Check it out: Healthy way to eat chili

Check it out: Healthy way to eat chili

Healthy way to eat chili

Ok so I know it's been awhile since I have posted but I am really gonna try to do this blog again...I miss blogging and I miss my followers!

Tonight I really wanted chili but I am trying to eat healthy this week so I came up with this recipe which was not only a healthy version of chili...it was delicious!

Spicy Chicken Chili

1lb ground chicken
1/2 sweet onion (diced)
1 can organic tri blend beans 15 oz (drained and rinsed)
1 can organic diced tomatoes 15 oz
1-2 fresh chilies (diced, seeded if you don't like too spicy)
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp tumeric
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tbsp organic coconut oil (start using this...so much healthier)
Sea salt and pepper to taste

In a medium stock pot or sauce pan, Saute the onion in the coconut oil on med high heat until the onions become translucent and slightly golden brown. Add the ground turkey and make sure to season with sea salt and black pepper, tumeric and chili powder. Saute until the meat is cooked throughly. Add the minced garlic and chilies. Saute for another minute. Add the diced tomatoes and cook for another 3-4 minutes. If you want the chili to be soupy. ..you can add a can or two of organic tomato sauce here. Bring to a slight boil and then add beans and lower the heat to simmer for another 5 minutes if you didn't add tomato sauce and if you did add tomato sauce,  simmer for another 15 minutes. Taste before serving to see if you need to add more salt. I didn't add tomato sauce as I wanted it to be chunky and served it over arugula and baby greens. It was an amazing chili salad! This is also good with a little plain greek yogurt or sour cream on top.

The tumeric gives this dish a beautiful color and tumeric is a super spice...a natural healer. I put it in everything!
Let me know if you enjoy this as much as I do!
-Avesta

Back on the Blog!!!

Ok so it's been a long time since I've posted on this blog. Life has been busy with a lot of changes! Life is good and I am so happy that you all out there are still reading my blog and using my recipes! I am so excited to see that a lot of you are pinning my stuff to Pinterest. That is awesome so I feel compelled to put more pictures and more recipes up. This will start happening soon! Thank you all for your support! Much love, Avesta

Pomegranate Kissed Mimosas

Pour 2 oz Pomegranate juice in the bottom of the champagne flute then top with champagne leaving about 1 inch from the top of the glass. Pour OJ to fill glass.

Big Dreams

Me hanging out in Malibu

I have been working on a big dream of mine. I have faced a big obstacle but am going to continue on the quest of this dream and am so determined to make it happen! It's hard for me to post regularly on here because between working on this project and running my catering company, and being a mom to my wonderful son....I have no time! I do plan on posting regularly someday but for now....I will do what I can. I was in California for a few days this week and was lucky enough to spend a few days with my sister Kovan. It is so beautiful out there and it's so strange being back in Omaha.....it seems so quite here! Though I have to admit that it will be nice to sleep in my own bed! Much love to you all! Avesta

Aaahhhh Melinda and Emil!

Here's a wedding I did this past Fall. The bride and groom are such wonderful people and I am so glad that I've gotten to know them better. The bride Melinda has amazing taste and picked out wonderful food and decor. Which mind you, she made almost all the decorations herself! She owns a design and invitation company called , Revival Design Company (http://www.revivaldesigncompany.com/) please check it out because her prices and services are amazing! Melinda is from Nebraska and her husband Emil is from Brooklyn, NY....what a great mix of guests! It was a lot of fun and I truly enjoyed catering this wedding because everything was just so perfect! :)

I loved Melinda's choice of colors....gray and yellow. It was so beautiful!

Sushi Appetizers

Bruschetta

Smoked Fish Canapes (for the Russian groom)

More Smoked Fish Canapes

Mini Caprese Salad

Mini Milkshakes!

DANCE!

CHAIR DANCE!

Wishing you Melinda and Emil years of love, laughter and of course lots of good food!

It's been awhile.....I know......

I've been MIA from my blog. Life has been quite hectic and trying these past few months and I've decided that I only want to post when I felt it in my heart and soul. I haven't stopped cooking of course because you know that's what I do for a living but as far as posting.....well....I just needed to straighten some things in my life and head before I could continue on here. I am starting to feel the need to post again so I am preparing some great post entries and will be making a return! I hope you all have survived this horribly cold and long winter and I look forward to sharing my world with you again. Much love, Avesta

This is a shout out to my beloved Buckeyes who are playing today in the NCAA Tournament against Georgia Tech! Go Bucks!

Chicago Food n Fun

I took a quick trip to Chicago a couple weeks ago to visit two of my best friends...Tiffany and Lisa. It was a great time and even though I was only there for about 30 hours...we made the best of it and of course had some incredible food! I love Chicago food because you can find some really good comfort food....which of course I love since I grew up in Ohio and we love comfort food here in the Midwest!

Check out these places next time you're in Chi-town!!!!

Over Easy Cafe
Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Saturday: 7:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am - 3:00pm

Location
4943 Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 506-2605

The Mighty Muffaletta

seriously an amazing sandwich and the potato salad that goes with it is perfect!

They call these Sassy Eggs and that they are!!! Not just the work of art that they appear on the plate....way beyond that....the flavors are so good that before you know it....you've eaten the whole plate of what you thought was a ridiculous amount of food in front of you!
So beautiful and now I dream about this meal....darn it Chef Jon!!!
Inside is so cute...modern but cozy!!!!



Phoebe's Cupcakes
3327 N. Broadway Ave.
(between Aldine Ave & Buckingham Pl)
Chicago, IL 60657

Tel: 773.868.4000
Fax: 773.868.4005

Email: bakery@phoebescupcakes.com



Hours
Monday-Thurs. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Fri-Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Early morning pick up available Monday-Thurs. with 24 hour notice. 773-868-4000
These were their Halloween specials....so freakin' cute!!!!!

My friend Tiffany feeding me the little chicken cupcake...it was a coconut cake with coconut icing....absolutely delicious!