Month: January 2021

Creamy Leek Soup with Chicken & Sweet Potato (a simple Award Winning “S-Helper” Soup)

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 4 Comments

This recipe has been updated and I am reposting it to better help those who are on the Trim Healthy Mama plan.  Of course, since it’s the best soup I’ve ever made, anybody is going to love it!

While it’s still soup weather…   Well, it’s soup weather somewhere, I suppose. Here in the Midwest, weather gets wonderfully weird. When I first posted this soup recipe, a nearby town had just set a record a few days ago when the temperature hit seventy-eight degrees in February! That’s weird. That’s wonderful! So many areas of the country received winter’s full blast while we were just – chilly. It has to get mighty warm for us to give up on nourishing, yummy soups at our house, though.

This soup was born of necessity – and that’s another post for another day. Having taken yet another serious step forward in improving my food choices, I’d adapted many of my old recipes into grain-free, sugar-free versions. One day, oozing with inspiration and having one of those “if I were the perfect soup, what would I be like?” mind excursions, I hatched a plan. It must have been one of my super-duper, genius, over-the-top, brainy days, because after a trip to the store and a little time at the stove, I rolled my eyes and patted myself on the back. All my past kitchen flops had been compensated for and I knew I had a winner.

I needed a winner. I had a reputation to uphold. At a local church sponsored Souper Bowl of Sharing, soups are judged and the top-rated soups receive the coveted “Golden Ladles”. I’d received three consecutive Golden Ladles, so why not go for a fourth? Besides, all proceeds go to the area food bank. They deserve a great soup, right?

Golden LadlesMy own high praise of this soup comes to you from a life-long sweet-tater-hater.  I’ve only embraced the rock-hard, ugly roots in the last few years.  I think it happened during a daring restaurant experience when I lost my head, blurting out, “I’ll have some of those sweet potato fries.”  I’ve been experimenting with them ever since.

I filled my slow cooker with a triple batch of this soup and, yes, I took home another golden ladle!

Souper GirlSo many people have asked me for this recipe. I think you’ll love it. If you can’t have dairy, I weep for you. However, I did have a good friend tell me that she made substitutions in the soup due to her dietary restrictions and not only was it yummy, but her husband said it was the best soup he ever had in his life.

A few notes before we start –

1. If you haven’t worked with leeks, they look like giant green onions. However, their onion-y taste is delightfully delicate! They pick up a lot of sand and grit while growing, though, which is why the recipe says to halve lengthwise. This will enable you to fan the layers apart and rinse all the dirt out. Then, just pull all the layers back together, lay flat side down and slice into thin ribbons. Use all the white part and a good portion of the green, but not any parts that look extra tough. The green parts will soften well during cooking.

2. I place the chicken in my slow cooker or a large skillet, season it with salt & pepper, and cook on LOW for a while ahead of making the soup. (Your chicken will be tough if cooked too fast.) When it’s thoroughly cooked, I place it on a cutting board and use one of the handy-dandy Pampered Chef dealy-bobs featured in the photo below.. It shreds it to perfection in no time! I get my Pampered Chef items here.  If you don’t have one, just slice across the grain, then pull apart.

3. Do not confuse sweet potatoes with white potatoes when it comes to cooking time. Cubed sweet potatoes cook FAST! The best way I’ve found is to take a large knife and slice off a 1/2″ slab. Then, turn the sweet potato over onto the flat surface you’ve created and slice the whole thing into more 1/2″ slabs. Stack a few together, cut into 1/2″ strips (like French fries) and then into cubes. Sweet potatoes are solid and difficult to cut when raw, but don’t let them fool you. Once cubed and put into the boiling broth, I’d advise giving them the taste test after about five minutes.  In case just reading this instruction wore you out, check your supermarket for frozen bags of cubed sweet potatoes.  One bag is just about right for this recipe and you can just dump them right into the boiling broth.  Not all stores carry these, so grab them when you see them.

4. I invented “Faux-broth” as a  substitute for chicken broth one day when none of the stores nearby had chicken broth without sugar in it. Again, I let my mind wander. (It’s not always dangerous.) I threw together a series of things that I would have used if I were seasoning, for instance, a chicken for roasting. I feel a little silly, I must say, for sharing a recipe for water with herbs in it, but I’ve used it over and over again.  Anyhow, if you’re out of broth, this “flavored water” will get you by in a pinch. The first time you make this soup, I’d advise using real chicken broth. Then, you’ll know how it’s meant to taste. (That’s what I used for the soup contest – and I won – I’m just sayin’.)

