Simple Spicy Slow Cooker Indian Chili

Here is a simple, healthy, vegetarian, TASTY option for when you're short on time in the kitchen!

Have you heard me go on about the amazing-ness of dried beans in the slow cooker?!

I love it for so MANY REASONS!

This dish can warm you up on a COLD SPRING DAY!

Simple Spicy Slow Cooker Indian Chili

1.5 cups dried beans, rinsed (I used adzuki beans) ...anything but kidney beans

1 large onion, chopped

1 jar Trader Joe's Masala Simmer Sauce

2 or 3 jar-fulls of water

Fill your slow cooker with all ingredients to cook on HIGH, overnight, or all day. If awake, stir occasionally, but no worries if you're asleep! When beans are soft, and the chili is at your desired thickness, fill up your bowl, and enjoy!

Might taste great with a dollop of plain Greek or regular non-dairy YOGURT swirled in, on top, or to the side!

Simple Spicy Slow Cooker Indian Chili delicious and wholesome with just the above listed ingredients! Plus, you can certainly add as many other veggies as you'd like!

Check out MASALA SIMMER SAUCE INGREDIENTS: tomato puree, tomatoes, light cream, onions, ginger, garlic, canola oil, lemon juice concentrate, sea salt, coriander, cumin, fenugreek leaves, turmeric, paprika, red pepper, cinnamon, cloves.

Not too bad for less than $3 and so much convenience!

BONUS TIP: ADZUKI beans have much MORE FIBER than most other beans that people eat today!

RELATED POSTS
Benefits of Kefir [and yogurt!] ...you could probably swirl some plain non-dairy kefir into this recipe!
BEANS!  Read here for a) benefits of dried beans, b) homemade refried beans, and c) dried-canned bean conversions
Trader Joe's Treasures (Indian simmering sauces are on the list!)
Other Healthy Packaged Indian Food

Plus, Dr Oz lists ADZUKI beans as one of 5 Cheapest Health Foods Under $1!

Spicy Vodka Pasta -- Healthy Version

This is SO fast, HEALTHY, and delicious! It is such a simple recipe that one of the chefs who claims to have invented the dish, prepared it table-side in the 70s in a New York City!

When my hubby and I began dating, HE was the COOK between the two of us! This was the first dish he prepared for me, and we ate it countless times in the almost 2 years that we dated before we got married! Such warm fuzzy memories!

Over the years, I have gradually converted the recipe from NOT VERY healthy, to quite the opposite! So here you go -- the HEALTHY VERSION!

Spicy Vodka Pasta

1 Tbsp garlic, minced
½ tsp crushed red pepper
3.5 c crushed tomatoes (28 oz can)
1 lb whole wheat pasta**
1/4 c cashew butter (lower to 2-3 Tbsp to decrease fat)

1 c water

Heat a pan large enough to hold all ingredients. Sauté garlic and pepper in the hot pan with just a little bit of water, adding more when needed. Cook just until garlic turns golden but does not brown, 1 or 2 min. Add crushed tomatoes. Stir to blend, and simmer, uncovered, until sauce begins to thicken (about 15 min, the longer the better). Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta, add pasta to sauce, and toss. Blend cashew butter with water, then add cream to pasta and sauce. Toss once more. Cover, reduce heat to low, let rest for a few minutes so pasta can absorb sauce (longer the better). This dish gets even better as leftovers!

*Click HERE for some great pasta alternatives!

COMMENTS: Do you remember the first meal you ever ate with your partner? On our first date, Mike introduced me to Indian food! It was amazing! Isn't it fun to discover a new food you've never had before? So exciting!

Healthy Friendly's Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae

I can't help myself -- can't keep from sharing!  This is SO yummy!

Reminds me of my favorite childhood peanut butter cup ice cream sundae -- we used to go to Friendly's for our birthdays, and I always got this: Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae!

Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Sundae

Choco-Peanut Crunch Laraball crumble

Greek yogurt, plain, non-dairy

Natural peanut butter

Prepare Laraball recipe, but make THIS recipe before you shape your balls. Serve yourself a bowl of plain Greek yogurt. With a spoon, stir in some Laraball crumble and peanut butter. Don't mix really well, just swirl it in for a second. Enjoy!

Looking for other ways to eat your GREEK yogurt, click here!

Benefits of Greek yogurt are there too!

SHARE IF YOU DARE!  What fun are you up to this weekend?  I am excited for my birthday!  And I'll be getting my hair cut, a fun treat!  And getting my passport renewed, fun because if the trip it's for!

Parfait for Today!

I enjoyed yesterday's parfait so well, I tried a new one today! I made PB&J Poppers with walnuts instead of peanuts, and I added some chia seeds!

So this is it!

1/2 c walnuts

1/3 c raisins (avoid Dole -- there is added sugar!)

1/8 c dried cherries (tell me if you find unsweetened!)

1-2 Tbsp chia seeds

Grind above ingredients with a food processor for 3-4 minutes, until well blended.

1/2 c non-dairy Greek yogurt

Top yogurt with 1-2 Tbsp of above mixture.

Add banana slices, about 1/2 a banana.

Top with a few more crumbles, and enjoy!

