The Perfect Weeknight, Family Friendly Tortilla Soup Recipe
By Liz Wright -
You’re tired, hungry, and have zero energy to spend an hour on the kitchen counter. That’s okay. With this flavorful tortilla soup, you don’t have to. All it takes is a couple of minutes of prep (that even your kids can help you with) and a bit more on the stove, and you’re good to go. Here’s what you’ll need and how to make this quick, healthy, and inexpensive dinner soup.
The Perfect Weeknight, Family Friendly Tortilla Soup Recipe
What Is Tortilla Soup & Its Main Ingredients
Tortilla soup is spiced but not too spicy Mexican chicken soup that is packed with flavors that pamper the taste buds. It’s traditionally made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chilies, but variations are also widely available. Today’s recipe is really simple and perfect for weeknights with the family when you’re short on time and energy.
These are the three main ingredients you’ll need:
A can of fire-roasted tomatoes — Being roasted really adds a lot of depth to the soup base.
A store-bought rotisserie chicken — It not only saves a ton of time but also brings a delicious smoky flavor to the recipe.
A can of enchilada sauce — For that rich roasted flavor, you absolutely need this zero-effort ingredient.
The Perfect Weeknight, Family Friendly Tortilla Soup Recipe
How to Make This Delicious Tortilla Soup
Although not the most authentic way to prepare tortilla soup, this is a shortened, weeknight- and family-friendly way to do it.
Step 1
Take the chicken and remove all the meat from it. Be sure to keep the bones for stock. It’s a fun idea to ask your kids to help and include them in the process.
Step 2
Chop the zucchini, garlic, and onion (plus other veggies of your choice).
Step 3
Put everything into a big pot and add the spices, chilies, and canned tomatoes. Let it simmer until ready and stir occasionally.
The Perfect Weeknight, Family Friendly Tortilla Soup Recipe
Step 4
Sit back and snack on tortilla chips while the soup simmers. It’s not a mandatory step, but it’s highly recommended.
A 4-Minute Exercise Scientifically Proven to Help Children Focus
By Drew Quintero –
A 4-Minute Exercise Scientifically Proven to Help Children Focus
When you are trying to fit in some exercise, four minutes is enough. Judy Katz, a pediatric occupational therapist in Chicago, is raving about how beneficial and easy FUNtervals can be for children. Developed by Shane Sures, Brendon J. Gurd, and Jasmin Ма, these are four-minute-high-intensity exercises that feature storytelling and rest periods. One FUNterval includes eight 20-second bursts of intensive movement followed by 10 seconds of rest.
Improve Your Focus
They are engaging and fun, but they have also been proven to help kids become more regulated and focused. When children are emotionally dysregulated, they are less in control of their responses to certain stimuli. Katz explains that an adult experiences lots of internal emotional reactions, like finding out that an ex is dating a new person or a colleague has copied their outfit. On the other hand, children don’t always know how to control their emotions so a little movement can surely calm their minds…
Run in Place for 20 Seconds, Rest for 10
A 4-Minute Exercise Scientifically Proven to Help Children Focus
Imagine this: You are watching your dog — let’s call him Skip — play when you hear some guy on a skateboard go by. All of a sudden, Skip dashes out of the house to chase him. You have to catch your dog. So, start running in place for 20 seconds and rest for 10.
Lunge Side to Side for 20 Seconds, Rest for 10
A 4-Minute Exercise Scientifically Proven to Help Children Focus
You start looking left, right, up, and down for your dog. If the sidewalk is icy, though, you slide all over the place like an ice skater. So, lunge side to side for 20 seconds and rest for 10.
Stretch Your Arms Up and Reach From Side-To-Side for 20 Seconds, Rest for 10
A 4-Minute Exercise Scientifically Proven to Help Children Focus
You found your dog, but he’s way up in a tree. So, you have to reach high into the sky — all the way to the tallest branches — to grab him. Stretch your arms up the sky and reach from side to side for 20 seconds, then rest for 10.
Jump in Place for 20 Seconds, Rest for 10
A 4-Minute Exercise Scientifically Proven to Help Children Focus
You graze your Skip’s foot, but you can’t grab him. It’s time to jump as high as you can for him. So, jump in place for 20 seconds and rest for 10.
Squat and Stretch for 20 Seconds, and Rest for 10
A 4-Minute Exercise Scientifically Proven to Help Children Focus
You finally rescue Skip from the tree. You carry him in your arms, but he’s so heavy that you have to squat to refrain from dropping him. Squat and stretch for 20 seconds and rest for 10.
Walk Heel to Toe for 20 Seconds, Rest for 10
A 4-Minute Exercise Scientifically Proven to Help Children Focus
You cross a narrow bridge on the way home and balance your body to walk one foot in front of the other until you cross. Walk heel to toe for 20 seconds and rest for 10.
Jump for 20 Seconds, Rest for 10
A 4-Minute Exercise Scientifically Proven to Help Children Focus
You made it back home! Celebrate by doing jumping jacks for 20 seconds and rest for 10.
These fun and simple exercises will undoubtedly help your kid focus more.