Clean Chili

The other day little dude and I were watching T.V. and they were making a delish pot of chili. After I said buddy that chili looks so yummy he decided that is what he wanted for dinner. I was thinking of calories and fat percentages in my head and almost said sorry buddy no chili tonight, Then it hit me! I can totally improvise and make a clean chili for my beautiful fan and it doesn't have to be skimpy on comfort, flavor,or being filling. I think those are the most intimidating things when people switch to clean eating, " is it going to be yummy, am I going to be full?" The answer is YES!!!! Everything is flavorful and super filling if done the right way.  

For all the Chili lovers I am providing a break down of my version but you can be super creative and add or remove anything that you choose. 

Here is what we snagged at the  grocery store: 

                                                                      2 small yellow squash (1 large will do)

                                                                      2 Green peppers (you can do as many of any color)

                                                                      1 Red onion

                                                                      1 Can organic Kidney Beans

                                                                      1 twenty two ounce Can organic diced tomatoes

                                                                      1 lb lean ground turkey. 

From the Pantry at home:                     

                                                                     2 cloves garlic (used my garlic press)

                                                                     Salt and Pepper (to taste)

                                                                     Chili Powder (to taste)

                                                                     a dash of Red pepper

So basically all you do is saute the squash, peppers, and onions in with the garlic. Then I added the ground turkey to the veggies. Cook that all together then add your kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and spices; cover and let it get all bubbly for about 35 mins. VOILA, CHILI!!! 

We served ours over a bed of brown rice, but you don't have to. I also put Sriracha all over mine (just a personal preference. You can add cheese, jalapenos, tortilla crumbles. Totally up to you. Enjoy. XOXO 

I am WORTHY, YOU are WORTHY

The past few years have been a long road of letting myself be loved and loving myself. When you are told that NO ONE will EVER  Love YOU, that YOU are DAMAGED Goods, that YOU are not WORTHY, are probably some of the worst words you could possibly ever hear. To hear those words at an age where worthiness, love and acceptance are most important (teen years) is completely heart wrenching, looking back.


At the time of those words being said they hurt, but they came from someone who was supposed to love you more than anyone else in the world (a "parent" ) I certainly found them to be true. It made me seek seclusion from everyone and everything because I clearly couldn't even be loved or liked by my own family and friends. While my inner self was crumbling slowly and I became more disgusted with "who I was, the damaged girl" I did everything in my power to make the outsides look seemingly perfect. No one could ever see what was going on if  I slapped the band aid over the problem, right?

Past relationships could and would never work out for the simple fact that I did not love myself enough to believe that someone else could love me too. In 2010 that all changed when I met dare I say, my "Prince Charming" He made me want to open up to love. He loves me unconditionally, he knows I am a work in progress. He sees I have come along way and still have a long way to go. I feel confident with him, and challenged, and I know that I am enough. He is a great man who is always encouraging and supports me in every way possible. He is my Hero. I never thought it possible to love a man so much, he is my best friend and my rock.

I have a son who doesn't see me as broken or damaged I am his HERO. I couldn't be a good mother without his wonderful father. My son has showed me infinite love and the most pure of all loves.   I have come around to family who have always loved me even when I thought they couldn't, and I am forever grateful that I have, because I love them so very much.

It has taken years for me to realize that I am NOT damaged that I AM WORTHY. That the person who said and did the things to make me feel that way is and was always wrong. That there is something wrong with them, and not me.

I don't want anyone to ever feel this way, no child should ever have to hear those words or be made to believe they are true. And remember when you see someone who seemingly has it together or doesn't want anyone around, maybe they NEED a little love and compassion, you can change their perspective on themselves and life.