Tuesday, August 31, 2010

(Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired

Not to toot my own horn, but I am good at a lot of things. I can belt out Don't Stop Believin' nearly as well as Steve Perry. I can cook just about anything,  I can crunch numbers in my head. I can run for hours and hours. All this while entertaining two small maniacs.  But the list of things I'm not capable of is just as long if not longer. I can't dance, play volleyball, walk with out bumping into something, or take a picture worth a damn.

As I've gotten older, I've learned that the parts of my life where I lack natural skill are areas of my life that I can work on and become proficient . I've taught myself to be a distance runner even though I'm no athlete. I post on this blog a few times a week even though putting together a coherent sentence takes more time than it should.

The time has come for me improve on my home design skills. My bedroom is really sad. If I did an episode of cribs I for sure wouldn't say "This is where the magic happens" when I showed off my room.  Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of magic. Just no design.


Obviously, I have a thing for green. But it does not go well with the 80's blue carpet. I bought that down comforter with the idea of getting modern duvet cover.  But I never have gotten around to it. Hopefully, I can find something at All Modern. They have a big selection so I should be able to find something greenish, that's not to girlie.

Not to mention, there is nothing on the walls. I have yet to find something I really like. The space behind my bed is large and empty. I have no idea how to fill it. Not that I really put any effort into finding the right art piece.  What's on the wall above your bed?


I'm tired of being uninspired by my room. I'm going to start working on making it a sanctuary. As soon as we have a spare couple hundred dollars to spare.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Sunday Dinner - 080/29/2010

Yesterday when I was considering what to eat for dinner to prepare for today's planned 11miler, I was thinking grilled fish, garlic-Parmesan pasta, and a salad. My standard go-to lean protein/carbo load night-before-race meal. Tasty but I wanted something different. Shepherd's pie met my pre-run requirements.

My mom makes the best shepherd's pie. Mine is not as good as her's. It's just not. But to qualify, like most things she cooks, she uses the full fat and calorie ingredients. And sometimes the healthy substitutions just do not hold a candle to the real stuff. Having said that, this is a good recipe. Lots of veg, lots of flavor, lean beef and carbs.

Note: I made a few errors when I made this recipe. Red potatoes do not work as well as Yukon gold for mashed potatoes. Also, be sure to measure the spices. Last night's dinner was a little too flavorful. These are rookie mistakes. I've made them before and I'll make them again. You should try not to.

Shepherd's Pie (Serves 6, 5pts)
Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
1.5lbs potatoes
3/4 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp fat free sour cream or Greek yogurt
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
paprika, to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 400°.
Dice potatoes to approx. 1in cubes. (No need to peel.)


In a large pot, boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender soft, about 15-20mins. Drain and mash with chicken broth, sour cream, salt and pepper.


Meat Mixture
Ingredients
1 lb ground turkey
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
4 oz mushrooms, diced
20 oz corn, peas, green beans
1 cup water
3 tsp tomato paste
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp parsley
1 tbsp basil
1 tbsp oregano
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

Directions
In a large pan, brown meat. Season meat with salt and pepper. Drain off any fat.

Add mushrooms frozen vegetables, water, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, basil, oregano and mix well. Simmer on low about 5-10 minutes.

Spread the meat mixture in a medium casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes. Bake for 20mins in 400deg. Remove from oven and let rest for 15mins.



If you have any question/comments about this recipe, pls leave me a comment or email at megmehell at yahoo dot com.

I hope you enjoy this dinner as much as I did. What did y'all have for dinner? 

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

First Annual Louisiana Gold Mile!

If you live in NOLA, be sure to attend this special event for walkers, joggers and competitive runners supports our local DetermiNation team, the Endurance Event Team for the American Cancer Society, and will take place on Marconi Drive near City Park in New Orleans on Friday, September 3 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm with a party featuring food and entertainment directly afterwards. Should be a rocking time like any event in New Orleans.
Southern Runner and Louisiana Running Company are committed, 365 days a year, to providing our community with the best information and equipment for their running and walking needs. We’re excited to team up with Louisiana Gold Pepper Sauce and other local businesses to feature our wonderful city and raise money for DetermiNation.

