Crockpot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili

This is ridiculously good!  Three out of five of us love it, the other two (otherwise known as my picky 5 year olds, cough cough) wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole, but that's how things roll at my house 9 times out of 10, ha.  Hands down favorite chili recipe I've had in a while.  The crazy thing is, you can't even taste the pumpkin, but it adds this cozy warm flavor to chili that is so unexpectedly perfect.  I tweaked the original recipe some and here's what I'm left with...

Dawn's Fall Favorites

Favorite song stuck on replay:  This Is Amazing Grace, by Phil Wickham.  We've been singing this a lot recently at church and I love, love, love it.  We are in a series called #thisisworship.  Yes, that's a "hashtag".  I confess, I'm old and have not much interest in any additional social media/technology besides Facebook (which I often need a hiatus from as it is!).  I just learned about the "hashtag" a few months ago.  Our church placed the # (=hashtag) in front of the sermon series title because they wanted to encourage a social media campaign about worship, what worship is, where we can worship (anywhere!), etc.  Take a listen if you like...

Halloween Party & Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

We hosted a Halloween Party last month and my friend Katie brought chili.  I asked her to double the batch (she decided to triple it) and it all was eaten in about 15 minutes!  Clearly it was GOOD!  It was the perfect fall night for a party (and chili).  We roasted hot dogs (hormone free/organic and some soy ones too :))) over the fire!  (They don't explode or turn to mush and you can feel better about eating your dog!  Of course we also had s'mores!  A fun time with some great people!  

lovin' fall-

leanne

Holiday Trail Mix

Christmas - truly my most favorite time of the year!  I just got back from a weekend all about Christmas and "Preparing Our Hearts for Him" this season!  Many months of planning and praying landed me in a seat smiling and shaking my head at how God wove every detail together to bring Him glory and honor!  I walked away from this weekend with a renewed sense of how I am going to open my heart and life to Him this season.  We have much to celebrate in remembering when Jesus came.  It was God wrapped in human flesh and He came for YOU, for me! AND He's coming again! Hallelujah!

My sweet friend Ashley made this festive trail mix for the ladies. God has truly blessed her with the gift of artistic detail & making things come together beautifully! This would be great to take to a party, give for teacher gifts, or pack in your kid's lunches :).

Holiday Trail Mix

Makes 8 cups
1 1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 cup cinnamon cereal squares (such as Puffins)
1 1/4 cup green pumpkin seeds
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1 cup date pieces
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

http://m.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/holiday-trail-mix#sthash.KbwnWQRD.dpuf

joy to the world, the Lord has come -
leanne

Sugar Overload

So now that your kids have gone Trick-or-Treating and your house is overrun with sugar, food dye, and lots of artificial everything else, what do you do with it all?  This is what our family started doing several years ago. We let the kids go through their candy and pick a set amount.  The current magic number in our house is 10 candies.  They then trade the rest in (which was a ridiculous amount and I cannot for the life of me fathom them eating all of that!) for cash.  This year they each got $10 for their banks.  They are super happy with that and as long as no one is complaining around here, that is what we will stick with.  I know other families who allow their kids to trade in all or a large portion of their candy for a special toy or book of their choice.

Halloween Candy Buy Back is another great idea.  It is a website where you can enter your zipcode and find local dentists who will actually pay your child to buy their halloween candy.  How cool is that!  I know we have at least several participating dentists in our area.

So long October...hello November!
Dawn

Mediterranean Hummus Dip

I got this layered dip idea from LeAnne and elaborated on it a little, based on some different, but similar, recipes I found online.  It is easy to make and yummy.  You can omit the cream cheese and just do a hummus layer on the bottom if you like, which is equally good.  I took it to my neighborhood Bible study last week, and everyone enjoyed it.

Curried Zucchini & Couscous

This summer I picked up the "Eating Well" magazine August edition.  I made the following recipe for dinner this week.
We love experimenting with different spices and ethnic foods.  Two weeks ago we took our kids to an Indian restaurant.  We ordered several things for them to try and they definitely had their favorites - one being the naan :)!  Even I didn't use to be a fan of curry, but the older I get the more I don't mind experimenting with different flavors.

Click on the link for the recipe.

Curried Zucchini & Couscous

The only modification I used was 1 tbs. or EVOO instead of 2.


spicing it up,

leanne

A Few Favorites...

