Chili Monday and Good News!

I don't think I've previously mentioned here, but my roommates and I have started a tradition of cooking chili for the entire house every Monday.  We take turns and try out different recipes.  Tonight was my night and I chose to make cocoa scented chili, courtesy of this recipe.


My thoughts on the cocoa powder wavered throughout cooking.  I originally feared 1/4 cup would be overpowering.  After adding it in, I could barely smell it and thought the flavors wouldn't come through the chile and adobo sauce.  All my doubts were put to rest about 30 minutes later when I uncovered the pot and the aroma of spicy cocoa wafted from the stove.  My roommates were raving about the smell as I cooked.

And the taste?  Even better.  One roommates commented that the cocoa gave it a thicker consistency, more akin to meaty chili.  I definitely agree.  The liquid almost had a gravy-like texture and just the right amount of chocolate tinge.  

The recipe said it makes 6-8 portions, but with four bowls filled, there was only a small portion leftover for my fifth roommate.  Sorry Catie!  

On the side, we decided to make guacamole with the four very ripe avocados sitting in our kitchen.  I winged a recipe with freshly squeezed lime, onion, tomato and sea salt.  The photo is ugly but the taste was delicious.  

We polished off 3/4 bag of tortilla chips eating the guac.  

What a fantastic Monday meal.  And a great way to celebrate the first day at my new job!  I've been interning at an organization for seven months and was recently offered a full time job.  Although today was my "first day" it didn't feel that way.  I spent most of my day filling out forms and getting introduced to what I'll be doing for my new position, but I can already sense that I'll truly enjoy my work.  In terms of food, I know that on Sundays I need to meal plan for the week ahead.  Because I want to save money by not going out for lunches, I'll have to plan both lunch and dinner and grocery shop accordingly.  It'll be a change but I'm ready for the challenge.  It'll allow me to be more creative with my budget.

Anyway, I didn't sleep well last night due to nightmares that I slept through my alarm so it's early to bed for me.  Goodnight!!

Detox

I'm a firm believer in the concept that sometimes our bodies know best.  We have an instinctual way of knowing when something is wrong or something needs change.  My body was yelling at me on Sunday.  I'll be honest and say that for the past few weeks I haven't been following the diet that works best for my body.  No, I haven't eaten gluten or red meat but I have been eating a few too many chocolates and yogurt with the help of my old friend Lactaid.  On Sunday the effects of my misdemeanors were in full swing.  I had stomach aches equal to the kind I used to get before my gluten-free days.  Needless to say, it was uncomfortable and I knew something needed change.


The inspiration for tonight's dinner came while I sat at the kitchen table this morning eating breakfast.  I saw two sweet potatoes leftover from this wonderful, warming recipe and decided a meal needed to be made with them.  And from that, roasted vegetables and spicy pan fried tofu was created.  

Tofu was fried with olive oil, spicy szechuan sauce and a splash of soy sauce (both gluten free, of course).  I left it in the pan until it was nice and crispy.

Two large sweet potatoes and a large bag of brussel sprouts were roasted with sea salt, pepper, garlic and olive oil at 375 for 45 minutes. 

And dinner was served!  Loved the fact that there was still natural light at 7 PM.  This dinner was delicious, healthy, easy and exactly what my body needed.  An hour after eating my stomach is feeling full and happy.  There's enough for dinner tomorrow night and I can't wait to eat it again! 

It's easy for diets to get sidetracked or put on the back burner when life gets stressful.  I know this has been the case for me after graduating in December.  Since my last post I am no longer working my full time job.  Although time is more abundant, money is not and has been putting a huge burden on my shoulders since leaving that job.  But life is taking a turn for the better and I'm hoping that my old diet patterns will make a comeback as a result.  We'll just have to wait and see.  

Have a great night everyone!