A Hearty Bowl of Goodness

I had never tried chili before moving to America. I never really knew what it consisted of. I think it even took me a couple of years before I had my first steaming bowl. But when I finally did, I was hooked from my first spoonful. The earthy, spicy goodness is like a hug in a bowl. I can't get enough!

I first made my own chili when I was pregnant with Olivia. I have made so many tweaks and additions that I can't even remember where my first attempt came from. But here is my current version if you would like to try it...

FAVOURITE CHILI

Ingredients
500g ground beef
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 small red capsicum, chopped
2 teaspoons crushed garlic
1 tablespoon turmeric
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon chilli flakes
1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil
coarse salt and ground pepper, to taste
1 avocado, mashed, for serving
Sour cream, for serving

Method
In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion, carrot, celery and capsicum and cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
Add beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 3 minutes.
Add turmeric, cumin, oregano, chilli flakes and paprika (if using). Cook, stirring, until mixture is fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add tomatoes and rinsed beans. Bring to a boil over high; reduce to a simmer, and cook until chilli is slightly thickened, about 30 minutes.
Serve with mashed avocado and sour cream.

I will always continue to make tweaks and adjustments as I go along, but one thing is for sure... chili will forever be in our regular weeknight rotation.

Clean Skin

1. MooGoo Oil Cleanser Combination // 2. MooGoo Anti-ageing Cream // 3. Boscia Clarifying Detox Mask // 4. Bare Escentuals Active Cell Renewal Night Serum // 5. Hilde Hemmes' Herbals Calendula Cream // 6. MyChelle Replenishing Solar Defense SPF 30 // 7. BeautyCounter Clean Everyday Shampoo & Rinse Everyday Conditioner

I have been on a real mission over the past year to clean up my skin care products. I have become fed up and don't want to put chemicals and harmful ingredients on my skin any more. I'm still using 'dirty' deodorant and I haven't quite got to my cosmetics yet (save for my beloved mineral foundation), but I am almost there with cleaning out my shower and cupboards of any harmful ingredients. Due to the obsessive research, internet trawling and review hunting that I have done for each and every product I try, I thought I would save you the effort and share some of my favourite discoveries. I know there are so many amazing brands that are doing 'clean' skincare these days, but many of them come with a hefty price tag that I simply can't justify, so my list is also fairly cost effective too. Win win!

Wellness Wednesday

Image: Townvibe

In honour of the study that I am about to begin next week in nutrition and health, I have decided to dedicate a post each week to healthy diet and lifestyle pursuits. Enter Wellness Wednesday. Each week I will share my learning in health and offer recipes and ideas that you can try at home. I am really excited about this new chapter I am beginning and feel that it will lead to a much more fulfilling and rewarding career. 

To kick things off, I want to share why it is so important to me to buy organic (as much as possible). Processed and genetically modified foods make me so mad. Not even fruits and vegetables are safe from genetic meddling. The problem with foods that have been genetically modified is that they are not broken down by your body in the same way and can lack some of the vital nutrients your body needs. Add the fact that genetically modified foods have been linked to cancer. Then there is the link with genetically modified foods and the increasing rates of severe food allergies in children. Reason enough to steer clear of the GMO's, I should think.

I understand that buying organic is expensive and therefore isn't realistic for everyone, but it really is important to be selective about the food you are buying. Avoid processed food as much as possible. Try visiting a farmer's market and talking with the actual farmers who are supplying the food. This can often end up being a much cheaper alternative than the regular supermarkets anyway.

I believe in everything in moderation, but to be honest you really have to be putting in good fuel 98% of the time or your health starts to suffer. It may not seem like much but cutting out processed and genetically modified foods can literally add years to your life.