Homemade Chili

Between the cold weather and wanting to use the crock pot again I decided to make some homemade chili.  I looked at tons of recipes for the crock pot and none of them were exactly what I wanted so instead I just winged it.  I put everything I liked from the different recipes into this recipe.  No real measurements were used.  Jeff & I both tasted it a few times to see if anything else needed to be added.

All the ingredients added to the crock pot, pre-cooked.

The recipe calls for:

lean ground turkey meat

kidney & black beans

frozen corn

jalapeno peppers

onion

garlic cloves

garlic powder

chili powder

cayenne pepper

salt & pepper 

tomato paste

tomato sauce

mini diced tomatoes

chicken broth

cheddar cheese (optional)

sour cream (optional)

tortilla chips (optional)

Do What You Can

I finally realized New Year Resolutions are just too stressful to worry about and keep up with.  Most people don't even follow through with them.  I DVRed Good Morning America this morning because I knew Bethenny Frankel was going to be on for a segment. She is just very inspiring to me and I figured any new knowledge learned from her is a good thing.  She has always shared health, food and exercise tips in her career, but it's how she incorporates these things in her life in a normal way just like you and I would have to that is the special part.  She has taught me a lot and today showed me why only make changes come the new year, why not make small changes throughout the whole year.  Do what you can when you can, there's always tomorrow.

"Everyday is a fresh start." - Bethenny Frankel

One small thing I am going to try my best to add to my everyday is keeping hydrated. Besides coffee, water is what I mainly drink with an occasional soda here and there.  I have noticed that I don't drink very often though.  Usually I have a 16.9 oz water bottle at work and one later one at night with dinner, but I am changing that to three bottles at work and one bottle at night which completes the 8 glasses of 8oz of water a day that "they" say to have.  I must say, after the first day doing this I was down a pound. I'm sure it's just water weight, but I'll take it.  Are you drinking enough?




- - Don't waste food by throwing out the holiday leftovers, just have some control and watch your portions.
- - A little exercise is better then none! I took Zumba today after months of doing nothing.
- - Try not to sweat the small stuff. This is what I struggle with.
- - Put yourself first sometimes even if you're someone who puts everyone else first.
-- Check out: www.bethenny.com/

Jeff & Jenn's Famous Meatballs

Trying Out Recipes

Before adding the panko bread
crumbs & coconut.

The crab cakes were soooo good! They have scallions, red pepper, mayo & obviously crab meat. There are some panko bread crumbs & shredded coconut inside the cakes then they are dredged in the mixture also. When serving the two suggestions were with lime wedges & sweet red chili sauce. I didn't use either, but Jeff loved the chili sauce on them. I read that panko bread crumbs don't soak up the grease in the pan like regular bread crumbs do so that will save some calories. Also, they are lower in sodium. We had some of the panko/coconut mixture left even with following the recipe, but I think it could be used to coat chicken, shrimp or any white fish too.

The salad would've been much better with a different dressing. We used a pear balsamic which wasn't a good choice. But hey, nothing wrong with experimenting. The cucumbers & feta cheese were a good combination though. I'd make it again using some other dressing. With a different dressing it would look more appetizing as well.

Favorite San Fran Photos

 

Random Food Pics

BAKING

      

PASTA

           


DESSERT

OTHER

     

           

For My Mom

Red Velvet Cake

Fish Tacos

The taco shell is stuffed with some chopped up tilapia seasoned with a little salt/pepper/garlic powder & the homemade salsa. The other piece of fish is seasoned/topped with the same things & instead of it being in a taco shell I broke up some pieces for the top. Accompanied by some asparagus & light sour cream.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I don't usually cook anything for this holiday, but I figured it would be fun. I made my own version of salsa. Not all the ingredients I added are normal for salsa, but they were things I really enjoy & I thought went well with all the flavors together. I just eye balled the measurements.

The recipe calls for:

tomatoes

yellow onion

green onion (chives)

green pepper

cilantro

a little salt & pepper

I'm going to make fish tacos tonight for dinner, two different versions of it with tilapia. The hard taco shells I use are so good, only 55 calories & high in fiber. They are so tasty you can just break them up & eat them as chips, put in a salad or something else to add some crunch/texture.

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Whole Grain Corn Taco Shells - Brand: Ortega

Coffee Happy Hour!

