Since I'm feeling a little annoyed at the 10-day forecast still being in the 80's, here are a few of the reasons why I'm excited for the upcoming months!
- Ben's 3rd birthday!! We are finally throwing our little guy a legit birthday party, and I cannot wait to see his face light up when he realizes it's all for him!
- A (family) trip to Cabo in October to celebrate our 7th anniversary! Here is a pic we took when we were there back in 2009! I cannot even count the number of buckets of beer + chips & guacamole that were consumed on that vacation, but I cannot wait to park it on the beach each afternoon and recreate this memory. Just this time, imagine a little blonde boy with a shovel and a bucket digging away under that yellow umbrella :)
- Upon our return home, Greg's mom is coming to visit us for 2 weeks! It will have been over a year since we have seen her last, and I'm SO excited for her to see Ben and all of his new tricks - i.e. TALKING! And she doesn't know this yet, but I'm hoping we can make it a team effort and tackle potty-training together if Ben hasn't mastered it by that time. (Help, Marcia)! :)
- My favorite candle at Bath and Body Works made its return this week:
- While I have never been a Pumpkin Spice Latte fan, I AM always waiting each year for Trader Joe's to release their pumpkin pancakes and waffles!
- Long walks in the crisp Fall air with Ben wrapped up tight in the stroller.
- Bear hats and bear suits. Seriously, I'll be on the look out for something bear-related every year until Ben enters High School. #tryandstopme
- Carter's Microfleece Pajamas - I'm slightly concerned that these only go up to 5T, considering Ben is already moving into 4T and we lovethemsomuch.
- And while I have continued to make some of our favorite dinners throughout the summer, there is nothing better than a hot soup or chili on a cold evening. Here are a few of our favorites:
Southwest Chili
- 1 lb beef eye of round (I usually use beef stew meat or turkey meat - it's good with any type of meat)
- 1 15 oz can of spicy chili beans
- 1 can garbanzo beans
- 1 14.5 oz can petite-cut diced tomatoes, DO NOT DRAIN
- 1 16 oz jar thick and chunky salsa
- 1 8 oz can whole kernel corn, drained (or frozen corn)
- 1 tbsp sugar
Spray inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or high heat for 4-5 hours. Garnish with cheese, sour cream, green onions or tortilla chips if desired.
245 calories, 3.9 grams fat, 27 grams carbs, 5 grams fiber, and 25 grams protein.
Layered Chili
Layered Chili (from the cookbook, Kitchen Revelry)
3T chili powder
2T ground cumin
1/2t dried red chili flakes
1/4 cup EVOO
3 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped seeded green bell peppers
6 garlic cloves, peeled and minced - (or if you are like me, buy an enormous jar of minced garlic from Costco and forget about mincing your own. 1t = 1 garlic clove)
2 lbs ground turkey meat (or ground beef)
1T dried oregano
1T cocoa powder or 1 ounce dark chocolate, chopped
1 12 ounce bottle lager beer
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
2 15.5 ounce cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Mix the chili powder, cumin and chili flakes in a small bowl. Heat a heavy large nonstick pot over med-high heat. Add the chili powder mixture to the pot and stir for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the oil to the pot, then the onions, bell peppers, and garlic and saute until beginning to soften (about 5 min). Add the meat and saute until no longer pink (about 5 min). Add the oregano, then the tomato paste, salt and cocoa powder; stir 1 min. Add the beer and simmer 5 min. Add the diced tomatoes and the beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to med-low and simmer slightly covered until the flavors develop, (about 30 min).
3T chili powder
2T ground cumin
1/2t dried red chili flakes
1/4 cup EVOO
3 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped seeded green bell peppers
6 garlic cloves, peeled and minced - (or if you are like me, buy an enormous jar of minced garlic from Costco and forget about mincing your own. 1t = 1 garlic clove)
2 lbs ground turkey meat (or ground beef)
1T dried oregano
1T cocoa powder or 1 ounce dark chocolate, chopped
1 12 ounce bottle lager beer
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
2 15.5 ounce cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Mix the chili powder, cumin and chili flakes in a small bowl. Heat a heavy large nonstick pot over med-high heat. Add the chili powder mixture to the pot and stir for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the oil to the pot, then the onions, bell peppers, and garlic and saute until beginning to soften (about 5 min). Add the meat and saute until no longer pink (about 5 min). Add the oregano, then the tomato paste, salt and cocoa powder; stir 1 min. Add the beer and simmer 5 min. Add the diced tomatoes and the beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to med-low and simmer slightly covered until the flavors develop, (about 30 min).
Chicken Tortilla Soup
INGREDIENTS
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans
- 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (12 oz) can beer (or 1 can chicken broth)
- 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
- 3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts (1lb of chicken tenders)
- shredded Cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- tortilla chips
DIRECTIONS
Place the onion, kidney beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer or chicken broth, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. **Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.
Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips
Marcia Ingle's Chicken and White Bean Chili
1 lb Chicken Breast (cut up)
2 tsp olive oil
Salt and Pepper
Pour 2 cups of chicken broth on top of the chicken.
Add:
2 Tbl chopped onion
1 can green chilies
4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1 can diced tomatoes
3 cans northern white beans (drained but not rinsed)
Simmer 1/2 hour
Top with shredded cheese and sour cream.
I am salivating in the worst way over those buckets of beer, chips and guac! That will probably be your fall highlight - getting to escape fall weather for just a bit to soak up some sun instead!
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