Chili 101

Post body pump I always have one thing on my mind! FOOD. I went to HannaF’s (aka Hannafords) last night and stocked my cabinets and fridge with all the necessary ingredients to make Real Simple’s Turkey and Bean Chili tonight.


Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 pound ground turkey (preferably dark meat)
2 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chili pepper or 2 teaspoons chili powder (I used the chili powder)
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
2 15-ounce cans kidney beans, rinsed
kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
cilantro sprigs, for serving


I made a few changes, added a ½ tsp of red pepper flakes, ½ cup corn, 1 red bell pepper and a can of black beans (instead of using two cans kidney). Black beans deserve a spot in all chili recipes.

Instead of my usual vino, I sipped on a protein drink. This is new to me: I’m not this hard core. Strawberry whey protein powder mixed with water, while delicious and a great way to refuel after body pump, is not wine. However, it will hold me over while my chili cooks!

After a solid minute of wretched eye burning and tearing the goods were diced, opened and ready to hit the sauce pan. Why don’t I use my food processor!?



simmering...simmering...simmering...


Did you know: (Yes, I googled chili. Or as my Mutti would say, "put a google on" chili)

-Chili is not from Mexico?

-That at the Terlingua Cook-Off in Terlingua Texas, no chili with beans recipes are allows to compete?

-Last spring Matt's dad competed in a chili cook off at the Great Scott in Allston, MA and won the grand prize?

Now that's a man's chili! No worries this chili will make its way to the blog in the fall. It is reserved for special occasions, aka Patriots season.

Want to know my favorite part about chili? No not the smell, not the spice, not the texture, nor the taste: CHILI BREEDS LEFTOVERS. Lots and lots of leftovers

!
I added some cheddar cheese to mine and a dollop of daisy. Don't usually get down with sour cream but I wanted to see what it was all about (and we had some). Verdict: eh, chili doesn't need sour cream. Do you use it on your chili?

"The aroma of good chili should generate rapture akin to a lover's kiss."
Motto of the Chili Appreciation Society International

I didn't even know there was a Chili Appreciation Society. How do you join?

Time to watch LOST!

OH, I regret to inform you all that Flash Forward and Heroes have been cancelled. This news combined with the series finales of Lost and 24 just have my inner TV junkie sad! Good thing I had the savory smells of turkey, cumin, peppers, onions and garlic wafting in my direction all evening.

Out with the bad, in with the good

For some reason whenever I do yoga, I always think of a silly quote from Dumb and Dumber: "...out with the bad, in with the good, out with the bad, in with the good..." hehe

Ya know concentrating on your breath...exhale, inhale, aka out with the bad, in with the good!

Tonight I caved and bought yoga for runners off YogaDownload. It was 4 bucks and I have unlimited use until July 13th! My tight, sore muscles and hips were relieved, however, the woman's voice was very robotic. Trying to balance in half moon was just a tad difficult with Jane Jetson narrating the flow!

source

Don't know about you but after yoga, I always feel pretty cleansed and do not like putting anything unhealthy into my body. Dinner was whole wheat/whole grain Hodgson Mill pasta over a few handfuls of spinach, with steamed broccoli, cherry tomatoes and a little Buitoni pesto with basil. Apologies for blanking on taking a photo but take my word, it was very pretty and very satisfying. The camera just would not have done it justice. wink wink. Lately, I have been eating pasta over a bed of raw spinach and the warm pasta is a nice contrast to the crisp greens. New go to!

Flash Forward is all new tonight! It is turning out to be quite another Lost ie. confusing twist after confusing twist. At least there isn't a white polar bear. But the show is very thought provoking! Would you want to KNOW what is going to happen on a certain day a few weeks, months or years in your future? GAH! I just don't know! I feel as though knowing this information would make anyone live for the future and not for today. Each character's actions is either to prohibit or allow their flash forward to become true.

Too much pressure.

They should do yoga and relax.

Good night!

Smiles, frowns and confusion

I can sum up yesterday evening with a few simple facial expressions


:Body pump squats: SMILE for strength

:Body pump lunges: FROWN for almost falling on the girl next to me! (legit, no joke, for serious, I came so close to toppling this time)

:75 cent coupon for Dr. Kracker: SMILE for saving $ AND new delicious products

:Some purchased peppers didn’t make their final voyage to my kitchen: FROWN on forgetful grocery cashiers and my lack of attention

:EASY recipes such as Ina’s Easy Sole paired with leftover couscous cakes: SMILE for super speedy, easy, tasty meals

:New artist discovery !!VV BROWN!! (l.o.v.e & shark in the water acoustic!) : SMILES for a hot off the press mix cd and grooving in the kitchen

:LOST! LOST! LOST! perma confusion... this might help

:Series finale of Lost approaching faster than Jacob's momma's life span after giving birth (May 23): SERIOUS FROWN


The smiles definitely outweighed the frowns so that’s just another thing to smile about!


Quotes magotes!

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. ~Phyllis Diller
Smile - sunshine is good for your teeth. ~Author Unknown
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. ~Charles Gordy
Smile - it increases your face value. ~Author Unknown