So, so simple soup.

Making soup takes a lot of planning, but last week a friend served me this updated take on tomato soup - a soup that isn't terribly exciting to me. And, ever since I've been challenged to find quick, easy and healthy recipes... I've been on the look out. Putting this together requires two ingredients:

• Trader Joe's Creamy Tomato Soup
• Grated Parmesan Cheese

First, make sure you shake the carton to balance out the soup consistency. Pour a cup of soup into and add a smidge of parmesan cheese. Depending on how much you like cheese, I guess you can add more or less. I like to add enough to create some kind of texture.

Mix it up. Pop it in the microwave for a minute and a half. Not too long or else the cheese gets stringy (and if you're a texture person, it's like "bleh..."). And, voila!

A lovely soup that goes well with some fruit.

Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup - A Fresh Winter Soup

The first snow of the year fell this morning. I was up early because I had to work, but it was still one of those days when you look outside and just want to stay home and be cozy. Not feeling great, it's snowy: it had to be soup.

I made Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup today and I was genuinely surprised by how good it was. I've been sick all week, with my appetite returning this morning -- this was the first thing I've been able to taste since the new year. Meaning this: I'm on the road to recovery. Cilantro, lime, potatoes and chicken - really great flavors for a solid winter soup.

What I observed as I was making this was that I enjoy the focus that cooking requires from me. So much of my life is a rushed multitask... and I realized that when I focus on one thing, I am better able to really enjoy it and take in the moment. In fact, it's possibly I may have relaxed when making this dish. I noticed that I do much better with a plan: recipe, shopping list, time to shop. Taking the time to plan sets me up do a better job.

So these are my two takeaways: focus & make a plan.