Healthy and hearty chili

Ok, not really… it’s still shorts and tank weather.

Wmeg

But it’s always a good day for a huge bowl of chili and chips.

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Yesterday afternoon, Livi and I didn’t have anything going on, and I figured the weather was too nice to stay inside. We called Kyle and Meg to see what they were up to, and decided to meet up for a stroll at La Encantada.

Encantada

Somehow we always make it to look at the puppies and play in the toy store 🙂

Encantada2

(Uncle Kyle teaching Liv to scramble eggs)

La Encantada is one of the Tucson spots I’ll miss when we move. The stores aren’t extremely unique  -ok, the lululemon is pretty incredible- but I love walking around since it’s well-shaded, and it’s pet-friendly. There are dog water bowls everywhere! We had a blast hanging out with Kyle and Meg, Livi showed them her latest moves (she likes to hula and flamenco) and we came home to a slow cooker of chili to enjoy for dinner.

You know it’s going to be good when you can smell it driving into the garage.

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The version was one of those “throw everything in the slow cooker and pray it works” kinda party, and thankfully, it came out so well! Chili is a forgiving food as it is, but I especially loved the addition of sweet potato and zucchini in this one.

In the slow cooker:

-1 lb browned ground turkey meat (browned with worcestershire, garlic, salt and pepper), two sweet potatoes, two zucchini, one shallot, one can of fire-roasted tomatoes, one can of tomato paste, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, 2 bay leaves, and about 2 cups of water.

Cooked on low for about 4 hours and perfect with some Daiya, plain goat yogurt, avocado and chives.

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Comfort food at its best! Another fave recipe is this one.

Do you have a classic chili recipe? What’s your favorite comfort food?

Hope you’re having a great night!

xo

Gina

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34 Comments

  1. Jackie on September 25, 2013 at 5:58 pm

    That sounds so good my mouth is watering!

  2. Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run on September 25, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    cute & clever post title!

  3. Taylor @ Single-tracked Mind on September 25, 2013 at 6:16 pm

    Yum! I always add avo slices to my chili, too.

  4. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun on September 25, 2013 at 6:22 pm

    This looks so good! Thankfully I already ate dinner or I would be in the kitchen 🙂 I love chili there is nothing better on a cool fall/winter evening. I will have to try these out one time soon!

  5. Olivia at ohmy Olivia on September 25, 2013 at 6:29 pm

    This looks SO good! I also love how your daughter is called Livi – like me! xo

  6. Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs on September 25, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    Mmmm this looks delicious! I haven’t made chili yet this season, but when I do I think I’ll give this recipe a try!

  7. Julie on September 25, 2013 at 6:34 pm

    Oh I’m making that chili! It’s that time of the year for it!

  8. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine on September 25, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    I just made a new vegan veggie bean chili recipe I came up with last weekend! But I froze it that day so I would have meals for later in the week. I am defrosting it tomorrow to have on Friday and the Weekend and I can not wait to try it, it looked and smelled delicious!

  9. The Candid RD on September 25, 2013 at 6:50 pm

    I’ve never made chili in the slow cooker. HMmm, there is a first time for everything! I love how simple this recipe sounds. Thanks!
    There is definitely a CHILL in the air here in Columbus, Ohio. Brrr, fall is here!

  10. Marissa on September 25, 2013 at 7:31 pm

    this looks so good! your pics looks really great too…what camera do you use?

  11. Alissa @ Roll of the Spice on September 25, 2013 at 7:44 pm

    Wow I love the idea of avocado on top of chili! I’ve just moved back to St. Louis after 10 years of living in the South so I am soaking up every minute of the cool down to fall we are currently having!

  12. Runner Girl Eats on September 25, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    Avocado slices are my favorite chili toppers. Sunday night I made chili with pumpkin and it was the perfect fall food!

  13. Mer on September 25, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    Oh my! That looks like the best chili everrrrr!

  14. FitBritt@MyOwnBalance on September 25, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    I love love love turkey chili once the weather gets cool! The slow cooker makes it even easier and better!

