Soup Sunday

" Our greatest glory is not in ever failing, but in rising every time we fall."-  Confucious

Like most parts of the country Milwaukee had a snow storm today. As a runner I really pay attention to the weather so I can decide if it is an outside workout day or inside. No running was not the training plan for today. Just an indoor bike ride and some strength training.  It was just starting to snow as I got out of the gym this morning. Even though I have some Christmas shopping to do, with the storm it was the perfect day to stay in, cook, bake do home projects and make some jewelry. Since I have so many holiday projects that needed to be done, I did a very simple soup today.  

I love Thai food. In 2001 I spent 3 1/2 weeks in Thailand doing a small group tour in the southern part of Thailand.  I remember two nights we spent in a National Park that was an hour boat ride on a lake. We stayed in thatched roof huts perched over the lake. It was quiet and beautiful and like everywhere in Thailand we had the most amazing food.   I saw some really beautiful beaches and even did a little diving. I also remember the warm smiles of all the Thai people I met. I cook Thai food often at home and it always brings back great memories of that trip. I hope someday soon I can go back to Thailand and explore more of Asia. In the mean time I will just have to settle for Thai food.

Thai Ginger Soup

1 Carton Swanson Thai Ginger soup

2 Tablespoons Canola oil

½ cup chopped Yellow Onion

1 stalk of Celery finely chopped

1 Carrot cut into match sticks

1 can Chinese Straw Mushrooms

1 can lite coconut milk

2 Cups shredded chicken or Turkey

Rice Noodles softened

Heat oil in soup pot; add onions, celery and carrot.  Once the vegetables begin to soften add the Swanson soup and mushrooms. Bring to just below a boil, add coconut milk and chicken.  Heat just until mixture comes to a boil. If desired add a bit of Thai chili sauce for extra spice.  If using the rice noodles follow package directions to soften the noodles. Add to each bowl when serving the soup.

Serves 6

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Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 137 members in 27 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland and Iran. If you wish to join us visit our web site.

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.