Recipe: Slow Cooker Tomato Soup

I've been requested to post my recipe for slow cooker tomato soup. It's ridiculously easy!

There's two parts to the soup, the base and the options.

Part 1: The Base

My tomato soup starts off the same way every time.

Ingredients:
1 796ml Can of Crushed Tomatoes (No Added Salt)
1 796ml Can of Diced Tomatoes (No Added Salt)
Mrs. Dash (I add garlic & herb, southwest and extra spicy. Add as much as you want.)
1 tbsp of cumin
Salt & Pepper to taste.
1 Cup of Skim Milk (for a creamy texture)

I cook it 8 hours in a crock pot on low.

Part 2: The Options

This is where it gets fun. It really depends on you and what you have.

For the Whole 8 hours

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
• Pork Loin

Add in the last half hour - hour

• Frozen Corn
• Black beans/kidney beans
• Frozen Edamame
• Sweet Peppers
• Jalapeño Peppers or hotter

Add in the last 15 minutes

• Spinach
• Any herbs (I love cilantro but you can add parsley, basil, etc)
• Green onions

Add the extras

• shredded cheeses
• sour cream

If you can't be there during the last hour, prepare/cook your frozen ingredients before hand and add whenever you get home. It's delicious and my favourite soup. It changes every time.

My Why.

I've been writing this post for months. I don't know why I've been stuck on this for so long but it will be done today.

Over the last year, I have had to adjust my mindset. Christmas 2012 I spent my holiday season struggling to walk. My legs felt heavy. I was depressed. I know that it's a symptom of Multiple Sclerosis. I know I needed a round of steroids and I'd be able to walk properly again but it still was super scary. It got me thinking.

I know that my future is uncertain. I don't know when/if I will relapse. I don't know what my symptoms will be. Somethings, I just don't know. But there are things I do know:

1. I wake up every morning. Simple as that. I get up. I move. I do.

2. Life is short. I learned that from losing my mom 4 years ago. Her journey inspires me on a daily basis. She didn't give up and neither will I.

3. I workout because I can. It's not about determination or will power. It makes me feel like I can do anything. I'm stronger. Healthier. Leaner. Nicer. Happier. It is a blessing.

4. I will be able to play with my nephews, niece, cousins, etc. I will to be able to chase around my Godson and be the "cool" aunt. And at some point, I will be a "cool" mom. Maybe. I don't know if I'll be cool but I hope.

I visited the MS clinic Wednesday and my physical results haven't changed. He even noticed my arm muscles ;).  To hear that I haven't changed physically is amazing news, especially since 6 months ago, they did.

 I can do all the things I want to do. I can. I will.

That's my why.

What's yours?