Early registration is encouraged, and can be done online at Active.com

Monday, August 23, 2010

Half Marathon Training Wk11

Oops...This is a day late. Oh well.
Warning! Treadmills are Dangerous!  
Only if you are as uncoordinated as I am.
There was a definite hampering of my training this past week.The cause is the large bruises and road rash on my right side. Please feel free to laugh, pee your pants, whatever, at the following story. Well, it's not road rash so much as treadmill rash. I can't really put my finger on how but I off (on to) my treadmill. I think what happened was, while running hill repeats early Tuesday morning, I put my foot down on the edge off the belt. And all of a sudden my feet came out from under me and I hit the wall behind the mill. The noise was loud enough to wake the Big Man sleeping upstairs. For few seconds, I couldn't move. So I just lay there stunned sanding off my leg skin with the belt, taking inventory of all my pieces parts. Over all, no serious injury. Just a wrenched left shoulder and missing right leg skin. No idea how wrenched my left arm but landed on my right side.

The funniest part of this story is that this is the second time I've fallen of a mill. But this time, luckily, I wasn't in a gym with 5 other people to see me do it. Ay! I'm sooo clutsy!



This weeks half-marathon training plan:
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
08/22 08/2308/2408/2508/2608/2708/28
Rest
Spin bike
Lunges
30min run

Spin Bike
  Lunges


Lunges 
5mi runrest

But I did manage to run a not-so-stellar 8.5mi with Chrisy last Friday. So I'm good on long runs for a this week. I am hoping to tag along for an 11miler with some friends on Sunday. Apparently, I'm not following a set schedule anymore. I'm just running long runs willy-nilly.


Has anyone else had an unfortunate incident with a treadmill? Or is it only me who is uncoordinated enough to fall of a treadmill. Twice.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Sunday Dinner - 08/22/2010

If you read this post every week, you've probably think my family is obsessed with tomatoes. Well, we are. We eat tomato something 6-7 times a week. My oldest might choose tomatoes over candy. (Seriously, it'd be a toss up for her.) So here's another version of tomato sauce with a meat.

I'm partial to this recipe. This is one of the first big girl recipe I taught myself. In fact, I remember the first time I made it. Didn't turn out too shabby that first time. The cacciatore is easy to make, doubles well, and freezes beautifully.

Chicken Cacciatore (8 servings; 4.5pts)
Ingredients
4-5lbs chicken thighs
2tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped 
2 bell peppers, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3.5 cups (28oz can) pureed tomatoes
3cups tomato sauce
1cup red wine
2 celery ribs
6 mushrooms, sliced
1tsp black pepper
1tsp salt
2tbsp parsley
2tbsp basil
2tbsp oregano
3 bay leaves

1tsp thyme

Directions
Trim skin and fat from chicken. In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil over med-high heat. Saute chicken until both sides are browned.

Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Brown lightly. Add celery, tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms, and seasonings.


Simmer on med-low for 45mins, at minimum. (More is better.) Add wine 5mins before serving.
Serve over pasta (extra points).

 We ate the chicken cacciatore with a fruit salad. Dinner was tasty and healthy.


If you have any question/comments about this recipe, pls leave me a comment or email at megmehell at yahoo dot com.

I hope you enjoy this dinner as much as I did. What did y'all have for dinner? 

