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Saturday, January 25 2014

Chicken Soup

There is hardly anything more satisfying on a cold day than a steaming bowl of chicken soup.  It is great to sip while you are reading a good mystery, psychological thriller or other book.  It is easy to make.  Here’s how I do it.  I use organic chicken and vegetables, and I don't mind if a little soil stays on the vegetables—minerals are good for you.

One 3 to 4 lb whole chicken, skin on.

6 to 8 stalks of celery, leaves on

3 large carrots

1 large yellow onion

1 medium turnip

1 large sprig of fresh thyme

Several stems of fresh Italian parsley

1 bay leaf

Several green and red whole peppercorns

Sea salt to taste

3 to 4 quarts of filtered water

Chop celery, carrots, onion, & turnip in large pieces and place in a large stockpot.  Do not peel anything, even the onion.  The skin imparts a lovely caramel color to the broth. Add the water and turn the heat on high.  Meanwhile, rinse the chicken and pull off the fat near the tail.  You can discard the internal organs or use them for something else (my dogs devour them after I boil them), but I throw the neck in the stockpot, too.  Place the chicken in the pot.  Add the bay leaf, thyme, parsley, peppercorns, parsley, and salt.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer, cover.  Let the stock cook for 2 to 3 hours.  Afterwards, strain the stock in a large colander.  Save the stock, discard the cooked vegetables and shred the chicken meat.

Finished Stock

In a saucepan, add the amount of stock you want for soup, freeze the rest.  Add a generous potion of white and dark chicken meat.  Slice 1 or more large carrots on rounds and add to saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Add noodles of your choice or cooked rice.  Trisha Yearwood published her mother’s recipe a few years ago that has frozen or fresh green peas in it.  I love this touch and recommend it.  As soon as carrots are tender, adjust the salt and pepper and the soup is ready.

Chicken Soup

Enjoy it by the bowl or mug.  I like mine without noodles or rice, but I do add them (already cooked) from time to time for other people.

Posted by: Jody Zimmerman AT 12:36 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Thursday, January 23 2014

The practice of yoga has changed my life more than I can describe in words.  It has taught me so much about myself, about others, and about how I fit into the world and the universe.  Yoga feels to me like a guardian angel, gently nudging me onward in a direction that is right for me, which has included becoming a yoga instructor, publishing my mystery/pschological thriller, Blood Brothers, and rearranging my life to live each day fuller.  I am so blessed to have found yoga, so much so that part of my mission in life is to share it with others.  Today I'd like to tell you about three things I cherish that yoga has taught me.

Patience - To Live in the Present

Balance - Understanding Moderation

Strength - Of Body, Mind, & Spirit

If you have any specific questions about how yoga might help you, send me an email to jodyzimmerman@mac.com

Posted by: Jody Zimmerman AT 08:08 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
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