I love winter because of all of the warm comfort food.   Chili is my favorite because you can freeze it or eat leftovers for a week.  Since we rarely eat beef, I always use turkey for my chili.  It's super simple and great paired with cornbread (Jiffy!) and a cold beer.  If you want to step it up a notch, make these amazing corn fritters.

Photo Credit (I do have a new camera now, so look forward to more quality pics soon!)

Ingredients:

• 1 package of ground turkey
• 2 cans of chili beans (mild or hot)
• 2 cans of chili ready tomatoes (Red Gold are the best!  Especially since they are Michigan tomatoes!)
• 1 small can (5 oz) of tomato paste- not necessary if you like a thinner chili 
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeno (or half green pepper) chopped
• 2 packets of Chili seasoning (I usually use 1.5 packs)
• 1/2 teaspoon Cumin & 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Macaroni noodles to serve over
• Toppings (all optional): cheese, sour cream, Fritos or crackers

I am horrible about writing my recipes down, so I am going by memory here!

Directions:

1. In a large pot, heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil (medium heat).  Add onion and jalapeno and cook for 2-3 minutes.  You just want to soften the onion.  Add turkey and brown.  I spice with cumin &chili powder here.  
2. Once browned, add tomatoes and beans.  Stir and bring to a simmer.  Next add one packet of chili seasoning.  Cook for 15-20 minutes and check flavor.  If you need more seasoning, add here.  
3. Start macaroni noodles now.
4. Add tomato paste and cook as long as you like.  This can simmer all day or be eaten now!

I top mine with everything: jalapenos, sour cream, chives/red onions and cheese.  I think the chili mac style is a Michigan thing, people in Wisconsin thought I was crazy!

This is just a base.  You can mix it up as you like.  Here are some variations I make:

• Add one can of chili beans and one black beans.  Add a small can of green chiles and 1 cup frozen corn.  Perfect tex-mex style chili.  To make it really hot, add a chipolte in adobo sauce.
• Instead of macaroni noodles, make it with spaghetti.  Or you can bake it with cheese in the oven like a casserole, topping with cheese and fritos. 
• Substitute turkey for beef.  After browned, add half of a beer and simmer.  Only add one can of beans and tomatoes.  The beer will cook out, but add some flavor.
• To make vegetarian: add corn, zuchini, carrots, green pepper and a jalapeno.  If you want the meaty flavor added still, use veggie crumbles.  You really can't tell its missing anything!

How do you make chili?  I find every family makes it different!

Free music: Spin magazine Best of 2011

Once again, Spin magazine has a free music sampler!  If you are unaware, each month they offer a sampler from their magazine.  This one is the Best of 2011.  I love these because I can find out about new bands!

You can check it out here!.  Note: you do need to download it with Itunes.

What was your favorite CD of 2011?

I have a few: Lady Gaga, Black Keys, Bon Iver and Kanye/Jay-z are all great.  I barely buy CDs anymore, I get most from the library.  Great way to keep up on music for free!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

This holiday season has flown by, don't you think?  I am trying to enjoy every moment now that the girls are at prime Santa age (almost 3!), but I am exhausted!  Little Gabby is a bit young still, but she loves the Christmas lights! 

Usually I am organized about the gift shopping, but I am a mess.  What is it about this year?  Is there such thing as post-pregnancy brain?

We completely forgot to get pictures for cards until the last minute and this is what happened:

Don't you love the creepy photographer hand? 

Fortunately, we were able to get 4 good pics, but it was a rough shoot!

All chaos aside, I am very excited for the next two days.  I cannot wait to see the girls' faces Christmas Day and to spend time with my family on Christmas Eve (we are still crossing our fingers that Ricky doesn't have to work).  I hope everyone can remember what the season is about.  For a moment, I felt like a Grinch but I was able to snap out of it.

I wish you and yours an amazing holiday season.  I hope you enjoy all of the little moments and make many new memories!

xoxo!

One Kings Lane: kitchen sale!

