Cuddle up with a bowl of chili

What could be better on these cold fall nights than a hot bowl of chili?  Chili can be healthy if you make it right, and contains many ingredients that are good for your body and skin.

Start with ground turkey, or at least lean ground beef, to save you some fat content.  Next add your tomatoes and sauce.  Fresh, cut up tomatoes are always a great addition but you can use canned as it is a lot easier – just look for low sodium canned ones.   Tomatoes contain lycopene and lots of antioxidants that are great for your skin and internally fight all kinds of cancers.   Use plenty of beans – brown, kidney, black – whatever you like.  Beans all contain fiber which is imperative for your body to function properly.  You can get bulk dry beans and soak them yourself, or again, canned is fine – just rinse them off in a strainer first to get any extra salt off.  You want to have a little salt for flavor, but too much salt will cause your body and skin to bloat and puff up temporarily – not a great look!   And then – vegetables.  I like to add corn, celery, and mushrooms but you can use anything you want – use this opportunity to get in all your yummy body and skin friendly veggies.  Add the spices you like – chili powder and ground chili’s are what gives chili its main flavor and contain vitamins that fight inflammation and boost immunity.  Some people add garlic, cinnamon, cocoa powder, turmeric, cilantro, and cumin – all great for their antioxidant and immunity boosting powers.

Simmer it all up on the stove, or put it all in a crock pot and have it ready for you when you get home from work or school.  Add a sprinkle of low fat cheese for calcium and scoop it all up with a fresh piece of whole wheat bread.  Yum!

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