This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Carton Smart for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
There is nothing like a hot bowl of soup to warm you up on a cold day, and this tortilla soup recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It would be the perfect easy dinner for a crowd on Christmas Eve, or great for freezing portions for meal planning. It can be made ahead with the crockpot or created on the spot. It has just enough kick for the spicy food lovers, but is still kid friendly. Bonus – I made it with Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Stock from a #CartonSmart container that is responsibly sourced, reclosable, and 100% recyclable. Learn more about how to Become Carton Smart with your grocery choices.
Now for the recipe…
Easy Tortilla Soup for a Crowd (Serves 14-16)
Ingredients:
8 oz Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Stock
3.5 cups or 2 cans pinto beans
3.5 cups or 2 cans kidney beans
3.5 cups or 2 cans corn
3 cups or 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
3.5 cups or 2 cans plain chopped tomatoes
2 cups water
3.5 cups or 2 cans black beans
1 cup or 2 small cans diced green chiles
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 packets dry ranch dressing mix
2 packets taco seasoning
Directions:
1. Boil your chicken breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Then shred the chicken with a knife or use your stand mixer paddle attachement. By the way, shredding chicken with a stand mixer is the single most useful thing I’ve ever learned on Pinterest. It will change your life.
2. Open all ingredients and add them to your crockpot or pot, stirring to mix well. Do not drain or rinse any of the ingredients. You can use Tetra Pak, canned, or frozen items. If using frozen, please add additional chicken broth as needed. Always recycled your containers – Tetra Pak and cans.
3. Add the cooked chicken and bring to a boil (pot) or cook on low for at least 2 hours (crockpot). After it reaches a boil, let simmer on low for 45 minutes or until ready to serve. Done!
Serve with diced avocado and crushed tortilla chips.
A few other #CartonSmart food ideas:
Our Pearl Girl is loving the Pacific Foods Pumpkin Puree. It is a perfect ready made organic baby food or addition to any pumpkin recipe or substitute for oil in any baking recipe. The possibilities are endless.
Need a delicious cranberry sauce to add to your table? Try Pacific Foods Organic Cranberry Sauce ready made for dining. You can also put it on top of an 8 oz block of cream cheese and serve with crackers for a simple and tasty appetizer, or bake it on top of a wedge of brie cheese wrapped in crescent roll dough. I love options.
For more recipe ideas Follow #CartonSmart on Pinterest. And check out their Twitter feed here: Tweet @CartonSmart. If you like this recipe, be sure to pin it on Pinterest or share on other social media.
This amazing phenomenon happens often in our house where Santa (me) fills all the stockings but no one remembers to fill mine. If Santa (Mommy) gets left out at your house, too, it’s not too late to remedy the situation. Shop Rodan + Fields Dermatologists now to grab a few stocking stuffers to pamper the lips of a loved one or your own. With two day shipping available you can order up until the 22nd for Christmas delivery. Here’s the top three stocking stuffers for your lips from the doctors of R + F, personally recommended by my sister (a R+F consultant) and me:
1) Essentials Lip Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 25
Take your lip care to a whole new level of moisture and protection with this 2 pack of lip shield for $16. Use it throughout the day for smooth, supple, protected lips. When asked to describe this product one word always comes up: “Fantastic.”
2) Enhancements Lip Micro-Dermabrasion
Winter is hell on lips, as we all know. Combat the dry dead skin with micro-dermabrasion technology created specifically for your lips. They will be instantly smoother and healthier and you will notice a difference almost immediately. The Enhancements Lip Micro-Dermabrasion stick retails for $16.
3) Redefine Lip Renewing Serum
If your lips are starting to show your age, this serum is for you. Use it after the micro-dermabrasion at night for silky smooth lips and you will quickly notice a change in the texture of your lips as well as a reduction of wrinkles. Start with a package of 60 capsules for $53. One capsule lasts me 3 nights, making it a six month supply of capsules unless you are Angelina Jolie.
Become a Preferred Customer before December 31st and receive a free copy of the national bestseller Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change. Preferred Customers also get at least 10% off all orders and free shipping.
