Flips, Food and Friendsgiving

It has been a long tradition of Cool to have Friendsgiving each year, so she is way ahead of the trendiness that has became this newly celebrated holiday.  People are celebrating this holiday everywhere and I absolutely love the idea! 

We started our day off with Friendsgiving Cocktail Club and the vintage Brandy Flip. It was delicious and tasted a lot like eggnog (or at least that is what eggnog always tastes like in my house...I'm thinking my Dad always spiked it...hmmm). 

Cool also catered to the healthy ones of the bunch (I guess that was me) and had delicious fresh veggies and hummus. She even had radishes for me!  My favorite part of holiday meals is the fresh veggie tray. I know, you're rolling your eyes because the dietitian would say that, but it's true! The reason why is because I am not a huge fan of the traditional warm vegetable dishes that are part of the meal  (aka corn casserole) and it is a great way to get a little health on this gluttonous day. 

After a plethora of veggies, I dug in! A beautiful salad with citrus fruit, almonds and onions, mashed potatoes, turkey, cheese curds...and a delicious mimosa with peach sparkling wine. The perfect Friendsgiving meal. 

Not that we had enough food or anything but I don't think we had enough dessert options. Donut bread pudding, jello with fruit, Apple and peanut butter pie. I confess right now, I had a piece of each. I also did feel the "I need to unbutton my pants to breathe." So, off for a walk I went...

I spotted this beautiful rose blooming magnificently on November 15th in IOWA!  After my walk, I joined back in the fun of converstion and drawing with Cool's kiddos. 

Friendsgiving is such a fun holiday to be with our special tribe, we are not related by blood but we are pretty close to the true meaning of family. 

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you and your tribe! Eat your veggies and wear elastic pants. 

~Crazy

Cha Cha Chili Please!

It was so cold last week and now that daylight savings time has started, I am already ready for bed at 7 pm. Let the hibernation begin! Cold weather always inspires me to make chili and so thankfully I had some leftovers after a busy Sunday to indulge in. Now anyone who knows me knows I do not like beans in my chili. When I was younger, my mom would purée beans and sneak them in. Now that I am an adult, I do the same thing because they are so very healthy for you. I guess it's the texture but when they are puréed, they only add thickness and nutrients. 

I start out with ground mild Italian turkey sausage and over medium heat, cook until almost done with the meat being slightly pink. 

I then add in carrots, onions and celery. (Yes I cheated with short cuts from Hy-Vee, so easy!) I finish cooking the sausage and slightly softening the veggies. 

Usually this is about and additional 5-7 minutes.

 I then add in 2 cups of diced red bell pepper and continuing cooking for 5 minutes. 

Next up is one can of tomato paste and one can of no salt added diced tomatoes. 

Once that is blended and simmering, in goes my flavoring. 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of chili powder. I sometimes like mine a little spicier and will add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. 

Stir under blended, add 1/2 cup of water, pop a lid on and simmer on low for about 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. 

In the last 30 minutes, add 1 cup of puréed beans. I used canned cannellini beans or white beans with no added sodium. The beans will help thicken the chili too. And there you have it! It was a delicious dinner tonight. 

~Crazy