I am George Costanza the moment I feel a slight chill in the air. And by “a chill in the air” I mean, when it is under 100 degrees. 99 degrees? IT’S SOUP MODE, BABY.

I take my soup very seriously and I try many recipes every season. Because I am a woman obsessed and because I love you, I have compiled a list of my favorite soup recipes that I’ve tested in the last couple of years. These recipes are not “healthy” - unless you are referring to them making you mentally well, in which case, they are the healthiest recipes in the world. I am also including the recipe for my world-renowned, insanely famous, award-winning chili. These are all self-appointed titles, except for the award-winning. That one is true. My only rule is that you are not allowed to enter the chili into any contests in which I am present and also competing. I like the glory, you see.

LAUREN’S TOP LIST OF SOUPS TO GET YOU INTO SOUP MODE

Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chowder - this one gives instructions for the instant pot but I more often just make it on the stove with my dutch oven. This recipe can be spicy so maybe cool it on the chipotle if serving to kids.

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup - this one I added half an onion and sauteed it along with the celery. So, so, so good!

Basic + Awesome Broccoli Cheese Soup - a basic recipe that I think is very good!

Lasagna Soup - lasagna soup has gone viral in the last couple of weeks but I have been making this recipe of Chance’s for over a year now. I love that you stir in the cheese mixture into your own bowl!

Mexican-inspired Chicken Soup - I cannot tell you HOW good this one is. Holy, moly. I need it right now.

LAUREN’S WORLD FAMOUS, INSANELY FAMOUS, AWARD-WINNING CHILI

This recipe is for people that like a smokey-sweet vibe. If this isn’t your vibe, well…whatever.

1lb ground beef (you can use turkey)

2-3 teaspoons olive oil

1 sweet onion, diced

1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

6 cloves of garlic, minced

1.5 tablespoon tomato paste

1 15.5oz can of white beans, drained

1 15.5oz can of kidney beans, drained

1 28oz can of Bush’s baked beans (must be Bush’s)

4 cups of chicken broth

1/2 tablespoon of Better than Buillon chicken base

1/2 tablespoon chili powder

1/2 tablespoon onion powder

1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon dutch process cocoa powder (yes)

Salt and Pepper to taste (I say to taste because some people are weird)

Directions:

Saute your onion and jalapeno until soft, then add in your beef and brown it. Once browned, add in your garlic and cook for one minute. Add in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add in all beans, seasoning and broth. Simmer for at least 30 minutes but the longer, the better. You may find you might need to add some water if you simmer it for a long time. Enjoy!

Happy Soup Mode!

-Lauren

17 years have passed since the time I started those first blog entries. 11 years, almost to the day, since I deleted that blog. I never, NEVER, expected that anyone would read my stupid blog posts, let alone thousands of people. It was a weird time to be given such a large an audience. I don’t want to dwell on the negative too much, but to be honest, I look back sourly at my blogging years, which is a shame because I really enjoyed creating the blogs!

I think that’s why it’s time to take the name back. I am no longer a girl in my early 20s, figuring out life and how to balance being newly married with a job I hated, and college. I am now a woman in her 30s who is VASTLY different than the person I was when I was pushing out those blog posts. No longer lacking confidence and unsure about myself, I now stand tall knowing my worth, and as a mom of 3 amazing kids, with my own small business, doing what I love: creating.

When I was 18 I set out to express myself through words, and at 35 I have the same goal. I was Busy Bee Lauren at 18 and I am Busy Bee Lauren now. My initial goal to share updates on my life and the things that I am loving remains the same. I am excited to have you along for the ride.

-Lauren

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