What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
I gave birth to my sweet daughter, our second child, and had a healthy normal birth after a prior c-section. This VBAC was a HUGE victory and we are so thankful for the entire journey and for our beautiful, healthy baby girl.
What was your biggest failure?
Did you suffer illness or injury?
What was the best thing you bought?
Where did most of your money go?
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
What song will always remind you of 2013?
Compared to this time last year, are you:
What do you wish you’d done more of?
What do you wish you’d done less of?
How will you be spending Christmas?
With my parents and brothers in Little Rock, after an early mini celebration with just us in Dallas.
Who were your best friends?
What thing did you do that was meaningful to others?
What were your favorite TV programs?
Nashville – because Connie Britton’s hair {among other reasons}
Scandal, Modern Family, The Bachelor (don’t judge), The Black List, The Mindy Project, New Girl, Bones
What was the best book you read in 2013?
What was your greatest musical discovery?
I’ll call it a rediscovery. I remembered my childhood love of classical music. Nerd alert.
What did you want but did NOT get?
What was your favorite film of this year?
Hmmm… Well, I’ve seen one movie in a theater since the Bear was born, in 2011. Yikes. I really loved the new season of Arrested Development. Does that count?
What kept you sane?
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don’t really have any celebrity crushes, though I am more excited than I care to admit about Juan Pablo being the new Bachelor. Judge me if you will. Captain Hook on Once Upon a Time is a bit delicious. I love Mindy Kaling with all my heart. Michelle Obama is a rock star to me.
Who was the best new person you met this year?
Eleanor Pearl, of course
I will mess up as a parent and I have to be able to live with that. It doesn’t make me a bad mom or a bad person. I have to depend on the Lord to guide me and pray to be the mama my kids need each day.
Quote that sums up your year:
Be content where you are.
Uncommon Goods is also budget friendly. Click here to find a great selection of gifts under $50.
This post is part of a sponsored campaign by Collective Bias on behalf of their client. Have you ever enjoyed a coffee date night at home? There’s nothing I love more than sipping a hot cup of coffee and munching on a delicious treat while spending quality time with my man. Pumpkin Spice coffee and quality time are two of my love languages, after all.
Around here we are super busy, but long to slow down. We have to schedule our date nights and make them fit in to our routine and our budget. We have several methods for finding time for connection without breaking the bank. We swap babysitting with friends, sign up for cheap Parents’ Night Out functions, and have date nights at home.
What does a date night at home look like? Typically we put the kids to bed and then enjoy a quiet dinner together, and then maybe a movie or just time together to catch up and enjoy each other’s company. We always try to have a little special treat on date night. One of my favorite treats is sitting on our back porch enjoying a cup of coffee (probably decaf) and a little dessert. Coffee-mate Pumpkin Spice flavored creamer adds a coffee shop touch to our budget evening for much less than a popular coffee shop chain I won’t name. I’m excited for the Peppermint Mocha flavor to come out for the season soon as well.
Recently we had the opportunity to try Coffee-mate Pumpkin Spice powdered creamer in our Taster’s Choice coffee. The flavor is perfect for the cool fall weather, and was such a great little treat snuggled up on the back porch. What I love about Taster’s Choice is that in about two minutes I can have a cup of delicious coffee without having to brew a whole pot. Just add hot water and a teaspoon of coffee and stir, then add your Pumpkin Spice creamer. It was so warm and soothing.
To create your own instant coffee shop, you just need a few minutes of prep time. Here’s how to set the scene… Pick a quiet spot, maybe a table on your porch. Set a pretty table cloth and maybe a candle. Grab two coffee cups and fill with water heated in the microwave or in a tea pot. Take your Taster’s Choice coffee, Coffee-mate Pumpkin Spice creamer (both found at Walmart), sugar, and spoons out to your spot. Stir up some delicious coffee and conversation. Taster’s Choice also is great to have on hand during the holiday season for neighbors and friends who drop by.
Need a conversation starter? Here are a few ideas:
Tell me a story from your childhood I’ve never heard before.
If you had $100 right now to spend just on yourself, what would you buy?
If you could rename yourself, what name would you pick and why?
What are you thankful for this week?
What was the best Christmas present you ever received as a kid?
How do fit date nights into your busy schedule?