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Weight Loss Challenge Wk 8

So... I've come to the conclusion I do not understand weight loss. Last week, I didn't lose any weight. I did have a few treats but I stayed with in my points. So I figured I need to be more disciplined and stay on plan. Then, this week I ate lunch out three times this week, which means I blew thru my daily points before dinner. And I didn't work out Tuesday and Wednesday due to injury. (That story to come) But I lots 3lbs.
The lesson I learned over the past two weeks is just keep at it. Slow and steady. I should know this already.
This weeks progress:

Big Man Δ (%) MegΔ (%)
Starting wt (lbs) 258 01820
Wk 1 wt (lbs) 255 .99177 .97
Wk 2 wt (lbs)255.99176.97
Wk 3 wt (lbs)252.97 175.96
Wk 4 wt (lbs)252.97 173.95
Wk 5 wt (lbs)251.97 172.94
Wk 6 wt (lbs)250.97 170.93
Wk 7 wt (lbs)250.97 170.93
Wk 8 wt (lbs)249.96 167.92

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Big Girl School

Today was a monumental day in our house. Li started Big Girl School (Pre-k4). Since I went back to work, she has attended the same nursery school. Mawmaw and Sarah have been very good to my sweet girl. They have been a part of every milestone in her life. But like Christopher Robin, we all out grow our baby life and have to go to school. 

She will learn to read more words, have weekly art and music classes, learn Spanish, recess and eat in the cafeteria with the rest of the school. Li will love it. She learns easily and loves making friends.

Even though today was only a half day, it was still exhausting.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Half Marathon Training Wk10

For the last few years, I've been slowly losing weight. Total now of 38lbs. I've worked hard to get here. But there are two things that will always be my trouble spots...My legs. They are too big. Always will be. I run. I cycle. I eat healthy. The muscles get bigger the fat stays. WTH! It's genetic, even the skinny people in my family have big legs.

When I was heavier, I only ever wore pants. Even in the summer. Seriously. But I've more or less made my peace with my legs. I wear dresses and skirts, all the time. So much cooler and easier. Still no shorts, though. Too difficult to fit.

Then "Take a photo of your legs, those powerful running legs of yours!  Post it on your blog saying that you accepted this challenge. And for the hard part: Do lunges at least 3 times a week from tomorrow, Aug. 10 until Sept 10." And to post pre-and post-challenge legs pictures. Well, this was my comment. "I'd be more comfortable taking a pic of my naked, saggy, mom boobs and posting it on the internet than my legs. My big ole thunder thighs have have been the bane of my existence my whole life (Ok. that's a bit dramatic but you get the point)" It's true. I would. But I like a challenge. So I'm signing up. I'm already a week behind. And I do plan take before pics but I'm not going to post them until I can post them with my after shots.


I guess everyone has a body part they hate. Make me feel better. What's yours? Why?

This weeks half-marathon training plan:
Sun Mon Tues Wed T hurs Fri Sat
08/09 08/1008/1108/1208/1308/1408/15
RestSpin bike
Lunges
30min run
Spin Bike
  Lunges

Spin Bike
Lunges 
4mi runBike Ride

Above is my planned schedule for the week. I may change it up and run a true long run on Friday. Depending if Christy is feeling better and wants company for a long run on Friday. Believe me, it is much easier to convince myself to get out there in 90deg heat if someone else will be there.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday Dinner - 08/15/2010

Every week, I post a (some what) elaborate meal I've made on Sunday.  Most Sunday's I start cooking dinner right after lunch. (No exaggeration.) I enjoy doing it. I listen to a pod cast or music and cook. It's my time to myself that day. But like all busy, busy moms of small children I don't have time to cook like that during the week. The recipe below I prepare in the AM before work. And it's ready to serve when the girls and I walk in the door in the evening.

This weeks post is an example of a weekday meal I make when the weekend leftovers have run out.  Not only is this meal easy and tasty but it's also healthy. Lots of lean protein and veg. I based this recipe on Skinny Taste's Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken. I added some fresh seasoning veg. Also,I prefer to  used dried beans and fresh corn if I have it.


Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken (serves 8; 3pts)
Ingredients
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 tbsp garlic
2 tbsp chili pepper
24 oz (1 1/2) lbs chicken breast
1 can rotel
1 can black beans
1 can corn
1 can fat free chicken broth
1 tsp cumin
cayenne pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
1tbsp cilantro

Directions
Combine onion, bell pepper, garlic, chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in the crock pot. Stir well.


Season the chicken breasts with salt and place in crock pot on top of other ingredients.
 

Cook on low for 8 hours/ high for 4 hours. Remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in.


