My Granddaddy is known for his vegetable beef soup! Growing up, I couldn’t get enough!! Even when I went to college, he would make it in bulk and freeze it for me to take back to school. Man, it’s the best! Now, this isn’t his recipe, but he definitely is the inspiration behind it. As y’all know, I am ALL about using what is already in the pantry. I try to keep vegetables stocked up at home {canned or frozen} because they make it so easy to throw something together that is nutritious. I had some left over ground beef –from making spicy cranberry meatballs for our Christmas Party {see more about that here} and I wanted to use it before it went bad. {FYI, I made this recipe back in December, but am just now posting it! So the beef was just two days old, not two months! haha}. I threw in whatever I could find in my cabinets/fridge that I needed to use. That is the great thing about soups– you can really throw in whatever you have and it turns out great!! This soup hit the spot. It is a blizzard today in NYC and I am craving this soup, which is was led me to post it today. I just want to stay at home, bundle up on the couch and eat this soup!! Take a look…
Author Archives: Norma Powell, MS, RD, CDN
Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Daniel and I had such a nice, relaxing weekend! We went to a concert with friends, grabbed dinner with a buddy, went to Target, read my book, enjoyed time at church and shopped around. It was the perfect combination of fun and relaxation! We typically stay in on Sunday nights, so I always love to try new recipes. I had some ground turkey in the freezer, so I wanted to make something that would allow me to use it. This dish was inspired by Primavera Kitchen and is so good!! Usually, ground turkey can be bland in taste, but I think using a flavored olive oil helped bring it to life! I was pleasantly surprised at just how flavorful this dish turned out. AND it is healthy and super easy to make!! We will definitely be making it again– but next time, I may use even more sweet potatoes!
Slow Cooker Skirt Steak Pasta
My girl SkinnyTaste did it again with another amazing recipe from her new cook book, Fast and Slow. If you don’t have it, you need it in your life. You won’t regret it. I have also made a versions of her Brussels Sprout HashandCrockpot Chicken Soup, both were amazing!This slow cooker beef ragu is SO easy and delicious. I put the beef in the crockpot before church and was able to run errands all afternoon without worrying about preparing for dinner. It basically cooks itself, which is a bonus! It’s just as comforting and delicious as it sounds. Add a glass of red wine {if you’re of age, of course :P} and it is perfection. Take a look…
Simple Christmas Tablescape
I LOVE, deeply love, everything about Christmas!! We got our tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving and every time I walk in the door I turn on Christmas music… not kidding. The smell of the fresh tree, the sound of joyful music and all the pretty decorations, what is not to love?! My mom recently got these festive reindeer napkin holders from a store in my hometown {shout out to Initially Yours} that I think make a fun holiday table setting!! When I think about setting the table and wanting it to have the “look” that every Instagram account dreams of, it can be a bit overwhelming, so it is nice to be reminded that just one simple addition, like a fun napkin ring, can complete the table! Take a look…
How to {Healthfully} Navigate the Holiday Feast
THE HOLIDAYS ARE HEREEEE!!! Did you know the average person gains between 8-10lbs over the holidays? That’s 100lbs over 10 years– yikes!!! It is so easy to put on a few LBs with all the delicious comfort food and big fluffy jackets that cover up so much that you forget what your own body looks like, amiright? However, the holidays don’t HAVE to result in unwanted weight gain. It is so important to be aware and {mentally} prepared going into the holiday season. As a Registered Dietitian I feel it is my duty to share some tips on the subject… so here it goes!! Take a look…
Turkey Taco Spaghetti Squash
THIS.IS.DELICIOUS. Seriously. New favorite recipe!! Spaghetti squash used to intimidate me because I never cooked with it much before, and when I did cook it I don’t think I did it right. But honestly its amazing how simple it is {when you actually look up how to cook it;)}. I have been in a carb swap mode lately and {shocking} I love tacos, so why not try taco spaghetti squash boats?! There are actually a lot of recipes out there for spaghetti squash— Alfredo, pesto, tomato sauce and everything in between. Inspired by my girl Skinnytaste, with a touch of L+J, this one is a keeper!
Crockpot Chicken Soup
Happy fall, y’all!! The temperature has dropped in NYC and that means it is time to bust out the crockpot. I have this thing about fall and crockpots… basically I try and cook every meal in the crockpot when the season changes to the fall/winter months for some reason. Just seems cozy {and easy}! So today I woke up a little under the weather, which is weird because I haven’t been congested in a long time. But, I traveled this weekend and stayed in a hotel which usually gives me the sniffles.
Anywho, because of that, I woke up wanting chicken noodle soup. My sweet hubby was going to make it for me and then reminded me that I just bought the new Skinnytaste Fast and Slow cookbook. I love all things Skinnytaste and was pumped to get her new cookbook. I flipped to the soup section and found a recipe titled “Pressure Cooker Chicken Soup for my Soul”. Well, I don’t have a pressure cooker and I assumed it was chicken noodle. It was not but it got me inspired!! Take a look…
Simple Fall Tablescape
Fall is here!!! I love fall for many reasons. First, the weather. Second, the clothes. Who doesn’t love wearing boots and scarves everyday? Third, it’s the start of the holiday season! Which means every month we have a different reason to celebrate and get to add those seasonal splashes to our home to make it extra cozy and inviting! Take a look…
Cauliflower Fried Rice
I love rice and could eat it in every form, flavor and cuisine. I’m always looking for ways to make my favorite dishes healthier, without losing the flavor! I’ve even made quinoa fried rice {here}.
When I do have rice, I try to eat mainly brown rice to get some good whole grains in my diet. But, when I’m wanting to save some calories and carbs, I turn to cauliflower rice. Let’s just take a second to appreciate the creation of cauliflower rice. I mean, genius!!
This recipe was so easy and delicious and I’m excited to share it with you!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars {Chickpea Brownies}
Okay, so raise your hand if you love warm, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth ddddddelicious chocolate chip cookies….if you don’t have your hand raised, I’m questioning your character {kidding, sort of 😉 }. Also, if you don’t have your hand raised, I bet you will after you try these! Y’all, this recipe is UH-MAZING and you can go back for seconds {or thirds} without feeling guilty. There is NO flour and NO added sugar… and yes, they still taste yummy!