We've been listening to the soundtrack "Sound of Music" in my car.  In lieu of the song "These are a few of my Favorite Things," here's a list of some things I'm currently enjoying this Fall!  (A recipe is at the end and I have 2 more coming this week :)!)

5 Lessons I learned in 3 Hours...

My kids are 7 & 5, so most nights we eat dinner around our kitchen table.  I know - who actually does this? - but I am savoring these moments as I know the older they get the more full our nights will become.  We try to each go around and talk about our day, and tonight our girls were EXTRA chatty so I didn't get a word in edge wise.  BUT at bedtime devotion tonight, I finally got a word in.  During prayers Eliza usually prays that tomorrow Daddy has a good day at work, she & Lydia have a good day at school, and mom has "whatever she does all day with PTF, MomsTogether, volunteering, cooking, or whatever she does all day we pray that it's good."  Yea babe it's a MIX - and I love it!  Today I volunteered at Dorcas Ministries in the food pantry.  I got to share with my girls & Bentley five things I learned today (I learned more, but I want you to finish reading this post so I am going to be concise.)  In my 33 years of living, God never ceases to amaze me at what I can learn if I will only be open to His teaching.

Linguine with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Olives and Lemon

I can't take credit for this one.  It's Giada's.  And it's easy and good.  However, I tweaked it for our family's taste preferences and to increase its health value.

Linguine with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Olives and Lemon
1 lb. whole wheat pasta of choice (linguine or thin spaghetti are our favorites)
1 c. (6 oz.) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained, then chopped
1 c. (4 oz.) green olives, pitted
1/2 c. fresh basil leaves
1 clove garlic
1/8 c. olive oil
juice of 1 lemon

Bring a pot of water to boiling.  Add pasta and cook until tender.  Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.  Place pasta in large serving bowl.  In food processor, combine sun-dried tomatoes, olives, basil, garlic, oil, and lemon juice.  Pulse until blended but still chunky.  Pour the mixture onto pasta and toss until coated.  Add reserved pasta water, a ladle at a time, tossing after each, to reach the desired consistency.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese if you like.

Dawn

Still Here!

So it's been a while since you've heard from us, yes?  We've been busy enjoying summer with our rapidly growing children, sending our "babies" to Kindergarten, adjusting to new jobs, new commitments, and re-acclimating to the school rat race.  Life has been stretching and growing us all over the place.

We've also been growing and evolving in our thoughts about food and this "little old blog." Now that we've adjusted to our new normals, we hope to give this space of ours a little more attention.  Look for some revamping/freshening up, inspirational thoughts, and hopefully a few more recipes.  You will also notice that while we still strongly believe in the power and importance of plant foods (veggies, fruits, seeds, nuts, legumes...), we will also be posting recipes that include lean protein (chicken breast, fish, eggs..) from time to time.  In an ideal world (=ample grocery budget), local and organic are best, but this is real life and food is expensive.  We each just have to make the best choices we can for our families, with what we've got.  

We invite you to join us as we journey into this next season of "Grab Your Greens."

Make today matter-
dawn & leanne

Food Revolution Day

Come out to Whole Foods Market Cary on May 18th to celebrate Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Day! There will be a Kids Cooking Class, live music, food tastingswith Chef Alyssa, crafts, games and more! Event is from 11a.m. -2:30p.m. There will be a $10 donation to the Jamie Oliver Foundation for the cooking class.  All other activities are free. 

On your way to Whole Foods Market Cary, bring your kids to the Western Wake farmers market at 9:15 a.m. There will be a Kids Farmers Market Tour led by a 12 year old foodie!!

COOK IT! SHARE IT! LIVE IT!

 tweet @FoodRevNC

"like" FoodRevNC

FoodRevNC@gmail.com

Green Pina Colada Smoothie

One of my kids shared this nasty cold/cough bug with me and I've been trying to fight it hard with food.  I set out to make a green smoothie and was looking for something a little different from my norm.  I went in search of fruits high in Vitamin C and discovered 3/4 cup of frozen pineapple chunks contains 130% daily value of Vitamin C.  I threw this little yummy concoction together with ingredients I had in the house:

1/2 c. unsweetened coconut milk

3/4 c. frozen pineapple chunks (~12 chunks)

1 T. unsweetened shredded coconut

1 handful fresh spinach

1 handful (or 1 stalk) fresh kale

ice

Blend until smooth.  Add more coconut milk or ice to adjust the texture to your liking.

