Turkey Chili

One of the reasons that I love chili so much is because there are so many variations and ways to make it. White Bean Chicken Chili, Chunky Beef Chili, Spicy Chipotle Chili.... I could go on... This Turkey Chili that I came up with is a really healthy way to enjoy a bowl of comfort food.  It is lean, hearty and delicious!  If you are in the mood for some big bold flavors that aren't going to add to your waist line, this is the way to go!

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground turkey
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 onion diced
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 cup of frozen corn
1 small can of diced green chilies
1 can of sliced olives drained
1 pkg of taco seasoning (I love Trader Joe's brand)
2 tbs of ranch seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
Non-stick pan spray
For garnish: sour cream, cheese, cilantro, chips

Directions:
In a non-stick skillet sprayed lightly with pan spray, brown ground turkey over medium heat.  When turkey is nearly cooked though, add the taco seasoning.  When the turkey is completely browned transfer to a slow cooker or crock pot.  Add the beans, onions, tomatoes, and ranch seasoning.  Stir well, set to low and allow to cook for 3-4 hours.  About an hour before serving, add the frozen corn and olives.  Garnish with cheese, sour cream, cilantro and chips, if desired.

New Thrifty Finds

By now you all know how much I love a good deal.  Since I'm never one to pass up an opportunity to spend a few hours at a thrift store, I was thrilled to get the opportunity to take my 11 year old niece shopping this past weekend.  Thrift stores may not be the "coolest" place to shop, but when you are on the verge of teen years, you can really find some great buys in the smaller sized items in the women's department.  My theory here is, that if at one point in your life you were lucky enough to be a size three, once you had kids, you gave up the idea of fitting back in that size and donated your items.  Lucky for me, and my niece, we had a great day and got some great gently used clothes for super great prices.

Since this day was mostly about her, I didn't get to scavenge the aisles the way I normally would, however, I couldn't miss this lovely piece.  I've been dreaming about finding an Ironstone tureen for the longest time. Unfortunately, in California, Ironstone pieces are not nearly as easy to find as they are back east. When I happened to walk by the end cap at our local Goodwill and spotted this beauty, I couldn't believe my luck.

It's in nearly pristine condition, and is clearly marked with the Ironstone Johnson Bros. stamp, plus it was only $10.  Lucky me!

I also spotted these cute boots that I knew my friend's three year old daughter would love instantly.  She is a fan of red and has an affinity for boots so I knew they were worth $3.

This last random find of mine has caused a bit of controversy.  They are a pair of kids denim jeans with bell bottom ruffles in a Santa/leopard print.  I posted a photo of them on my personal Facebook page asking if they were awesome or NOT.  It was kind of a mixed reaction, but a lot of people really 

disliked them.  Still, I thought for $2 they would be worth a laugh if nothing else.  

My five year old daughter happens to love them, so if she's happy, I'm happy.

Anyhow, I hope these finds help inspire you to get out to your local thrift stores and find some deals!  For more thrifty inspiration, check out my articles on Thrift Store Finds and A Summer Wardrobe.

P.S. I'd love to hear what you think of these pants!  Yea or nay?  Leave me a comment below! :)

Things I've Learned as a Mother

I posted this on my personal Facebook page recently.  The response was overwhelming.  I thought I would share with my blog fans as well...

Lily Claire's 6th birthday is coming up. It got me thinking about some of the things that I have learned since becoming a mother. I felt it only fair to share...
If you are running late, your kid will poop her pants and you will be later.

If you buy new bedding, your kid will puke green skittles all over it.

If your child says here mommy and holds out her hand, there is a good chance she wi...ll be putting boogers, poop or bugs in your hand.

If you plan a trip to Disneyland, something will go wrong. Like a broken elbow the day before you leave...

If you make plans to go out for a dinner date with your husband, someone will puke or run a fever.

You will lock them in a car on accident, and beat yourself up over it.

Homework is worse for the parents than the kids.

If you are on the phone, your kid will climb the counters, leap off the back of the couch or jump off the swing to get your attention.

You will never pee alone again. If you close the door, fingers sticking under it while she talks to you does not mean your are getting privacy.

If you think that the guy smiling at you while you are walking across the parking lot is checking you out. You are wrong. He is laughing at you because your kid pulled your shirt down and your bra is hanging out.

You will lose sleep. Years of sleep.

You will lose your hair. You won't care because you don't have time to do it anyway.

You will be exhausted, but happy none the less.

The words I love you Mommy are the best thing you will ever hear.

The sound of your kids laughing is the second best thing you will ever hear.

You will find more love in your heart than you knew you had.

You will worry about their health and happiness. Forever.

They are the most important thing that will ever happen to you.

They grow up too fast...

