Minestrone with Turkey

I just made a pot of this for the weekend and it is yummy, if I do say so myself. It's also very healthy, nutritious and oh my gosh, DELICIOUS!

1 pound ground turkey
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 large carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (I don't think you can have enough zucchini, so I used 2)
1/4 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
6 cups beef broth (I used low sodium)
2 cans (15 oz.) diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (15 oz.) garbanzo beans
(I also added a large handful of small red beans, soaked overnight and microwaved for 5 minutes on high~GREAT ANTIOXIDANTS)
1/2 cup uncooked small pasta shells
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

In a soup kettle, cook turkey and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the carrots, celery and garlic; cook for 3 minutes. Add zucchini and green beans; cook 2 minutes longer.

Stir in broth, red beans, tomatoes, cabbage, basil, oregano and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover; Simmer for 45 minutes. Return to a boil. Stir in garbanzo beans, pasta and parsley. Cook for 6-9 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Serve with parmesan cheese. Makes about 3 quarts.

SIMPLE WAYS TO CUT FAT AND CALORIES

1. Select lean cuts of meat for your sandwich, like smoked turkey and oven roasted chicken breast.


2. Use ground turkey breast instead of ground beef for your burgers and you’ll save 200 calories and numerous fat grams!.

3. Use as many fat free or low fat items as possible. Fat Free Cheese, Sour Cream, Light Mayo or Miracle Whip, Salad Dressings and Butter. You'll be amazed at how many fat grams you save yourself from.

4. If you're a snacker, try baked chips, instead of regular. I love BBQ Baked Lays.

5. Blotting the grease off of your pizza, burgers, etc.. can save you numerous calories and fat grams. Just use a paper towel or napkin and gently dab your food. Easy! Who wants to eat grease anyway?

6. Skip the fatty dips and try these five lower-calorie, figure-friendly dips:
Salsa is always king! Two tablespoons of salsa has only seven calories, which means you can dip until the sun goes down.
Substitute non-fat plain yogurt or light sour cream in place of full-fat mayonnaise or sour cream.
Go spicy! Low-fat dips can be bland without the fat, so add a spicy punch. Think garlic-ranch or spicy chipotle dips for twice the flavor and half the fat.
Get in touch with your inner health nut and serve hummus and pair it with whole wheat pita wedges.
Make your own lard-free bean dip by mashing whole black beans with a little olive oil, lemon or lime juice. Pile on the fresh diced tomatoes, red onions, green pepper, garlic, and seasonings.

7. Pile on Veggies:
Pizza: Add lots of onions, green peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, and artichokes.
Sandwiches: Don't forget the tomatoes, sprouts, lettuce, red onions, avocado, and pickles.
Nachos: Toss salad ingredients right on top and turn this gut-buster into a healthy taco salad – lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, black olives, and avocado.
Veggie tray: Crisp, refreshing and nutricious you can’t go wrong with a platter of colorful produce, like carrots, celery, bell peppers, radishes, zucchini, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes.

8. If you're a soda drinker, switch to diet. That was simple, huh?

9. Drink lots of water before meals. That way you will feel fuller and eat less.

10. Rev up your metabolism by staying active. Burn calories with quick bursts of energy. Speed up your walk to the mailbox, park farther away at shopping center and really pick up the pace. You get the idea. STAY ACTIVE!