Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Here is a fav meal that I like to make during especially busy, chilly weeks.

It satisfies everyone, including my picky eater.

I hope you will enjoy

*By the way, the classes are going great so far!

Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 pound shredded, cooked chicken
1 (15 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups water
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
7 corn tortillas
vegetable oil

Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles, and garlic into a slow cooker.

Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.

Stir in corn and cilantro.

Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with oil. Cut tortillas into strips, then spread on a baking sheet.

Bake in preheated oven until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes.

To serve, sprinkle tortilla strips over soup.

Julie’s Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup tips:

If I am running low on time, I use store bought tortilla chips, crumbled tostada or taco shells. Whatever I have on hand.

It is wonderful with a dollop of sour cream and some avacado too.

I always make this the night before, as the chicken needs to be cooked and shredded.

Then I mix the ingredients in the crock and set in it the fridge to be put on in the morning.

During winter, I measure out the spices for more than one pot of soup into baggies. This is the most time consuming part for me, so being able to grab a bag of spices makes the meal even more possible during a crazy week.

Because of a food sensitivity, I do not add additional garlic to any of my recipes.

In this case there is enough between the broth and the enchilada sauce for my taste.

Nursing Continuing Education-just part of the job

It's that time again...Neonatal Resuscitation Recertification-every 2 years-16 hours
Advanced Fetal Monitoring-every 2 years- 8 hours
National OB Certification-RNC-OB-every 3 years- 45 hours of OB specific education
Advanced Cardiac Life Support-Every 2 years- 16 hours

All due within a one month period.

Started last week.

Me oh my!

Didn't Want to do it...

Jerks have been posting inappropriate comments on my blog.

So now I am blocking anonymous comments and putting up word verification.

Didn't really want to do it.

But I knew it was in my future because of what my fellow bloggers have said before.

To my anonymous commenters (like my bro and dad)...please email me your comments.

My email is on my profile.

Thanks!

...and don't call her husband either!

Mrs. Lukie had the most awesome comment on my “Please Don’t Call My Husband…” post.

Her firefighter husband went out on a 911 call recently for a citizen who…


had a…

(brace yourself)


.

.

.

'

.

.

.

NIGHTMARE!

.


Firehubby is not sure if he can top that one...but he is going to try


(click here)

Please Don't Call My Husband...

...unless it's a true emergency.

I know that you, in blogland, are very reasonable and would not call 911 because your kid had nasal congestion for 3 days.

Or because you have an ingrown toenail.

Or because you can't sleep.

But, there are many, many people who make such calls and abuse the 911 system.

Having a fire crew respond to a non-emergency is not to be taken lightly.

In addition to being a drain on a community's resources, it is actually a potential danger to firefighters and civilians alike.

Driving Code 3, that is with lights and sirens, is actually dangerous.

Even the most conscientious engineers are at risk to have accidents.

(Google Image from 2007)

Here are just a few of the tragedies in 2009:

March 19, 2009-Philadelphia - A fire truck and an engine collided going to a false alarm and 9 firefighters and 1 civilian were injured.

April 1, 2009-Houston- Two fire trucks overturned on the way to a false alarm. 11 firefighters and 1 civilian were injured

December 27, 2009-Orlando area- car crashes into fire truck, civilian killed.

Some people call 911 for non-emergencies because they think they will go to the head of the line in the ER.

Others think that fire engines are hospitals on wheels and that they can see the paramedics instead of seeking care from a physician.

Unfortunately there are not consequences for these EMS abusers.

Hopefully, one day there will be a way to control this problem.

Until then, spread the word...Don't call my husband unless it's a real emergency.

Oh, and while I'm at it:

When you see a firetruck responding to an accident on the freeway...please SLOW DOWN. We need daddy to come home.

Thanks,

A firewife who loves her wonderful man. He is my hero.

(And he's also a wonderful writer! Stop by his blog (click here) and say hello :)

p.s.I really love what blogger Candace Jean wrote in her comment:

She remembers her grandmother telling her each time she heard a siren that someone needed a prayer.

That is so neat.

I am going to do this and teach my kids too. We will pray for the person needing help and the firefighters.

Two of my Favorites De-Stressors

Would it be so wrong?

If you don't know Rachel and Mr. Daddy, head on over to their blog

Once Upon a Miracle

You are in for a real treat :)

Today I'm joining their blog carnival-True Story Tuesday

Last night, when I came in from running my support group I snuck into the kids rooms, as usual, to give them kisses.

When I kissed my Scout, he stirred and opened his eyes. Clearly I had awakened him. He gave me a drowsy smile and I gave him another kiss on the cheek and said goodnight.

His eyes closed again, readying to drift of.

I stood looking at my handsome boy for a moment.

Then I noticed he sort of smacked his lips in an odd way.

And did it again.

Odd.

And again.

What is he doing?

"Scout, do you have something in you mouth?" I said, trying to awaken him.

"Scout, wake up. Do you have something in your mouth."

He opened his eyes, but struggled to keep them open.

Then it dawned on me...

"Do you have gum in your mouth?!"

Eyes half open, he reached into his mouth and pulled out a piece of gum.

"Scout, you didn't! You went to bed with gum in your mouth."

He rolled over and put it in the trashcan at his bedside and by the time he rolled over he was back to sleep.

"Scout, you could have choked on that..."

But, I could see there was no point in lecturing. He was out.

Fast forward to breakfast this morning:

Me-"Scout, I can hardly believe that you went to bed with gum in your mouth last night!"

Scout-"No I didn't"

Me stunned-"Scout, I kissed you last night and when you woke up you had gum in you mouth"

Scout-" I didn't put it there"

Me-"Princess, did you put gum in your brothers mouth after he fell asleep?"

Good laugh by princess and I

Scout-"Well, I don't know how it got there."

You know, he never did admit that he went to bed with gum in his mouth.

~sigh~

Oh, the joys of parenting...

Coming up for Air

Just wanted to let you know I am alive.

Am having trouble rationalizing blogging when:

I don't have a moment to read yours

My responsibilities have not been met around the house and at work

Hoping you all had wonderful New Year's celebrations and that you are getting your year off to a great start!