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My mom found this recipe over 40 years ago. It came from a cookbook she bought from a traveling door-to-door salesman.
His name is written at the top of this page. Ha!

Anyone know Eddie?
My dad was quite upset with the fact that she let a strange man into the house…but the book still remains. Growing up, this was one of my favorite dishes. I tweaked the recipe a bit for the sake of my diet. By the way, I am down 9.5 pounds!!! Anyway. The original recipe was titled Chicken Chow Mein. The noodles add too many points for me personally, so I added soup to the title. With noodles. Without noodle. Very delicious either way.

Chicken Chow Mein Soup
servings: about 6
Weight Watchers Points Plus: 1 cup = 3 points
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken (cut in cubes and brown in 1 tbsp. olive oil or non-stick spray)
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 medium onion sliced (I slice instead of chop because I remove from soup – if you love onions you choose which way to cut)
1 can bean sprouts
1/4 cup water chestnuts
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 cups of chicken broth
1/2 cup water (may need to add a bit more)
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
Directions:
Combine chicken and olive oil in skillet. Brown chicken, remove from skillet.
Combine celery, onions, and water in skillet (same one you used to cooked the chicken). Let simmer for 10 minutes, add chicken broth, sprouts, chestnuts, soy sauce, and simmer for 20 minutes. Then I remove the onions and add chicken. Let it simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. You may want to add salt before its finished. Be careful though, the soy sauce adds a lot of salt.
Happy Thursday!
Jen
Spring semester is in full swing. Only 2 classes and a lab this semester. I will have a positive attitude and keep that attitude :) Last semester, one of my classes required 20+ hours outside of class for homework, quizzes, you name it! A lot was learned, but I will always say she required an excessive amount of work. Regardless, I got a B which made me very happy! This will be a great semester!
Along with new classes, Weight Watchers has made its debut in my life. This is the first named diet for me.
Ever.
I started 2 weeks ago, and my weight loss total is about 6 pounds. Hopefully, once gym time becomes a regular routine again (yes, Alyssa, if you are reading this, we need to find at least one day per week) maybe the pounds will fall off a bit faster ;) still I know that 2 pounds per week is a healthy, maintainable loss. The hubs is on it with me, so it makes it much easier to stick with it. He said if Sir Charles can do Weight Watchers, he can too. Love that man.
My husband, not Sir Charles. Even though I think it is hilarious the way he says “turrible”.
So with my new diet (I prefer lifestyle change) broadcast for the world to see, I will be sharing low fat recipes from time to time…with Weight Watchers Points+ included. Most will be my personal recipes, so the points will be approximate from my calculations. If you are on the diet, and use the recipes, feel free to calculate the points again.
I don’t want you to go over your points. For those who have never been on or heard of this diet, points are everything.
I hope I don’t start having nightmares about points.
I have said that word many, many time over the past two weeks.
Living with less update. The upstairs area looks like we just moved in. Stuff everywhere.
The good news…the stuff is on it’s way OUT of our house. Some to a local charity, some to the elementary school, and some to recyclables/trash. Over the next few weeks, extra time will be spent continuing to clean out. Then, hopefully, other projects/rooms on my list will be started and/or finished. Fingers crossed.
****Disclaimer: Not that I need one :) but Weight Watchers doesn’t know me…except for the payment I made to them 2 weeks ago. Nothing wrong with compensation, but no moolah has been sent to me.****
Happy Tuesday!
Jen
Happy Thursday! Thursday has always been my favorite day of the week :) Hope you are having a great one. Today, I have a Living with Less update…the guest room closet reveal.

No, it’s not elaborately organized, but it is functional. The storage containers are filled with seasonal decorations and craft supplies. Glad to have these items all in one location.
I allowed myself one hour to sort through everything that was in the closet – keep or donate – the only options ;)

I kept one storage container (dust included), moved some items to the kitchen (yes, to be used), and the rest is waiting to be donated.

These frames will be used for the gallery wall/shelf. I have procrastinated on that project for way to long. It will get done :) Has anyone else been cleaning out/organizing..or at least attempting too?
Talk to you soon.
Jen
Hopefully, your New Year is off to a fantastic beginning!!! The start of a new year always brings new possibilities, new dreams, and new project lists for me. Lists, lists, lists…and storage containers. For years, my solution for clutter (a.k.a stuff) organization has been storage containers. My husband will get a good laugh out of this post ;) Throw it in a container, and BAM! its clean. Whatever! Out of sight, but not out of mind. Not my mind anyway.
Storage containers are useful. For things like camping gear, sports equipment, seasonal items (décor, clothes, shoes, etc.)…items that need to or should be stored.
Storage containers are not meant (in my opinion) for these items: I found on this clearance but really don’t have a place for it, 236 gifts bags, oh we may use that one day, WTH is this anyway…..you get my point ;)
My year will not be based around organization. I have organized stuff/junk/things for years! My year will be based on simplifying my life and home. Living with less in 2012 :)
I posted my guest room bedroom closet last week.

Since then, I moved everything from the closet OUT and into the bedroom.


Yes, that sofa is still in the room.
How many storage containers do you see?

The closet looks the way it did when we moved in 3 years ago.
I am slowly sorting through items to keep, donate, and/or makeover. I will keep you posted.
Happy Thursday!
Jen