Healthy Smoky Veggie Chili

It's really amazing how many kinds of chili recipes you can find nowadays. I usually make mine with ground beef because that's always been the way my family liked it the best. Once in awhile I would make it with chicken, and that was always yummy too.

But I have been looking for ways to eat healthier, and get out of the habit of eating meat on an almost daily basis. I'm sure you know what a struggle it is to change your eating habits, especially when you are trying to lose weight. And I have to admit that since I've moved to Nevada this last summer, I have put on quite a bit of weight. I don't even feel healthy at this weight, and my clothes have become way too tight. Time to do something about it, and so eating healthier is a big goal for me this year.

I picked up this amazing magazine from Better Homes and Gardens called Eat Well Lose Weight. I love it because it's filled with amazing low calorie recipes and information about healthy eating. There's so many recipes I want to make from it, starting with this great tasting veggie chili.

It passed the taste test with my son-in-law who is a real chili lover. In fact, he ate three bowls of it and said it was delicious. I love it too, and am going to make another pot and divide it into small freezer bags to have for lunch on the days I work as a nanny.

I did change a couple things in the recipe, I substituted black beans for the Great Northern Beans, and added a small can of tomato paste. I always try to add tomato paste to a recipe if I can because it's such an added health benefit. I think it made this chili even better, but the chili is just as wonderful if you make it according to the original recipe.

Recipe for Smoky Veggie Chili

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

3/4 cup chopped green sweet pepper

1/2 cup chopped white onion

1 15-oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained

1 15-oz can Great Northern beans (or black beans), rinsed and drained

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 15-oz can tomato sauce

1 14.5-oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon unsweetened dark cocoa powder

sour cream/shredded cheese optional

Directions:

In a large sauce pan (or Dutch oven) heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add sweet pepper and white onion; cook 4-5 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add beans and chili powder; cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir in next 4 ingredients (through cocoa powder).

Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with toppings of choice, sour cream, cheese, green onion, or additional chili powder.

Makes 4 servings (1 1/2 cups each).

-Post by Patricia



Bulu Box Healthier Options Monthly Mail Subscription

* I will be receiving a 3 mo. subscription to Buubox to review and share my opinions on.

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Easy and Healthy Sauteed Cabbage Recipe

I know some people seem to have a dislike for cabbage, but I'm not one of them. I remember my Mom boiling it until it was a soggy mess, and it's certainly true that I don't like it like that. But when it's sautéed with butter and seasonings, it tastes delicious.

This is an Ina Garten recipe, and like all of her recipes, it's flavorful and fabulous. I like making this as a side dish for lots of meals, whether it's turkey meatloaf, burgers, or fish.

Serve this to the people you know that don't like cabbage and they just might change their minds. I made this for lunch the other day and my two daughters loved it, and they never eat cabbage.

It's also a better way to make your cabbage on Saint Patrick's Day this year. I love corn beef and cabbage on that day, but not when the cabbage has been cooked in the same pot with the corn beef. This version is much better I think, and definitely looks more appealing.

The only change I made in Ina's recipe is to add some Mrs. Dash to it. I love the flavor it adds to dishes without adding any extra salt.

Ina Garten's Recipe for Sauteed Cabbage

Ingredients:

1 small head white cabbage, including outer green leaves (2 1/2 pounds)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Cut the cabbage in half and, with the cut-side down, slice it as thinly as possible around the core, as though you were making coleslaw.
Melt  the butter in a large saute pan or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the cabbage,
 salt, and pepper and saute for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and begins to brown. Season, to taste, and serve warm.

Makes 6 servings.

#ad Enjoy Healthy Eating With This Quick and Easy Chicken and Veggie Pizza #cbias

I've always been a big believer in the fact that healthy eating is a part of a smart plan for living well.

Let's face it, what we eat is a big factor in determining our quality of life. This year I'm committed to healthy eating, but also want to find easy and quick ways to put my meals together. I don't want fixing healthy meals to be a burden on my time or my budget.

Tyson Grilled & Ready is the answer I need to put together those yummy dishes. I am a huge chicken lover, and having my chicken already cooked and grilled for me is a fabulous time saver.

I made this easy pizza with a thin whole wheat crust, some of my favorite veggies, and topped it with the Tyson Grilled & Ready Oven Roasted Diced Chicken Breasts. I threw on a little low-fat mozzarella cheese, and in the oven it went.

I know some people might not think of pizza as a healthy lunch or dinner, but it can be when you choose the right toppings. When you #JustAddTyson chicken, you are adding a great source of lean protein to your pizza, too.

T-fal Healthy Summer Challenge Tip #2

 

 

~by Patricia

My second tip for the T-fal Healthy Summer Challenge is to shop for your fruits and veggies at your local Farmer's Market. The summer is the absolute best time to shop there for great variety of selection and lowest prices.

 

Seeing all those lovely lettuces and mouthwatering berries will inspire you to make healthier meals, and keep cooking simple. 

 

Make dinner a big, delicious chicken Caesar salad, or yummy veggie kabobs on the grill. Enjoy!

 

 

What fruit or veggie have you always wanted to try?

 

 

 *I wrote this blog post while participating in the T-FFal Healthy Summer Challenge blogging program for a chance to win a T-fal ActiFry or additional cookware.

T-fal Healthy Summer Challenge Tip #1

 
This summer I am delighted to be one of the bloggers taking part in the T-fal Healthy Summer Challenge. I will be sharing a few tips with you on how I make small but important changes to live a healthier lifestyle.


Tip #1

Summertime means eating lots of ice cream around my house. I am making changes to eat healthier, so I have decided to replace my ice cream with healthy and delicious frozen yogurt.

Besides being good for you, frozen yogurt comes in so many delicious flavors. I love adding fresh fruit or crushed granola to make a super yummy summer dessert that appeals to everyone in my family.

 What sweet treat can you replace with a healthier option for your summertime desserts?

*I wrote this blog post while participating in the T-FFal Healthy Summer Challenge blogging program for a chance to win a T-fal ActiFry or additional cookware.