Review & Recipe
Posted: February 25, 2010 at 5:32 pmTwo of my favorite things - a book review and an easy, delicious recipe. 😀 We'll start with the food. After all, who can enjoy a good book when hungry? Have to get our priorities right. 😉
Easy Crockpot Chicken & White Bean Chili/Soup
This recipe is so great. It's really just chop, open, toss into the pot and let the crockpot do it's thang. It's kind of in between a chili and a soup. The ingredients all remind me of chili, but the consistency comes out a little more like a very hearty soup. I am not the most talented cook in the world. So if I am able to complete a recipe and it turn out well, then you know it's a fail-proof winner. 😉
INGREDIENTS
- 1 package chicken breast, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 large can Cannellini beans
- 1 can Great Northern beans
- 1 can black eyed peas
- 1 can Rotel
- 1 can Diced Green Chilis (optional - if you want extra spice)
- 3c chicken broth
- 1T minced garlic
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Now the step by step...
1) Dice chicken breasts into around 1" pieces.
2) Chop the zucchini and onion into even peices.
3) Toss the chicken and veggies into the crockpot.
chicken, zucs, onion
4) Add all the beans, Rotel, chilies, and seasonings.
with the beans, rotel, and chilies
5) Pour in chicken broth and stir mixture to evenly distribute all ingredients.
broth joins the fun and we all mingle together
6) Pop on the lid and let cook for 8 hours on low.
7) Have a hefty bowl of the warm, slightly spicy, healthy concoction.
up close and personal
That's it!!! Super simple, yet very delicious. And very healthy too. I did use low sodium broth and for the beans you can rinse them to get off some of the extra salt or use a lower sodium brand as well. This is a very satisfying meal. Other benefit = it makes a TON, so you have plenty to freeze and have on hand for when in a pinch with dinner. Frozen packaged meal? No, thanks! I got my soup! 😀
Next stop on this post = my belated book review! I actually finished this book over the weekend, because I could not put it down. What book is it?? This one!
The Time Traveler's Wife
I know, I just got done reading a book from another popular movie (Dear John), but this one finally became available at the library and I had to read it. This was definitely one of the best books I have read in a long time. I loved how different it was. Now, I adore chick lit and light hearted reads, but I also really like books that have a deeper plot and more to mull over. The Time Traveler's Wife delivered on that very well.
The story is about a man who has a genetic disorder which leaves him being thrown into different times without warning. He time travels against his will, and usually to places in his own past. For example, much of the beginning of the book describes instances where he time traveled to his present day wife, but when she was a young girl and teenager. Later, after they finally met in the present, the plot shifts more to the difficulties of loving someone with this "genetic disorder" and all the troubles they encounter trying to build their life together. The narration goes back and forth between Henry, the time traveler, and Clare, his wife and love.
What I most enjoyed about this book is the fact that while it is a beautiful love story full of emotion and relatable characters, there is a LOT of intriguing things to consider in the bigger picture of our own life and worlds as we know them. Henry will often be sent into times he does not enjoy from his past, but with no ability to change them. He just has to watch what has happened, knowing what is coming, but with nothing he can do about it. Clare, from a young age has had visits from Henry and has grown up knowing that he would one day be her husband. She often times will make comments about Henry being her destiny and she has known nothing else but to love him.
All of this led me to ponder the ideas of predestination. How much of our lives are tied up in things that have already happened somewhere else that we have no clue about? Does fate play a role in our lives? Are there parts of our "destinies' that we don't really have control over? It was actually fun to read such a wonderful story, but have it bring so much more thought out of it. I highly recommend this novel. I haven't seen the movie yet, so I can't speak for it. But this book is something special, that's for sure. 🙂
I'll end this now with some links to all of the giveaways going on around here....and one last request for votes for M. The poll is back up and it should be open until later tonight. This is the last time I'll ask, but please click here and vote for #24 😀
Lauren at Eat, Drink, and Be Hopeful is having a Chobani giveaway
Lara at Thinspired is having an Attune Bar giveaway
And check out my giveaway of Gnu Bars if you haven't already!
Wow, thank you for your comment on my blog. I absolutely love yours!
I am still struggling with whether to do all the all-food posts or what exactly I want my blog to be. Every person who has commented on it has really made me think, including you, so I thank you. God bless!
Gotta love a good crockpot recipe! Thanks for the book review. I’m always on the market for a new book to read!
Great recipe, I need to make it!
The book sounds interesting. I also want to see the movie!
I keep voting!
Time Traveler’s Wife is one of the most incredible books I have ever read. I loved it too!