I served the Chicken Santa Fe over rice. Very tasty. Very Easy. Perfect weekday meal.


If you have any question/comments about this recipe, pls leave me a comment or email at megmehell at yahoo dot com.

I hope you enjoy this dinner as much as I did. What did y'all have for dinner?

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Two D@t, Y'all



Tonight is Saint's the first pre-season game of the 2010-2011 season. The entire city is all abuzz. Black and Gold is everywhere.  And every Saints fan has only one thing on the brain.

Two Dat!




Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Paid Race Registration and Group Training for Rock'n'Roll Mardi Gras Marathon



The DetermiNation New Orleans team is forming now for the Rock'n'Roll Mardi Gras Marathon and Half! 
Our team's official start date for training is Monday, September 13th!


We have partnered with the Rock'n'Roll Marathon Series, Elmwood Fitness Center and Southern Runner Sports to give our participants the BEST possible training and race weekend experience! Whether this is your first half marathon or your 100th full marathon, our USA Triathlete Level Coaches have customized a training program that will help you achieve YOUR goals. Our training programs are based on time rather than distance, and will include TWO weekly group runs!

In addition to the paid race registration and free, professional, group training, you will also receive invitations to exclusive team social events, fun runs and clinics, in addition to being able to dedicate your training and race to a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer.

WHO WOULD YOU RUN FOR?


For more information or to join our team today, go to DetermiNationNewOrleans.org, or call 504.219.2294.













Monday, August 9, 2010

Half Marathon Training Wk9

So... last week I slacked. On a run and on a spin sessions. Yep. I slacked. Got lots of excuses, if you wanna hear. Anyway, the real reason is I couldn't get my sleepy booty out of bed. But to make up for it, I decided to do this weeks long run with my friend and DetermiNation teammate Christy who didn't have to work until 11AM on Friday. She's training for the Philly half in September and two with me in October.

Two weeks before, I had such a rough run in the heat I swore I would do my long runs in on the mill until the heat broke. But given the option of having a running buddy and the heat/humidity or running alone. I chose someone to talk to. It's been months since I ran with anyone. And I was happy to have company on what I knew was going to be a hard run. Like everywhere else in the county, NOLA is under a heat advisory.

We ran in a part of the city I've never really explored, up the Bayou St. John to the lake. Lots of interesting houses. Every other house seemed to have a pool which was so tempting. If anyone offered us a swim, I'm sure we would have ditched the run. The first bit of the run went well. Keeping a good pace. The weather started to get to us. We started walking more and more. By then end, it was all we could to do to finish. But we did. And crazy Christy went to work a full shift. Not sure how she did that. The most I could manage was eat the PB sandwich I had waiting in my car. Then stumble in to the shower and crawl into my bed.

The funny thing about it is that even though we struggled thru that run,we plan to do it again this Friday. Both of us were raised in the Gulf South. And the heat is part of who we are. So wear hats and drink lots of fluid. Oh and I always run with my phone. Just in case.

This weeks half-marathon training plan:
Sun Mon Tues Wed T hurs Fri Sat
08/09 08/1008/1108/1208/1308/1408/15
RestSpin bike 30min run
Spin Bike
 
Spin Bike 9mi runRed Dress Run
The Red Dress Run is this Saturday. Nanny Goat and I will be out with 4000 other fools running a total four miles from one bar to the next. It's going to be awesome. We'll have the best outfits out there. I made us tutus.  There will be lots of pictures to come.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Sunday Dinner - 08/08/2010

My girls love pasta. Anything with pasta. Since my girls are strange kids, they especially love green sauce or pesto. Li asks for green sauce every time I tell her pasta is for dinner. She may even like it more than my mac & cheese. But pesto's main ingredient is oil. Like anything else, the key to making pesto healthier is portion control.  I think 2tbsp per cup of noodles is plenty.  Mix in any cooked meat; chicken, pork, sausage, shrimp. (Well, maybe not beef. But you get the point.) Tonight, I sauteed shrimp to add to the pasta and pesto.