The Summertime Mom

The last few weeks of school, I was done.  Like really, really, done.  Homework sucks.  No I really don't want to be in charge of the "End of Year Party", I hate walking to school and back and there and back (and there and back again on Wednesday for art lessons), and seriously? we still have homework?  why???

You know, mom's.  You know.  You have reached the end of your rope.  And, if you had anymore you'd consider hanging your self with it.  Right?

And then it's summer.  Finally, no school.  No early bed time, no reading log, no shoes, no shirts, and at my house no pants half the time...  And then...

Really?  You guys are still waking up at 7am?  Why are you fighting over a piece of paper?  Put your pants on.  Did you poop on the floor?  Really?  Do not eat your flip flop!  I just gave you crackers, did you really eat them all? No?  Of course not, because stepping on them and grinding them into the carpet in your sister's room was obviously a good idea...

I need to fold laundry.  Maybe I can just dress everyone right out of the basket today and save a step.  Who cares if nothing matches.  It's summer.  The little one will probably just take her clothes off again anyway...

Another rash?  Really?  I've already been to Kaiser three times this week.  The doctor probably thinks I'm completely nuts.  Hell, I think I'm nuts!

Why are you calling me Heather?? (to my two year old) I'm your mother.  Call me mom, mama, mommy!

Why is there a tomato in your backpack?  Really?

Where is my shoe?  I know you took my shoe!  Give it back!  (That was two days ago and I'm still missing my shoe!)

Yep, that's me.  The summertime mom.  Please tell me I'm not alone?!!

Sausage~Mushroom~Spinach Lasagna

It's been a fun challenge for me to work on my Dinner Delivery Service that I recently started.  I offer three menu options per week, so I really want to offer a wide variety of options from week to week.  I love a traditional lasagna, but once in a while it is fun to switch things up.  I thought this Sausage~ Mushroom~ Spinach Lasagna would be a fun way to keep my menu fresh and interesting.  I have to say, it was a particular favorite of mine!  I'm a huge fan of pretty much anything with Alfredo sauce on it, and I love how this turned out!

Ingredients:
1 box of no-boil lasagna noodles
1 bag of fresh baby spinach leaves
10 oz of white mushrooms sliced
1 tbs of butter
1 small yellow onion diced
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
1 lb. of Italian sausage (casings removed)
1 recipe of my Alfredo Sauce ** (or jarred Alfredo if you're in a pinch)
fresh basil & parsley to garnish

Directions:
Start by browning the Italian Sausage in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Once it is cooked through and golden, remove sausage and allow to drain on a paper towel.  Pour excess grease into a heat-safe container and use the same pan to lightly brown your onions.  Once onions begin to soften, add garlic and fresh spinach.  Once the spinach is wilted and cooked down, remove from heat. In a separate skillet over med-low heat, add butter. Once melted add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they are golden brown.  Spray a baking dish with non-stick spray. Ladle Alfredo sauce into the bottom of the baking dish.  Add your first layer of no bake noodles.  Spoon half of the sausage, spinach and mushrooms over the noodles.  Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheese and top with another layer of noodles.  Add another generous ladle of Alfredo and the other half of your sausage, spinach and mushrooms and top with more cheese and another layer of noodles.  Top the noodles with more Alfredo sauce and the remaining 1/3 of mozzarella cheese.  Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven until golden brown and bubbly, about 40 minutes. Allow to cool for about 20 mins before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs.

**
Alfredo Recipe:

4 oz. cream cheese

1/2 a stick of butter

1 1/4 cup of milk

1 cup of Parmesan cheese

2 tbs of garlic powder

Directions:

Over medium low heat melt butter. When butter is melted add cream cheese and melt for a couple minutes (it will look funny, like it is separated) add the garlic powder and slowly whisk in the milk. Continue to whisk until smooth. Add Parmesan cheese and whisk until melted. Add the sundries tomatoes and using an immersion blender blend until smooth. If sauce is too thick add a little milk. 

Tortellini Salad

It's officially summer break around here!  My five year old daughter completed kindergarten last week and her summer break is now in full swing!  Hopefully this means more time to cook, write and relax... We'll see ;-).  What I do know, for sure, it that it is also officially BBQ season.  If you are having a BBQ or you're invited to one and looking for the perfect dish to bring, look no further!  This Tortellini Salad is a winner!

