Although the name of this recipe is not so appealing, this Pea Soup & Homemade Croutons is extremely easy to make and so delicious! The soup is filled with fiber to fill you up and the croutons make it feel a little fancy without the fuss. It's still hot here in Philadelphia, and I made this soup right after I was DRENCHED in sweat from a humid run on Sunday morning, so I have really no clue what urged me to make soup, but I was flipping through a cookbook and came across a pea soup recipe and it just called to me. Of all things? Like usual, I didn't follow the recipe. I don't like following recipes, I just like creating them and hoping they come out great - it keeps it fun.

Here's what you'll need:

For the croutons: 

• 2 slices of cubed wheat bread
• Olive oil or olive oil spray
• Kosher salt & pepper

What to do:

• Preheat your oven (or toaster oven) to 300 degrees
• Lay out the cubed bread on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil/spray with olive oil spray
• Sprinkle salt and pepper
• Bake for 25 minutes

For the Soup: 

• 2 bags of frozen peas (told you I like to keep things simple.) I used 2 10 oz bags.
• 1 white or yellow onion
• 6-7 cloves of garlic (you can tone this down, I just REALLY love garlic.)
• 5 cups of low sodium chicken broth (or veggie broth if you are not a carnivore.)
• Salt, pepper, paprika to taste
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 3 tablespoons butter

What to do: 

• Melt the butter in a big dutch oven pan
• Add the chopped onions and garlic (rough chop)
• Saute until the onions become slightly transparent
• Add in the broth
• Let it come to a boil
• Add in both bags of peas and lower heat to simmer, covered, for 10 minutes
• Season to taste
• Turn off the heat and let everything cool
• Once cooled a bit, add to a big blender or food processor to puree
• Lastly, add in the sour cream and blend

That's it! Told you it was easy. I can't wait until the weather cools down a bit so I can try out new soup and crockpot recipes.

I ventured out for a 3 mile run this morning and it was HUMID. The humidity really affects how I run. My legs feel like cement pillars and my lungs feel like they can't hold enough air. Does anyone else feel this way or do you like running in the humidity? I stopped to walk a bit. It's crazy to me how our bodies respond differently to different times and temperatures. I don't get how I can run a nice 8 miles one day and then 3 miles another day feels like crap. OY.

But I guess that's life, sometimes we win and sometimes we don't :)

Alright I need to go make breakfast and get myself together! I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

XO - Rach

What's everyone got planned for the long weekend?

It's hump day (YAY two more days until the weekend) and I've got another yummy recipe for you!

I started today bright and early with a 3 mile run. I've been absolutely loving my runs lately, in case you were wondering. I think what has made running so great in the last few weeks is getting to explore a whole new neighborhood. If you're ever in Philadelphia, take a day to explore the Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill area - it's gorgeous! As much as I love being in the city, the new area that I live in is more suburban, and it's such a breath of fresh air. I don't have to wait to cross the streets in the mornings and the greenery is amazing. It's fun to run past all of the little bakeries, boutiques and little markets. I also like to run down the streets where the "millionaires" live - looking at the big homes takes my mind off of all the HILLS.

After running, I came back to shower real quick and didn't really have time to cook anything for breakfast, so I threw together this easy bowl before catching the train to work. The high-protein main ingredient is...cottage cheese! I didn't want to title this post "Cottage Cheese Bowl" because I have a feeling that a lot of people get grossed out by cottage cheese. You shouldn't be - it's delicious! And super versatile. And packs a punch of protein.

Anyway, I threw together about a cup of cottage cheese, 1/2 a banana, 1 small plum, blueberries, a handful of chopped walnuts, a sprinkle of coconut and a drizzle of honey. It's a refreshing breakfast or snack. I would much rather eat fruit with cottage cheese or ricotta cheese than yogurt - is that weird? Who cares. I LOVE CHEESE.

Okay enjoy :)

-Rach

Cottage cheese - love it or hate it? 

How do you get your protein in the morning?

Hello hello! I've got a really delicious fish taco recipe for you!! I was really craving sushi tonight but my wallet wasn't so I picked my next favorite type of food - tacos!

The sauce makes these. I also totally meant to add shredded cheese and I forgot. Sad. Clearly didn't notice much! But If you make these I would suggest the cheese. The recipe makes two hearty tacos.

Taco Ingredients: 

• 1/2 green pepper sliced thinly
• 1/4 cup sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup black beans drained and rinsed
• 1/4 avocado
• 1/4-1/2 cup sliced romaine lettuce
• Kosher salt & pepper
• Trader Joe's Taco spice mix (or any taco mix!)
• 1 cod filet
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tortillas (I used La Tortilla light flour tortillas)
• For the yogurt sauce:
• 1/2 cup low-fat greek yogurt
• 2-3 tablespoons sriracha
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (I squeezed a fresh one so this is a guesstimate)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp taco mix

Directions:

• Heat half of the olive oil in a medium pan
• Cook the peppers and onions on medium heat until cooked through but still a little crunchy - place in a bowl to the side
• Pat cod filet dry and season with salt and taco mix - place in heated pan with other half of oil
• Cook for about 6 minutes - As it cooked it became flaky and I forked the fish into small pieces
• Set to the side and make the sauce by combining all of the ingredients and stirring until smooth
• Heat the tortillas
• Place fish on the tortillas and top with veggies, beans, lettuce, avocado and yogurt sauce and give everything an extra spritz of lime!

These are so good I already decided I am making them another night this week. Fish tacos remind me of vacation and I always kind of wish I was on vacation. Don't you?

Hope you like these!

-Rach