Nurturing my inner... dinner and a movie

Friends.  You just never know where you may find them.  In fact, sometimes they are hiding, lurking even, in the darndest of all places.  Like running class.  What can go from 25 complete strangers can dwindle down in two months to the dedicated (or codependent) 10.  Much like war buddies, we have been deeply bonded by hard times.  Running eight miles in the heat trying not to throw up, getting lost on the Glade Loop when our coach calls every run (no matter which direction we go in) "The Glade Loop," spitting in public which is not exactly becoming for any girl.  Oh yes, the dark side of the sport is now exposed.  So to show some love to my buddies, both male and female, who keep me from seeming like an awkward social outcast (as best they can), I asked them to come over for some grub and a film.  (A running film.  Note the theme.)  We had met early on our day off this morning (now that is dedication... or foolishness - who can say) to run a few in the 25 degree morning chill, so they earned this meal.

(Special note: I'd also like to take a moment to say never undervalue the gift of friends who are available.  It is a great display of care and importance to give your time to someone.)

But what to make?  As to not let you think we're super human health nuts, you'll recall the burger place we went to yesterday, this was my attempt at doing something a little on the lighter side.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 regular-sized rotisserie chicken, picked
1 onion, diced
1 can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 can tomato paste
1 can corn, drained
1 can cannellini beans, rinsed & drained
1 can tiny white beans, rinsed & drained
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp cumin powder
1 tbsp chili seasoning
2 carrots, diced
2 small zucchini, diced
2 dried bay leaves
1/4 tsp salt
6 cups chicken broth
6 corn tortillas, cut into 1 inch pieces

Toppings

Shredded Mexican cheese blend
Sour cream (I used light)
Avocado, chopped
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Fresh lime, wedged

Don't be frightened by that list of ingredients.  You'll throw it all in the pot together and leave it for four and a half hours.  Or more.

Start by pulling out that trusty slow cooker or a dutch oven.  Throw in the zucchini, carrots, onion, diced tomatoes, beans, corn, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt and bay leaves.  Pour the broth on top of it all.

Gotta love just tossing everything in one
pot at the same time! Looks like
food confetti!

Next add the rotisserie chicken.  (I get every bit.  Put in the time when removing the meat and you'll find you get a lot of chicken from one little bird.)

Perfectly picked. Dark and light. Good flavor.

I decided to add in a some tomato paste to make the flavor richer.

Just keep adding what you like. Other veggies.
Different kinds of beans.

And lastly, five corn tortillas cut into 1 inch squares.  Mix it all up and turn on your slow cooker for 4 - 6 hours.  Stir every 30 minutes or so.  Just to make sure nothing is stuck or burning on the bottom.

Make sure they are corn tortillas. Flour
ones no good in here.

It smelled SO good.  But I had to wait until 5:45 pm when everyone arrived.  Good thing my friends show up on time.  (My stomach is an impatient dinner hostess.)  I let each ladel out some generous bowls and sprinkle on whatever toppings they wanted.  Make sure you have large spoons as your tools of choice.  No room for dainty utensils at this party.  Get comfy on the sofa and press play on Netflix streaming video.

We watched "The Spirit of the Marathon," remained in awe of the one girl in the group who has actually run that daunting 26.2 miles, and dreamed of being one of the people to cross that finish line in victory!  Yes, dreamed.  A dream never meant to be actualized by me.  As there is NO blooming way on earth I'm running that far, ever, without someone blackmailing me or chasing me with a taser.

So perfect on a cold, cold, mighty cold day.

The movie was inspiring (with witty commentary courtesy of my buddies) and the soup was substantial and oh so good for us.  Nice combo.  What moved me the most was that some of the people featured in the documentary were just regular folks like us.  Trying, failing, trying again.  Some were also world class athletes.  Trying, failing, trying again.  Perhaps the elite athletes were in a different class than Joe Average, but in the end, they all were not so different in some ways.  And while most of us may never run a full marathon, some people in my class have run half marathons, 10 milers, trail runs, crazy mud obstacle courses and other long distance variations.  Every mile counts - that's my motto!  So cheers to my pals!  For their dedication in logging all those miles on ordinary, subzero, windy Saturdays and making me do it with them... even though I whine every time I have to get out of bed before 8:00 am on my day off.  Hope you enjoyed some comfort food and watching other people run for a change.