A few months ago, I mentioned signing up for One Kings Lane.  I was just about to give up on finding a good deal (holy cow they send out a lot of emails!), but they finally have a kitchen sale that looks promising.  Our kitchen utensils are horrible, so I am planning on getting a few items.  I'm such a girl, I love the bright colors!

Click here to check out the sales! If you haven't signed up yet, click here for a free $15 credit.

Although you have to pay shipping, there are some great deals to be had!

Anything catching your eye?

Mmmm Mondays: Baked Potato Soup

I love baked potato soup and I have tried many recipes, but I always go back to this one.  It's super easy and tasty.  I wish I could remember what magazine I got this from, but I have no clue.  When I worked at Macys (2004...forever ago!), I was in the customer service department and I would get so bored at night.  They had stacks and stacks of old magazines sitting in there from a co-worker and I used to write down recipes out of them.  This is one of those.  I also found a great broccoli cheddar soup that tastes like Panera's.  I'll have to share that also!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter (half of a stick)
• 1/4 cup onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups chicken stock (I find I use a bit more...it gets very thick)
• 12 oz. can of evaporated milk (I like the skim version...any will do)
• 2-3 large potatoes baked (leftover mashed potatoes work also, about 2-3 cups)
• Toppings (all optional): bacon, chives, cheese, crackers

1. I always pop the potatoes in the microwave on the potato setting (8-10 minutes) earlier in the day.  Just make sure they have cooled a bit before you start making this.  Chopping the hot potatoes is not fun!
2. In a pot, melt butter over medium heat. 
3. Add onion and cook for 1-2 minutes until soft.  Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
4. Gradually add milk and broth.  I like to add the milk first.  Turn heat down to low until potatoes are added.
5. Scoop pulp from one potato and mash with a fork.  Add to soup pot.  Chop the rest of the potatoes, with or without the skin, and add to soup. 
6. Cook over medium until the soup comes to just a boil.  Season with s&p.

I love my soup "loaded", so I add bacon, chives, cheese and a bit of sour cream or greek yogurt.

Enjoy!  Make this with some grilled sandwiches and you have an amazing dinner in less than 20 minutes!

What's your favorite soup? 

Love Sephora?

Growing up, we weren't lucky enough to have Sephora in the malls around us.  I am so happy we have one now, but I have to limit myself.  I could spend hours there...I feel like a kid in a candy shop.  You can try any and all of the makeup available.  They have products that you can't find anywhere else also! 

Anyway, I will stop rambling.  If you are a beauty insider, check your email NOW!  They are offering a $15 gift card.  It states that you have to spend $50 or more, but you don't.  They had the same offer last year, as well.  I just add something for $10 or less to my cart and you just have to pay the tax difference. Or you can get a product you love for $15 off (think perfume! or DiorShow mascara)/

If you aren't an insider, sign up now and you can still get this great email!  You may even want to sign up your hubby/boyfriend.  And your mom.  And your dog. 

I would say what I found, but they are presents...but I would recommend searching the gift area.  They have some amazing packs with products that are worth at least double.   Also, you can use this in the actual store and get more for your money, since you don't have to pay shipping.

What is your favorite spurge beauty product?  I cannot live without Clinique moisturizer in the winter. 

Warehouse stores: good for bargain shoppers?

We just joined Costco.  I love that place!  Since the twins eat like little football players, it was a good idea for us to buy more items in bulk.  I feel the quality of coupons has gone a bit downhill lately and I haven't been able to stock up on products like granola bars and kiddie type food.  At least at Costco we can guarantee we get a decent price on certain items.  Plus they have the double cart for the girls to ride in, which no stores have around here.   It makes it so much easier to shop. 

You do have to be careful in warehouse stores.  It really helps if you break down each item and see if it is really a good deal.  Here are some quick tips that I have for buying in bulk.

