Brewer's Beef Chili

*This recipe is adapted from a recipe by my Ex-Mother-in-Law.*

You decide the spice level.

This versatile chili recipe, adapted from a family favorite, lets you customize the spice level and ingredients to your liking.

I've tried to include links to Walmart for each item so you can find it easier.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs ground beef (low-fat) Add to your grocery list
• 1 can (8 oz) Hunt's Basil, Garlic & Oregano Tomato Sauce Add to your grocery list
• 1-2 jars (66 oz) Ragu Old World Style Meat-Flavored Pasta Sauce Add to your grocery list
• 2-3 cans (15 oz) diced or sliced new potatoes Add to your grocery list
• 2 cans (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained Add to your grocery list
• 2 cans (15 oz) navy beans, rinsed and drained Add to your grocery list
• 2 cans (15 oz) Hunt's Garlic & Oregano Diced Tomatoes, undrained Add to your grocery list
• 1/4 cup chili powder (adjust to taste) Add to your grocery list
• 1 Tablespoon onion powder Add to your grocery list
• 1 Tablespoon garlic powder Add to your grocery list
• 2 Tablespoons oregano Add to your grocery list
• 1 Tablespoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) Add to your grocery list
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) Add to your grocery list
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper (adjust to taste)

optional additions

• 1-2 cans (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained Add to your grocery list
• 1-2 cans (4 oz) green chili peppers, chopped Add to your grocery list
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained Add to your grocery list
• 1 jar (7 oz) sliced jalapeños Add to your grocery list

Instructions:

1. Brown the Beef: Brown the ground beef in a large frying pan over medium heat. Season with dashes of (not mentioned in the ingredients list) onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano. Drain off excess grease.

2. Combine Ingredients: in a large Stockpot add the spaghetti sauce and cooked beef. Using the empty Spaghetti Sauce jar, fill it with hot water and add to the pot and stir. Now add new potatoes, black beans, navy beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, red pepper flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot.

Farberware Enamel on Steel Stock Pot/Stockpot with Lid - 16 Quart, Aqua Blue	Le Creuset Enamel On Steel Stockpot, 16 qt., Cerise	Stockpot – 16 Quart – Brushed Stainless Steel – Heavy Duty Induction Pot with Lid and Riveted Handles

3. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until flavors are well-combined and the chili has thickened. Stir occasionally.

4. Adjust Consistency: For a thicker chili, add an additional jar of spaghetti sauce. For a thinner chili, add more water.

5. Serve: Serve hot, topped with shredded cheese, mini saltines, and your favorite toppings.

Tips:

• For a spicier chili, increase the amount of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper.
• To make this chili ahead of time, prepare it as directed and refrigerate or freeze. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
• Feel free to experiment with different beans, vegetables, and spices to create your own unique chili recipe.

Enjoy!

Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I might get a tiny reward (think: virtual high-five!). Don't worry, it won't cost you a dime! Thanks for supporting me!

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Countdown to Valentine's Day

Many people hear the holiday "Valentine's Day" and start to ruffle up. Declaring it an evil holiday, with no love for singles! While I can see their reasoning, I'd like to offer an alternative to this thought process. What if instead of wallowing in a pool of self-pity over your marital status, take a moment to focus on other loves of your life. What about friends and family? Take another single friend out on a "date" and plan on having some fun together. Strengthen your bonds with a family member on that day! I think that Valentine's Day is a perfect day to just "Share the Love" with those around you. In a world that so quickly resorts to negativity and depression, let's shine a light out there to others and just boost the general moral to those around us.

What about a perspective change?  What if we were to adopt the idea that Valentines Day is not just for couples, but for everybody?  While your friends might be buying flowers for their partners, consider the people in your world that you love, and that love you back.  Something special for your Mom, a telephone call to your Dad.  Perhaps your daughter would appreciate flowers as much as any lover would.  Maybe spending the evening with your son watching a hockey game would be one way to express your particular brand of love.  Random acts of kindness can bring a surprisingly wonderful sense of well-being.  (source)

Not sure where to go or what to do? 

What about taking them out to just talk, catch up and spend some quality time together? Take them out to a coffee shop and enjoy some nice convo over java.

Don't have a good time to be able to take them out? Plan ahead and send out some notes or cards to them to just boost their day. Send a silly text letting them know you are thinking about them, or call them up for a 10 min convo during a work break. 

Have plenty of time? Why not plan a small vacation with them? Take them out to a large shopping area and just window shop or plan a spa date together. Maybe check out a concert or sporting event that you will both enjoy. 

Now to setup for a self-promo
Did you find the perfect necklace or piece of jewelry for them and you are just so bored with those plain solid colored jewelry boxes then always put them in. Why not pop over to my etsy shop and pick out a pretty design to put them in? StormGazerDesigns.etsy.com

Even if you're not sure what they might like and want to get them a gift card so that they can pick out something they've wanted, those will fit too!

And just for all of us Valentine's Day people, I'd like to offer a special to those who choose to do something for more than 1 person. Buy at least $3.00 worth of merchandise and earn a discount of 24% off when you use this code at checkout LOVE15 

In addition to all the cute pillow boxes I've setup, I've also taken an interest in designing Jamberry Nail patterns. You can peruse those here. The above coupon is also valid for these!

Go to StormGazerDesigns.etsy.com and enter LOVE15  at check out

Logo Design The Cake Lady

I was asked last week to design a logo for a friend who make some amazing cakes!

We wanted it to be simple so that it could easily be transferred onto shirts and other branding items. 

Here is what I came up with.:

You can visit her Facebook page at: The Cake Lady

For those of you in the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia, if you have a party, event or celebration that needs something delicious and amazing you might want to consider calling her up. 

Eating Healthier post 2

Progress report #eatingHealthier : 

soda consumption is way down, water intake much higher. I  only caved in to the midnight snacking twice last week. Slowly working towards eating less and less carbs. (It's tough when I am also feeding a family.) I'm going to have to sit down at some point and figure out how to cook for them but also myself without having to prepare extra food.

Any suggestions from those who have successfully found yummy adkins family friendly recipes?