Kicking Things Up with Chili

Posted by Theresa on November 17, 2013 10 comments

I'm on a quest to kick things up a little in my weight loss journey. I'm committed to make as many new recipes as I can during the remainder of 2013. I've been collecting recipes and in the weeks ahead I plan to make as many of them as I can. What better way to start kicking things up than with a new kind of chili?

Chili made with Green Salsa

Why do I want to kick things up? One of the key concepts Julie teaches us is to mix it up - don't let your body get used to having the same foods. It was time for me to get back to this basic concept again.

Last week I was feeling bored with food. Nothing seemed interesting or tasty to me. That's when I started thinking it was time to switch out my menus for some new ones.

One night after work I looked in my pantry for something to cook with grass-fed beef, but I didn't see many options. Hmmm, now what?"

I wasn't game for running to the store, so I looked in the pantry again. That's when I found a jar of chipolte corn salsa. I often make beef chili with a jar of red salsa, so why wouldn't corn salsa be just as good? it turns out corn salsa makes a delicious chili. I created a whole new version of chili that I liked so much I made it again for a potluck I went to yesterday. This time I made my chili with green salsa.

I discovered something else last week after eating that chili: I had lost interest in the meals I was making because I wasn't adding any herbs or spices. It's time to add some spice back into my foods.

What about you? Are you eating the same foods? Are you bored with your meals? Kick things up in you menu and see if that helps. If you have any nice spicy recipes, please share them with us!

Chili

Place 1 pound of ground beef in a pan
When the beef is done, drain out the oil.
Add 1 small chopped onion and 1 small sliced pepper (any color or type) to the pan and allow them to soften.
Add the beef to the pan with the onion and peppers and mix in a 16 oz jar of Mrs. Renfro's Green Salsa or Chipolte Corn Salsa. I loved the spiciness of these salsas, but you can add any brand of salsa.

Last week I topped my chili off with sour cream. I've heard mixed reviews if sour cream is on program or not. One person said she called the office and was told "it can be used as a condiment (i.e., in small amounts), but you should think about what your goal is when adding sour cream." That sounds like good advice to me. It's also a concept we can apply to other food choices.

Chili made with Chipolte Corn Salsa

10 comments:

Momomig11/19/2013
Hello! Am new to the program and new to the blog - going to my second session tonight! Am doing well and feeling great, but with Thanksgiving coming up, I need some suggestions for recipes that will keep me on track. I need a meat bases appetizer - and I thought of bacon wrapped water chestnuts. Don't really know if water chestnuts are on program. Also, every recipe I have found contains brown sugar. After just one class, my understanding is that if I were out and were served this, I could have it since I would not know about the sugar. But since I do know, I can't have them. Also need some suggestion for a cocktail. Not a huge vodka fan, and tried the vodka/seltzer/lemon. OOF. Put that down the drain! Any ideas, folks???
Theresa11/19/2013

Momomig,
Here are a few ideas:
- bacon wrapped scallops
- pepperoni slices
- sliced ham or turkey

As far as sugar in recipes, I don't add sugar to things I make, like you. If I'm eating out or buying sauces, I avoid things that include "honey..." "sweet..." "maple..." but yes, there may be sugar in things we eat out. We try to avoid them as much as we can.

Cocktails are a challenge for some. I was not a vodka fan, but I am now. My favorite drink was a Bloody Mary I had at a restaurant in southern California. The base of the drink was fresh tomato juice with fresh herbs. It was hot and spicy and the fresh veggies were incredible. I never liked them before, but that one was incredible. Of course, you must have this drink with meat, because of all the veggies.

If you want to make this at home, you can find recipes online. I would keep the drink small though. When veggies are turned into juice, we need to really make sure we are eating a LOT of meat.

Not nuts - chestnuts are nuts.

Congratulations to you on your weight loss journey! Keep us posted on your progress!
Anonymous11/19/2013
Hi Theresa,

I made this last night with regular salsa cause I couldn't find the corn salsa and it was delicious!

Can I ask where you found the chipotle corn salsa? Thanks for this great and easy recipe. Now I've got to try that pumpkin/sausage soup!

Roseann
Theresa11/19/2013
I bought the (Mrs. Renfro's) Chipolte Corn Salsa and the Green Salsa at either Stop and Shop or Big Y.
Momomig11/19/2013
This is what I find so confusing! Water chestnuts are nuts,, but chickpeas are not peas!!!
Momomig11/19/2013
As for progress, I knew back in August that I was going to start this, so I started to limit starches and sugars. Don't like surprises, and I figured my body wouldn't like them either. Just took my waist measurement this morning, and I am 6 1/2 inches smaller than I was in August. Of course, I have only been doing the program "for real" for a week. Closed my eyes on the scale at the doctors, so I really have no idea.
Anonymous11/20/2013
Thanks Theresa - I'll check Stop and Shop - have a good day!
Unknown11/24/2013
"The Chinese water chestnut, more often called simply the water chestnut, is a grass-like sedge grown for its edible corms. The water chestnut is actually not a nut at all, but an aquatic vegetable that grows in marshes, underwater in the mud". They are not nuts they are a veggie so as long as you have with meat I would say they are OK, but you can check with Key.
Anonymous11/27/2013
Still can not find that corn salsa anywhere! If someone knows of a store that definetely carries it, let me know. Thanks,

Roseann
Theresa11/27/2013
Roseann,
Call a few stores and ask if they carry it instead of driving around.

Also, you can add corn if you don't find this salsa.