Swiss Chard and White Bean Soup Recipe
This Swiss Chard and White Bean Soup Recipe is a bowl of comofort with Swiss chard, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, and an egg on top!
I have to admit, the winter doldrums get me down. That is why exercise, getting out with friends for lunch, hosting people in our home, going to see movies (or better yet, renting on Apple TV or free on Netflix), doing things for others (visit, take meals), reading good books and listening to music, and getting lots of sleep are all important to me. I also try to stay organized and eat good food.
Having a game plan with “good food” for dinner is everything! Good food, as in healthy, so we don’t reach for fast and unhealthy!
I’m always happier when I know what is for dinner and I have the details worked out.
Swiss Chard and White Bean Soup.
I made a big pot of this soup one afternoon last week (thanks to Cooking Light December 2014 issue), and it was delicious.
It’s pretty basic–white beans, potatoes, lots of veggies and Swiss chard (that we still have in our garden!)
A winter bowl of comfort.
Change it up by steaming an egg for the top!
In the meantime, here are 3 tips that help me stay organized in the winter months.
Staying organized does not come naturally to me, so I have to intentionally find ways to stay on top of clutter.
3 tips for staying organized:
1. Declutter.
Clutter is the number one reason my mind can’t settle down and focus on the tasks for the day. Taking 5 minutes each night and swooping through the kitchen and living area, tidying up, helps me feel refreshed and ready the next morning! My husband always gets the coffee ready, and I make sure I’ve started the dishwasher the night before. If I can simplify our stuff, I just feel better and in control. When it’s all over the place, I feel out of control. I really want my days to be productive, so I’m working hard in all of these areas.
Magazines: I’m really bad with magazines. Stacking them neatly helps me feel like there is some kind of order.
Yard Sale pile: I’m going to have a yard sale! I’m stashing things right and left in my garage, as I declutter and thin out what I don’t need.
Paperwork: I have a giant basket that everything goes into on the counter. “Everything” like what? When company comes, I move it to another space (bedroom or garage).
Pantry: One year ago, my sister came and helped me clean my pantry. It’s on my “list” to do again this winter. It’s amazing how unorganized it is again.
One area a day: I have been choosing one area a day to declutter, even if it’s only a tiny drawer. My biggest success so far has been my tablecloth closet, where I pulled out about 15 tablecloths to sell at our upcoming yard sale.
2. Stay on Task.
Making lists and writing things down are everything to me. I do keep my calendar on my computer/phone, and notes on my phone. I actually rely a LOT on my phone. But day-to-day notes and schedules for my blog I write down. I’m a visual girl, so I need to see it on paper (or calendar alerts) to stay on task.
Say no: Don’t say yes to everything that comes along. Saying no has helped me be more organized and keep up with the things that need to be done.
Use your phone alarm: If I’m working on a project, and need to move on to another, I sometimes set my alarm on my phone, helping remind me it’s time to move on.
Stop working: My husband has helped me with a daily timeframe for stopping work so we can relax in the evening. Sometimes I make the deadline, sometimes not, but we have that goal.
3. Treats and Goals.
Having a goal and meeting a deadline is like a breath of fresh air. It’s also fun to reward yourself when you’ve met a goal!
Go to yoga: Going to a yoga class in the middle of the day to me is like getting a massage. If I have time in my schedule (usually because of good organizational skills), I’ll go for a one-hour class.
Chocolate or tea: Whether a bite of chocolate or a cup of tea, in the afternoon I like to treat myself to one or the other. It causes me to slow down, think about what I’m doing, what I enjoy, how I feel, think about others, pray for others, get my mind off my work. It’s good to take a break.
Yoga mat upstairs: My friend recently reminded me to keep a yoga mat out at all times, where you can see it and it’s visible, for taking a few breaks a day and stretching! Stretching is like drinking a big glass of water. It’s refreshing, good for your body, good for the soul.
When every day is packed to the gills, full of disorganization with no plan, there is no time for a soul reset.
Stay on top of your messes.
My tips above help me stay on track. No, I do not accomplish them every day, but I aim to at least fit in a few. The treats are almost daily (I love treats)! {Above stack of tablecloths that I recently purged from my hall closet.}
There are some things I left off, like give your pets lots of love, drink a ton of water, call, text, or email 1 lonely friend. I try to do this daily.
The more I intentionally try to stay on top of my little messes, the more peace I discover in my heart and mind. I also love to wake up to a life that is fresh and organized!
Life just becomes a little more simple.
Do you struggle with being organized and keeping a plan? What tips do you have to share today?
Get the Recipe:
Swiss Chard and White Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅗ teaspoon crushed red pepper, divided
- 2 cups unsalted vegetable stock, such as Kitchen Basics
- 2 cups water
- 8 ounces Yukon gold potatoes, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 4 cups chopped Swiss chard
- 1 15-ounce can Bush’s cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup quartered cherry tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 4 large eggs, optional
Instructions
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Add onion; sauté 6 minutes. Stir in rind, rosemary, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook 1 minute. Stir in stock, 2 cups water, and potatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in chard and beans; simmer 10 minutes. Stir in cherry tomatoes.
- Fill a skillet two-thirds full with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer. Add vinegar. Break each egg into a custard cup, and pour each gently into pan; cook 3 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Carefully remove eggs from pan using a slotted spoon. Ladle 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 4 bowls; top with a poached egg. Sprinkle with remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Swiss chard is my favorite vegetable!! Love the fresh rosemary addition too.
Beautiful soup. I’ve been trying to pick small areas to declutter this winter. I have a long way to go, but I’ve also come a long way over the past couple months. Yay!
Great tips on winter organization and keeping the blues away – and this soup is lovely!!!
These ingredients look so fresh like they were just picked right out of the garden! Great tips on organization!
I looooove chard. Haven’t had it yet this season. And I love how you serve the egg with this soup, delicious!
Sandy, your tips are just what I need. The clutter bogs me down. If I just do a little at a time it starts to chip away. We cleaned the garage last weekend which was HUGE and feels so much better. But my desk area needs work. Kids papers, my papers and bills…they all need their own home. And so do our pens and pencils :)
Great post!
Thanks, Aggie! Every day is a new day! LOL
I like being organized and uncluttered…does it always happen? No, but for the most part I am so it doesn’t make the “not” times so bad.
That souuuuuuuup, goodness! I’m suiting up.