As Promised: Heart-Healthy Cincinnati Chili Recipe

Greetings Everyone!


I promised you the recipe for this wonderfully, flavorful chili recipe and I am following through. I've had to begin eating differently since my surgery, and although I have not totally cut fats out of my diet (and probably never will - remember that good fat aids in proper digestion!) I do use healthy fats such as extra virgin first cold-pressed olive oils, safflower oils, and flax, seed oil.  


I always strive to use organic ingredients, because with organic and locally grown fruits, veggies, dairy, and grass-fed poultry and other animal products, I can rest assured that I am not getting any of those nasty chemicals, antibiotics, or growth hormones.


This chili recipe calls for some unusual spices and flavorings, but the end result was absolutely delicious! For a vegetarian chili, cut out the beef or turkey and add more beans: all kinds of beans! Red and white and black beans for added protein, great tasted and texture, and boosted protein!


Cincinnati-Style Chili (Five-Way)


Olive oil (I use a Mr. Misto oil sprayer to reduce fat, but you can use no more than 2 teaspoons)
2 large finely chopped onions
3 cloves of minced garlic
8 oz. of lean ground grass fed beef (buffalo meat has the absolute lowest fat content and tastes just like beef!) or Jennie-O turkey. (Meat is optional!!!)
2 tablespoons of chili powder
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1.5 cups chopped canned tomatoes (fire-roasted organic are best!)
1/4 cup water
1 15-oz can of red kidney beans (and other beans if making vegetarian)
3 tablespoons of tomato paste
2 teaspoons of brown sugar
2 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa
8 oz. spinach linguine
4 thinly sliced scallions
4 tablespoons shredded veggie cheese - cheddar flavor or 2% shredded cheddar (optional)


(Recipe makes 4 servings)


1. Spray large non-stick skillet with olive oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until onions are golden brown, about 10 minutes.


2. Stir in meat, chili powder, and cinnamon and cook until meat is no longer pink (about 5 minutes)


3. Stir in tomatoes, beans, water, tomato paste, brown sugar, and cocoa until chili sauce is flavorful (about 10 minutes)


4. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and transfer pasta to large bowl. Add chili and scallions and toss to combine. Sprinkle with cheddar shreds ... Serve and enjoy!


Let me know if you enjoyed this recipe as much as we did :)


Namaste and Blessings


Kathi

I Found Out ...

I am currently 8 weeks post-op and just realized this week how very extensive this open-heart surgery really is. I truly thought I'd be up and about like nothing had happened by now and would be running back to work within a month and a half or two months. My body has reacted tremendously to let me know that I'm not superhuman and to put me in my place but good!

I went up north to visit with my children, family, and little grandsons last week. I thought everything was going to be great, and actually it was. The only thing that hit me like a ton of bricks was the fact that after walking around the Bangor Children's Museum for two hours with my 4 year old grandson, I was pretty exhausted! I wonder how I'm supposed to go back to working 12 hours shifts now when I spend the majority of my time on my feet there? It made me really start thinking about the magnitude of my surgery and what my poor body (and mind!) has been through in the past two months!

I'm not sure I'm ready now to attempt those 12 hour shifts yet. Thank God HR understands ... besides all that, the hole that developed in the bottom of my incision 3 weeks post-op is still there, and I continue to pack it twice daily. It is closing slowly but surely, though. I see my surgeon again on Wednesday, and hopefully for the last time this time for good. 

I'm going to start Phase II of my cardiac rehabilitation as well, as I got a call from the Heart Hospital regarding such yesterday. I wasn't going to do cardiac rehab because my surgeon told me I may be bored with it being so young, but the person who called me regarding it explained that I would be continuously monitored (my heart rate, etc.) whilst exercising and it might be an advantage for me. I'm actually a little leery about going back to the gym on my own currently, and that's one of the main reasons I haven't gone yet. Not to mention that I can't swim with the incision the way it is, so it would be a moot point since I truly enjoy swimming at the gym. I guess I'm a bit worried about my heart when I begin my exercise regime again, and with good reason I suppose. So being monitored in the beginning will be a wonderful thing for me, at first.

Enough for today! God Bless all!