Ingredients:
1 pkg of tri-colored tortellini
1 can of white beans (kidney or tuscan) drained
1 can of artichoke hearts, rioughly chopped
1/2 cup of sundried tomatoes
8 slices of salami, chopped into thin strips
1 can of black olives, drained
1 bag of fresh baby spinach leaves
1 tsp of Italian seasoning
1/2 cup of prepared salad dressing (I love Ken's Steakhouse Light Caesar but any Italian style will work)

Directions:
Prepare tortellini according to pkg directions. When cooked, drain and set aside.  In a large bowl combine the artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, olives, beans, salami, Italian seasoning and tortellini.  Stir well and add salad dressing. Cover and refrigerate for and hour or until it's time to serve.  Reserve the spinach leaves until just before serving, other wise they wilt and look a little mushy.  I always make sure I have just a little extra salad dressing on hand, since the tortellini really soaks it up.  When you're ready to serve, add the spinach and extra dressing, if needed.  Voila!  The perfect salad for a BBQ, potluck or party!  Enjoy!

Sausage & Veggie Skewers

This is the absolute perfect weeknight meal for grilling.  It is a snap to make.  It tastes amazing.  It's healthy.  Really, what more could you want??  Switch it up with different colored peppers, cherry tomatoes, squash, the options are endless.

Ingredients
1 large or 2 small zucchini
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 red onion
1 pkg of turkey sausage (any kind you like)

Directions:
Soak your bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. Chop your sausage and veggies into 1-2" chunks.  Skewer the veggies and sausage.  Preheat your BBQ or grill pan and grease with non-stick spray.  Grill for several minutes on all sides until they get char marks.  Enjoy!

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Oh. My. Word... this was so good!  A comfort food classic, I promise.  This dish is going in my dinner rotation, for sure.  It is creamy, rich and filling.  And, my husband loved it!

Rich creamy sour cream combined with cottage cheese and noodles.  Tangy tomato sauce, hearty ground beef.  Love.

Ingredients:
12 oz pkg of egg noodles
1 cup of sour cream
1 cup of cottage cheese
2 cups of shredded cheddar or jack cheese
1 can of crushed tomatoes
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 small onion diced
2 cloves of garlic minced
handful of fresh flat leaf parsley roughly chopped
1 tbs Italian seasoning
salt & pepper

Directions:
Cook noodles until al dente (according to pkg instructions minus 2 minutes).

While noodles are cooking, in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat brown the ground beef.  When the beef starts to brown, add the onion, garlic and Italian seasoning.  Season with salt and pepper to taste. When the beef is cooked, add the can of crushed tomatoes, heat through and then set aside and cover.

In a large bowl combine sour cream and cottage cheese and stir well.  Add the parsley.  When the noodles are al dente, drain and add them to the bowl and stir until completely coated with sour cream mixture. Season with salt and pepper.

Spray a baking dish with non-stick spray and ladle in about hald of the noodle mixture.  Then top with half of the sauce and top with a handful of the cheese.  Repeat with the second half of the noodles and sauce and top with the remaining cheese.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.  Allow to set for about 15 minutes before serving.  Enjoy!

Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

This isn't the first time that I have posted a recipe for Chicken Salad on my blog, but it is the first time I've put it in a lettuce cup! {Fantastic decision, I promise!}  Usually I serve this on toasted whole wheat bread or in a spinach tortilla, but this lighter version keeps the calorie count down! {And for those of us brave enough to put on a bathing suit this summer, you might be looking for ways to cut a few calories!}  I hope you love this cool refreshing salad as much as I did!  Enjoy!

Ingredients for dressing:

1/2 cup of non-fat greek yogurt

1 tbs of pesto (I really like the kirklannd brand from Costco)

Juice of one lemon

1/2 tsp of sea salt

black pepper to taste

Ingredients for salad:

1 large cooked chicken breast cut into 1" cubes (I use a rotisserie chicken)

1 cup of red grapes sliced in half

1/2 cup golden raisins

3 stalks of celery sliced thinly

1/4 cup of pecans roughly chopped (or thinly sliced almonds)

1 small head of romaine or butter lettuce washed, dried and core removed.

Directions:

Combine ingredients for dressing in a large bowl and whisk well.  Add the chicken, grapes, raisins, celery and almonds.  Toss well and serve in lettuce cups. (I like to garnish with a little extra almonds.)

Deal of the Day

Yesterday morning I got up early and headed out to do my favorite thing.  Thrift store shopping!  I recently found out that I am going to have a new niece, so I've been busy buying all the cutest infant clothes that I can find!  I love shopping for little girls!  However, yesterday I got side tracked when I walked by the case of "special" items.  I always browse this case and I've definitely found some awesome deals there before. (A beautiful vintage Louis Vuitton wallet in it's original box!!)  But, yesterday, my eyes landed on this beauty in the back of the case.

I had to pull a bunch of things out of the way to get to it, but the second I saw the copper, I knew it was love at first sight.

Does anyone else feel that way about a great find?  My heart starts to race and I get butterflies in my stomach... Really, I fell in love.

Can you blame me?  So how much?  It was marked $12, but I talked her down to $8.  I love a good bargain and I'm pretty pleased with this one!

Hope you all are having a fantastic weekend!