Anything goes, sweet potato chilli

This one of my favourite ways to make chilli. Sometimes I throw in some green beans, quinoa, kale, butternut squash or pumpkin purée - what ever I have joking around in my cupboard or fridge. The beauty of soup and chilli is that you really can't mess it up; experiment with different veggies and spices and see what you come up with!

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground turkey
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground oregano
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp black pepper
2 15 oz. cans Rotel Tomatoes
1 14.5 oz. can Hunt's Fire Roasted tomatoes
1 15.5-ounce can black beans, rinsed
1 15.5-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed
1/4 cup jalapeno peppers (add less or more depending on your taste)
1 large sweet potato (about 10 oz.), peeled and cut into 1/4 in. pieces


Directions:
Instructions

In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook ground turkey until brown.

Drain turkey and set aside.

In a slow cooker, combine the bell pepper, onion, garlic, chili powder, oregano, cocoa, cinnamon, cumin, jalapenos, salt, and pepper.

Next, add the beans and tomatoes with their liquid, and sweet potato.

Stir all ingredients together.

Cover with lid and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours.

Sweet potatoes should be tender and the chili will have thickened up while cooking.

Top with Fat free Greek yogurt or any other additional toppings and serve.

Pre-Christmas PUREfit 4 week Challenge

In preparation for the Holiday season, I present to you PUREfit body challenge!

YOU WILL RECEIVE:
- homework workouts
- nutritional guidance
- scheduled boot camp classes

Your participation in class and the support from your fellow comrades over the next 4 weeks will help you make healthy choices during the holidays!

I will send out a weekly at home workout that will take a minimum 15 minutes to complete. If you wish you can repeat these workouts several times for a longer more challenging workout!

You are to do your "homework" everyday!!! Try it either in the morning (a great morning pick me up...better than coffee!), on your lunch break or after the kids go to bed (or better yet make it a family thing!) it is only 15 minutes! Make the time!

Another facet of our challenge is nutrition. Eat clean for the next 4 weeks before all those christmas temptations start gracing your desk. I remember our office was like a revolving sweet shop of chocolate, cookies and high calorie/fat foods - its hard to resist - just say NO and move them out of your view. Have some healthy alternatives to snack on when the temptation strikes such as a few almonds (just a few!), kale chips, veggies etc. Lets keep the dialogue open so when we find something that is "clean" like a recipe or cool condiment (ingredient) let's share it with the group!

To keep us all on track, I suggest using an online site called my fitnesspal.com. There is also an app for smart phones and iPads. Track your meals for the next 4 weeks you will be amazed at all those hidden sugars, far and calories some of those so-called "healthy" foods have. It will also make you think twice before mindlessly snacking...i have been guilty of snitching off my kids plate from time to time.

I like this program because it takes a lot of the guess work out of counting calories etc. plus there is a password option that will allow other users (in this case me!) to view your diary. This way I can check in and see how your doing. Don't worry I'll keep what I found confidential ;) Just try and avoid blatant contraband meals like fruit loops or I just might have to publicly shame you! I will send out a sample meal plan. Obviously, you can move things around and substitute somethings such as chicken for fish or broccoli for zucchini. The main objective is to stay within your caloric range according to your height and weight and you can determine that here http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/calories-goal.php

Keep in mind women should not consume less than 1200 calories per day! Your body needs that base amount for basic bodily functions.

Everyone is welcome to join us and participate in the body challenge!
Contact me at CardioCorekim@gmail.com

You can view my profile on www.myfitnesspal.com to see what I'm eating ;) that way I stay accountable too!

Username: cardiokim
Password: purefit