OK – Let’s make AWESOME, prize-winning soup! And, don’t get your under-drawers in a bunch over the butter and heavy cream. Fat doesn’t make you fat – dual fueling your body does.  This soup is a satisfying “S Helper”. Besides, as I often tell Smuffy – nobody’s forcing you to eat four bowls.

Let me restate a portion of my disclaimer. (See the sidebar for the whole thing.)   It is my promise to properly disclose any items which may have been given to me for consideration, are sponsored, or contain affiliate links. Some links on my site may be affiliate links for which I could receive a commission for your click-through and/or purchase. I only feature brands and companies that I have used and genuinely love. All opinions are completely my own.  As a THM Certified Lifestyle Coach, I do, at times, receive monetary compensation for these services.

Below the recipe, you’ll find a link to a free printable which includes both the soup and the faux broth.

Creamy Leek Soup Ingredients

Creamy Leek Soup with Chicken & Sweet Potato

1 large leek, halved lengthwise & cleaned well, then sliced into 1/8″ ribbons

1/4 cup butter

1 to 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, seasoned, cooked & shredded.

2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2 ” cubes (or one 10 ounce bag of frozen cubed sweet potatoes)

2 cups chicken broth (with NO sugar)

2 cups heavy cream

1 teaspoon (or more) mineral salt

In a medium skillet, cook & stir leeks in butter until very soft over medium heat.  

Meanwhile, bring broth (or faux broth) to a boil.  Add cubed sweet potatoes.  Return to a boil, reduce heat and simmer till just tender (around 5 minutes).  Add leeks (with butter), cooked chicken, salt and heavy cream to the pot.  Heat thoroughly. 

Great with fresh, THM-friendly “FP” biscuits & a salad with “S” or “FP” dressing! Makes 7-8 cups.

Enjoy the awesomeness!

A word of caution about food safety:  If the grateful recipients of your awesome soup present you with a Golden Ladle, examine it carefully.  You might want to keep it “just for show”.  I’m highly suspicious of the spray paint job on mine!

Bowl of Creamy Leek SoupDon’t forget your two-for-one free printable!  If you’d like for your faux-broth to be smooth (minus the visible bits of herb), you can always put your dry herbs in a small processor and spin until powdery.

Questions? Comments? If you make the soup, let me know how you liked it! Any fabulous healthy recipes you’ve invented on a brainy day?

More “Golden Ladle Winners” coming up, so be sure to SUBSCRIBE!

Food Freedom with Coach Barb www.midweststoryteller.com

How’s That Workin’ For ‘Ya?

~ Midwest Storyteller
Food Freedom with Coach Barb www.midweststoryteller.com

I fully disclose that as a Certified Lifestyle Coach I do, at times, receive monetary compensation as such. See The Fine Print on the “About Me” page of this blog.

Here we are, Dear Readers, over halfway through January 2021.  So far, I’d venture to guess that most of you who sighed with relief at midnight on December 31, 2020 are just a shade disappointed.

Having mentored people with their health for years and being an avid observer of human nature, I think all we have to do is turn on the news lately and within thirty seconds we’ve decided we’ve had our fill of human nature.

In January, you’ve probably observed a common occurrence in either your own life or someone else’s.  We muddle along through the holidays, stressed and for most of us, over-blessed, promising ourselves that, come January 1st, things will be different.  “Enough of this nonsense”, you say, vowing to lose weight, get organized, take better care of yourself, serve your community more, keep in closer contact with the ones you love – the list goes on and on, doesn’t it?

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – I can’t fathom why they ever designated January 1st as the beginning of the new year!  It makes no sense, at least for the Northern Hemisphere.  Just when the Good Lord offered us hibernation time and a nice, long rest, the calendar screams at us to jump up, get going and conquer the world and all our shortcomings.  Oh, please!

Would anyone like to join my movement to have the new year moved to the first day of spring so that we could all get a little more excited about it?  I know, I know, it’s a brilliant idea!  That’s probably why people in high places never thought of it.

Anyhow, here we are and we seem to be stuck with it for now.  This brings me back to my original question:  “How’s that workin’ for ‘ya?

One thing I stress in lifestyle coaching through Trim Healthy Mama is the concept of “tip-toeing in”.  I would far rather see someone read a couple of chapters in the Trim Healthy Mama Plan book then choose three simple recipes to fit the plan that they can make in the coming week than I would to see them do a complete pantry makeover, call a family meeting on how things will change and then wear themselves out making sure every bite that goes into their mouth is perfect!

Speaking of perfect bites, let me pause to point out that “sticking to plan” with THM does not equal suffering, as evidenced by this beauty I made last week! 

