Tortilla Soup (Clean Eating)

Sooooo a recent inspiration to eat cleaner and live healthier led me to the 100 Days of Real Food blog. (http://www.100daysofrealfood.com) The next few posts (or maybe every post from here on out; we shall see!) will be "clean eating" recipes. Although I found these recipes on the 100 Days of Real Food blog, we made some additions and substitutions that kind of made them our own as we tested the waters. I wanted to share these amendments with friends who are also embarking on this challenge (and with you, of course!)

I am excited that most everything we have tried thus far has been delicious and BETTER than previous similar recipes. The husband is still somewhat skeptical, but he has openly admitted that the meat, veggies, spices, and just overall flavor are better when we buy organic/local (you're welcome, honey!) He doesn't love the Whole Foods price tag, though, so there is definitely some budget research to be done with this new pet project of mine. 

Without any further delay--let's talk about this Tortilla Soup. This recipe TRUMPS the previous Taco Soup post. If you're not into clean eating, that recipe will still suffice. I, however, think that we have moved on. (The moment we tasted this soup was similar to the first time we tasted Chipotle and we forever forsook Moe's and Qdoba, if that makes any kind of impact to y'all) 

In order to give credit where credit is due, you may find the recipe here: 

http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/03/28/recipe-tortilla-soup/

Dorsett Additions/Amendments: 

1. We added about 1.3 cups shredded chicken (extra we had left over/frozen from another home made soup.) 

2. Mushrooms (just a few we threw in there)
3. One chopped bell pepper 

4. A pinch of cayenne pepper (some like it hot) 

5. We chose to garnish with avocados, organic cilantro, organic sour cream, and organic monterrey jack cheese. 

Let me know how it works out for you, and if you have any other suggestions for additions/amendments! :)