Spicy Sausage and Bean Soup

I made this soup on the fly the other day with ingredients on hand.  My friends were impressed, so I thought I'd share the recipe!

Ingredients

• 1 lb of spicey sausage
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 5 cloves of sliced garlic
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3-4 cans of beans various beans of your choice
• 4 cups chicken broth 
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 2 teaspoons caynne pepper
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (optional)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Directions

1. If using ground sausage, break into small pieces.  If using sausage in a casing, slice into 1/2 inch coins.
2. In stock pot, saute sausage, onion and garlic in the olive oil until sausage is browned over medium heat (approximately 5-7 minutes).
3. Deglaze pan by adding 1/2 cup of chicken broth.  Add the beans.
4. Stir in spices, pepper sauce and soy sauce and simmer for 30 minutes to incorporate the flavors and heat the soup.

1 Year Out, 15 lbs From Goal

165 lbs and dress shopping!

Tomorrow will be one  year from my surgery.  I was hoping to hit my goal weight of 150 lbs by then, but I will not make it.  I am at 165 lbs this morning and that is fine.  I know if I had worked harder and joined a gym, I could have made the goal on time.  Fortunately, this is a life long change for me and I know that I am still making progress.  My weight loss has slowed down significantly and I will have to put forth more effort if I want to hit my target weight.

My first Ralph Lauren!

Down 100 lbs and Wearing Size Medium Shirts!

Down from 280 on day of surgery to 180 lbs now!

I'm now officially down 100 lbs from the date of surgery.  I'm also no longer Obese, but rather Overweight.  Bought my first size medium shirt the other day.  Progress is wonderful!

My new "sexy boots" rock!

Stalled at 185 lbs

Stuck at 185 lbs.

I've been hanging around 185 for a month now.  This worries me quite a bit.  I've been eating out far too often.  Currently, I walk 4-5 days per week.  I'm going to be adding bicycle riding to my routine to try to move off this plateau. 

New Dating Profile Photo!

On the plus side, I have taken new photos and am starting to see a bigger difference in myself.  I'm quite happy with my body when I'm fully clothed now but looking in the mirror naked is rather depressing due to the loose skin and saggy breasts.  I really hope some of this bounces back during the next year.

I had to include one with my cat, Venus

Down 120 from my Highest!

I'm down 89 lbs from the day of my surgery.  Extra Large shirts are fitting nicely now and I'm wearing size 18 jeans!  It is nice to feel better about myself out in public.  I still hate what I see in the bathroom mirror before I get dressed though.  Hopefully I get past that emotional barrier as I get closer to goal.

Below 200 For the first Time in Over a Decade!

230 lbs - I'm down 30 from this photo now!

Woke up this morning to a pleasant surprise.  The number on the scale didn't start with a 3 or even a 2.  I'm at 199.6 and couldn't be more thrilled about it!

Weight Loss Photo Collection

More Photos of my progress!

230 lbs, clothes shopping!

220 lbs, dressed as an Axe Murderer for Halloween.

220 lbs, Camping and Hiking.