Lean Bean Chili

If you've been watching Top Chef, you may remember the contestants competing in

a chili competition a couple episodes back; This inspired me to head into the kitchen 

and stew up a recipe of my own. It may not be eligible to win any prizes, but my healthy 

Bean and Quinoa Chili tastes as good as gold- especially when the weather is cold!

Lean Bean Quinoa Chili

created by Snacking Squirrel

2 cups water

1 can kidney beans

(or 1 cup dry + water )

1 cup diced white onion

1/2 can diced tomatoes

(or 3/4 cup crushed tomatoes)

1/2 cup tomato/pasta sauce

1/2 cup quinoa flakes or quinoa

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

1/3 cup corn kernels

2 cloves chopped garlic

1-2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp-1 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp crushed chili flakes

1/4 tsp cumin

1/8 tsp brown sugar

(optional - your choice)

1/8 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

A. If using dry beans, cook them in a pot of water prior to adding the other ingredients

B. Add water to a pot and bring to a light boil, then add the quinoa flakes or whole quinoa

C. Reduce to simmer for a couple minutes, then add in the beans, corn, and vegetables

D. Slowly stir in the rest of the ingredients, spices, and seasonings

E. Let everything simmer for 20-30 minutes before serving

Makes 4 large servings - about 225 calories per bowl

Question: Do you like beans in your chili?

Crock Pot: Bison Potato Beet Stew in Miso Broth

Crock Pot Dinner: Bison Potato Beet Stew in Miso Broth

6 diced Baby Potatoes and 3 large diced Red 

Beets with 5-6 cups assorted vegetables of choice

Amano Organic Genmai Miso Paste

Miso Broth: Mix together 2 tsp Miso Paste, 3 Tbsp Bragg's Liquid Aminos, 

6-8 cups water, 2 diced Garlic cloves, and a dash each of Seasonings (ie. Thyme, 

Rosemary, Oregano, Paprika, Cumin, Coriander, Cayenne Pepper & Black Pepper)

Lastly, I added 6-8 oz. Lean Bison Meat

Cover and Cook for 6-8 hours on Low Heat

Fast forward a few hours later... 

The vegetables I used, besides potatoes and beets, were

 beet greens, green beans, celery, gai-lan, and red onions

Stew yields approximately 6 servings

Bean Burritos and Take-Out

Breakfast Oatmeal with Bananas and Unsweetened Carob Chips

Always makes the tummy smile :)

Yesterday I popped into Green Cuisine for some take-out vegan lunch... 

Tempeh sushi with black sesame seeds, Jamaican stew with curried 

coconut milk, falafel burger, arame seaweed, chili powder and cayenne

When I got home, I had a massive craving for a bean burrito. When 

I was younger my mom would buy me a bean burrito from Taco Time at the 

food court when we went shopping at the mall. They were sooooo addictive!

But i'm no food court, so I had to re-create my own version of a bean burrito...

First, I spread cream cheese liberally on a brown rice tortilla while I cooked 

up some refried beans with red onions, black pepper and chili powder...

Then a few spinach leaves were added with the bean 

mix, before grilling everything on the George Foreman

Pretty darn delicious if I may say so :)

Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend! To those living in 

Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario, Happy Family Day :) 

New Year, New Food

If I am going to be successful at going sugar-free, I need new groceries. And you're in for a treat because i'm showing you my new stash of foods. No sugar to be found in 

here folks! Let's just hope this new path allows us to keep episodes like this, at bay ;) 

Organic cottage cheese, raw hemp nut butter and hormone-free stewing beef

Lot's of healthy organic greens

My obsession with Eden Organic products never ends. Along

 with their mustard, I've got a shit load (pun not intended) of beans; 

Aduki, butter, black soy, navy, garbanzo and great northern beans

Only Oats (uncontaminated oats) in "quick flake" form, a

 lemon, brown mushrooms, 0% plain yogurt and free run eggs

Found some gluten-free all-natural turkey franks which I can't wait to try! 

Both meats I picked up from Red Barn Market

Some chicken legs and thighs (k that feels strange to type) from Planet Organic

Broccoli, free run egg whites, Raincoast Trading wild 

canned salmon and Pacific unsweetened almond milk

Avocados, zucchini, onion, pumpkin seeds and unflavored whey protein powder

Questions: Are you a bean lover 

and eater? What's your favorite(s)?