Baby, it's cold outside and perfect weather for a hot bowl of chili. Chili holds a special place in my heart as I have fond memories of my mom making up a big batch of chili. I loved every bite! Now, I am building chili memories with my boys.

I am hooked on my Instant Pot. I love being able to load everything in and take a few minutes to do some chores as the Instant Pot works it's magic. No stirring required.


Here is what you will need:

1 lb Organic Grass Fed Ground Beef (Costco is my favorite brand)
1 14 oz can of Organic Pinto Beans
1 14 oz can of Organic Black Beans
2 29 oz can of Organic Diced Tomatoes (I use 365 Brand)
3 tbsp. Organic Chili Powder
1 Organic Onion (diced)
2 tsp Sea Salt
2 tsp Organic Onion Powder
2 tsp Organic Garlic Powder
1 tsp Organic Paparika
2 tbsp Organic Coconut Aminos
Instant Pot

Instructions:

Add the ground beef and diced onion to the Instant Pot. Push the Saute button on the Instant Pot. Cook beef until browned.  Then hit the cancel button on the Instant Pot.

I like to puree my diced tomatoes as my boys are not crazy about chunky tomatoes in their chili. They can be pureed easy with an immersion blender or in your Vitamix. Blend until smooth.  Add pureed mixture, beans, and spices to the Instant Pot. Make sure your vent is sealed and then hit the chili button for 30 minutes.  It really doesn't need 30 minutes if you are in a hurry you can get away with 15, but I like how the flavor enhances with time.  Quick release your Instant Pot when done. The smell is wonderful and sure to get the families attention.  Serve and enjoy!

I hope you too will be building memories with those you love with the wonderful chili recipe. Drop me a line I would love to hear from you.

Warm Blessings,
Bridget

One of my favorite snacks are Coconut Date Balls. They are sweet, delicious, and super easy to make. They make a quick pick me up between breakfast and lunch, and are a prefect snack to add to packed lunches.

Did you know dates are good for you too? According to Dr. Axe's website they decrease cholesterol, help constipation, boost energy naturally, reduce triglyceride levels, boost bone health, and are a natural alternative for sweetner. They are also loaded with vitamins. Check out his article here.

These date balls are so easy; they will be your new favorite too.


Here is what you will need:

Food Processor
1 cup organic medjool dates (with the seed removed)
1 cup organic unsweetened shredded coconut

Instruction:

Remove seeds from dates. This is real simple just slice in half and remove seed. Add 1 cup of dates with the seeds removed to the food processor.  Process on low till it looks crumbly. Add 3/4 cup of shredded coconut to food processor.  Continue to process until it looks like a dough ball. Add remaining shredded coconut to a plate. Remove enough dough to make a one inch size ball. Roll into a ball and roll into remaining coconut. Continue until you run out of dough.

Eat and enjoy! This is a snack that I can give my kids that they love, and it is good for them. I love packing them in their lunch with these bright silicone mini muffin liners. They are great for separating snacks and make their lunch look fun!

Store leftovers in the refrigerator. They do get harder in the refrigerator, but if you let them set out for 5 or 10 minutes they will return soft.

Let me know if you love them too!

Blessings,
Bridget

Okay, I'm back with another Vitamix recipe. I told you the Vitamix could do some amazing things. Did you know it could make delicious hot soup? I didn't but, when I found out it was my next stop.

Today I am sharing a recipe I from Practical Stewardship for Blender Tomato Basil Soup. I made a few little tweaks to this recipe to suit my families palate, but overall this was an easy and delicious recipe.  Congrats Sonja for creating this delicious recipe that is now a family favorite.

You can find Sonja's original recipe here. Below you will find my tweaks.


Here is what you will need:

1 29 oz can of organic diced tomatoes
1/4 onion
4 garlic cloves
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp oregano
10 large leaves of fresh organic basil
1/2 cup almond milk
2 tsp organic avocado or coconut oil

Instructions:

Add 2 tsp organic avocado or coconut oil to small skillet over medium low heat. Saute 1/4 onion till softened, then add 4 cloves of minced garlic. I like this garlic press it has made my life so much easier. Just add the unpeeled clove and press. It is quick and easy! Saute garlic for just 1 minute. Add mixture to your Vitamix.

Add diced tomatoes, salt, oregano, fresh basil, and almond milk to the Vitamix.  Start on the first setting and increase to the highest setting. Blend for 5 to 6 minutes until the soup is hot.  Pour into bowls and serve. This makes about 3 cup servings.

I like to serve mine with homemade biscuit croutons. Use my biscuit recipe found here. Slice one biscuit into bite size pieces. Add 1/2 tsp organic italian seasoning and 1/8 tsp salt to biscuits. Bake at 350 on a baking tray lined with parchment paper for 10 to 12 minutes.

This recipe is super easy and my boys loved it. Let me know what you think and stop by Practical Stewardship and share your comments with Sonja too!

Blessings,
Bridget

I was blessed with a Vitamix for Christmas from my dear mother. So, I am dedicating this post to her, for her generous spirit and wanting to make my life easier. Thanks Mom!

The Vitamix is beyond amazing, and does things that I never thought of doing. I can make all kind of things in this machine, and I can't wait to share. I tried and tried to make kale smoothies with my Oster blender, and we just could not enjoy chunks of kale in our smoothie.

So upon receipt of this awesome gift, my first stop was the kale smoothie. The Vitamix blended it perfectly without a trace of kale. We love it so much we drink it everyday! I occasionally try something new and my kids reply, "We like the kale one best". How awesome is that! Okay, enough already, I'll share the recipe.



Here is what you will need:

Vitamix
1 cup of orange juice
1 banana
1/2 cup frozen mango
1/2 cup frozen pineapple
1 large handful of fresh kale (I usually estimate a amount that would fit smashed in one cup)

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to the Vitamix. Start on the lowest level, and increase to the highest level slowly. I usually run it for a minimum of 45 seconds on high or until I see no little kale specs.

On a side note kale is so good for you. I was looking over the health benefits with my little guy on Dr. Axe's website. After he saw it was good for his eyes he said, "Can I have extra kale in mine?" LOL, 🤣 I love my kids. Some of the amazing benefits of kale that Dr. Axe outlines on his website are that it is anti-inflammatory, a antioxidant food, naturally detoxifying, supports your heart, promotes brain development in infants, helps prevent cancer, and promotes healthy vision. After reading all that I was ready for a extra helping myself. If you have not checked out Dr. Axe's website he has a wealth of information. His site is my go to site for so many things.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we do. If you make it, please come back and let us know what you think. Stay tuned for more Vitamix recipes. As I make things I love, I'll be excited to tell you all about it.

Be blessed,
Bridget

My husband loves brown rice, but it has to be done right. It has taken me years to perfect it; then the Instant Pot came along. The first time I made it it was too crunchy. Second try, was too mushy. Finally I perfected it, and I'm going to share the details with you. I am so glad that I can use my Instant Pot to complete this chore easily and deliciously.  No more burnt rice! Yay! Okay, enough excitement. Lets get on with the details so you can get making it too.


Here is what you will need:

1 1/2 cup water
1 cup brown rice
Instant Pot

Instructions:

Add 1 1/2 cup water to the Instant Pot.  Then add 1 cup brown rice. Press the Pressure Cook button, make sure your Instant Pot is set to high pressure (use the Pressure Button to adjust between high and low pressure). Set the time to 15 minutes (use the +/- buttons to change the time).

When completed, hit cancel. Do not do a quick release; allow the Instant Pot to do a natural release.

Then open and enjoy!