I've messed with the proportions every time I make pesto to get the recipe right. The one below is the best I've made. The recipe makes 3cups and can be stored indefinitely in a well sealed container in the fridge. 


Pesto Sauce (1pt per tbsp)
Ingredients
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
2 sticks Smart Balance 50/50 Butter Blend with Olive Oil, at room temp
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 lb pasta, cooked al dente

Directions
Chop basil in a food processor. Add onions and garlic to the processor and puree. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.


Puree one stick of butter in the processor. Add the olive oil. Then the 2nd stick of butter until Constantin. Add the pine nuts and Parmesan cheese.

 
Pour the oil-butter mixture to the basil puree. Stir until well blended.




I may have mention this before but I don't like squash, not even eggplant. But squash (eggplants) are healthy and are locally grown here in SE Louisiana. And since I insist my girls eat everything, I guess I should hold myself to the same requirement. So I've tried it fried. Not a fan. Eggplant Parmesan. Eehh. Eggplant stuffing. Not bad but not awesome. But I hit the jack pot with the concoction below. How could I go wrong with the holy trinity (bell pepper, onions, celery,) tomatoes and Italian seasonings.


Eggplant-Tomato Casserole (12 servings, 2pt per serving)
Ingredients
3 large eggplants, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup onions, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup bell peppers, diced
¼ cup garlic, minced
2 cups water
2 cans tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
2 tbsp oregano
2 tbsp parsley
2 tbsp basil
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
2 tsps granulated garlic
1½ cup Parmesan cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Sprinkle salt over eggplant and place in a colander, with a heavy weight on top to help squeeze the water from the vegetable. Set aside for 1 hour.


Place drained eggplant slices cookie sheet and bake for 30 min. In Dutch oven, heat oil over med-high heat. Add onions, celery, bell peppers and garlic. Cook for 5min until vegetables are wilted.



Add water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, parsley, and basil.



Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer. Season to taste using salt and pepper. Cook for approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place a third of the slices in the bottom of a large casserole dish. Sprinkle with a small amount of granulated garlic and cheese. Spoon a half of the tomato sauce on top of eggplant.


 Continue the layering and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake for 30mins.



Shrimp with pesto and pasta, eggplant-tomato casserole served with tomato salad. 
Very tasty.


If you have any question/comments about this recipe, pls leave me a comment or email at megmehell at yahoo dot com.

I hope you enjoy this dinner as much as I did. What did y'all have for dinner? 

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Weight Loss Challenge Wk 6

Not sure why I resisted Weight Watchers for so long. I'm a numbers person. I like tracking and analyzing data. I like seeing the weight tracking down a few points every week. Plus the daily food tracking. And it's kinda a game to optimize you daily points allowance. And this is the best kind of data. You  are in control of if the data trends in the right direction or not. And at the end, you are skinnier.

I'm doing really well. I steadily loose 1-2lbs a week. Most days I don't feel deprived. I think the portion control is the biggest thing WW is teaching me. A cup of this is plenty. So many oz of that is more than enough.

As I get smaller, my clothes stay the same size. I realize that this is stating the obvious but it can be really frustrating getting dressed. My go-to outfits no longer work out. Shirts and pants bunch and gape. I can't walk around like this. Kerrie at Momvs.Marathon had a similar problem a few days ago. To deal with it, she issued a challenge to her readers. "Clean out your closet! And your dresser drawers! Get rid of things that don’t fit anymore. Donate them to a homeless shelter or drop them off at a Goodwill or sell them on eBay. Whatever you want to do."

My biggest problem is my camis. I'm wearing the same post-baby, xl sized under shirts I've had for years. The issue is that I am particular about my under shirts; long but not too long, form fitting but not tight, and no shelf bra. That's a lot of requirements for a shirt. So I'm hesitant to buy more shirts until I find the right ones. But I haven't even tried to find new ones. That stops now. In the next few weeks, I'll be replacing all my worn out, over sized camis.

Do y'all do that? Hold on to clothes that don't fit or are rags because you're too lazy to find replacements?

