Day 6- Chili con no carne

The cold weather has been inspiring me to make simple yet hearty meals. I want something that's going to stick to my insides. Something that makes me not want to turn on the heater and definitely make me curl up like a feline and drift off to a happy place of 30 Rock reruns and socks that can at least give the illusion of warming up my feet (seriously, nothing can keep them warm!). So today I got a craving for a bowl of chili...

The recipe I used was a variation of a variation of this one.

I used Earth Balance butter and Tofutti sour cream. I left out any cheese and used some Soyrizo to add some "meat" to it.

It's incredibly easy to make and absolutely hits the spot. Since Rebecca posted this recipe we've made the original dish countless times and it was fun to put a vegan spin on it!



This batch was actually a tad spicier than normal, I'm sure due the soyrizo, but it was still awesome!

Jack thought it was pretty good. He even brought his bowl to the counter after he was done and said "thank you momma!" I almost died.

And Greg...well...

There WAS chili in that bowl. However, it was quickly scooped up in some bread hovercraft. It was easy to load the dishwasher tonight.

Ole!

First post of 2011, first day of the "30 Day Dare"

Happy New Year to you all. I hope it was an eventful night for everyone whether that means cuddling with your family or getting gussied up and taking on the town. I fell asleep at 11 because I'm a big ol' baby who loves sleep too much. Seriously, Dreamland is the only place where I can own baby tigers, get down with Don Draper and go to the bathroom without somebody bothering me. In Dreamland, all things are possible...

I'm sorry, I spaced out.

Anyway! I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed and hit the gym where I ran 2.5 miles. Not too shabby considering I haven't really ran since shortly after Jack was born (I would jog here and there as soon as I could after the c-section) and if my P.E. teacher were giving me marks for my last two years of physical activities she would have said something like- "D+. Your toddler really isn't your personal trainer." And I would have ditched class and smoked cigarettes with dudes in Che shirts behind the school. If we're being real here. I guess what I'm trying to say here in my endorphin laden haze is I'm feeling good and ready to start my first "30 Day Dare" (I guess that's what I'm going to call it).

This month I'll be going vegan.

I think I'm going to do it in increments. The first week of the challenge is what I'll be calling Veganism for Dummies. This will include simple foods and ways to prepare them so it isn't such a shock. And week by week I'll be upping the ante and getting more creative.

We're going to the store today (if it's open, I picked the worst day to start it seems with these holiday hours) and will be stocking up. I'll be back here with my first meal and a video hopefully.

I'm going to add some guest appearances and recipes from my friend Colleen who is for all intents and purposes my Obi-Wan Kenobi on this journey.


Colleen and I. This drink- totally vegan! Pardon my lack of makeup.


Ready or not, here I come...