It's Raining ... It's Pouring ...

Yup, but this old girl isn't snoring, I'm browsing the web, updating the old blog, and very soon scrap booking. I'm alone today with both my guy and my girl out to work. Mother Nature sent us an early Nor Easter ... thankfully it's not cold enough to snow but rain it will and plenty of it. It's days like today when I dream of warmer locations, beaches full of white sand to wiggle my toes in, seagulls flying overhead and icy cold drinks, but reality quickly invades as I sip my hot cup of Chai Tea and know that no matter what the weather is like outside, life is good.

During my search today for new "low calorie" recipes to create for the family (both the hubs and I are watching what we eat and hoping to be a whole lot leaner and healthier next year). It's not easy to eat well every day, especially when you've spent a lifetime eating kind of gross, but it's worth it for sure, in fact between the two of us we've lost over 90 pounds total. My weight loss began over a year ago, while the hubs had a little heart scare earlier this year and after a few days in the hospital, he also joined the better eating club at the house. It's amazing really how much better we both already feel. So ... with that said, I don't want to be preachy, I know how hard it was to get to this point myself, and I know everyone must make the journey on their own, but it sure helps when we find great low cal recipes and or websites dedicated to healthier eating. So without further delay ... I recommend to you www.skinnytaste.com where you just might be amazed at how yummy low fat eating can be. I'm not a paid representative, I don't even know the blog owner, but her site is a good thing, so check it out for yourself. Here's one of her recipes that is going to make it's way in to my crock pot this weekend, I can't wait.

Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili

Servings: 9 • Serving Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 3 pts Calories: 182.6 • Fat: 2.3 g • Protein: 23.3 g • Carb: 10.9 g • Fiber: 8.8 g • Sugar: 2.1Sodium: 429.8 (without salt)

Ingredients:
cooking spray like Pam
2 lb 99% lean ground turkey
1/2 tsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp chili powder, to taste
2 bay leaves
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
2 (15 oz cans) of white northern or navy beans, rinsed and drained
15 oz can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
4.5 oz canned chopped green chile
2 cups low sodium, fat free chicken broth
fat free sour cream for topping (optional)
chopped cilantro and chives for topping (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:Heat a large heavy saute pan over high heat and lightly spray with oil. Add meat and cook, breaking it up until white, about 5 minutes. Add to crock pot. Add oil to the saute pan, then onions, garlic, sauté about 3 - 4 minutes; add cumin and sauté another minute. Add to crock pot. Add beans, pumpkin puree, green chilis, broth, chili powder, oregano, and bay leaves. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning to taste before serving. Enjoy