Just Add Cayenne: balance

Life comes at you fast. It won't sit around waiting for you to catch up, it keeps moving whether you’re ready or not. So what’s a health-minded individual like me supposed to do when they refuse to eat meals they didn't prepare but demand full flavored nutrition while living a fairly busy life? Simple….make big batches of healthy meals to have over several day; something like....veggie-filled chili!

I'd love to have more time to share my thoughts and kitchen adventures (lackluster as of late) with all of you WIAW-er’s, but I must be selective and post just the “goods” like a hearty pumpkin chili you can make in 30 minutes (recipe at end of this post). Because, sometimes we need to get out of the kitchen and spend time with loved ones (my wife, Kelley) before the race car of life laps us!

Don't let life lap you, show it who's boss like this.....

.....no more lapping!!

Why so focused on the speed of life? Because I've been taking too much time in the kitchen along with working and exercising too much and not reserving time for what matters most, my family; specifically Kelley. Yes, my wife, if you're reading this, I love you! Oh, and hi too!

This chili is quick to put together and can be made vegetarian by adding more beans or even lentils, or make it extra meaty with more meat. I like to create a good balance of both proteins and always load it with veggies. Canned pumpkin and chili beans along with thick sliced chicken deli meat are the components that bring this dish together fast without sacrificing flavor. If you have the time, use ground beef, chicken, or turkey as desired; or add chicken breasts to a crock-pot and shred after cooking for several hours. The possibilities are plentiful!

Like that? Plentiful; not endless like most people say. I like to be different.

Note to self: Take digital photography lessons!!

Other than this savory pumpkin chili, I was able to make a few treats this weekend that I'll go into detail about on a future post. A lot of my time is spent trying to make healthy treats that are ready for me to eat when I finally sit down at night. This includes a lot of bean and veggie “dessert” purees with stevia, peanut flour, protein powders, etc. I usually don't measure ingredients, but just add a little at a time until it just seems “right”.

In lieu of spending time making this unmeasured mixes, I am going to try other healthy alternatives. Using gelatin or agar agar for protein puddings is my new plan; I just need to actually get the measurements straight. Have you ever used unflavored gelatin, agar, or another gelling agent for homemade pudding? Katie from Chocolate Covered Katie has a delicious and easy soy free pudding I'd like to try. I’ll report back once I've had a few test runs. Geez, I have a lot of “I-O-U’s” to deliver on, but I'm good for them; trust me. : )

So, in the essence of time, I'd like to thank Jenn at Peasand Crayons for hosting this fun event as usual. Here’s a look at not really a day of eats, but just notable eats I’ve photographed recently. Enjoy and Happy What I Ate Wednesday!!

Oversized pumpkin omelette on top of steamed veggies with pumpkin spice coffee.

Low fat Peanut Butter Pumpkin Protein Cookies - new recipe in the works, but these are pretty tasty. Seriously, I need to A) measure ingredients and B) write them down!!

My 3 Bean Chicken Pumpkin Chili....with two random brussels sprouts I felt compelled to add.

Loving this combo! Microwave protein bread slices with coconut butter and peanut butter. Great snack or even a quick mini-meal if needed!

Steamed veggies with tuna and spaghetti squash. Could probably eat this all day.....after I run out of the above picture.

We had a cold front in Texas when I made the chili, but now it’s back in the 80’s as I’m having it for lunch at work. Still awesome and I have no regrets, but there’s just something about the cold weather with a warm bowl of chili….it’s more comforting. Do you agree?

Chicken 3 Bean Pumpkin Chili

by RC Liley

Prep Time: 15 Min

Cook Time: 35 min

Ingredients (Serves 4)

1 (15oz) can drained and rinsed chili beans; black, kidney, or any white bean will work too
1/2 lb thick sliced chicken deli meat, chopped into 1/2in. squares
Frozen cut green beans; or one can drained - 12 to 15 oz
Frozen, fresh or canned carrots - 12 to 15 oz
Frozen or canned sweet peas - 12 to 15 oz
Frozen chopped broccoli - 12 to 15 oz
Bag of frozen diced green peppers, onions, and celery mix; or fresh
4 – 6 cloves fresh garlic; I love garlic, use less if you don’t
1 T each of cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, dried parsley, and paprika
2 t dried thyme and coriander
1 t cayenne powder and cinnamon
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable stock
1 26.4 oz box of Pomi Chopped tomatoes; 2 (15oz) cans of diced/chopped will work too
2 T apple cider vinegar

Instructions

Heat a nonstick medium to large saucepan over medium-high heat

Add garlic and frozen pepper/onion mix; sweat for 1 minute or until the garlic becomes fragrant

Add chopped deli meat and saute for another minute; the edges should be slightly curled up

Add vinegar and scrape any burned pieces from the bottom

Pour in the stock and tomatoes

Add remaining ingredients then cover and simmer for 30 minutes

If it looks too runny, crack lid and let reduce down to desired consistency

Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes

Transfer to bowls and relax with your quick'n healthy pumpkin chili

As for spooky snacks....I don't have any to share, unless you are scared by my food. I want to make something to share, but won't make any promise on this one. Speaking of, Kelley and I want to hand out treats for Halloween but do not support about 99% of the candy options out there. Any ideas on a good alternative that kids would like but is still at least somewhat healthy?

I don't want to be "that guy" who gives out toothbrushes or worse....pamphlets on how to avoid childhood obesity, but I'm not sure of what to give. Maybe little bags of dry roasted peanuts or Hershey's Dark Chocolate Kisses? Do you hand out candy or turn off the lights, shut the blinds, and lock the doors?

Have a wonderful week!

Have you heard of new book published by Tracie McMillan titled “The American Way of Eating”? I read an interesting article on publicradiokitchen.wbr.org where she talks about her new book and the food habits of Americans versus other countries.

Similar topics have been discussed before, but I like the message McMillan is trying to get across; we are generally more concerned about things like what the next Apple iPad will do and not about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the article:

On why we eat bad when we know it’s bad….

“One reason that it’s hard, I think, is that junk food is easy, cheap and everywhere”

On ways to eat healthy….

“There’s a real sense in the U.S. that cooking is something you do as a celebrity chef or a talented person – it’s not a normal skill,” McMillan said. If people do cook, it’s viewed as recreation – not a “general life skill.”

On America’s priorities….

"In the current system, those priorities seem backwards. “Americans spend 6 percent less than the French on food,” McMillan said. “They also spend 6 percent more on health care.”

Read the full article here and tell me what you think.

So why have pictures of this cake, you ask? Because for me, it represents a way I find for a healthy work-life balance. This is the Microwave Chocolate Layer Cake with Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Icing I posted in the past. It’s just a way to show how you can make healthy dinners and desserts in just minutes; no excuses!

I’ve listed easy ways to make healthy choices in the past; here are several postings I think are helpful:

Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal
15 Healthy Cooking and Eating Tips
Air-Popped Popcorn for a Healthy Snack
One Ingredient Snack Foods
Healthy Food Prep Ideas When in a Rush

Work can be stressful and usually not the highlight of our lives, but don’t let it consume you and run your life. I have to remind myself often to leave work issues at work and enjoy the time you have when not in the office. The tips I list above help me to manage a healthy lifestyle and not give-in to unhealthy food in exchange for convenience.

Do you struggle to create the right work – life balance? How do you manage to keep healthy when time is scarce?

Remember, good health and time with family should be our top priorities; don’t let work take that from us!

Now please excuse me while I get back to work....