Football Night Dinner

Another successful football night dinner that I thought I’d share–and it was 99% completed by the time I walked out the door in the morning:

Healthy Half-Veggie Chili Bread Bowls!

It did require an exclamation point because it was delish!

We have all read the headlines about the environmental impacts of consuming meat, and I am a firm believer that we can cut down on our consumption with positive environmental and health results. Since I’ve never been much of a carnivore, this is particularly easy for me, but remember: I cook for J. J is a carnivore. Big time. So these meals have to be filling and hearty meat-free or meat-light meals.

Pretty much no one needs a chili recipe, but here is an overview of my low-meat alternative:

About .5-.75 lb. of ground beef for that beefy taste – 15% fat or less
About .3-.5lb of Morningstar Farms’ soy crumbles (soy-made ground beef substitute that is low in calories and high in protein–and I swear no one will notice it!)
1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 can chili beans
1 packet Tex-Mex seasoning
Chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic to taste
1 C (ish) frozen chopped onions
1/2 C. (ish) frozen chopped green pepper

I cooked the ground beef, drained the fat, and added the seasoning + water on the stove. When the seasoning was stirred in, I threw in the other frozen ingredients: soy crumbles, onions and bell pepper. Toss the roasted onions and beans in a crock pot, then stir in stovetop ingredients. Set to low and leave!

When I got home, I threw two sourdough bread bowls (purchased in the bakery section of the grocery store) in the oven to heat. I had already cut the “lids” and hollowed the insides. While they toasted, I threw together a simple lettuce, cherry tomato, feta cheese salad. I put out some light sour cream, shredded cheese, and cut avocado as my “toppings bar.” At this point the bread bowls were toasty, I filled them with chili and we topped them as we pleased. YUM!

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Ask and ye shall receive more house pics

More flowers in the front planter

The amazing shower head and sprayers…these are a real spa experience and i love them!

Looking into the bathroom
New windows in the front bedrooms

Moldings and painting continues…

Some new pots

Ever-changing mantle display

 New curtains in the kitchen

 

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Opinion

Is this really beautiful, or am I off-base? Rustic Botanical Fireplace Screen from Crate and Barrel:

Link.

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Finally! Some moved in pictures!

Fireplace

Looking down the room from the “dining room” side (we don’t have a dining area yet). The wall not yet drywalled was the doorway to the room we incorporated. That will be done later on…

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Opposite view: you can see our table in the background with a Halloween tablecloth on it!

Bedroom: TV receiver stand is temporary, and we need carpet, but otherwise good to go!

Yes, this is my closet. (right side)

Left side

Right again, from the back

I love my shoe boxes!

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Lanvin for H&M

I have to interrupt the house posts to talk about fashion…

Covet:

The dresses are all $199, which is a lot for H&M, but great for Lanvin. The shoes are $99.

Here’s the whole collection: http://www.fabsugar.com/Pictures-Lanvin-HM-Collection-11779973

*All pictures courtesy of the FabSugar article*

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I am behind on updates!

Hi family and friends!
We got so much done this weekend that there is just no way I can fill you all in..but I’ll try, with some quick shots from my cell phone. I promise to take more pictures tonight.

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Bye Bye, Condo…

Oh the times we’ve had…

We made it a home. We foraged for unwanted furniture items until we could afford to buy them. Josh proposed to me in this house.  We became a married couple living in this house. And now it’s empty.

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Happy Halloween Part 3

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Happy Halloween Part 2

Around here, we take Halloween very seriously.
By we, I mean me. It’s my favorite holiday. I am now going to unveil my costume, which Linda has lovingly and patiently helped me to make for over a month!

Marie Antoinette, with ghost from Pac Man (my friend DJ)

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Happy Halloween Part 1

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