Virtual Running Date No. 47: That's where he gets it from...

Good morning, Crushers!

If this was a running date, please allow me to say I'm really sorry if I gave anyone high hopes for the weather over the weekend. It was all lies. You would have needed at least 2-3 layers to run. It never really got warmer than 40 degrees. Tonight's forecast calls for an inch of snow and a high of 22 tomorrow. Ick!

If this was a running date, I would tell you that no less than 5 strangers and 3-4 non-strangers have asked me, "When are you due?" Either I look really pregnant or I've started to walk funny. I hope it's the former and not the latter. I am refusing to waddle. I'm still wearing (low) heels for goodness' sake! Anyway, I think the kiddo should wait to make her arrival until we get some solid 40-50 degree weather. No need to rush into the cold!

If this was a running date, I would have to tell you about one of my new favorite shows. If you live in Wisconsin, you know that we take our cheese seriously. In fact, the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association sponsors the World Championship Cheese Contest. Although no American cheese maker has one the top prize since the 80's, Wisconsin earned the most gold medals of any American cheese maker - a whopping 33 gold medals! Anyway, I found this new show called Wisconsin Foodie and they were featuring a grilled cheese cook-off. Doesn't this sound like something fun to do with friends on a weekend? 

If this was a running date, I would tell you that I'm not sure if this kiddo will take after me or her dad in the kitchen. Only time will tell. So far, she match us in active nature, but we are two very different cooks. As you know, nothing Steve ever makes turns out the same. It usually always tastes good, but he never finds a reason to use a recipe. I like recipes and will veer off course to add an ingredient or try something new, but using recipes is like doing good research. Research is something that I preach to my students every week!

If this was a running date, I would tell you how Steve's parents dropped off about 10 jars of "hot beans" which are now taking over our fridge. Fortunately, these things are delicious. It's like pickled green bean with dill, vinegar, garlic, and a few other things I can't quite determine. You know why? NO TWO JARS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME! I even saw part of a cinnamon stick in one of them! Now I know, that's where he gets it from. Steve made chili over the weekend, and despite some identifiable items like beans, beef, and tomatoes, it's as random as the hot beans. In fact, some hot beans made it into the chili.

There's two reasons I needed to take a few antacids on Saturday night - the chili and the Badgers' exciting win.  Seriously, I do not even have to watch the game. I could just sit upstairs and listen to Steve and the guys yelling at the TV in the basement man cave. "WHERE'S THE FOUL?" "DID YOU SEE THAT?!" "OHHHHHHH!" Nothing boring around our house!

Meatless Monday options

Good morning, Crushers!

I know that today is Friday, but a friend and I were talking about "Meatless Mondays" as a way to try more veggie-ful and (usually) less expensive meal options. We are very cost-conscious about our grocery bill, but we don't want to sacrifice trying new foods and flavors either. And, obviously, I love to cook, so we don't buy too many pre-packaged meals. At times, eating whole foods can get a little expensive. Not to say I don't love tossing a bag of french fries in the oven or enjoying a frozen pizza now and then!

Anyway, Erie (the aforementioned friend) and I decided to brainstorm some meatless options. Here they are in no particular order:

• Bean and Rice burrito
• Bean and Veggie tacos
• Huevos Rancheros (egg dish)
• Breakfast for dinner: eggs, omelets, quiche, frittata, pancakes, biscuits and gravy (with beans instead of sausage)
  
• Stir fry/fried rice with egg and/or beans
• Vegetarian Lasagna
• Bean Soup
• Meatless Chili
• Loaded Baked Potatoes (use some of that chili!)
• Grilled veggie sandwiches
• Grilled mushrooms burgers
• Black bean burgers
• Homemade pizza with veggies

What do you think? What am I missing? What should we try first?

I got a wok for my birthday, so I'm thinking stir fry, but breakfast for dinner is calling my name!

Easiest. Recipe. Ever.

As you know from reading this blog, football is a big part of our household. Our first date was to watch a Green Bay Packer game together. The year we got engaged, the Packers won the Superbowl over the Pittsburgh Steelers and both Aaron Rodgers and I got a ring (mine did not have diamonds in the shape of a G though).

Tonight, the Green Bay Packers are playing their long time rivals, the Chicago Bears. I have my fingers crossed and prayers said that "The Pack" plays well and beats the Bears with no one getting injured! I usually help "coach" the team by yelling at them from the comfort of my living room couch. The only thing that's better is being at the game.

Unfortunately, my book club is scheduled to meet tonight. I know, I know. Poor planning on our part. While I'm discussing Shanghai Girls by Lisa See (read it!), my husband and his buddies will be at our house in the "man cave" watching and "coaching" (aka yelling at the TV). Since I'm the kind of person who can't let anyone ever enter our house without being offered food, I made a big batch of crockpot chicken chili. It is seriously the easiest recipe I've ever made, and my husband and his friends LOVE it.

Crockpot Chicken Chili (adapted from Weight Watchers (R) Southwest Soup)
Makes 8 bowl-fulls or feeds 3-4 hungry men
Ingredients:
3-4 Frozen Chicken Breasts
3 tbsp Wildtree Taco Seasoning
2 tbsp Wildtree Garlic Galore Seasoning
1 medium onion, diced
1 can crushed or diced tomatoes (the fire roasted ones are good, but I go for the low sodium ones)
1 can white beans (navy or northern)
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can baked beans (don't use the maple kind; original, vegetarian or spicy are best)
1 can kernel corn

Directions: Put everything in the crockpot in order. Do not thaw the chicken. Do not drain the beans, tomatoes or corn. Do not stir. See how easy this is?! Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours. Before you serve it, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks or chop it up. Put the chicken back in and now you stir. Serve and enjoy!

My lunch today

Serving suggestions: top with a little shredded cheese and sour cream. You can add hot sauce if it's not spicy enough. It is always better the second day, but there are rarely leftovers! Here's a tip: if you start the crockpot before you go to bed, it'll be done by the time you wake up. Then all you have to do is put it in the fridge (and take a little for yourself for lunch), and then it thickens up so you have nice hearty chili by dinner time!

This also freezes well, so I'm going to take some and put it in a bowl for my friend's sister who was just diagnosed with cancer. This way she has an easy delicious meal too!