Pulling me every which way

Some people don't like their picture taken.

Some people should hush because they get to go for a walk.


I can't tell you all the things I have learned about the pictures I take. When you capture every moment(and I do) you get to analyze and decide what the purpose of each picture is. All the beautiful things my camera has captured. All the lessons I have learned in just a moments shot.


As we walked our dog today(or rather Avery did) I was observing how much my dog leads us. He's a tugger and a puller. If given the chance, he would drag you violently through his walk.

As I was chaperoning his lead, a thought came to mind. This kind of reminds me of my life sometimes. Particularly this week. I have this and that, with a little more this and that on the side. It's so hard to keep up and I feel pulled every which way. 


Sometimes my daily walk is done violently. Sometimes I look a bit like this.

For some reason though, I enjoy most of it! I think I'm born to be chaotic. I'm born to run crazy.


So this brings me to the long list of things I have planned this week. You all being, a high priority.


This week, I'm making chili.


Not just any chili.


Not just one chili.


Three different kinds!


Ironically I have a chili cook off at the end of this weekend, so I get to decide which recipe merits that place. And enjoy some really good chili.


The first one I have for you was thought of (in memory of) "childhood baked potatoes with chili". Tell me ya all have had this before? Oven baked potatoes topped with chili goodness, cheddar cheese and sour cream? Remember???


To change it up a bit I thought this would make a great chili. If there's already a recipe for this, I was surely in the dark. This was better than I anticipated and I anticipated high. I felt like I was right back at Dad and Moms kitchen table sharing stories and eating really good baked potatoes. Without further delay, here is mine. 

Baked Potato Turkey Chili

The short process

Saute the onion, garlic and peppers

Add spices and season with salt and pepper

Add meat and cook slightly, along with beans and stock

Add tomatoes 

Add potatoes 

Eat it all up cause it's pretty darn good!

Baked Potato Turkey Chili


Ingredients


1 pound quality ground turkey
1 can low sodium kidney beans, drained but not rinsed
1 can low sodium pinto beans, drained but not rinsed
1 can low sodium black beans, drained but not rinsed
 2 cups low sodium quality chicken stock
1 can whole tomatoes(15 oz)
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies(15 oz)
1 poblano pepper seeded and diced small
1 anaheim chili seeded and diced small
1 cup onion, chopped small
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 russet potatoes baked until tender, peeled an diced in bite size pieces. 
1 Tb cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp thyme
1 1/2 tsp paprika
olive oil
salt and pepper


Toppings, Your favorite cheese, green onions, and sour cream.


Directions


In large pot saute onions, garlic and peppers with a little olive oil over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper and add spices. Add ground turkey and cook through; season a little more with salt. Add beans, stock, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil and add cooked baked potatoes. Stir all together and simmer just a few minutes. Top with favorite baked potato toppings and eat like a king. Serves 6-8


Baking potatoes: Set oven to 400, pierce both sides of potatoes and bake until tender, but not to soft; about 30-40 minutes. Peel and dice in bite size pieces.

Stay tuned for chili # 2