Starbucks is having their Happy Hour for Frappuccino's again!!! Half price any flavor you want, customized to how you like it & there are light options to make them healthier.

May 6th - May 15th

3-5pm

Also, after 9 long years the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino is back! My taste buds have never been lucky enough to have had this drink before because 9 years ago I was only 16 years old. My love or should I say obsession for coffee was not found just yet. I saw Starbucks post about this drink over a month ago on Facebook & have been anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

So I went to Starbucks today, I was asked what I wanted before I made it to the counter. I replied with my normal "mocha frappucinno light please." After making it the register the woman asked me if I would like to try the new drink they have & it was the one I've been waiting for! After looking down at the samples, seeing the sign above me advertising it, I frantically changed my order before even trying the sample. Fortunately these people know me there & my crazy coffee feening self was nothing new to them.

I knew I would like it, there was no doubt in my mind. Chocolate, coffee & coconut in one...what's not to like? It's like a perfect caffeinated dessert! For me it was breakfast & lunch. I didn't get a chance to eat with my running around today. Yes I know not healthy, but it happens. The moment I tasted it I was in coffee heaven. I got the light version of course, so no whipped cream, no toppings & the light base for the drink. Here is a picture of the non-light version...

For me Happy Hour at Starbucks is the best kind of Happy Hour. If you usually don't go to Starbucks because of the higher prices, here it the perfect chance to get some of their yumminess since they are half the normal price. It's a steal. Enjoy fellow coffee lovers! :) And for those who don't drink coffee, there are some options for you as well.

Click here for the nutritional facts information for ALL frappucinno's.

Tonight's Healthy Dinner

Tilapia with a little sauce & Spaghetti Squash

with garlic, red peppers & some parmesan cheese.

I haven't been cooking dinner that much anymore because for one I didn't know many healthy things to cook. But someone reminded me of spaghetti squash & I haven't had it for a long time. I think I remember not liking it too much, but I think that was because it wasn't flavorful enough. You definitely need flavor or else it is super plain & boring. Both things were easy to make & simple yet delicious. Yum!

Crab Deviled Eggs For Easter

The recipe calls for:

4 oz lump crab meat

6 hard boiled eggs

1/2 stick chopped celery

2 tbs mascarpone cheese

1 tbs mayo

1 tbs sour cream

1 tbs dijon mustard

1 tbs lemon juice

3 tbs chopped fresh chives

salt & pepper

-- Add & mix the crab meat, celery, cheese, mayo, sour cream, mustard, lemon juice & chives together in a medium mixing bowl. Add some salt & pepper to your likely.

-- Cut the hard boiled eggs into halves. Remove the yolk & discard.

-- Spoon the crab mixture into the egg halves & serve.

Never made deviled eggs before so when I was looking at recipes I came across this one with crab & had to make it. I like the traditional deviled eggs so I made some of those too for tomorrow, but these are much tastier! I suggest maybe using only 1 tbs of the cheese if you want it less calories. The good thing about this recipe is the yolk (the "bad" part of the egg) is not added to the mixture so it cuts out some fat.

Namaste

I need to make some sort of peace in my mind with all the thoughts & worries I have. Meditating has always been a struggle for me. I get itchy & anxious & my mind thinks way too much. As Julia Roberts portrayed Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat Pray Love, I know I am not the only one that finds it hard to relax during this time. I want to set a goal to let some peace in. I need to research some tips.

Who wouldn't want to feel as peaceful as this looks?

Apparently I Am Obsessed With Basil

SO DELICIOUS!

The recipe calls for:

olive oil

your favorite bread

tomato

basil

part skim mozzarella cheese

store bought or homemade pesto (optional)

-- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

-- Cut up the bread, tomato & cheese into slices.

-- Place the bread on a non-stick baking pan.

-- Spread a little pesto onto each slice of bread. (optional) Another option, sprinkle some olive oil on the bread.

-- Add the cheese, basil & tomato onto the bread in whatever order you prefer. Sprinkle some olive oil on top of it all.

-- Place the baking pan in the oven until bread is crispy & the cheese is slightly melted.

This is a very easy recipe & can be made for an appetizer, brunch side dish or for lunch. It was my lunch today. :)

MAKE IT! EAT IT! ENJOY IT!

Self Admitted Wine-o