Vegetarian or Vegan Taco Soup

I was reading a thread somewhere online with soup ideas when someone mentioned Taco Soup. I really liked the idea because the basis of the recipe is pretty much open cans, dump into pot. Very simple for work nights or when you need a quick lunch on the weekend. I did some tweaking to make it my own :)

Taco Soup

1 tbs oil of choice (optional)
1 large onion, chopped or 1/4 c. dried minced onion
1 pkg. taco seasoning (1/4 c. )
2 c. frozen corn
2 cups veggie broth or water
1 can black beans, undrained
1 can Kidney Beans, undrained
1 can fat free refried beans
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cups salsa or 1 can spicy seasoned tomatoes (think Rotel)
8oz fresh button mushrooms, roughly chopped
small handful fresh cilantro, chopped

optional add-ins

sliced avocado
sour cream (vegan or reg.)
shredded cheddar (vegan or reg.)
tortilla chips
black olives
chopped fresh tomatoes
1/2 c. rice per serving
chopped lettuce
lime wedges

Saute onions if using fresh in 1tbs oil of your choice until translucent

Dump everything except mushrooms, cilantro, and add ins into the pot

Simmer for 45 minutes

*You could also dump everything in a crockpot before heading out the door and set it to low

Turn off heat and add in chopped mushrooms. Stir to incorporate

Put into bowls to serve. Top with a few pinches of cilantro and your choice of add ins

Enjoy!

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Sunday Coupon Preview 3/6

There will be two inserts in this Sunday's paper; (1) SmartSource and (1) Redplum


Here are a few of the best coupons I see:

A1 Steak Sauce or Marinade 10 oz+ Save $1/1

Celestial Seasonings tea Save $1/1

Fruitables 8 pack juice boxes Save $1/1

Click here to see all of the coupons you can expect in this Sunday's paper. Keep in mind actual coupons and there values vary depending on your region/paper.

Weight Loss Update 3/2011

My last update on my weight loss journey was way back in OCTOBER!!!! Wow. I am not so great at being consistent. I kind of stopped for a week or two on purpose, because I didn't like the results I had to show(Halloween Candy anyone?) and never started again because things just got worse as the holidays progressed. I saw an initial drop in weight and inches with my mostly vegan eating, but then my weight started creeping up again. I didn't put much effort(if any) into exercising and we got a subscription to netflix that we used nightly. Shockingly, my inches stayed down and even dropped as I gained back the weight I lost(and a few extra pounds too).

Here's a quick catch up of my stats to date(@ 4ft 11.5 inches)-

9/17

Weight 131.4lbs
Belly 34.5 in
Hips 39in
Thigh 24in

9/24

Weight 129.2
Belly 34 in
Hips 37.5in
Thigh 24in


10/1

Weight 128.6
Belly 32 in
Hips 36.5in
Thigh 23in

12/28

weight 135lbs
belly 31 in
hips 36 in
thighs 22.5 in


3/4

Weight 124.2 lbs
belly 28.5 in
hips- 33.5 in
thighs 21in


My current weight loss is about a pound a week, so at this pace I will meet my goal of 113lbs(puts me right in the middle range of a healthy BMI) in 12 weeks (May 27th). My goal end date is May 1st.

I've been exercising most days 35-60mins(5-6 days a week), I stop eating 3 hours before bed, and I wait to eat in the morning until I have had at least 2 cups of liquid(water, lemon and cayenne water, herbal or green tea unsweetened, and rarely coffee w/ cream only), and most importantly, I have stopped baking things I can't resist eating 10 servings of. I have a major sweet tooth, which I try not to "turn on". But when it somehow gets switched on I try fruit first. If that doesn't work I melt tiny bits of chocolate and add those to the fruit.


I have not been exercising the past 2 week, other than incidentally. I will be resuming my "normal" exercise schedule next week though. That should help me meet my goal of May 1st.

What do you do to lose weight? Do you have any secret tricks or tips?