Super Turkey Chili

I went to find this recipe online so I could add it to Pinterest, and it was gone!  So, I decided to post it here!  We love this recipe and I'll note changes I made to the original recipe in case you want to experiment.  I began using this recipe during Phase I when we did the South Beach Diet.  It is an easy recipe, and one of my favorite cold weather meals!

I added the ingredients into myfitnesspal.com and the calories per serving is about 470.

This is a place holder pic...will add my own the next time I make this  :)

Super Turkey Chili
Serves 8
Serving size about 1 cup

2 lbs natural ground turkey breast
2 tbs olive or canola oil
3 medium onions, diced (about 2 cups)
1 medium zucchini, diced (about 1 cup)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 (28oz) cans diced tomatoes
1 (6oz) can tomato paste
2 (15oz) cans dark red kidney beans
4 tbs chili powder
1 tbs cumin
1 tsp cayenne (optional)
2 tsp salt

Heat a large soup pot over medium heat.  Add oil, onion, zucchini and garlic, saute for 5 minutes, or until soft

Add ground turkey, cook and stir until browned

Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and salt

If chili is too thick, add water or broth to achieve desired consistency.  Simmer for at least 20 minutes.  Ladle into bowls and serve piping hot.

My changes or additions:
      - Use 1 can dark red kidney beans & 1 can black beans
      - Fresh diced tomato instead of canned
      - 1/4 tsp cayenne
      - Dash white pepper & black pepper
      - Dash of red pepper flakes
      - Sometime to change it up, I use lean ground beef
      - I've also added a little ground chipotle from time to time as well

Cuts & Curves

This is a 3 month boot camp of sorts that was featured in Muscle & Body Magazine.  I have completed one full week and am hopeful that between this and good nutrition I will rearrange my body shape a bit.  The idea is to do the boot camp to reach my goal body composition and then go into a more sustainable maintenance mode.

I had tried P90X and really enjoyed it.  However, due to knee issues the program reaggrivated them and doctor said no more P90X for me.

For the life of me I cannot find the link to the actual workout on their website, so I will attempt to share it here.

If you'd like to read the articles, they are here:
Month 1
Month 2
Month 3

The pdf of the workout plan for all 3 months can be found by clicking on the below Cuts & Curves picture.

I Spy!

I spy a way to get rid of those stacks of magazines! 

Yeah...those!

I have a cute little nephew that loves cars and windmills and other things little boys are interested in.  :) 

So I bought a 12x12 scrapbook and cardstock paper and began cutting up magazines.

I then arranged them on the pages and glued them down

Next I wrote a little poem of things to find in the collage of the pictures. 

It was a great way to get rid of magazines and make a custom book for a special nephew.

Renewed Vision

It has been awhile since I ventured on to the blog, and I have decided to expand the subject matter a bit.  So instead of just writing about restaurants we've tried and enjoyed, I thought I'd venture into projects I'm working on, books I've enjoyed, and anything else that I find of interest.

I have a few projects that I have accomplished and a few that I am in the process of diving into that I'd like to share.  However, I will have to begin after I do my evening workout! 

Raspberry Lemonade Pie

So, since we don't always eat out I decided to share a recipe I tried and we really enjoyed. It is for Raspberry Lemonade pie.  It's a great, quick and easy recipe.  I love the light and summery taste.  I'm not a huge fan of lemon desserts, but I really liked this one.

The only change I made is that I used Raspberry Lemonade concentrate instead of Lemonade concentrate. I also used low or no fat options or sugar free when possible. The link to the recipe is below, as well as the recipe typed out. Let me know what you think!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?RecipeID=194340&origin=detail&servings=16

Raspberry Lemonade Pie
Prep Time: 15 Minutes Ready In: 15 Minutes
Servings: 16
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 (3 ounce) package JELL-O Brand Lemon Flavor Gelatin
4 ounces PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 (12 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 (8 ounce) tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
1 cup fresh raspberries
2 (6 ounce) HONEY MAID Graham Pie Crusts 

Directions:
1. Add boiling water to gelatin mix in small bowl. Stir 2 min. until completely dissolved; set aside. Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in concentrate, then gelatin until blended.
2. Stir in COOL WHIP and berries. Pour into crusts.
3. Refrigerate 1 pie 4 hours or until firm. Freeze remaining pie up to 1 week before thawing to serve

The Drop

     The Drop is another gem that my husband and I have found.  Several months ago I saw a Groupon deal for this bistro.  While I didn't purchase the Groupon at the time, I found myself still curious about this place.

     So, I took a look at their website and was excited to try it.  I told the hubby about it, and we decided to visit during their happy hour.  During this time they offer half priced appetizers, so we thought it would be a great time to try several different things.

     The appetizer that we chose was the Fusion Hummus.  It was a great!  We really enjoyed it.  Even better than that was their bruschetta.  While it wasn't an appetizer (therefore not included in the happy hour pricing) it was totally worth it!  For $15 you can order any 4 of their bruschetta options.  My husband and I would go back just for this. 

     The bruschetta options we chose were:

• Goat cheese, fig, pistachio
• Brie, apple, balsamic cream, candied pecans
• Red grape, gorgonzola, port wine reduction
• Prosciutto, roasted garlic, romesco    

     The Drop has a great atmosphere.  It is cozy, and reminded me of a few of the little restaurants we tried while in Spain.  We would love to go back and try a few of their entrees and flatbreads as well.

Oklahoma Joe's

     So my hubby's parents came and visited us this weekend and while here asked to eat at Oklahoma Joe's BBQ.  This is another one of the places in the KC area that we absolutely love. 

     Now, there is no shortage of options for BBQ in the KC area.  My husband happened upon the 47th & Mission Rd location which is housed in a gas station, and we have been hooked ever since.  Since we live closer to the Olathe location, we tend to frequent it now.  We made it a point to sample many of the BBQ restaurants that are legendary in Kansas City before choosing our favorite.  After trying the known names in the area, such as Gates, Jack Stack, Arthur Bryant's, and K&M, we still hold Oklahoma Joe's as our favorite.

     The key factor that, for us, gives Oklahoma Joe's the edge is the quality of meat.  I am not a fan of fatty meat, and every time I have ordered they have served great cuts of meat that are juicy and tender. 

      A few our favorites include:

• Beef Brisket Sandwich
• Hog Heaven Sandwich
• Z-man Sandwich
• Smoked Chicken Gumbo

     A side of either french fries or onion rings is a great addition to a great meal. 

     If my word is not enough, just try stopping by sometime!  We have waited in a line that went out the door on many occassions just to eat there.  In fact, just Friday night the hubby, his parents, and I waited in a line that long.  It was totally worth the wait!  Also, it is always nice to be remembered by the staff each time we visit.  While BBQ styles and preferences are as different as the people that enjoy them, we have found one that suits us.