.  What sounds like a fairly easy workout totally has given me jelly legs so bad!  Here is a pretty good breakdown of what we did:

Warmup: High knees, butt kicks and jumping jacks

Workout:

Do 2 touch down for cardio in between each round of weighted work

Squat to hammer curl three rounds one minute around
Three rounds for one minute: Bullwinkle overhead press
Three rounds: Triceps overhead press 45 seconds
Three rounds: Reverse lunge  single leg 45 second per leg
Three rounds: Med ball slam with partner or to a wall 45 seconds
Three rounds: Lateral med ball toss with partner or to a wall 45 seconds

A few things were figured out today:

1.  I throw like a girl (sorry, ladies.  I do)

2.  I'm TOTALLY out of shape

3.  Having someone coach me is going to be the best decision.  I totally do better when someone does the (workout) thinking for me.

Anywho...I made a pretty awesome dinner tonight!  It's Gluten Free!  Here is the recipe for Apple & Sage Pork Chops:

4 boneless pork chops, 1 inch thick

1 1/2 tsp sage

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp Thyme

1/2 tsp Allspice

1/2 Paprika

1 TBSP Flour (I used Almond)

1 tsp salt (i'd probably use more next time)

Olive Oil (I actually used my coconut oil, and it was awesome)

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

2 apples, diced

1/2 cup of apple juice

1 TBSP brown sugar (I probably used less?)

1.  Mix all of the spices and flour into a bowl.  Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with the mixture

2.  Cook pork chops in oil on hot skillet until browned on both sides.  Remove and place on plate.  Add onion; cook for 3 minutes until tender.  Add apples; cook for 2 or so minutes

3.  Stir in apple juice, sugar and remaining seasonings until well mixed.  Return pork chops to the skillet.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 5 minutes or until desired doneness

There were no leftovers. 

Let me know if you try it!  It will be a staple in our house, for sure.  I might try using chicken tenders instead of pork next time?  Any other suggestions?

I hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather!  Cheers until next time!