Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is seriously one of THE easiest recipes. So easy we have it often, those days I forget to thaw chicken the night before or just want dinner done when I get home.

 

 

In the crock pot (with a disposable liner)

 

12 oz chicken stock

3 Tbs homemade cream of chicken mix (cornstarch, seasoning and powdered milk)

Mix those 2 up a little, nothing serious

1C salsa. I blend ours cause hubbby doesn't like chunks

1C corn

beans if you like them

combine that all together

2 frozen chicken breast, thawed if you need it sooner than 8 hours.

If the chicken isn't mostly covered in liquid, add some spicy v8 or more salsa/chicken stock

 I cook hours 8-10 hours on low then

I just shred the chicken with a fork just before it's time to dish up, add some cheese, tortilla strips and sour cream, cilantro if we have it around.

 

Super easy, delish and not a budget buster! We pretty much have all of those things on hand other than cilantro and none of them are expensive.

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Bacon Potato Soup

This is a frequent meal here, it's easy, fairly inexpensive and everyone will eat it!

I wish I used recipes, that would make things easier to share. I don't, but I took pictures and can give y'all and idea.

 

I usually make this after we make bacon, it's just easier and saves on other ingredients!

I use the same pan hubby made bacon in, I hate making bacon, I keep about a tablespoon of the bacon grease in the pan, on medium heat.

 

Peal and cut about 7 potatoes, we make a bog pot and have lunch leftovers.

I use the apple corer/slice to cut potatoes. I don't care if they are all uniform shape and it gets the job done a little faster.

 

 

 Then I just toss them in the bacon grease and let them fry up for a few minutes.

 

Once that is done, I add the potatoes to a bigger pot with some milk and chicken stock, just enough to barely cover the potatoes. Then I add my spices, Cumin, Paprika, Thyme, Chili Powder and Nutmeg, and 1/2-1 Tablespoon Mustard, not enough to be a loud flavor, it's pretty subtle but good!

 

 

Then I just let it cook on low-medium until the potatoes are cooked all the way through. Some of the smaller potatoes break down a little bit making it a creamier soup.

Once it's done we add some cheese, bacon, sour cream, broccoli (if only the kids would eat it) and any other topping! Good way to clean out the fridge!

 

 



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Giving in to the Coffee Pot!

I really really don't like counter clutter! I just feel like counter stuff, no matter how clean it is, looks messy, and makes kitchens look so much smaller! Usually we have nothing that stays on the counter, but I am giving in to the coffee pot (for now)

 

I decided this one little area can be sacrificed to counter stuff, but it had to be as pretty as it can be. We've had this little plate, cup holder for a few years, it's dainty and simple but holds 6 cups and 6 plates and has some room for some other fluff.  I am just using one plate slot for napkins. I hung some of mugs and used a couple little mason jars and containers for coffee spoons and sugar!

 

I like that if we have someone over, everything is right there and easy to find.

 

Still can't bring myself to leave the toaster out, and that coffee pot might be swapped out for a smaller one if I can find a deal!

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November goal update

I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. It's almost time to set some more goals! So much has changed this year and it's hard to remember what January was like at all.

This is the second to last update, crazy and not entirely successful but we made it through!

 

Budgeting/Debt

I shared on facebook that I had the chance to work a bunch of overtime, and I still do. I just got the paycheck from those crazy 20 days in a row of work, a lot of them being 12 hour days. Paid off 1 more credit card, feels good to do that, and it's a great push to work some more overtime if it works for our schedule!

Another way we have saved over the year is calling and asking for a lower interest rate on the nasty debt we do have. This is a every few months job, it's not fun and waiting on hold stinks. But if it saves some in the long run it's worth it. Same with car and homeowners insurance. I get a re-quote every 6 months. Last time it went down $8 a month, which I realize doesn't seem like THAT much but it's almost $100 in a year.
If you haven't called yours lately, try doing 1 a day and see if it saves you anything!

 

I have kept track of debt each month the whole year and am excited to see where we are at January 1st 2014 compared with January 2013! Not only will there be less in $, but how much smaller the list is, is really encouraging! I have a feeling December won't be as successful with paying towards debt. I am feeling the urge to schedule lots of family activities and those aren't free. Holiday cooking will for sure put me over the grocery budget a little too!
I am doing my best not to stress about it too much, and enjoy December and Christmas!

Life and other stuff
I don't think I made it to the gym much this year, not at all this month. I miss the fun workouts and haven't lost a pound but haven't gone the other way either, so for now I will be ok with that.

Hubby went out of town for a week for work, goodness I forget what a mess I am when he is gone! Makes me appreciate all that he does when he is here, not just stuff like take the garbage out, but the important stuff like listening to me and my crazy ideas, tucking our babies in and keeping me warm.
So happy that the week long trips aren't nearly as often as before!

I had maybe 2 Starbucks all month, for sure think it be considered a done thing for 2014! I also did way better with drinking water instead of pop. I know how horrible it is, hard habit to break. One bad habit at a time. Paid for coffee gone, pop next!

We had a super Thanksgiving, and we really have SO much to be thankful for.  Happy our kids realize how blessed they are!


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