Eat In

Pumpkin Soup...without the pumpkin

If you haven't figured it out yet...I'm not much of a cook. Oh sure, I can follow a recipe and even pull a good meal out of whatever I can find in the refrigerator....but I really don't like to cook. So, I'm always looking for an easy way out of cooking - real simple recipes that are sort of homemade.

The other day, I was perusing the Wall Street Journal and saw a recipe for "Smashed Pumpkin Soup with Mascarpone" and decided to make it a bit simpler...considering I had no pumpkin in the house, no San Marzano tomatoes (what in the heck are they?), nor any Mascarpone (which I had to look up to find out it was a fresh cheese). Surprisingly, I actually DID have a bottle of whole fennel (I have no idea how long that unopened bottle of spice had been in my cupboard, but it still had flavor). So, here's my version of what turned out to be a very tasty (and simple) soup:

• Heat 3Tbsp of crushed garlic (from the jar) and 1tsp of crushed fennel with 2Tbsp olive oil
• Add a 14oz can of Italian Stewed Tomatoes and then cook for awhile (the recipe said 8 minutes, but I had the wrong kind of tomatoes, so who knows...)
• Stir in a butternut squash and 3 medium potatoes (both peeled and cubed)
• Cover with about 3 cups chicken broth (I used the bouillon cubes)
• Turn the heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Then, simmer for about 40 minutes.
• Add one 15.5oz can of small white beans. Warm thoroughly.
• Then, mash until a chunky (not smooth) consistency.
• Feel free to garnish with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese (or whatever else is in your refrigerator)

It's amazing how you can substitute three of the seven ingredients and still come up with  a darn good product. Though I still hope John will go to chef school someday...

How to Stay Healthy & Fit on the Road

Attention travelers! If you've found yourself feeling fat, fatigued and frantic because all the time you spend on the road, pick up a copy of Dr. Jo's How to Stay Healthy & Fit on the Road. It will help you:

• Eat out and lose weight, lower your cholesterol...
• Work that bod' - even in a hotel room
• Get a good night's sleep...anywhere
• Stay calm and connected to loved ones
• and way more. 

Slow Down
 Be H.I.P.  

Experts suggest that we be "fully in the moment" which means that we stop dwelling about the past and stop worrying about the future...but to fully appreciate the present moment.

I've got a new term for that..."H.I.P.". I got the idea when I pulled the tag off a shirt I bought with the brand name H.I.P. (Happening in the Moment).

So, are you as H.I.P. as I am?

Dr. Jo's No Big Deal Diet

It truly blew my mind when I interviewed these women who had lost weight - and kept the weight off for years. You'll discover the seven steps to successful weight - and how it will work for you.

Did you know that Applebee's restaurants offers some Weight Watchers entrees for at least 4-5 years? These include:

• Chipotle Lime Chicken
• Paradise Chicken Salad
• Spicy Pineapple Shrimp & Spinach
• Cajun Lime Tilapia

 John and I order them whenever we visit.

Focus On

Fast & Healthy Breakfasts
  

Some people say they have no time for breakfast, but the truth is...it doesn't take much time at all.

A couple of weeks ago, I was interviewed by the syndicated show, Daytime TV, about quick and healthy breakfast ideas - at home, on the road and in your hotel room. You can watch my interview on my GoDrJo channel at YouTube.