Trading Tada Tamale Soup recipe for Progresso Soup Souper You Contest Vote

So you're trying to watch calories and Mexican food is calling your name. Love tamales but gave them up because by the time you covered them in chili and cheese you’re on calorie overload and can't eat anything for days or have to exercise forever to make up for it? Don’t despair. A few quick ingredients and craving solved. Be prepared for yumminess (yes, I'm declaring this is a word!). My husband even said he liked this better than the chili/cheese combo:

Lady Mac’s Tada Tamale Soup
Estimate Weight Watcher Points for full pot of soup – 28 (4 to 6 servings – this is up to you)

Saute 1 diced onion ( I prefer yellow, but pretty much any onion will do) in 1 tablespoon of oil.
Add 2 cans Progresso Light Soup’s Southwestern-Style Vegetable Soup.
Add 1 can diced, fire-roasted tomatoes (don’t drain).
Cook on medium heat until heated through.

While soup is heating, slice tamales into bite sized pieces. I used Pedro’s Pork Tamales. (WW points may vary if you use a different brand).

Once the soup has heated through, toss in the tamale bites. Heat just long enough to warm the tamales. (Over cook and you get mushy soup. We like it this way thought too!)

Tada – dinner’s ready, soup’s on! Enjoy!

Optional - adding diced bell peppers (any color) and/or diced jalapeno peppers would also be good. You're on your own when it comes to level of heat you add in.

And of course, please keep voting daily for me until April 12!

Click here for the original story behind this post.

Game on...Shamelessly Seeking Your Vote in My Journey

When I stumbled upon the Progresso Soup Souper You Contest, I decided what the heck. The only way to have a chance to win was to enter the contest. All I had to do was submit an original photo and write a few words about the soup. Then I would have a long shot at a trip to New York (never been there) and a make over (needed).

My words were simple, limited by the contest specifications - "April 2008 I started a journey to get healthier. Progresso Light Zesty Southwestern-Style Vegetable Soup is one of my go to meals. I've lost 75 pounds & have another 30 to go. Please soup up my style."

And yes, I really do enjoy Progresso Southwestern-Style Vegetable Soup.

For quick comfort meal, mix two cans of the vegetable soup and one can chicken stock. Make some Bisquick dumplings to go on top of the soup and enjoy. Because the soup is so low calorie, this is still Weight Watcher point friendly.

Not concerned about WW points - try a warm mug of Progresso's Tomato Basil Soup with a splash of milk. Spend a little extra effort to make Emeril's Grill it Up a Notch Ham and Cheese Sandwich. The only change we make to the sandwich is to substitute sourdough bread. My guys love this combination.

When it comes to weight loss, there is no magic food or pill to take. Slow and steady is the way to lose. It is important to eat a wide variety of foods in proper proportions. And, current research points to reducing total calorie intake to lose weight. Duh.

Diets don't work. Life style changes do. My advice is to try new recipes to keep things more interesting as you make life style changes. Journal what you eat. Measure at least some of the time to keep yourself honest. Keep quick meals on hand, like soup in the pantry. Eat sensibly, playfully on occasion. Yes, you're going to need to get some exercise. It also helps to surrounded yourself with great friends to share in the journey, encouraging each other, picking each other up, and getting each other back on track as life happens.

Won't you please join me in my weight loss journey and vote, vote often for Janine, through April 12?

Free Coffee if You Vote

If you vote today, you can head over to your local Starbucks (because they are basically everywhere) and enjoy a free tall cup of brew.  All you have to do is tell them that you voted, so take advantage once you vote!  If you haven't voted already, then make sure you head to the polls today and make your voice heard!