Happy Spring!

dawn

Inspirational Bits & Pieces

Just a few things I have read or listened to lately, that have really spoken to me.

The Joneses Are Overrated
I recently took a 1 week hiatus from Facebook.  An ungrateful attitude was creeping back into my life, because I was spending my days comparing my life to what I saw on Facebook.   And I was tired of it.  I expected to at least get a grip on reality and refocus on how abundantly full my life is.  It was fabulous!  I felt like I could breathe again.  My brain didn't feel so cluttered and overwhelmed.  I think the introvert side of me that is recharged by peace and quiet, is mentally stressed by the continuous stream of (mostly unnecessary) information that social networks such as these provide.  While I don't plan to hang it up completely, as it does have its benefits, life does not revolve around it anymore.  And it is quite a relief.  Love this Proverbs 31 devotional!

To continue with that theme, you must read Stop Instagramming Your Perfect Life.

Help!
Our very own Pastor Mike tackles how isolated, disconnected, and superficial we've become in our technologically savvy world.  And how we all are in desperate need of authentic relationships, in which we can safely share our messes and lives.   

Speaking Life Into Your Relationships
Fabulous message from Pastor Steven Furtick at Elevation Church in Charlotte, about the power of our words.  My favorite quote:
"God's potential in your relationships, starts with you denying yourself, crawling up on your own cross, and giving your own life.  You cannot hold onto your selfishness and fulfill God's potential for your relationships at the same time."
Wow!  Love this message because it applies to all the relationships in our lives, not just the marriage relationship.  Our words have the power to bring life or death.  Choose them wisely. 

Blessings today-
Dawn

These are a Few of my Favorite Things...

I wanted to share several things I've discovered  recently that I really like!  Several of my dear friends and I often snap pictures of products, recipes, quotes, etc. that we like and send them to one another. Always fun to share the sweet findings of the world with those you care about :)
(By the way, these are in no particular order.)

Chickpea Avocado Salad

I could eat bean salads every day.  They are one of my favorite lunches!  This one is just perfect.  I love the creaminess of the avocado.  If you are a real avocado lover, you'll want to use two like I did.  If you want the chickpeas to be the primary focus, one avocado is enough.  

2 15oz. cans chickpeas, drained & rinsed
1/2 small red onion, peeled & diced

2 cloves garlic, peeled & minced

4 T. pure lime juice (~juice of 3 limes)

1/4 c. fresh cilantro, chopped

1-2 small avocados, halved, pitted, peeled & coarsely chopped

Salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients, except avocado, in a bowl.  Stir, cover, and refrigerate to chill.  Add avocado just before serving.  Toss gently to combine.  Eat as is, serve over salad greens, or stuff in a pita or wrap with some fresh baby spinach.

Enjoy!
Dawn

(adapted from Forks Over Knives, The Cookbook)

And The Running Drama Continues...

Here's a little random trivia about me:  I have always loved learning.  I loved school, college (minus the comprehensive math exam I had to pass my senior year, in order to earn my mathematics degree), and even the master's work I did at UNC-CH (go HEELS!) in Accounting.  If I could get paid to be a student for the rest of my life, that would be my dream job!  Second choice, some artistic job where I get paid to paint and be creative.

I have loved being under the instruction of some wonderful trainers/instructors in the past few years, because I have learned so much about my body, how it works, and how to care for it.  I have loved reading books  on food and nutrition, because I have learned how the body reacts to what we fuel it with.  And, I have enjoyed watching my love affair with running evolve, because it has been full of twists and turns that continually are teaching me new things, as maddening as that can be at times.

Wasabi Pasta Salad & More

While we were at the beach last weekend for the Quintiles Half Marathon, I got called out.  LeAnne casually (or not so casually) mentioned to our friend Ashley, that I have some ungodly amount of recipes (um, she said 75ish...oops) stored as drafts on our blog.  They had a fun time picking on me over that.  So, to redeem myself for hoarding all this time, here are a few to get your weekend going.

13.1: Success!

Sooooo...we did it!  Look at those shiny, heavy medals around our necks!  We are 13.1 veterans!  What a wonderful weekend filled with fun memories!

13.1 Race Day Checklist

Well, my come-to-Jesus moment is almost here.  In less than 12 hours, I'll wake up at an ungodly hour of the morning (is 4:45 even considered morning??) to lace up my running shoes and put 12 weeks of training to the test!  I am feeling simultaneous waves of excitement and anxiety.  I think butterflies in the morning might eat me alive!  Actually they've already started! 