Hey! I saw the movie, have the book, but haven’t read it yet…
I have thoughts on the ending…but I don’t want to spoil. I’m gonna have to message them to ya!
Also…gonna have to try the soup! I’m big on beans and anything Mexican these days. 😀
Hey Melissa! I hope you get this…I have been TRYING to comment on your blog and it will. not. let. me. Just know I’m still around and I’m glad you got your mojo back 🙂
I think I’ve made that exact recipe before! So yummy with some chips and cheese… I just watched the time traveler’s wife on dvd. I loved it. I was warned beforehand to pay close attention so I could understand the movie. Which I’m glad they did because I would have really been lost. I can’t imagine reading the book!
This was one of my favorite books. I totally believe that, if not in predetermination or destiny, but at least things would not happen this way but for the long chain of things before!
thank you for that review! im going to have to check that book out!
That chili looks A-mazing! I really like using my crockpot to cook fast, nutricious meals. My crock pot has been out of comission for a couple months because the crock insert broke. Need to order one soon and make this dish!
Thanks!
I loved that book. Definitely on my top 1o list. I’m so glad you enjoyed it and shared it with the rest of the world to see!
Thanks for your sweet post Tina! And I am totally making this soup next week!
That crockpot recipe looks so yummy and delicious.
I’m not sure if I believe in FATE but I do believe God has a plan for us. Silly for us to try and figure it out! 🙂
Ditto to that! I know God gives us free choice so things can change, but His will for us will usually prevail…and fortunately it always works out good when it is in Him. 🙂
Loving this amazing recipe girl! Thanks so much for sharing. Im always on the lookout for something fresh and healthy that I can make while Im at work. This is perfect! Great review too. Have an awesome day!
Love it! I’ve kept looking at the book @ the Bookstore too…good timing 🙂
I just watched the movie over the weekend and loved it. I love Rachel McAdams as an actress so that helps. I am intrigued to read the book now!
The movie had it’s confusing moments, so I am wondering how the book would be…hmmm. 🙂
the crockpot recipe and the book, both excellent info!
the superfoods thing on my site..totally agree girl. “regular” fruits and veggies are fabulous and no need to stress bout it all if we cant find it, get it, etc. I hear ya!
I like your thoughts about predestination. I generally enjoy reading books that are different and that will make me think. 🙂
I have seen the movie and I quite enjoyed it. And that’s something as I usually prefer reading to movie watching; but this one is worth seeing in my opinion.
We plan on watching the movie soon! Perhaps even tonight 😀
Mmm! I’ve got to try out your recipe! Looks tasty! I love black eyed peas!
hi,
nice blog…i saw it thru okie’s 🙂
i read Time Traveller…it took me half-way thru to “get into” the book…but when i did, i couldnt put it down! my roomies liked the movie…havent seen it.
nice blog lady.
I loved the Time Traveler’s Wife! I was looking for something to read on a plane, and my friend had it in her backpack. After the flight, I had to give it back to her. The next day, I went to the library to check it out so I could continue reading.
I told my mom she had to read it. She did. But she thought it was weird. Oh well.
You are too cute 🙂 I love reading about the lil one and your journey with faith and life!
Really ?……………did you read page 55? – I totally wanted to like this book but as a young Christian woman I found that part VERY OFFENSIVE and it was full of inappropriate language and sex scenes – on their first date???? really – like I said I would have liked to love this book since I usually like time travel stories but this one offended me – I just think there can be GREAT books & stories without all the language, sex, etc
from one christian mom to the next 🙂
Blessings
Janice
Please forgive me for not remembering, but I returned the book to the library so I don’t know what page 55 said. And you make some very good points that I will actually elaborate on in my next post. I 100% agree that sex and explicit language are not needed to make a good book. Thanks for bringing this point up and blessings to you as well. 🙂
I was crossing my fingers that you wouldn’t reveal too many details in your book review because I’m reading The Time Traveler’s Wife right now. Glad you liked it. I hope to finish by next week.
I hope I kept it neutral from too many details and didn’t give anything away. I hate when books are spoiled for me, so I try to be aware of that. I can’t wait to hear what you think about it.
Hi Tina!
I read The Time Traveler’s Wife about a month ago and absolutely loved it. I haven’t watched the movie yet, and to be honest I’m a little afraid to. I don’t want it to ruin a perfect love story. I could not put this book down and felt so moved by the completely related love story. It was just so so moving.
Uhm, yum! I plan to try this recipe this fall! (And I’m on Examiner too! Chesterfield County Cooking Examiner (Richmond, Va). Don’t laugh. It’s pretty basic!)
[…] church finished, we headed home for dinner – my Crockpot White Chicken & Bean Chili. A bowl full of […]