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Turkey Taco Soup

Today I want to share with you a recipe that is both delicious and healthy! I love taco soup, I can eat it plain or with toppings and either way I am satisfied! While I enjoy traditional taco soup with beef, I try and make a healthier turkey version on the regular. This recipe is only 198 calories/bowl…so dig in!

What you need:

Extra lean ground turkey(or the leanest version that you can find)
1 can of low sodium kidney beans, drained
1 can of fat free refried beans
16 ounces of reduced sodium chicken broth
8 ounce can of no salt added tomato sauce
1 can of corn, drained
1 packet of 40% less sodium taco seasoning
1 can of Rotel
1 diced green bell pepper
1 diced small onion

What you do:

Get a large pot and brown your turkey.

Add in onions and peppers, and cook for 5 minutes.

Add rest of ingredients and bring to a boil.

Once boiled, simmer for 15 minutes.

If I am adding toppings, I love to serve mine with a very small dollop of Daisy (I am singing the song while I type this), jalapenos, green onions, and a little bit of cheddar or Mexican shredded cheese.

June 25, 2013 by
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Weekend Shenanigans

Well, hello there. It is the most dreaded day of the week once again. Here’s to hoping 5:00 pm comes sooner than later! Time for the Weekend Shenanigans!

Sami's Shenanigans
Friday morning, the dogs were all play. It was hard to make them stop and go to the crates, they were just too cute! 

Friday evening after work, Chris and I headed downtown and ended up at On Tap. We hung out on their patio for awhile and enjoyed the beautiful summer weather, you know…the kind where it is pretty hot but not unbearably so….because that will probably be next week.
Saturday we got up and got ready and headed out for the morning. We went to Bargain Hunt and What’s on 2nd. I love looking around What’s on 2nd. So many things remind me of my childhood in there. What I find really entertaining is all of the hipster teenagers in there walking around fascinated by the vintage Super Nintendo games. Since when did these become vintage? They were a huge part of my childhood. I remember getting my Super Nintendo from my grandmother for Christmas in elementary school. Chris and I still enjoy those games today!
After our outing, we came home and enjoyed some time outside on our deck. The dogs were a little hot, and took turns sitting under the chair in the shade. Too cute.

Saturday evening we went to Chris’s sisters house for dinner. Our brother in law fired up the grill and made some delicious steaks, and we just hung around and talked for hours. Chris has an awesome Mickey Mouse voice they he amused our nephew with. So cute! 
Sunday we made plans to hang out with his sister again. We went back to Bargain Hunt, and also hit up 2nd and Charles, Zone One…and Andrea and I snuck in some time at Kirkland’s, Pier 1 and Rack Room. I found these owl canisters at Kirkland’s and I am just going to have to have them! I mean, how cute are these? They had a ton of stuff that I want, I am going to have to go back soon.

We hit up Jim n  Nicks patio for lunch, and then enjoyed some Yogurt Mountain on our way home. Have you tried their Peanut Butter Pie flavor yet? Dear heavens, it is amazing. I put a few Reese cups pieces on it and…well yum yum yummy!

Now it is back to reality today. Hope everyone has a great week!
June 24, 2013 by
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Fitbit Don’t Lie



So as you know, I purchased a Fitbit last week and got an amazing deal on it! I have been paying attention to how many steps I take daily and am sure to hit at least my stair climb goal each day if nothing else! I have been better about logging my daily food into my fitness pal and the Fitbit site as well. I’m not perfect at it yet, but doing this is better than nothing.

I wore my Fitbit at my last job for several days. I always hit about the same amount of daily steps, which was just about my daily goal. On the weekends I have no problems exceeding my goals. This is my first week at my new job, and I am averaging about 4,000 less steps a day! I have even walked to lunch the last two days, which is about 1/2 mile each way. It is crazy how much getting up and walking across the building to the printer and to the accounting room added up before. Even though I  consuming less calories this week by not having any snacks…I just don’t feel as good with less activity/movement. It’s time to get serious about fitting in work outs. I’m not going to see any results until I incorporate this into my daily life. How many times have I said I’m going to get serious, I’m not sure….but for real people! I work until 5:30-6:00 most night and don’t get home until 6:00-6:45, so working out after work isn’t really an option. I like to go to bed between 9:00-10:00 because I wake up at 5:00 am every morning and I like to come home, eat dinner, relax and spend time with my husband. 

I want to get an elliptical machine for our house, start waking up at 4:30 am and getting in cardio 5 days a week that way. Until we can afford one, I’m going to have to so something else. I hate work out DVDs but I don’t know what other choice I have. Do any of you work out at home? What are you doing? I need some inspiration ASAP!



June 20, 2013 by
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What I am Loving

It’s Wednesday? This week is going by pretty fast, so fast I let Tuesday get away from me! 

I am loving:

This dress that I bought at JCPenney for $15.

The Jade Boutique in Trussville, super cute stuff and reasonable prices!! I checked it out this past weekend with my mom and sister and have added some stuff to my wish list.
Anti-bac lotion from Kate Somerville. I went 2 weeks without it and paid for it big time. It is amazing how much better my skin looks when I use this product, I will never let myself run out again. Ever! If you have problems with break outs, do not walk but RUN to your nearest Sephora and get you some of this!

My Fitbit One. Seriously….best money ever spent. I am constantly trying to hit my daily goals with this thing. It says things like smooches Nadine, I like you and way to go..so I don’t hate the encouragement either. It also made me realize how little I walk around the office at my new job compared to the last one! I miss having the printer on the other side of the building, who would have thought! I was averaging 4,000 more steps/day at my last job so I am going to have to do a lot more moving around after work apparently!

Cherries! Yum yum yummy! How I love nothing more than a nice fresh bowl of juicy, perfectly ripe cherries. I am hoping the price per pound drops soon, as I would like these in my life daily!
What are you loving today?

June 19, 2013 by
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Weekend Shenanigans

Friday was my last day at work. It was bitter sweet. I was excited for my new job and opportunities for what lies ahead in the future, but sad to say goodbye to some wonderful people. The girls and I headed to lunch at Ashley Mac’s! 

And then this happened. Yum yum Yogurt Mountain.

It was really hard leaving Friday afternoon. I really am going to miss a lot of the people I worked with, the casual atmosphere that we had most of the time, my morning chit chats with the girls.  I may or may not shed a few tears as I walked out the door. Ridiculous, right?
Friday night Chris and I had dinner at Panchos and got some items for him to build a new media computer. 
Saturday was full of family fun! I spent the afternoon with my mom, sister and 2 of my nephews. We went to some of the boutiques in Trussville and had Moe’s BBQ for lunch. I love spending time with them!

Saturday evening Chris and I headed to his sisters house to hang out and have dinner. They even made us homemade ice cream!!

Sunday we got back together with my sister in law and brother in law to go to Bargain Hunt and What’s on 2nd. Love hanging out with them and this little guy!

Sunday afternoon Chris and I headed to the grocery store, then I made Cajun Chicken Pasta. Yummy! 

Sunday night I started to get nervous about my new job. Did I make the right decision? Are they going to like me? Will I be able to do what is expected of me? What will my first day be like? I tracked my sleep with my Fitbit for Sunday night and I woke up 11 times! Goodness. No wonder why I was tired today. 
Sorry I didn’t get this post up sooner. I don’t have as much time in the mornings to post now, I’m going to try a different schedule/ routine in the morning. 
I hope everyone had a great Monday! 
June 17, 2013 by