Training for 13.1: 5 Days!

The forecast is looking GOOD so far for race day Sunday!  For that matter, the entire weekend is looking great!  We're all hoping to enjoy some time on the beach and preferably not freeze while waiting for the race to start (at the ungodly hour of 6:15/6:30am)!  Here's to hoping the forecast stays this spectacular!

Just TWO more runs before the big day! 

5 days & counting (squeeeeal!),

Dawn 

Chocolate Smoothie

Chocolate Smoothie

For those of you who know Dawn & I well,  you know we LOVE.SOME.SUNSHINE!  Ya'll we text each other weekly updates on the sunshine forecast!  I seriously think I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder in the winter months.  Bentley jokes he is going to buy me one of those lights, and I truly think I just might let him next winter!

With the warmer temperatures & sunshine this week (YAY), I wanted to share one of my favorite smoothie recipes.  It's very similar to a chocolate milkshake or slushy!

13.1 Training: Live & Learn

Race day is 8 days away!  I am so giddy with excitement, I can hardly stand it!  I have had so much fun training for this race. It has taken some skin thickening to get out there and run all winter through rain, show, slush and 19 degree temps, but it has made the winter seem a little shorter and brighter than usual.  I have learned about myself, about my body, deepened friendships and made new ones.  13.1 has been on my "bucket list" for at least 4 years.  I always thought it would be one of those things I'd be lucky enough to barely complete once, I'd check it off and then move on.  But, I have found incredible love and satisfaction in long distance running.  I think it is safe to say this is not a "once and done" event.  I will be doing this again for sure.

Yesterday my running pal, Ashley, and I did our taper run.  It was my worst run ever.  Hahaha.  I'm laughing about it, so it's all good in training land!  Live and learn.

Chickpea Ratatouille

Our family decided to watch the Disney movie Ratatouille for our family movie night recently!  It's been a while since I'd seen the movie, and I was pleasantly surprised at the messages about food and fresh ingredients that were woven throughout the movie.  I also love the message that ANYONE CAN COOK!  This recipe is proof how easy, yet healthy and satisfying a dish can taste.

13.1 Training: 12 Miles

I ran 12 miles today!  My little legs ran for TWO hours!  That's like running to my big girl's school and back.  That is craziness.  And crazy satisfying!  Today was the highest mileage I'll run before the big day in 2 weeks!  I think I've discovered I prefer long runs to short runs, as it gives me more time to settle in and get in a groove.  Next weekend will be a shorter run (6-7?) as I taper and rest my legs for race day!  I have discovered, thanks to my little bump in the road with my knee/hip issues, that I perform so much better on long runs, when I do them every OTHER weekend, with a medium length run on alternating weekends.

Without further adieu, some useless, random thoughts from my run.  Note:  I did a lot of thinking and evaluating during the first 9 miles.  The last 3 miles, not so much.  Those miles were spent willing my legs to keep moving.  (smile)

13.1 Training: 10 Miles

So, I haven't checked in lately with an update on my little running drama.  I've been a foam-rolling, stretching, icing maniac for the last few weeks.  Thankfully, I've been able to maintain 3-4 mile runs and I successfully did a longer 6.5 mile run last weekend.  I was thrilled I had no pain anywhere, other than a mildly achy knee, and felt a little more optimistic after that run.

But today, is my crowning achievement so far.  10 miles!  Can I just say holy crap!  That was my reaction when I finished my run and saw those double digits on my phone!  People, don't ever let anyone make you think you can't do something!  (Well, besides doctors & listening to your body, of course)  Because you are capable of beyond what you could ever imagine!

Because I am a documenting dork, here I am all suited up and ready to run

Farmer's Market Quinoa Skillet

I found a fun, new Quinoa recipe.  You can use whatever fresh veggies you like, which allows you to have different variations of this recipe.  I can already think of a few combinations I'd like to try.

13.1 Training: Working Out the Growing Pains

I saw the sports medicine doc this week.  If you recall, I've been having some consistent aches & pains since my last long run, 8 miles, almost two weekends ago.  I've been icing, Advil-ing, and stretching.  I've been listening to my body and sticking to short 3-4 mile runs.  Sports medicine doc was amazing!  Super thorough and knowledgeable.

