Sunday's Vegetable Chili

2 cups diced onion
2 cups shredded carrot
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup rice
2 cups water
1-6oz tomato paste
1-8oz chili ready diced tomatoes
1-8oz can black beans
1-8oz can kidney beans
1-8oz can chili beans
1-8oz can black Eyed Peas
1-8oz can garbanzo beans
1 small can green chilies
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons cumin
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon parsley
2 tablespoons minced garlic

put all in crock pot on low for 5-6 hours. Feeds about 20....LOL

Smoked Fish - Mesquite/hickory

Oh man this is a good one if you have a smoker.

Prep for fish (1lb portion)

Brine the cut of fish for 12 hours in a quart of water with 1/4 cup of salt, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1tbsp garlic powder, & 1tbsp chili powder.

Dry rub fish with equal parts salt, paprika, white pepper with a touch of found garlic.

Smoke at approximately 190deg for 3 hours then up the heat to 225deg for the last hour. I used equal parts mesquite an hickory wood chips for smoke.

Absolutely great smoke and completely moist. It made a great piece of fish incredible. Enjoy

Today's chili

Made another twist on chili today using honey as a sweetener to offset the heat in a mid level spicy chili - enjoy

Brown 1 lb ground chuck and drain off oil

Add:

2 tbso chili powder

1 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp cayenne pepper

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp black pepper

1 pinch of cinnamon

2 tbsp cumin

1 can canned diced tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

1 can garbanzo beans

1 cup diced onion

1 small can green chiles

1 can kidney beans

1 can black beans

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup honey

Cook uncovered on low heat for 2 hours, add water as necessary to consistency preference.

Great Ranch Dressing Recipe

Great recipe from the Barefoot Contessa from the Food Network for homemade ranch dressing. The Barefoot Contessa's name is Ina Garten and she is an excellent cook/chef. This recipe is great as written, however, my next try with this one will be without salt and with less lemon.

Please try this and enjoy it.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/buttermilk-ranch-dressing-with-bibb-lettuce-recipe/index.html

THE Best Hommus Mix

This was easy to make, tastes phenomenal, and smells even better. Better yet it is very inexpensive to create. This mix makes great dip for parties when it is dipped into your favorite veggies, pretzels, or even tortilla chips....so here we go.

16 oz tub of Basha plain Hommus 

Mix in:

1/4 cup chopped cilantro 

1 tbsp minced garlic

A pinch of salt

1 tbsp olive oil

When fully mixed, refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld.

Enjoy. 

Low fat Tartar Sauce - A slight revision

My low fat tartar sauce is a real hit with everyone I make it for.  It has evolved a bit, I have added a little heat (not a lot) and more flavorful spices.  I serve it on most types of fish, but it also works well for burgers.  Here it is:


1/2 cup low fat mayonnaise
1/2 cup sugar free sweet relish
1 tbsp diced jalapenos
1-2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning (use to taste)
1 tsp black pepper
Optional:  1 tsp of your favorite hot sauce (again season to taste)

Mix all ingredients together, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Serve cold.

Serves about 6-8

Enjoy

Living a low carb, low fat life

Having lost a lot of weight by eating a healthy balanced low carb, low fat diet you will inevitably find that if you follow this lifestyle (yes, it is a lifestyle) - AND if you fall off the "healthy eating train" and have a high carb meal you will feel it.  And not in a good way. Your digestive system upset/difficulty and your mood will be the immediate symptoms of a "not so healthy meal".  It is simply your body telling you that processed, high fat, high carb foods are not good for you.

Processed sugar is the big one for me.  Now if I have something high in sugar it really puts my body into something I call a defense mode.  My stomach does not take well to PROCESSED sugars at all now, they upset my stomach and I feel uneasy right away after eating anything with processed sugars. Natural sugars (such as orange juice) in moderation are fine, but a sugary chocolate treat - forget it.

That being said, being diligent about eating correctly and using "food as fuel" and not "pleasure" takes a lot of will power.  But I can say with conviction that eating many smaller, low carb, low fat meals/snacks a day is the way to a slimmer, happier, healthier, more rested, calmer, satisfied you. It is well worth the work and discipline. Good luck and enjoy.