Finally Fall!!

My cousin Colin is in to visit because he is moving to Miami for a job opportunity. He came at the best time of the year. We finally had our first cold weather! With the cold weather also came my first cold of the year. Since I wasn't feeling great I didn't get to work out a ton last week. Since I knew I wouldn't be working out, I made sure to stick only to power foods. On Saturday, Andy, Colin and I went to the Farmers Market in Hollywood. We got lots of fruits and vegetables. When I got home I decided to make chili in the slow cooker.

 Slow Cooker Turkey Chili from Two Peas and their Pod

Yield: Serves 8-10

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4-6 hours

This slow cooker recipe is easy to make and feeds a crowd! Plus, it's healthy too!

ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb 99% lean ground turkey (power food)
1 medium onion, diced (power food)
1 red pepper, chopped (power food)
1 yellow pepper, chopped (power food)
2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce (power food)
2 (15 oz) cans petite diced tomatoes (power food)
2 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained (power food)
2 (15oz) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained (power food)
4 diced jalpenos (this was my special addition)
1 cup frozen corn (power food)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional toppings: green onions, shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream/Greek yogurt

directions:

1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place turkey in the skillet, and cook until brown. Pour turkey into slow cooker.

2. Add the onion, peppers, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beans, jalapeños, corn, chili powder, and cumin. Stir and season with salt and pepper.

3. Cover and cook on High for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Serve with toppings, if desired.

Note-we use a 6 quart slow cooker. I also added 2 cans of pinto beans.

Sunday was another gorgeous day. I needed more balsamic vinegar for salad dressing. I decided since it was so nice, I should walk to the olive oil store. Since Andy was working, Colin and I walked down Las Olas. We stopped at the Las Olas Farmers market and then went to the olive oil store. I got two balsamic vinegars, pomegranate and a white jalapeno lime balsamic. I love using flavored balsamic vinegars for salad dressing. These are aged 18 years so they do not need oil in addition to the vinegar.

Even though I felt like this was going to be a good weigh in this week it wasn't. Since I had plans Wednesday after work, I decided to go to the meeting on Tuesday because the meeting is important heading into the holiday season. I was up a 1 pound. I feel like my body is not letting me get away from 170. I am getting pretty frustrated with this up and down of the scale. I don't know if it was the couple of glasses of wine I had the night before or just the lack of tracking....I know that I have trimmed down because people have started to comment on how I look thinner. 

I am trying to stay positive and am going into this week with a goal to get to the gym now that I am feeling better and track everyday. Any one have words of inspiration to keep me positive?