This weeks progress:

Big Man Δ (%) MegΔ (%)
Starting wt (lbs) 258 01820
Wk 1 wt (lbs) 255 .99177 .97
Wk 2 wt (lbs)255.99176.97
Wk 3 wt (lbs)252.97 175.96
Wk 4 wt (lbs)252.97 173.95
Wk 5 wt (lbs)251.97 172.94
Wk 6 wt (lbs)?.97 170.93

Note: The big man forgot to weigh himself first thing this morning. I'll add his weight tomorrow to this post.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Looks at those Melons

A few weeks ago, the Big Man gave me a big box from Woot.com. (One of my fav online retailors.) Inside was a Cuisinart ice cream maker. I cannot tell you how excited I was! I've always wanted to make my own ice cream. Growing up, Mel would make the best fresh peach ice creamfor the 4th of July.

Since I've been watching my weight, I haven't made too many tasty treats. But tonight I had two melons that were going south. So Melon Sorbet it is!


Honeydew Sorbet

Ingredients
4 1/2 cups honeydew melon, diced
1 cup sugar
1 cup lime juice
1 tbsp lime zest

Directions
Combine sugar and lime zest to small bowl.

With the back of a spoon, press zest to release oils.

Let sit 10mins before mixing in lime juice. Process until smooth in food processor with melon chunks.

Cover and chill in the refridgerator until cool all the way through, 1-2hrs min.
Transfer to ice cream maker and mix for 20-25mins.


Serve once sorbet is frozen. Store in freezer in air tight container.


If you have any question/comments about this recipe, pls leave me a comment or email at megmehell at yahoo dot com.
I hope you enjoy this dinner as much as I did. Do you have a favorite homemade ice cream flavor?

Monday, August 2, 2010

Half Marathon Training Wk8

Last week's training went well but I kinda feel like a slacker. I only ran 8mi last week but I did three days of spin bike. It's weird how your perspective changes. Not that long ago, I'd have been amazed to run one mile much less eight. I try to remember this when I'm beating myself up for a bad run or being slow.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to take spin on my road bike in weeks. Three days of waking before 4AM each weeks does not make me want to wake early on the weekends. Thankfully, no pre-planned fun this weekend. So I'm hoping for a little bike time. Now that school is almost in I'm hoping for a few free weekends.

This weeks half-marathon training plan:
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
08/02 08/0308/0408/0508/0608/0708/08
RestSpin bike 30min run
Spin Bike
lift upper body 

Spin Bike
3mi run
Bike

How's your summer going? Have y'all been busy or taking it easy?

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Sunday Dinner - 08/01/2010

Sometimes when I go to cook dinner I have no idea what I'm going to make. It's a little game I call "What's in My Kitchen". The game goes like this...I find a food to give me inspiration, a meat or pasta or rice. Then I make a recipe I know by heart. Or I just grab random food stuffs and start cooking. This fails as often as it works out. Whatever dinner turns out to be is usually edible but not always awesome. Tonight, I let the ground turkey in my freezer and the beans in my pantry to give me inspiration. So turkey chili it is!


Crock Pot Turkey Chili
Ingredients
1.5lb ground turkey breast
1 small onion, chopped
1 small bell pepper, chopped
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 small cans tomato sauce
1 cans tomatoes w/ chili (rotel)
1can chickpeas, undrained
2can red beans, undrained
2 tbsp chili powder
2 dashes of jalapeno hot sauce

Directions
Brown turkey, bell pepper, and onion in a medium skillet over med-high heat until cooked through.


Drain fat  from turkey mixture and transfer to crock pot. Add the beans, rotel, chickpeas, tomatoes, tomato sauce, hot sauce and chili powder mixing well.



Cook on high 4-6hrs or low for 6-8hrs. Serve with a little cheese and a few baked tortilla chips.



If you have any question/comments about this recipe, pls leave me a comment or email at megmehell at yahoo dot com.

I hope you enjoy this dinner as much as I did. What did y'all have for dinner?