The Good: nothing super serious (as long as I follow doctor's orders and don't too anything too crazy); doc thinks I can likely still run the race
The Bad:  I will not be able to train as adequately as I need to for 13.1
The Ugly:  I need to lower my expectations

13.1 Training: 8 Mile Growing Pains

It's been a rocky week since my 8 mile run.  Because I want to document the road to 13.1, it's all going to show up here.  The good and the bad.  Because life's not as fabulously perfect as it appears on Facebook, Pinterest... (more on that later, and my thoughts after taking a fabulous week hiatus from social media).

The day after my 8 mile run, my feet and knees felt battered, unlike they've ever felt before.  Maybe rightfully so.  Soon after, my low back started bothering me.  I have learned enough about my body to know what's good pain and what's bad pain.  To me, these aches were telling me to rest.  No running on Sunday.  I was improved, but not perfect on Monday.  I usually aim for 3 miles on Mondays, but instead tried 2, slow and easy.  Didn't notice anything too obnoxious while running, but the knee and hip/low back soreness (feels more joint-like than muscular) flared up again soon after.

Lessons from 13.1 training: 8 miles

This weekend I ran 8 miles.  I ran EIGHT FREAKIN MILES!  Yes, I needed to YELL that out loud one good time!  Twenty four hours later, I was still feeling the runner's high.  I am so proud of myself it's ridiculous.  I'm allowed to be proud.  And in awe.  I was the girl that hated P.E. in school.  I hated running even more.  I'm not that girl anymore!  I LOVE to run.  There is nothing like the satisfaction it brings.   

When we met at 8am on Saturday to run, it was 19 degrees.  Brrrrrr.  Fortunately, the body warms up fast.  In many ways, the run felt easier because it was flat compared to last weekend's hilly run.  When I finished the run, I was having trouble getting my mouth to move when I was talking.  I think my lips were frozen!  Oh the joys of training in winter.

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites

I saw this recipe in the January/February 2013 "Clean Eating Magazine" and tore it out.  I was SO hoping it was online so I could just post the link.  I can't find it, so away I type.

If you are looking for something sweet this Valentine's Day, these are pretty easy to make and bite size.  It's even fun to get your kids involved.  My girls helped roll them into bite size balls for the freezer.  Of course I tweaked the recipe a little too ;).

Happy Valentine's Day and all things sweet (from the earth)-
leanne

Food Revolution Day

Jamie Oliver's Global Food Revolution Day is May 17, 2013!  Joelle Gillooly, Food Revolution NC Team Leader/Ambassador would like to invite everyone to join her at the local Whole Foods Markets and Farmers Markets on this day to promote better Food Education & Real Food!

If you are interested in being part of this day by planning an event or volunteering your time, please contact Joelle at FoodRevNC@gmail.com (919-219-0391).

Food Revolution Day Website

Three Bean Chili

A friend passed along this recipe last week.  She got it from a friend who found it in the Cary Academy Family Cookbook.  Like all recipes, Dawn and I tweak them and make them our own.  It makes a lot of chili so you might want to share some with a neighbor or friend.  

Enjoy!

-leanne

Three Bean Chili

We're All Broken

It is said that while an extrovert thinks while talking, an introvert thinks before talking.  As someone who has grown more introverted (not to be confused with shy) in recent years, as a result of the extrovertedness mothering requires of me, I agree.  Which is why I could never be a full time blogger.  The thought of being forced to "talk" every single day, even when I have nothing to say, sounds like some kind of torture!  Sometimes I wonder how I was ever a full time math teacher.  But, things change, and our personalities evolve.  In short, I only write when I have something important to say.  So, here I am.

Thoughts on 13.1

This morning, I experienced a first - running in the rain.  The combination of North Carolina hills , 40 degrees, and a persistent heavy drizzle, could've made for a potential disaster.  I was actually nervous about this 5.5 mile long run. Likely because of last weekend's long run.  But more on that later.  It was a "good" run.  Good as in, I mostly enjoyed it, I finished strong, could've kept running, and felt that runner's high of accomplishment.  And, bonus points, no weird tummy troubles or flu-like symptoms post-run!

Why am I running in the rain, for goodness sakes?  Because I'm committed - to health and fitness.  But, mostly because I am training for my first half-marathon.  This hilly training around here, should be good training for a nice FLAT 13.1 mile race.  LeAnne and I, and a few other girls we know, are signed up for the Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon in March.  What better place to run my innaugural 13.1 than one of my favorite places in NC.  Oh, and did I mention it's FLAT.  (smile)