Two Bean Turkey Chili

I'm always looking for meals that are easy to prepare, hearty (because I need to fill up my eternally hungry German boy), and healthy. Not only does homemade chili meet these requirements, but I can make a lot at one time to hopefully last a few days. Like most of the meals I make, I tend to change this recipe based on what we're in the mood for and what's on sale. If ground chicken or beef is on sale, I'll substitute it for chicken. If we're in the mood to eat vegetarian, I'll add more variety, like black beans and chick peas. Any way it's altered, chili is always delicious comfort food.



Two Bean Turkey Chili

1 large onion, diced

1.25 pounds of ground turkey

1 large can (or 3 smaller cans) of kidney beans

1 large can (or 3 smaller cans) of pinto beans

2 28oz cans of petite diced tomatoes

1 package of McCormick 30% less sodium Chili Seasoning

4 cups of water

Toppings

Shredded cheddar cheese

Diced onions

Nonfat plain yogurt or nonfat sour cream



In a very large pot, sauté diced onions for 5 minutes, or until tender, stirring frequently.

In the meantime, open and drain the cans of beans, and open the cans of tomatoes.

Add the meat to the pot, stirring frequently until brown.

Once the meat has browned, add the beans and tomatoes to the pot, as well as the chili seasoning and water.

Let the chili simmer until you are ready to eat.

Top with the toppings of your choice and serve with rice, chips, or bread.

Enjoy!

I'm dreaming of a white.. kitchen

When we start looking to buy our first home, Derek and I both know that neither of us wants to purchase something that is "move-in ready" or "recently renovated".  We are excited to make it our own, from top to bottom, even if that means weekends spent hammering away and a few days without running water.

I can't wait to have a bright and airy, white kitchen. One of my favorite places to find home design inspiration is a website called Houzz. After making an account, you can save pictures to "ideabooks". Pictures of everything from kitchens to kids' rooms are added frequently by designers. Here are just a few of my favorite white kitchens..

eclectic kitchen design by philadelphia kitchen and bath William V. Noval

traditional kitchen design by other metros Witt Construction

traditional kitchen design by san francisco architect Wm. F. Holland/Architect

traditional kitchen design

traditional kitchen design by seattle general contractor Logan's Hammer Building & Renovation

traditional kitchen design by seattle general contractor Logan's Hammer Building & Renovation

contemporary kitchen design by san francisco architect Sutton Suzuki Architects

contemporary kitchen design by other metros home staging suzanne pignato

traditional kitchen design by bridgeport architect Austin Patterson Disston Architects

traditional kitchen design by chicago kitchen and bath Rebekah Zaveloff

contemporary kitchen design by boston architect LDa Architecture & Interiors

eclectic kitchen design

A Proper Table Setting

I spotted this table setting diagram a back on With Style And Grace. It's a beautiful reminder of what goes where and I think it would look great framed.

via With Style And Grace

Antiquaria

I stumbled upon Antiquaria this week via Ritzy Bee, and I am absolutely in love. They offer the most beautiful vintage housewares and specialize in mixing china patterns. They even do bridal registries!

recipes I want to try

homemade pop tarts from Smitten Kitchen

orange & dark chocolate buttermilk scones from Joy the Baker

herb bread from Joy the Baker

cauliflower with pine nuts & bacon from Simply Recipes

 

feta sun-dried tomato turkey burger sliders from Picky Palate

sauteed bacon, mushrooms, and lentils from Leites Culinaria

sandwiches made lovely

Who said PB&J or turkey and cheese had to be your only option when it comes to sandwiches for lunch? When hosting a luncheon or other special event, sandwiches are easy for your guests to eat and leave them feeling nourished.

Here are some ideas to make those sandwiches a little more fun.

Use calligraphy (or you best handwriting) to let your guests know what's hiding between those two slices of bread...

Organize halved sandwiches on a pretty tray. Not only does this presentation look nice, but guests can easily determine sandwich type.

via The Sweetest Occasion

"Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite" ...sandwiches?
Use baker's twine or ribbon to keep things neat and mess-free.

via design*sponge

via The Cilantropist

How about a cute take on the traditional box lunch? Just add chips or an apple.

via ThinkGarnish

via Affection for Detail

Multifunctional Home Office

Or dining room. Whichever way you choose to look at it, living in a small space comfortable means utilizing space effectively. I am currently loving the idea of a round table that can be set in a corner for use as a home office, and the leaves extended for use as a dining table when entertaining. The transformation would go something like this...

Home office:

Dining room:

Those gorgeous hydrangeas don't hurt the visualization. And that comfy-looking upholstered chair? I need.

neVer forgeT

"While 32 of our friends and classmates are in heaven trying to explain what a Hokie is, 

I stand here sure in the fact that I wouldn't want to be anything else."

♥

4.16.07

HGTV Green Home 2010

This year's HGTV Green Home is an absolute dream. No really. This IS my dream.

Modern farmhouse? Check.
Wrap around porch? Check.
White kitchen and dark wood floors? Check and check.
Sunlight pouring in? Check.
Industrial details mixed with southern charm? Let's just get to the pictures already and you'll see for yourself!

I'm all ready to move in!

Kaiah gets a visit from her BFF Anny

As we drove home to Northern Virginia for Spring Break, Derek and I kept wondering what in the world Kaiah would do without Anny for a whole week. Kaiah and Anny, now 10- and 8-months old, respectively, had a rough start Believe me when I say that six months ago, I never thought they would end up inseperable.

The very first day that Anny came home from the shelter, she was brought outside to meet Kaiah, Jackson, and Sam (more on them later). She was nervous, but we heard that she had been the bully of her litter. Kaiah did not know what to make of her! She had been playing with 85-pound Jackson and 60-pound Samantha for most of her life. What was this little thing? Kaiah, being the gentle, yet curious, ball of fur that she is, was going to find out. She laid her self down right in front of Anny, with her nose just inches away from Anny's sweet little face. And then...Anny barked! Kaiah's ears shot straight back as if some immeasurable wind had just blown into her face. She quickly returned to wrestling with the big dogs. That little thing had some nerve!

Somewhere between then and now, they became the best of friends. They enjoy staring competitions that resemble something out of an old western movie, tackling each other while making crazy noises, and laying in the grass as they plot how they can next cause trouble. Oh, how they love to cause trouble.

So imagine the chaos that ensued when Anny appeared in my parents' driveway. The two of them were overwhelmed with disbelief, shock, and of course, excitement. They spent the day playing and causing trouble. You didn't really think they could go one day without causing trouble did you? They decided to get loose and explore the golf course, finding mud to swim in along the way. Yes, I said mud to swim in, because that's just what they did. We eventually got them showered and clean and they enjoyed the rest of their day. Just a few more days left until they are causing trouble reunited again in Blacksburg.