Pizza Soup

     Today is a wonderful lazy day! We go to church on Saturday evenings, which means on Sundays, we literally try to do as little as possible and relax. It is the only day that we aren't running around like crazy people, and I am thankful for this day of rest!

     This past week was as busy as ever. I've been keeping up with my workouts, and I am already starting to see results. After just a few weeks, my body is becoming toned, and my clothes are fitting differently. It's exciting to see changes, and it gives me the motivation to work even harder. Every day we focus on a particular area, doing weights for that area, and giving other areas a chance to rest. We still go to the track and run, and my endurance is getting much better. And of course, we are still boxing!

     Karl hasn't let me skip a day, and I'm thankful because if I'm given a little slack, I'll take a whole lot! He says that when your body gets used to a workout cycle, and if you miss a day, your body is prepared to burn those calories, but since it doesn't, it stores them as extra fat. So I think about that when I'm feeling lazy. We also switch up our workout every time so that our body doesn't get used to it and stop burning as many calories, and so it doesn't get boring. 

     Yesterday I was craving pizza. I almost ordered one at like midnight, because it was all I could think about. Those days are the worst. And when I get a craving, it doesn't just go away. I will crave something for DAYS until I either give in or find a suitable substitute. Today, I made Pizza Soup. I just started throwing things into a pot until it was delicious. Definitely not as good as real pizza with a crust, but my body will thank me. I don't want to get into the pattern of thinking I've worked so hard, I've earned a reward, and start eating whatever I want. Then what would be the point of working out if I blow all those burned calories on junk? And there's the fact that it's not paleo. Blah, blah, blah, onto the soup recipe.

Pizza Soup

Ingredients

1 LB ground grass-fed beef

1/2 - 1 LB sausage 

2 cans diced tomatos

1/2 red bell pepper

1/2 yellow bell pepper

1/2 onion

handful of mushrooms (chopped finely so the hubby doesn't suspect anything...)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp basil

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

2 quarts water

Romano cheese, for garnish

Brown the beef and sausage in a big soup pot. There is usually so little fat in grass-fed meat that I don't have to drain it, but by all means, do so if you need to. Then add the rest of the ingredients, bring to a light boil and cook for 30 minutes or until the veggies are tender. 

Top with Romano cheese, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Eat three bowls full, and don't feel guilty... After all, there was no crust.