Beauty in Strength

Hey there everyone!  How’s the second day of the work week going so far (or the first day for those of you fortunate enough to be off yesterday)?

Today has been off to a cold  start…

Yes, that says 19 degrees, and that’s with a wind chill in the single digits.  All I have to say is thank goodness for automatic car starters.

This morning was also off to a crazy start.  About a half hour into the school day, our principal made an announcement over the loud speaker that there needs to be an immediate, emergency evacuation of the building due to a faint gas smell.  My students were in cooperative groups doing an activity when the announcement was made, and I must say I have never been prouder of them.  They were absolutely amazing – quickly and quietly exiting the building, staying calm in the frigid temperatures outside, and looking to me to listen for guidance and directions.

After making sure all of my kids were safely out of the building, I quickly ran back in to grab their coats.  We bundled up, huddled together, and I rubbed their shoulders trying to keep them warm and reassuring them we are safe.  After about a half hour, following the fire department investigating the building, we were allowed to return and resume class.

Needless to say, I had a chill in me the rest of the morning, so when lunch time rolled around, there was only one thing on my mind- hot soup.

Since I didn’t have any homemade, and I had enjoyed Amy’s Organic Lentil soup the other night for dinner, I decided to try Amy’s Hearty Organic French Country Vegetable soup for lunch today.

Once again, the Nutrition Facts, were pretty impressive.  The sodium was high as it usually is in most canned products, but in regards to the calories, fat, dietary fiber, and protein, Amy’s was two for two.  One serving (1 cup) also provides 15% of your Vitamin A, 30% of your Vitamin C, 10% of your Iron, and 6% of your daily Calcium.  Not too shabby.

Plus, the label does not lie when it says hearty! It contains no Trans Fat, no added MSG, no GMOs or bioengineered ingredients, no preservatives, and is certified vegan and organic.  It is also gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, corn free, soy free, tree nut free, certified kosher, and it contains no cholesterol.

The ingredients are healthy and natural too:  Filtered water, organic tomatoes, organic onions, organic mushrooms, organic white beans, organic bell peppers, organic long grain red rice, organic zucchini, organic extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, organic garlic, organic spices, and organic black pepper.

While I have never had long grain red rice or traditional French Country soup, this thick bowl was packed with the finest ingredients, and the traditional French herbs really created a uniquely flavored, but delicious meal.

Although it was not homemade and a bit saltier than I would cook my own soup, it was still a satisfying, robust, and nourishing lunch.  It did a good job warming me up too.

A half of a cantaloupe rounded out my meal, because I am still extremely obsessed.

Stay warm friends!

Question of the Day: What is your favorite type of soup?

Quote of the Day: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.