Jan. 8 - Back with the Fruits and Veggies

Today was a lot better in the fruit and veggie department. I feel a lot more energetic too!

Today's eats:

M1: Whole wheat toast, peanut butter, banana
M2: Mixed green salad, tomato, grilled chicken, Newman's OV dressing
M3: Trail mix, banana
M4: Homemade chili, Triscuits
M5: Paper bag popcorn

Chili is so easy to make clean. I use the crock pot for mine and then I have a great family meal ready when I get home from work. (Love, love, love the crock pot!)

CLEAN CHILI

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground lean meat (beef, chicken or turkey)

large can of tomato juice (read your label!)

1 can of beans (black, pinto or kidney)

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 onion, finely chopped

2 tbs chili powder

to taste: garlic powder, crushed chili flakes (spicy alert), onion powder

Spray crock pot with cooking spray. (This makes for easy clean up). Crumble raw ground meat into crock pot. Add all other ingredients. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

You can top with with yogurt or guacamole. My kids like shredded cheddar in their chili. I sometimes serve it with crackers or crusty whole wheat rolls. Leftovers will thicken up and make yummy burrito filling. Leftovers are also good when stirred into brown rice, topped with a little cheese and baked until warm and bubbly.

I love food that makes leftovers. My kids however, only like leftovers if they are presented differently. Thus the variations we have come up with.

I hope you enjoy it!