Being the cold, rainy, dreary day that was yesterday, the last thing I wanted to do was workout. I just wanted to snuggle up on the couch with some hot cocoa and Big 10/ACC Challenge basketball. Alas, I pounded out a quick 5K and my desired lazy evening was truly more enjoyable. 😉
My complete laziness didn’t last long and I started unpacking some of our Christmas stuff. I guess Christmas music on my way home from work put me in the holiday spirit! I got a little giddy when I ran across some Christmas items I stole during a game of Dirty Santa last Christmas Eve. Other than our tablecloth tradition, my family has started playing Dirty Santa instead of the adults all exchanging gifts. It’s a blast!
Last year for Christmas, Mr. P and I got a treadmill as a joint gift and it was the best gift/investment we’ve made. We’ve put over 1,000 miles on the treadmill even with outdoor running, hockey, and other activities. It gets a lot of use! This year, we’re considering adding an elliptical to our home gym, however there is a brand new YMCA opening up 2 miles from our house in June 2011. I miss group exercise classes and know I’ll want to join. I’m trying to convince Mr. P that we I will utilize a treadmill, elliptical, and gym membership. 🙂
I digress. Dinner! After unpacking our Christmas stuff, I knew a comforting soup would be the ideal thing to go in my Christmas dishes, and so that is what I did 🙂 You gotta love when dinner plans itself.
Creamy Potato Leek Soup adapted from Foodologie
1 Tsp olive oil
3 leeks, sliced, white part only
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 tsp dried thyme
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1/2 1/4 cup heavy cream + 1/4 cup half and half
salt and pepper, to taste (about 1/4 tsp each)
Directions:
Heat oil in a large pot. Add leeks and garlic, cook until leeks are tender about 10 mins. Add potatoes and thyme, cook for 10 more minutes. Add broth and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 25-35 minutes.
In a small bowl mix cream and half and half with a bit of the soup, add mixture to the rest of pot. Add salt and pepper. Blend until smooth with an immersion blender or blender. Serves 4.
Nutrition Information (per serving): 282 calories; 10 g. fat; 25 mg. cholesterol; 310 mg. sodium; 41 g. carbohydrate; 5.5 g. fiber; 6 g. protein
Result: This was absolutely delicious! Next time, I think I will substitute all half and half or low-fat milk for the heavy whipping cream — it was plenty creamy and you can shave an additional 20 calories/serving with that change. The soup was super easy, came together in 35 minutes from start to finish, and most importantly, it got a thumbs up from Mr. Prevention. 🙂
Question: What’s on your wish list this holiday season?
P.S. An interesting article on vitamin D after all that talk yesterday!
Nick and I are doing a joint elliptical gift for our b-days in January. I can’t wait!
So yeah, I read that vitamin D article, and I was so annoyed. I mean, sure, I agree that most of us probably don’t NEED a vitamin D supplement, but in the winter I think we do. And, if it’s not hurting us, and there are no studies that show dangers of taking supplements, why not take one?! I stick to 1000 IU per day. I’ve heard way more research for it than against it.
I’ve just seen this recipe from foodologie, too 🙂 I love that this looks so comforting and sounds delicious.
The cold really make me lazy…all I want to do is laying down on the couch with some hot snacks. But this need to stop soon because we have a mini marathon on Sunday.
My christmas wish is actually to visit my parents during this coming holidays 🙂
I read that study yesterday too. I got my vitamin D levels checked when my health got all crazy, and I’m super low. I think I was at something like 15. Anyhow, I’m taking it despite that study. I spend about four seconds in the sun per day–no way am I getting enough. Besides, as is the case with all studies, I’m sure some other study will disprove this one in a little while.
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I totally agree. I’ve seen about 2 seconds of sunlight, if that, here lately. And that’s only because I get off work at a reasonable hour!
Yum! This looks great!
How exciting that you’ll have a Y so close!
I think I’d rather have cold and rainy days vs cold and snowy. We are up to 9 inches of snow here..waaa 🙁 I am so over MN! haha! But I am sure some of that soup would make me feel a bit better 🙂
Just had a vegan version of this when I was home! Love it. The potatoes make the soup so naturally creamy. The rain here makes me want to curl up in bed all day too!
That soup looks so good and creamy! I can’t wait to make this on a cold winter night!
The soup looks awesome! Hmm….is it sad that I’m not sure what’s on my wishlist? The baby has me so busy that I don’t have time to think! 😉
That sure looks tasty! We went for soup last night as well. It was one of the chilliest nights that we have had here this season, so soup totally hit the spot. I will definitely add this to my list of “to makes”!
I’ve been putting a Bosu ball on my wishlist for the past couple years but my parents never seem to get the hint 😉 Maybe now I just need money so I can get it myself haha
That does sound delicious! Leeks add so much flavor to soups.
I hope you get your holiday wish. We don’t have much extra space but i’m sure I could fit an exercise bike… It would be nice to have some cardio equipment in the house during the cold winter.
I love xmas time! This year I wasted no time decorating for the holidays!!
That soup looks amazing!
I used to be a member of the YMCA near my house, but it was just too expensive. Oh, and I was too lazy to drive there. 🙂
Nice job to you and Mr. P for putting over 1,000 miles on your treadmill — amazing! Mmm, love potato leek soup and this lightened version looks amazing! Happy December, Nicole! 🙂
Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I’m glad it brought me to yours and to your creamy soup. This looks delicious! Thank you for sharing. Happy Hump Day!
It’s cold and snowy here today, and I didn’t want to go work out at lunch because I had warm soup for my lunch. But I went and am glad I did!
I’ll make your soup, leaving out the damn leeks 😀
I saw that article on Vitamin D! There’s no sunlight half the year here!!!
I bet this soup would even be good omitting the cream!
Good for you getting that workout in when you didn’t feel like it!
I got pleurisy last week, and then came down with the flu on top of it! So I have been bed-bound all week, and lord only knows when I’ll be exercising again. I miss it. 🙁 Have some good sessions for me, Nicole!
Soup sounds nice right now……
I belong to Gold’s and go can to a bazillion different locations in the DC area. Plus my apartment has a basement gym with several ellitpicals, bikes, and treadmills plus weights. I also have several workout DVDs so I have no excuse not to work out (but somehow I can find them).
Do you think you could substitute the heavy cream for greek yogurt?