Chili.

Holy Hannah. Has it already been a week since I posted? So much for posting 3x a week. Sorry guys.

Anyone else feel that around holidays things just get crazy busy?  Maybe it has something to do with me being a holiday fanatic and thinking I have to do every last "holiday festivity" to make lasting memories for my kids or else I will be labeled as a "lame mom" because you all know that is what will happen. (I think I convinced Kyle that there is no such thing as a "low-key" holiday with being married to me. Go Big or Go Home Smith.)

Also, it was my little Bode-ster's 1st birthday on Friday. CRAZY! My little dude is one. Funny thing though, Kyle and I went out on a date that night and left him with a babysitter.   
Shh...he will never remember. 
 I mean...We love you Bodie!

Isn't he the cutest little one year old?? We think so.

We also had our church Halloween Party over the weekend...I am sure like the rest of the LDS population. Trunk or Treating is where it is at. 10 minutes and a whole Bunch of candy. Done! Nothing more Simple than that if you ask me.

Watch out. The army guy is pretty tough. I have been having him do his daily push ups and planks.

The Gangsta Bee-bopper Fireman, yeah, he's got moves like Jagger.

And the Witch, she can out pose anyone on any given day. Vogue!

Halloween totally ROCKS! Right??

Our ward party was also a chili cook off. Now I am not a huge chili lover. I like it but I just don't love it. 

But they asked for volunteers and I hate not signing up for food events.  I sure am going to be eating my fair share, I figured I needed to contribute.

So when I came across this recipe I knew I had to at least give it a try.

and Hot Dang it was GOOD!

and a huge plus is it is Healthy Healthier. 

(picture source)

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili 

Ingredients:
1 can black beans (I used Pinto beans. It's what I had.)
1 can sweet corn, undrained
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis, undrained
1 package of dry ranch dressing mix
1 tsp cumin
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 8 oz package light cream cheese
2 chicken breasts (I used frozen ones and it worked perfect)

Turn crock pot on high, Place frozen chicken in crock pot and top with black beans, sweet corn, Rotel tomatoes, ranch dressing seasoning, cumin, chili powder, and onion powder. Stir that together to combine and put cream cheese on top without stirring it in. Allow it to cook for 3-4 hours. Once chicken shreds easily it is done, and you can stir it all together to combine. Mine took about 3 and a half hours on high, but you could also cook it for 6-8 hours on low.
Makes 6 servings at about 230 calories each.

 

(I added an extra can of diced tomatoes and also some salsa verde instead of the can of Rotel. We like our spice. (*Edit: I didn't have chili powder on hand so I didn't add that in.) You can also add a can of tomato soup to thicken it up. And adding tortilla chips of course adds calories. PORTION CONTROL is where it is at. Monitor yourself with those yummy chips.)

Seriously people, this is good and so so so easy. You need to make it now. Go and get all the ingredients and make this for your next soup party, pot luck, busy night dinner, heck eat it whenever you want all the time.

So that was my weekend wrap up.  Good times!

One more thing, my plan to do more strength and less running, is kind of on hold. One of my besties from Omaha asked me to to join her Las Vegas Ragnar team...in 2 weeks! I am so friggin excited, and also I little nervous. I have no idea what to expect. So any advice...please share, immediately!!

 Viva Las Vegas