::Momma Fitness:: Recipe~Caldo de Pollo #weightlossbattle

{::Momma Disclosure:: I know the health benefits of eating well. I reap the benefits of healthy choices when it comes to my weight, family history of diabetes, anemia and on going kidney issues.}

Let me be totally honest in this space. 

First of all, I have not really worked out since maybe the 2nd week in January. I have probably gained about 6 lbs. Not too worried considering where I was this time last year...over 180 lbs and now I am in the 160's. Trust me 6 lbs is not much!

Fact number 2; I don't do well with, "eating well"... "eating clean" or clean eating, or healthy eating. Eating well and I are not exactly friends; as a matter of fact if I could I would eat oreos and pizza all day. No really. It's beautiful.  Not sure if I have told you this little bit of information, I am Mexican. Big time. Ha. And, being that my family is superbly and awesomely Mexican...you know el cafecito,el pancito, las tortillitas, los taquitos, y mas taquitos;  bottom line I have not been eating well. Oh yeah did I mention el PAN!

The awesome sweet smelling colorful pan dulce...ok, done.

So, for the last month {or two} I have been a lump on the couch {not really but you know what I mean}and a face stuffing Momma.

But, this week. Back on track after a horribly wonderful food filled weekend. My Hubby said to me Sunday night we need a detox man! I agree man!

So, by Monday it was green tea and soup time. One of my favorite soups is chicken soup or Caldo de Pollo. Another honest truth about me. I don't like the word diet, thankfully I have learned to detox and exercise regularly.

Caldo de Pollo is so simple and a great detox tool, I think. One friend really simplified it because she used the Paleo food list, still looked so good.

My caldo is not really a diet recipe, I just took my Momma's ideas and made it mine, so here you are:

I usually buy a whole chicken and gut it myself, but for healthier options I dice chicken breast and  add chicken legs for my kiddos.

What you need:

• 2 large chicken breast {diced or whole} and 4 to 6 legs depending on how big they are.
• 2 large cloves of garlic
• ½ of a large onion {diced}
• 2 small red tomatoes {diced}
• 2 to 4 Serrano Peppers {depending on the heat you want, you can also leave them out}
• About 10 small red potatoes {cut in half}
• 1 bag of baby carrots
• About ¾ cup of brown rice
• 1 celery stick
• 2 or 3 sprigs of cilantro
• Optional: corn on the cob halves about 6 to 8

First, in a medium to large pot add about 10 to 12 cups of water, the water should completely cover all of the chicken. Add, the celery stick, your springs of cilantro and garlic cloves with seasoning and salt to taste. I use Knorr de Pollo about a spoonful or so.

Cover and bring it to a complete boil, once it’s boiled once and your chicken looks semi cooked, bring it down to a medium heat. At this point you will add all of your onion, tomatoes, whole Serrano peppers {optional}, the red potato halves, your baby carrots and the ¾ cup of rice and corn.

Allow everything to cook for about 30 minutes…you will know it’s ready when all your veggies are tender and the rice has fully cooked. Brown rice is tough and it could take a bit longer to fully cook.

It’s so simple and as my Hubby would say…one of those “set it and forget it” meals! Just a little note; my caldo is never the same, it all depends on what is in my fridge that day. Ha. I do though make it often, because it's easy and my kids love it.