Weight Loss, Writing and White Chili

If one of your New Year's resolutions was about losing weight, I've got a GREAT book for you!

Today I talked with Dr. James Beckerman, a cardiologist at in Portland, Oregon. Rather than teaching just one way to lose 10, 20 or even 50 pounds, Dr. Beckerman tells how to lose a SINGLE pound...200 different ways. His new book is "THE FLEX DIET: DESIGN YOUR OWN WEIGHT LOSS PLAN" and is all about using the tool, tips and techniques that work best for you and your lifestyle. Basic, common sense ideas that you can start doing immediately. And ideas that will show results! He takes the 200 solutions and breaks them into 5 sections: Eating/Drinking/Exercise/

Activity and Lifestyle.

For instance

#31: Getting enough sleep. You might not think that this would have anthing to do with weight loss, but Dr. Beckerman tells you why it is so important.

#46: Don't eat while watching T.V. I'm at fault on this one. You'll find out why this prevents you from losing weight.

#72: Skip the diet soda. People think that "diet" foods are good, however, if you're drinking diet soda, you're more apt to order that double cheeseburger, so you really aren't saving any calories-in fact, you're gaining weight instead of losing it.

These are just a few of the many great ideas you'll find in this easy to read book. There are also great recipes, excercise plans. Check it out!

This is Universal Letter Writing Week and International Thank You Day. If you haven't sent out those notes for your Christmas gifts yet, better do it today. In this digital age, it's so nice to get a card, note and/or letter that's hand written. It's a much more personal way to stay connected, don't you think?

I've been asking for favorite soup recipes since we're into the cold winter weather...Here is a white chili recipe that you might want to try. It makes use of a rotisserie chicken (from your local grocery store deli) which saves time for you.

White Chili with a Kick

1 large onion, chopped

6 Tbsp. butter, cubed

2 Tbsp. all purpose flour

2 c. chicken broth

¾ c. half-and-half cream

1 rotisserie chicken, cut up
2 (15 oz.) cans white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11 oz.) can white corn, drained

2 (4 oz.)cans chopped green chilies

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. white pepper
½ tsp. hot pepper sauce

1 ½ c. shredded pepper jack cheese
Salsa and chopped green onions, optional
In Dutch oven, sauté onion in butter. Stir in flour until blended; cook and stir for 3 minutes or until golden brown. Gradually add broth and cream. Bring to boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add the chicken, beans, corn, chilies, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper and pepper sauce; heat through. Stir in cheese until melted. Garnish each serving with salsa and green onions if desired.