Lots of Dancing and Easy Chili

Happy Friday!  TGIF!  This has been a busy week for us, for a summer week.  Ryan started back to work and he is enjoying his new job!  Today I taught Zumba in the morning and then helped with a class tonight!  Whew!  I am tired, but it’s definitely a good kind of tired.  I was counting and I have taught or taken 5 classes this week!  I’m gonna enjoy some rest tomorrow… well… sort-of.  I DO have some dancing planned for tomorrow night.  More in a minute.

First of all, I would like to talk about a product that I bought this week. 

Yes.  I bought Joint Juice.  I think it might mean that I am officially not in my twenties anymore.  I’ve had knee issues ever since high school and cheerleading.  I’ve been through times where they didn’t bother me, and then there are times when they bother me a lot.  After talking with many different people and lots of self-diagnosing with the help of the Mayo Clinic web site and Web MD, I’m pretty sure I have some issues with cartilage deterioration.  I hate to speak too soon, but I’ve been drinking this about a week and a half and my knees feel so much better than last week!  I’m doing some other things, too, like taking Glucosamine Sulfate, but I shouldn’t really feel the effects of that for several more weeks. 

Tonight I was starving when I got home, so I whipped up a batch of my Easy Chili. 

I know it’s weird to make chili when it’s like 1000 degrees outside, but I love it.  I modified this recipe and made it with ground turkey tonight.  I used fresh onion, garlic, basil, and parsley.  Love having fresh herbs on hand!

Okay, so tomorrow night… I am doing something fun!  I will be dancing on the field at a baseball game!  Can you believe it?  There will definitely be pictures tomorrow!!!

Finally… tonight is my parents’ anniversary! 

They’ve been married 39 years!  OMG!  What an accomplishment!  Happy Anniversary, parents!!!  Love you!

Chili, Anyone? It's Starting to Feel Like Fall...

It was a pretty nice little Saturday today.  Started off the day a little earlier than I would have liked, but a little one in our house woke up around 7 a.m.  Unfortunately, it was MY morning to get up.  Coffee definitely helped...  A little later I headed to Zumba, but I had to make a stop at Walgreens first to get a knee brace and some Glucosamine Sulfate!  I am hoping this helps with my knee problems!  Does this mean I am getting old???

Went to the grocery store and spent too much money!  I have not been keeping up with my coupon clipping!  I paid $83 today.  :(  I usually try not to go over $50 each week.  Oh well.  I had some recipes that I am really wanting to try this week, like a BLT Wrap, a Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Beefy-Cheesy Quesadillas, and more.  (Do you notice a pattern?  It's WRAPS WEEK!)

We hit the pool today to try to enjoy it while we still can.  Next weekend is our last chance!  Sniff, sniff... That means that summer is truly ending...

In honor of fall approaching, I made a nice batch of "Easy Chili." This is one of my favorite meals, and I always eat too much! It's so easy to make.

"Easy Chili" Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean (90% lean or higher) ground beef
2 cans diced tomatoes (I use the Del Monte ones with onion and green pepper added)
2 cans of beans-- choose the ones you like. I used light red kidney beans
2 Tbsp Cumin
1Tbsp Chili Powder
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp onion flakes
1/2 bottle of beer (one you like-- I used Corona Light)

(for topping)
reduced fat shredded cheese
light sour cream
pico de gallo
baked tortilla chips
Preparation: Brown the beef and drain fat. Add the dried spices and stir well. Then add the tomatoes, beans, and beer. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Simmer 20-30 minutes. Serve topped with sour cream, cheese, crushed chips, and pico de gallo.

Simmering away...

Finished product... with the fixins..

I also whipped up some homemade ranch dressing.  It will thicken up in the fridge overnight and then tomorrow it will be awesome with my Buffalo Chicken Wraps!  Stay tuned for that recipe tomorrow!