If you like this treat, you can check out this Choco-Candy Apple Pafrait!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  What is your favorite blog?  Do you write one that you want to share?

Choco-Candy Apple Parfait!

THESE are awesome!

Thanks again to Lisa, for her fabulous idea about Brownie Bites and Apple Sandwiches!  It was from that idea that I got another idea!  Choco-CANDY APPLE Parfaits!  The apple sandwiches are delightful!  For kids, even though they think they're really cool, it can be just a little messy.

SO I thought of putting it all in a bowl with chopped apples, then I thought the creamy yogurt on top would be perfect!

Brownie Bites
Apples, chopped
Non-dairy yogurt, plain

Greek yogurt is so super creamy and rich that fat-free is about all you'll find!

Fill the bottom of the bowl with 1/2 c or so yogurt.
Cover with Brownie Bite crumble (maybe 1/8 c).
Add about 1/2 an apple chopped up.
Add another dopple of yogurt.
Sprinkle a bit more Brownie Bite crumble.
You can even add a piece of dark chocolate for fun!

The possibilities here are endless!
Try any Laraball flavor and any fruit!  Yum!

Chocolate Cherry Torte with mixed berries?
Skinny Mints and bananas?
Cranberry Confections with fresh cranberries?  ...might have to wait for Thanksgiving for this one!
Carrot Cake with bananas?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  What combination do you like best?  Have other ideas?

4-Ingredient Chocolatey Goodness

My five year-old who would say (if asked) that she doesn't like yogurt EXCEPT for CHOCOLATEY GOODNESS!
UPDATE: she is 10 now, and she still LOVES chocolatey goodness! Now she only mixes bananas and cocoa!

Midnight snack?  Breakfast?  Lunch?  You choose!

No blender, chopper, oven, or microwave needed.

Chocolatey Goodness

2 bananas

1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa (more if you love chocolate!)*
Click here for Benefits of Chocolate and here for Make Sure You Get the MOST out of Your Chocolate!

1 Tbsp chia seeds (optional)

Dash of unsweetened, shredded coconut (optional)

Mash bananas with a fork and combine with cocoa and chia seeds until smooth, and enjoy!
*1 tsp of cocoa per banana is a great ratio.

For SUPER-SMOOTH texture, put everything in a food processor for just a quick spin!  Makes a great Healthy FRUIT DIP!

You can top with some chocolate nibs or a few chocolate chips for fun!

If you're a coconut person, try swirling in unsweetened coconut!

I used to use Greek yogurt,
so you could try adding some non-diary yogurt if you wish.

Bananas add SWEETNESS without any added sugar! 

UPDATE: plain yogurt and plain kefir were about the last animal-based foods that I ever recommended, BUT DO NOT ANYMORE. However, I am hopeful that non-dairy versions provide the same benefits, as the benefits come from the bacteria that is used in production.

Greek yogurt is awesomely creamy! The unique health benefits of regular and Greek yogurt come from the PROBIOTICS they contain (this is also why kefir is awesome -- check out the health benefits HERE!...while at this link, you can read about chia's awesomeness too!) If you haven't already read about how great chocolate is for HEALTH and HAPPINESS, click HERE! Chia seeds are an ancient superfood that adds a teeny, tiny crunch and MEGA nutrient boost with every scoop!

Here is another way to try non-dairy Greek yogurt!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Are you a "coconut person" or not?  I didn't used to like it, but through the years it has grown on me!  I like how it feels to chomp into it!

Top 5 Quick and Easy Baby Foods

Nutritious, Easy, and Fresh!

1. AVOCADO - cut one in half and grab a spoon!

2. BANANA - Open it, mash it a bit with a fork, and viola! Depending on age, they might just take chunks in their hand, or regular bites from a whole banana.

3. SWEET POTATO - stab one with a fork a few times, pop it in the micro for 5-8 min depending on size, 8 min for a huge potato. Let cool, cut open, and grab a spoon!

4. PLAIN regular or Greek YOGURT - it is SO much easier to get a child used to this taste early. What a favor you are doing him or her! It took me years of tasting a bit myself when I was feeding my little ones, to finally enjoy the taste!

5. Old Fashioned Oatmeal (rolled oats) - dump some in a microwave bowl, add water until oats are covered. Make sure bowl is large enough for oats to bubble up quite a bit; overflow can be a little messy! Cook for 2-3 minutes. Let cool, stir in some ground flax seed, even some chia seeds!, and cinnamon, and add a little milk.

Plus, a delicious and nutritious oatmeal recipe coming soon!

Try these, and HERE ARE SOME MORE IDEAS! See what you AND your baby think!?!?

Jars are a great convenience for when you are out and about, but when your at home with your child, why not take a few extra minutes to make something from the heart, that is more nutritious AND will save you money too! Don't worry -- we will get into more variety, but this is an easy place to start!

TELL ME IN A COMMENT -- Have you ever made baby food? Have you ever thought about trying? I sure love the money I save doing it, as well as knowing exactly what my child is eating!

3-Ingredient Super-Shake!

