No Tomato Chili

For those looking to avoid night shades to avoid any inflammation they made contribute to....

No, it's not "the same" as "real chili"... but it sure is nice and yummy on a cold winter night!

No Tomato Chili

1 lb of ground meat (lean turkey, beef, chicken)
2 cans of beans (light/dark red kidney beans or mix one can of black with one can kidneys)
1 small onion (if tolerated)
1 Tbsp garlic
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cilantro
salt (to taste)
black pepper (to taste) 
1 15 ounce can of pumpkin (or carrots)
1 15 ounce can of beets
1 small can mushrooms (optional, if tolerated)
Extra water

1) In an adequate sized pot, brown ground meat, onion, and garlic in a skillet on med/high heat.
2) While meat is browning, place canned pumpkin and beets in a food processor and puree'.
3) Add seasonings into pot with the browned meat mixture.
4) Finally, mix in pumpkin mixture and simmer on low heat until seasonings blend through.

Helpful Hints:
*For those unable to use canned ingredients or those just wanting to save $$$, dried beans can be soaked and cooked ahead to add to this recipe. Also, fresh pumpkin/carrots/beets can be steamed and pureed for the  sauce.

*We like our chili rather "stew-ish."  You may prefer a chili with more liquid (hence the "Extra Water" in the ingredient list). Do what works for your pallet! 

*You will note that there is no chili seasoning in this chili. That is because of the nightshades in the red pepper  in the seasonings. If you can tolerate night-shades, by all means add in chili seasoning! It adds to the flavor immensely.

Grain Free, dairy free, egg free Pancakes

One of my latest muses has been working towards less grain in our diets. Yes, we are already gluten-free, but my dear husband seems to be reacting to oats. A friend introduced me to coconut flour a while back and I gotta say it has been a fun addition to our diet. Not only do you increase your fiber without increasing your glycemic load, it's yummy!

Since pancakes and waffles seem to be a weekly necessity at our house, I'm experimenting with a recipe that works with no eggs.  

Ingredients:

1/2 c. coconut flour

1 tsp baking soda (gluten free)

1/4 tsp salt

8 Tbsp warm water

4 Tbsp milled flax seed

3/4 c. coconut milk/almond milk (my favorite is the mixed one)

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp honey or aguave

coconut oil/olive oil

1) Place milled flax seed and warm water in mixer. Whip until frothy.

2) In separate bowl mix dry ingredients together.

3) Gently mix wet ingredients into dry mixture, then add in flax seed mixture.

4) Preheat griddle and lightly grease with oil, drop approximately 3 tablespoons of mixture onto griddle and flatten out to shape pancake. Lightly brown one side then flip and brown second side.

Try them and let me know what you think!