Chili in the Summer

Hello!

I’m going to start this morning off with a chili recipe.  Ah, nothing like a hot, steamy bowl of chili on a hot, humid Houston day- right?  Okay, so that makes no sense, but I had a serious craving for something hot and tomato-y and this chili was spot-on!  It’s a healthier take on traditional chili, because it uses turkey instead of beef, and incorporates 3 different beans for added fiber and taste.  The recipe is written as a crockpot recipe from the Kraft Foods website, but since the beans are pre-cooked in cans, you can easily make this on the stovetop in 30 minutes(although I cooked mine for an hour to really stew the flavors).  The recipe also calls for a jar of salsa, which could easily be substituted with fresh veggies to cut sodium. (I used the jar to save time and sanity) Oh, and I used an entire pound of turkey meat(instead of the 1/2 lb the recipe calls for), since it was only sold in 1 lb packages at HEB.  I thought it tasted great, and wasn’t overly meaty.  This recipe is kid and husband approved, so that’s really saying something!   I’ll post the recipe at the bottom of the page.

Mmmm:

Breakfast this morning was not quite as exciting, but tasty nonetheless- Banana Cinnamon Oats.

Dennis left early this morning, and with no eggs in the house, it was another oatmeal kinda day for me.  These simple oats are filling and yummy.

• 1/2 c quick oats
• sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• and enough water to get everything saturated

Microwave for 1 minute or until soft and throw in one sliced banana.  Yum!

Today is going to be another busy one.  Colette has a sleepover birthday party to attend(they are going to a fancy resort, that lucky duck!)  so I need to grab a giftcard for the birthday girl.  I have a shirt to return that didn’t quite fit Colette properly from my mall adventures yesterday, and a baby shower to attend for Meredith’s teacher this afternoon.  Guess I need to get moving.  I’m hoping to squeeze in a workout somewhere in there.

Enjoy your Friday, (the recipe for the 3-Bean chili is below)

Amy

Three-Bean Turkey Chili

Ingredients:

• 1/2lb.  ground turkey
• 1 can  (28 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 jar  (16 oz.) TACO BELL® Thick & Chunky Salsa
• 1 can  (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed
• 1 can  (15 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed
• 1 can  (15 oz.) great Northern beans, rinsed
• 1 tsp.  chili powder
• 1 tsp.  ground cumin
• 1 pkg.  (7 oz.) KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 40 RITZ Crackers

make it

COOK turkey in large saucepan on medium-high heat 10 min. or until no longer pink, stirring occasionally.

ADD to slow cooker with all remaining ingredients except cheese and crackers; stir.

COVER with lid. Cook on HIGH 3 to 4 hours (or on LOW 5 to 6 hours).

SPOON into soup bowls; top with cheese. Serve with crackers.

TACO BELL® and Logo are trademarks owned and licensed by Taco Bell Corp.

A Little Frazzled

Okay, so the things are getting a little stressful over here.  Let’s start with breakfast before I dive into things-

We ran out of eggs fast this week(don’t ask me how that happened), so I fixed Dennis and myself a bowl of coconut almond oatmeal and a cup of coffee on the side.  The oatmeal was pretty simple:

• 1/2 c quick oats
• about 2 Tbsp sweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• a sprinkle of salt
• and a handful of my favorite coconut flavored almonds

Stir the first four ingredients with enough water to saturate and microwave 1 minute or until soft.  Toss in the almonds and enjoy!

Last night was Meredith and Colette’s rhythmic gymnastics recital, so I made sure to take some pictures for you guys.  The girls performed well, and had a blast- especially with the cookie reception afterward!  Each participant received a medal and a ribbon.  It was a fun time had by all!

Dennis’ hair made us all laugh in this photo 🙂   (love you honey!)

Cookies!

On a less upbeat note, last night I also received word that my grandfather may have suffered a small heart attack during his bout with an infected gallbladder, which he’d had removed in the ER earlier that day.  It was somewhat of a traumatic whirlwind day, with bits and pieces floating in via text from my mom and both of my sisters.  Unfortunately, my grandparents live a good distance away (near St.Louis) or I would have met them at the hospital.  I called my grandmother this morning, and thankfully was even able to speak with my grandpa on the phone.  He seemed pretty upbeat, considering all that had happened and was working on a much deserved lunch after waiting hours for the ok to eat anything.  He had a stint put in a blocked artery, and seems to be recovering well.  Many prayers for my grandpa and hopes for a speedy recovery!  We love you Grandpa!

On another subject, I’m also feeling a bit frazzled with all of the events coming up.  The end of school is creeping up so quickly, and I feel like everything seems to be crammed into those last few days.  Is anyone else feeling this?  Meredith’s birthday is also coming up next weekend, and I have yet to plan for that.  I am trying not to be a procrastinator, but that always seems to be the way I work.  (insert angry growl directed at myself)  Thank goodness for exercise, or I don’t think I would have the stamina to keep up with everything.  Positive thinking helps too!

Alright, I’m off to the mall.  I took an exercise rest day today, and I have some clothes shopping for Colette that needs to happen(that child has literally outgrown all of her clothes!)

Enjoy your Thursday!

Amy