Chili with Kale

On my quest to be strong enough to surf in Hawaii this year I have been trying 2 new things; Crossfit and Paleo.  The results have been amazing and I will share more another day but today I just wanted to share this amazing new recipe!  It is a bean-less chili and it was so very yummy.  Of course we ruined the Paleo-ness of it by making a batch of corn bread to devour with it.  Oh well baby steps right?

Chili with Kale
Serves 4 generously

1 lbs hamburger
1 32 oz jar of tomatoes
1 onion chopped
1 teaspoon of chili powder (more if you like it hot!)
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 dash of pepper
1 teaspoon of salt
1 bunch of kale chopped (stems included)

In  pot bring tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and oregano to a boil.  Turn down to simmer add the kale and cook for 10 mins. In a pan cook hamburger until nearly all the pink is gone and add onion.  At this point you can cook the onions more or less depending on how crunchy you wan them in the chili.  I cooked them for about 5 mins.  Add pepper and salt to the meat and cook one more minute.  Add meat and the rest of the kale to pot and simmer for additional 10 mins.  Enjoy plain, with cheese, sour cream or a nice slice of corn bread!

Chewy Lemon Lavender Snowdrop Cookies

The Great Blogger Cookie Swap is here!  I have received all of my cookies, check out my first two here, the last box came on Saturday. And they were delish!! They were a lovey chocolate and mint (peppermint?) cookie from Jenny at Jenny Creates.

Jenny's lovely cookies which my husband demolished.

I was so nervous and excited to pick out a recipe to send to three lovely ladies.  I wanted to have a unique cookie and it needed to be one that would travel across the country well.   

I found both of these with my Chewy Lemon Lavender Snowdrop Cookies.  Using the chewy lemon snowdrop cookie recipe from sophistimom as a base I dove into my first great cookie adventure. 

Pondering the Perfect Pancake

Camping pancakes! Had to squeeze my lemons to make buttermilk.

I love pancakes!  I don't know many people who don't.  Well my dad doesn't but that is because of the stickiness of the syrup.  What I don't love is the heaviness in my stomach and the sugar rush I get from eating a few of these lovely breakfast circles.  The worst part is when you want pancakes and you are out of your favorite mix!!!  This one happened and sent me on the search for a replacement.  While I was at it I thought it might be nice to have one that had less sugar and more whole grains.  My search led me to many ideas but nothing I really liked so I took some elements of a few and made my own with some fun variations!

One is whole grain and one is gluten free.  I am still working on a dairy free version.  But for now most people should be able to enjoy these pancakes.

Good and Tasty Tuesday: Oven "Fried" Sweet Potato

   The mornings are cooler but the sun is shining.  I have to scold and remind myself to get out and enjoy it when I can.  This time of year can be so beautiful but it also can be the beginning of Winter Beth (coined by Tia Soph).

Molly sleeping on Daddy's pillow.

I need to follow after my animals and lay in the sun patches on the ground, on the porch or just be outside watching the little ones play!  But as I was saying the mornings are cooler and fall is here so here is a very quick easy and satisfying fall dish.

Good and Tasty Tuesday: Vegetarian and Gluten Free!

I love making new dishes from leftovers!

Onion, cauliflower, black beans and left over brown rice.

Good and Tasty Tuesday: Markdown Meals

I am joining Stay at Home Babe on Tuesdays for her Good and Tasty link up!  I love it and her.  So just forget that I am a day late.  That is the procrastinator in me you will get used to it.
So my meal today is inspired by a very good purchase, turkey burger for just $1.20 a pound.  I couldn't resist and then I got home and wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. I had been wanting to try making my own chicken nuggets with broccoli a recipe I had received in my email from one of the parent websites (sorry I can not remember which one).
Since I had no chicken or the recipe I decided to make up my own! Check it out after the break!