3-Ingredient Super-Shake

1 c almond milk (substitute non-dairy kefir* or other non-dairy milk)
¼ c chia seeds (read about healthy fat!)
1 c berries
Optional: 1/4 c unsweetened cocoa (click here for more chocolate and berry treats!)
Blend and enjoy! *I haven't ever made my own non-dairy kefir, but here is a link if you want to try!

KEFIR is awesome! It has lots of vitamins, minerals, and protein! The best part-- it's loaded with HEALTHY BACTERIA! Have you heard of the health benefits of yogurt? Immunity, digestive, vaginal, and bladder health, and much more -- read here! Well, kefir can provide “yogurt benefits” much more POTENTLY, since it contains many different cultures, while some yogurts only offer one!

CHIA seeds are awesome! Jam-packed with nutrients and used for 1000s of years as a sports and energy staple! The coolest nutrition it provides is omega-3 fat: the thing that is so great about FISH, AND a nutrient in which 98% of the American population is deficient!   The seeds are teeny tiny, super cute, and you can add them to just about any food! This of course could be a whole other post too, but for now, just read this great article if you want to know more about chia! And/or read this book: Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Ever Seen by Christopher McGougall.

BERRIES are awesome! Full of ANTIOXIDANTS (a bit more here under #3), vitamins, sweetness, and flavor! You’ve probably heard all about them. They help your brain keep working well, and keep the cancer away! You can get them frozen and organic at Costco, for a fraction of the cost at another grocer, and frozen makes this drink really like a dessert! You can even eat it with a spoon if you eat quickly!
 

 

 

The finished product!

A very happy and satisfied taster!

 

TELL ME IN A COMMENT! Do you make smoothies? Do you add sugar/honey/juice? Have you tried skipping those sweeteners? What is your favorite flavor? What about adding veggies? Other powders, flax, wheat bran, powdered milk? Nuts/nut butters?

Creamy, Refreshing Carrot Soup

Creamy, Refreshing Carrot Soup

3 lb carrots, peeled, boiled in 3 quarts of water

1 c Old fashioned oats, cook with carrots

1 tsp lemon juice

¼ tsp Indian spice mix (Sabji Masala) …you could try allspice, pumpkin pie spice, or curry

¼ tsp cinnamon
plain, non-dairy yogurt (optional)

Experiment with quantities of spices to make it just right for you!

Let the carrots and oats cook for 20-30 minutes, the longer it boils will just thicken the soup. Combine carrots, oats, water remaining, lemon juice, and spices in a blender, and blend until creamy. It should be ready in a quick minute or two! Yum! Add a dollop of plain yogurt on top!

I recommend buying a nice Indian spice mix from a local Indian food store. Lakshmi Plaza is a great one in Mayfield Heights (5888 Mayfield Road).

This particular mix contains: coriander, cumin, chilli, tumeric, black pepper, cloves, fenugreek leaves, salt, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom , cinnamon, bay leave, pulse, fennel, caraway, mustard, garlic, onion, cardamom green, and asafoetida.

Indian spices offer a variety of anti-inflammatory and delicious spices. They are sometimes particularly expensive, and the shear variety of spices would cost a bit to purchase.

This recipe was inspired from a guest's recipe on the Dr Oz Show. It was a great recipe -- I just simplified, decreasing some of the ingredients and work. It was after all a great recipe!

In case you want a carrot dessert, after your carrot soup, try these No-Bake Carrot Cakes!

"Like" the fresh-you Facebook page here!

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell me in a comment below: Do you like Indian food? What is your favorite dish? Do you cook it at home? Did you have it as a child?

Crazy for Kefir!

Kefir, along with plain Greek and regular yogurt, are AWESOME -- providing loads of HEALTHY BACTERIA (check out how VERY MUCH here!)! REMEMBER TO CHOOSE NON-DAIRY VERSIONS!


Kefir contains up to 10 different cultures! Plain regular, and often Greek yogurt contain up to 4 or 5 cultures.  This is important because healthy bacteria has to survive through the digestive system where harmful bacteria may be trying to crowd out the good stuff.  Unfortunately, flavored yogurts contain only 2 different bacteria strains...if only one strain is used, they should not be labeled "yogurt".

Did you know that the number of bacteria within your body outnumbers the trillions of your own cells that make up your body?! …by 10 times! So it’s a good idea to try to keep the good ones overpowering the bad, right?

If we consume many different strains (like we get from kefir, plain yogurt, and most Greek yogurt), we have a better chance of more strains surviving our digestion.

So how does this "good" bacteria help?

Benefits range from immunity to digestive health, from relieving constipation to treating irritable bowel disease (IBD), and these bacteria even PRODUCE vitamin K and a B-vitamin called biotin! Speaking of vitamin K, Kefir particularly is a rich source of vitamin K and calcium, two key nutrients in BONE health!

Many more reasons still, can you believe it?!

Good or healthy bacteria are also called PROBIOTICS, which are LIVE and ACTIVE CULTURES that grow and multiply once in our bodies to cause the above benefits!

Try this simple shake to get your kefir!

Try Jerusalem Artichoke Pasta for similar benefits!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Have you ever been to Turkey? That's where kefir originates, and where Dr Oz's parents are from!