Super duper healthy chili

In our Vitamix (I mention Vitamix only b/c to do this requires a blender with a wide base, which I insisted I absolutely had to have during my pregnancy, with a zeal reserved for pregnant women), I blended:

• 1 small yellow squash I had baked for about 30 minutes at 350 deg
• 1 1/2 cup pre-chopped veggie blend (broccoli, carrot, radish, celery, green and red cabbages, jicama, and green bell pepper
• 1 cup kale
• 1/2 cup cleaned portobello mushrooms
• 1 can low-sodium tomatoes (with the juices)

This morning, I heated about 1/4 cup olive oil in a large stock pot and cooked about 1lb of 99% lean ground turkey until it was cooked- while cooking, I stabbed it repeatedly with a spatula to break it up into little pieces. For a vegetarian version, just skip this step, or use tofu if that suits you.

I added the blended veggies I had made last night (they were in the fridge), 2 more cans of low-sodium chopped tomatoes, 1 can each black and kidney beans, 1 can of corn, 1 tblsp chili powder, 1 tsp chipotle chili powder, and a whole lot of garlic-from-a-jar (probably a couple tblsps). And a big scoop- about 1 cup- of chopped onions.

Then I put the concoction, along with two potatoes (with holes poked in their tops- don’t forget this step) in the magic oven of the future and told it (by pushing buttons) to cook the food for 2 hrs at 350deg., to be finished at 5:45pm.

And lo, when I returned, dinner was made. And it was good.

Super healthy night (gingered tofu and miso soup)

Nutritional superiority in a bowl

We’ll be eating out quite a bit again since my parents will be in town, so I felt obliged to prepare a truly balanced healthy meal in anticipation of their arrival. It’s got green, orange, and tofu. It doesn’t get much healthier than this.

I actually am not a fan of tofu (I think it’s a great thing, I just don’t usually like how it tastes), but this gingered pan-fried variety is easy and I think it tastes great. Inordinate quantities of ginger and crispiness make it good.

Pink Peppered Pork with Pears

Pink peppercorn pork, pink peppercorn pork, pink peppercorn pork

The reviews for this one were astounding; Perpetual Motion Machine asked for not just seconds, but thirds. She ate more than I did, and didn’t leave the Ninja enough for dinner. It only took about 15 minutes, so, as the Ninja recommended, I’m going to keep this one on hand for the future. Plus, it’s fun to say pink peppercorn pork.