• With any bargain shopping, it is best to know how much is a good price for an item.  Some people keep price notebooks, but I don't have enough motivation for that! It's easy enough to just keep a mental note.  Try to remember sizes as much as you can.  I call these my price points.  It's good to have these mental notes to know when you should stock up on an item.  As always, coupons may vary, so a general price range is efficient enough.
• Example: I know my price point for jarred spaghetti sauce is $0.75, and its usually around 20 oz.  At Costco they have the huge containers for a much better bargain.
• Be realistic.  Can you really eat THAT much before it goes bad?
• We made this mistake with tortilla chips (which we don't buy anymore), and the 2 lb bag didn't stay fresh for long.  Duh!  
• Don't forget to look at their clothes and gift items!
• They have Carter's sleepers for the kids for $7, which is an AMAZING price.  They only get cheaper if you buy them off season on clearance
• Check out the produce section!  
• I found 3 lb packs of cubed squash for $3.99.  At Meijer a 12 oz package is $2.99.  Such a great bargain.  You can steam it, roast it or use it for baby food.  It also freezes well.
• Pineapple and avocados are also cheap.
• Just remember to think about how much you can actually use.  I love the price of the organic lettuce, but there is no way I could finish it before it got soggy.
• The price of batteries and light-bulbs can't be beat.  We got enough energy efficient bulbs for our entire house (about 20) for less than $10!  Batteries are great to stock up on this time of year with kids around.  You can get about 20 for $13.
• Just want to check out the prices?  You can get a guest pass to browse (but you can't buy). I have heard if you don't have a membership, you can buy a gift card and use that to pay.  That is a great idea for someone who may not need to shop there regularly.  You can load up a gift card for $25 and get what you need and pay the difference on a separate card.  I would research this a bit though, because I have just heard this on other bargain blogs.

Do you have any warehouse shopping tips?  I would love to know what you buy!

Recipe: turkey meatball minestrone

I was flipping through Fitness magazine a few months ago and I came across this recipe for turkey meatball minestrone.  It was amazing.  I actually made it twice in one week.

Yesterday I shared my meatball recipe which is super easy and you make plenty for a batch or two of this soup.  Trust me, you might just want to double this recipe to start with.  It almost tastes like my favorite soup from Olive Garden, zuppa tuscana.  I altered the recipe a tad because some items weren't available around here.

Here's what you need:

• 12-15 tasty turkey meatballs (you can use frozen too, but I promise you they won't be as good!)
• 1 bunch of kale, washed and chopped- don't be afraid to try it!
• 1 box of reduced sodium chicken stock (4 cups)
• 2 cups of water
• 2 tbl of tomato paste
• 2 cloves of garlic 
• Pinch of red chile flakes (optional)
• 1 can of cannellini beans, washed and rinsed
• 1 cup whole grain elbow noodles (or any pasta you like)
• 1 carrot, 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• Parmesan cheese for topping

1.  Pour a touch of olive oil to a large pot, heat to medium heat.  Add carrots, onion and garlic.  Cook until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. 
2. Add to the tomato paste, chile flakes and kale to the pan.  Heat for 1-2 minutes and add chicken stock and water and bring to a boil.  
3. Once boiling, add noodles and simmer for 5-7 minutes.  Next add meatballs and beans and heat both through.  
4. Add salt and pepper to taste and top with cheese.  

Enjoy on a cold winter night!  I hope you like it as much as I do!

Gofobo.com: free movie screenings!

Do you love to see movies?  I will admit, we barely have time to go enjoy a movie, but I love this website Gofobo!  Sign up here and they will send you RSVP codes for free screenings in your area.  They go super fast, so if you are interested check-in quickly.  This is awesome, since I think the prices at theaters now are ridiculous!

Lately, they have had a lot more opportunities in my area.  If you find out there aren't any screenings in your area right now, still sign up.  They are expanding quickly. 

Every time I get offers, we seem to already have plans.  They have a lot of great ones coming up that I hope to see though!  This would be a great opportunity for a cheap date night.


Have you been to any free screenings in your area?