Life lessons from Rocky

The other day me and Joe were watching Rocky. I think it was the second one. I starting thinking about how easily Adrian influenced him. He would hardly train or fight without her support. I'm pretty sure in almost all the Rocky movies there is always a defining moment where she encourages him to fight and win. This moment totally transforms Rocky and really motivates him in training. It made me think how much influence I can have on Joe. I know I can very easily motivate or demotivate him based on what I say. So the question remains, which will I choose? Will I choose to cheer for Joe even when I don't necessarily agree with him?

Timing is everything

I love how ironic God’s timing is. I think He has a really great sense of humor. I had a decision I made and I was very sure that this was what God wanted. I prayed about it for a while and it made sense so I followed through on that decision. A few days later this decision was challenged by another situation in my life. It made me question if I made the right decision. As I was struggling with this I was praying about it. God was just like, ‘What if I’m going to use this to teach you something. It just comes down to trust.’ Oh yeah. My comfort is not what everything is about. I forget that sometimes. With that realization I stuck with the decision I first made. If the situation had come up before I made this decision I wouldn't have made the choice I did. But I think I’m really going to grow and learn from this and I could have missed out on it. Just goes to show God’s timing is always the best. =) 

Ham and bean soup

This one is simple and cheap but still really delicious. I got the recipe from my sister Angela.

5 cans of whatever type of beans (I like having a variety so I choose lots of different kinds)
1 can Ro-Tel
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup salsa
1 package of taco seasoning
2 cups of ham (ham steak or leftovers from Thanksgiving)
Toppings:
Shredded cheese
Fritos
Sour cream

Heat in a crock pot several hours and top with shredded cheese, fritos and sour cream.

Cheesy Tomato Soup

Ok this one is so easy it's almost cheating. It only has 4 ingredients and tastes just like grilled cheese and tomato soup. But with less dishes!

Cheesy Tomato Soup
1 can tomato soup
1 can cheese soup
1 1/4 cup milk
French bread

Combine, stir over medium heat until creamy and warm. You do have to continually stir it so the milk doesn't scorch on the bottom, but it hardly takes any time. Dip bread into the soup. Grilled cheese and tomato soup in one dish! Now that's my kind of soup.

Potato Soup

This is my mom's recipe and it always reminds me of her. I'll try to make it as specific as I can, but my mom just puts things in a pot until it tastes right so I'm guessing here!

6-10 potatoes, depending on how many people you're feeding
1 ham steak
1 stick butter
1 can cream of chicken soup
Milk, I'm guessing about 2 cups....
Pepper and salt to taste

Peel and diced the potatoes. Boil them until soft in water. Dice up the ham steak (or leftovers from Thanksgiving!). Drain the water from the potatoes, add ham, butter, cream of chicken soup and milk. I'm guessing it's about 2 cups of milk, but I've never measured it. I would start with less, but it depends on how soup-y you want it. Stir until butter is melted and everything is warm and creamy.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This one is probably my favorite soup to make. It's so tasty and (of course) easy! This one is probably the easiest one I have. The only thing you have to prep is to dice an onion. Easy right?

2 chicken breasts, uncooked
2 can Ro-Tel
1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can corn, drained
1 onion, diced
2 cans chicken broth
1 cup water
1 packet Taco seasoning
Tortilla chips
Shredded cheese

Combine Ro-Tel, both beans, corn, onion, chicken broth, water, and taco seasoning in a crock pot. Place chicken on top. Make sure it's at least partly submerged in liquid. Cook on low 8-9 hours or high 6-7 hours. Shred the chicken (this is really easy since it's been cooking all day!) Top with chips and cheese.

Taco Chili

My husband is not really a fan of soups or chilies. He doesn't think you can really make a meal out of it. But he loves this chili! I also love it since it sits in the crock pot all day and I don't have to 'make' dinner after work. Win, win. =)

Taco Chili
1 pound ground beef
1 chopped onion
1 teaspoon cumin
2 can Ro-Tel
16 oz tomato sauce
1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can chili beans
1 (8 oz) can sliced black olives
1 green pepper, diced
1 packet of Taco seasoning
1 packet dry Ranch dressing

Brown beef with onion and cumin, drain fat. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a crock pot or large pot. Cook till warm. I prepare all this the night before and stick it in the fridge it overnight. Then I cook mine in a crock pot on low for about 8 hours. The longer this cooks, the spicier it'll be so if you prefer a more mild chili, I would recommend cooking it in a pot instead of all day in the crock pot.

Meatball soup

Today's soup is Meatball Soup. This one is so easy and filling! And even better, you only need one pot. Less dishes always makes a meal better don't you think?

Meatball Soup
1 packet (1 ox) onion soup mix
2 cups chopped carrots (about 2)
4 cups water
1 (14.5 oz) can stewed tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz) can green beans, drained
3 (14.5 oz) cans chicken broth
1 (16 oz) package frozen mixed vegetables
1 pound ground beef
1 egg
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup dry bread crumbs
Pinch black pepper
1 cup uncooked alphabet pasta (I've also used egg noodles or macaroni)

In a very large pot over med high heat combine soup mix, carrots and water. Cook until carrots are tender. Add tomatoes, green beans, broth and vegetables, simmer 15 minutes. Meanwhile combine beef, egg, cheese and bread crumbs and roll into bite sized meatballs. Yes, the beef is uncooked at this point. Add to soup, simmer 20 minutes. Add pasta, simmer 15 more minutes.