Category: Seasons

family, Meals, Seasons

Recipe for a Chilly Winter Evening by Alicia Coleman

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Happy New Year again!  It’s cold here in my neck of the woods so I thought I’d help everyone stay warm by providing a great winter meal we enjoy at our home.

The meal is a Vegetarian Three-Bean Chili with Chunky Tomatoes.

The ingredients:

* 2 Tbsp canola oil

* 1cup onion, coarsely chopped

* 1/2 cup celery, rinsed and chopped

* 1 green bell pepper, rinsed and diced

* 1 can (15 1/2 oz) low-sodium red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

*1 can (15 1/2 oz) low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed

*1 can (15 1/2 oz) low-sodium pinto beans, drained and rinsed

* 2 cans (14 1/2 oz each) no salt-added diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and

oregano

* 1 Tbsp ground cumin

* 1 Tbsp chili powder

Directions:

In an 8-quart soup or pasta pot, heat the oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking.  Add onion.  Cook and stir until onion starts to soften, about 5 minutes.

Add celery and green pepper.  Cook and stir another 5 minutes, until all vegetables soften.

Add drained and rinsed beans to pot and then stir in tomatoes, cumin, and chili powder.  Bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10-20 minutes to blend flavors.  Serve.

For those watching their waists, the serving size is 2 cups for a total of 443 calories. Serve 4 persons.  Enjoy!

holiday, Seasons

Happy New Year!!! by Alicia Coleman

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images of happy new year 2013

“Let the new year be an entirely fresh start towards achieving all our goals. Lets kick start an era of excellence!” ~Pearl Aman

May all your resolutions be achievable.  I’ll spend the day with family and friends being thankful for our time together. How will you spend you day?

family, Places, Seasons

A Favorite Winter Spot by Alicia Coleman

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One of my favorite winter spots is Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  It’s one of the most beautiful I’ve visited.Gatlinburg winter magic

When my family first approached me about visiting there, I refused.  I told them that was a place for honeymooners as several of my friends and their friends chose Gatlinburg to celebrate their marriages.  A few even married there in the various wedding chapels interspersed around the city.  Nope, that city was not for me.  I didn’t want to see starry-eyed couples holding hands or huddled together floating down the street with dreamy smiles on their faces.  My family finally wore me down and I consented to go.  I’m glad I did. Gatlinburg winter magic.jpg2

I found Gatlinburg to be a quaint little town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains.  Turns out, not only honeymooners go there, but families as well.  I was surprised to see the streets packed with people checking out the stores, going into restaurants, visiting museums and milling around breathing in the crisp, clean mountain air.  There’s even a night life. When it was time to go home, I didn’t want to leave.  I grudgingly told them I liked it while being secretly thrilled I came.  I even nonchalantly suggested making a return visit.

What about you? What are some of your favorite places to visit?