THM Philly Cheese Meatloaf

“Loaded Philly Cheese Meatloaf”, page 216 Trim Healthy Table, declared by Smuffy to be the best meatloaf I’ve ever fed him.

Here’s a little nugget to chew on.  Repentance is better than goals.  Goals involve setting a bar and then trying to measure up to it.  Repentance simply involves realizing the road you are traveling is headed in the wrong direction, then turning around and going the opposite way – to a better place.  (See how I did that – I’m so clever – note the heading of this blog.)

I want you to feel blessed today and not condemned.  If you’re halfway through January and all those new leaves you vowed to turn over are still stuck together, just take a deep breath, take another step on the right path and find joy on the way to a better place.  Then, perhaps when someone asks, “How’s that workin’ for ‘ya?”, you won’t have to hang your head and sigh.

If you’re wanting to make your journey with Trim Healthy Mama joyful, choose three recipes that fit the plan and make those this week.  Ask yourself some questions about the rest of your meals and snacks and make sensible tweaks.  Let 2021 take you to a better place step by step.

I like to make out a menu plan on weekends, but I only plan out four items.  I enjoy my “pleasant ruts”, so I already know what breakfasts will probably consist of.  I share complete weekly menus in my coaching sessions, but I’ve been on the plan long enough that lots of meals are “freestyle” now.

I thought you might like to see what a recent plan included.  We have our main meal at lunch because that’s what Smuffy prefers and supper is freestyle.  You’ll have your own plan for your own household.

I take it for granted that each of these main dishes will be served up with quick-fix non-starchy veggies, salads and other sides and that snacks are ready to grab.

If you need support in your journey, head to the Contact Me page and let me know.  I’ll give you all the info on group sessions and private coaching, which can be done in person or by phone.  Share with friends and let’s see how many are ready to get Trim & Healthy!

For info on getting started and a few questions you can ask yourself about getting started, click here. For coaching pricing, click here.

It’s a great way to come out of social distancing a better person.

Have the events of the last several months caused you to re-think how you are fueling your body so that you can build your immune system?  Leave a comment and tell me your thoughts.

Wishes and Freebies for a Bright New Year!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 9 Comments

It’s 2021!  May I be the first to wish you a Happy New Year!  And a healthy one!  And a normal one! 

The first Friday of the month can sneak up on you if it falls on the first day of the month.  It can really sneak up on you if it also falls on the first day of the year!

Let’s get to the good stuff so you can get on with your New Year’s Day celebrations or, as I prefer to call it, National Jammie Day.  Just leave those warm snugglies on and do whatever you feel like today.  After all, you have 364 more days to be busy and stressed and overloaded.

Just don’t neglect one thing – enter to win January’s First Friday Freebie!

Live Simply Be Grateful Dream Big www.midweststoryteller.com

This 6 ½” X 3” hanging wooden sign is a rustic reminder of what really matters during the months ahead.  After all we’ve seen happen in 2020 (much of which we never thought possible), we truly need to learn to simplify, to be grateful for what we do have and, most of all, to allow ourselves to dream and hope for better days ahead.  Along with the sign, you’ll receive a package of three scented sachets for your home from Lifescapes.  The Sea Salt & Driftwood scent will make your home as fresh as the new year.  I know this is the time when many of us promise ourselves we’ll de-clutter and get reorganized and whether it is drawers, closets or office space, a little scent gives an added boost to our moods and our sense of accomplishment.

To enter to win the sign and sachets, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Happy New Year, Midwest Storyteller!”  You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, January 1st, 2021!

NOTE:  There seems to be a problem here on the blog with people trying to subscribe and not receiving their confirmation email.  If this has happened to you, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com and let me know so that I can report all these instances and have the issue solved.

First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so hop on over to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so.

Your friends will enjoy the stories, recipes, laughter and, of course, the FREEBIES here on the blog, too, so share with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.

Subscribers win every single month!  On the “Freebies” page, you’ll be able to see what they’ve been winning.

Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “Happy New Year, Midwest Storyteller!”

See the complete freebie rules here.  

Those four steps will take you no time at all!

I know you stayed up too late last night, but don’t let your grogginess keep you from entering right now.  Subscribe now if you haven’t already, and confirm in your email before you forget!  (See note above concerning subscription problems.)

Is the earth spinning faster than it used to?  We’re going to turn around and find out it’s Valentine’s Day and wonder how that happened. 

Comments or questions?  I’d love to hear how you’re going to make even the smallest shifts in your life in 2021 to Live Simply.  Be Grateful.  Dream Big.