  15. Casey on September 25, 2013 at 9:00 pm

    Is it just me, or does Kyle look like he’s coming out of the wall in that photo?! Haha

  16. Jay Scott on September 25, 2013 at 9:17 pm

    Chili is fantastic comfort food – especially when it’s cold. That avacado looks amazing too – and I’ve never thought to have it with Chili!

    Oh, I like the turtles too! haha.

    Jay

  17. Brooke @ denaultstudios.blogspot.com on September 25, 2013 at 10:12 pm

    My boyfriend made the best semi-homemade chili last night. He took one can of store bought chili and chopped up some onions, peppers, egg plant, and some chicken. He threw it all in a pot and it was delicious!

  18. Paige@FitNotFad on September 25, 2013 at 11:58 pm

    Yum! Looks great! I love La Encantada….especially Frost, the gelato shop…..ughhhhhhh so delicious.

  19. GiGi Eats Celebrities on September 26, 2013 at 12:33 am

    I’ve actually never made chili before. However, I do have a few other comfort foods that I would love to chow down on right now. Essentially, everything my dad makes is comfort food to me!! There is one dish that, oh my… TOOO GOOD! Salmon baked in calm sauce. I dream about it. LOL!

  20. Racheal @ Running with Racheal on September 26, 2013 at 8:00 am

    What a fun shopping area / toy store!

    I am always making chili in the summer – it is just so darn easy and tasty!

    Thanks for another great recipe!

  21. Danielle on September 26, 2013 at 8:06 am

    I love chili. I just made a batch of pumpkin chili this week and it was perfect for an easy dinner. It’s always so filling too.

  22. Captain Competition on September 26, 2013 at 8:09 am

    Chili is great this time of year. I made some sweet potato chicken chili last week. I found the recipe on pinch of yum (dot) com. I too have never added avocado to my chili but it sounds like I need to make that change with my next batch.

  23. Annie @ Annie Get Your Run on September 26, 2013 at 8:37 am

    I wasn’t hungry until I read this article…definitely making chili this weekend! It’s such an easy thing to make for lunches, too.

  24. jillian on September 26, 2013 at 10:31 am

    ok, i must have missed something… are you definitely moving?!

    • Fitnessista on September 26, 2013 at 6:12 pm

      there is a 90% chance

  25. Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite on September 26, 2013 at 10:38 am

    Chili is one of my favorite meals of the fall- super comforting and the spicier the better!!

  26. Susan on September 26, 2013 at 11:58 am

    That chili looks so good but I will make it when the temps aren’t in the 90’s!!

    I recently signed up for your emails but haven’t been receiving them. (I never get any spam so it wasn’t in there) I noticed your site when I looked thru my bloglovin email.

    Hope to get them soon!

    • Fitnessista on September 26, 2013 at 6:12 pm

      i haven’t been sending any lately because.. i am a slacker pants. will send one out early next week!
      xoxo

  27. Jennifer on September 26, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    Just finished throwing a crock pot dinner together! Headed out of town for a few days so gotta use it all up! Chicken breasts, red pepper, yellow pepper, can of fire roasted tomatoes, carrots, shallot, onion, cumin, cayenne pepper, sweet potato, and chicken stock. Excited to go home later to healthy comfort food. My friend and I completed your desert workout last Thursday – woah, those side planks with leg pulls are c.r.a.z.y.

  28. Heather L on September 26, 2013 at 12:14 pm

    Love chilli and pretty much any slow cooker meal this time of the year. Here in Nova Scotia, Canada it is getting chilly with a sprinkle of ‘warmer’ days thrown in for good measure. Although the snow and ice will begin in a few short months! 😉 I hope you’re enjoying your lovely weather

  29. Anna @ Fitness à la Anna on September 26, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    I definitely need to bust out my slow cooker soon, the chill is definitely in the air up here in Canada 😉

  30. Elyse @ Lizzie Fit on September 27, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    I really like the idea of throwing some avocado right on top of chili! Mmmm 🙂

  31. Jill on October 1, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    Thanks for the inspiration. Just popped this in the slow cooker. I love it, you can smell dinner when you get home-perfecto!

    • Fitnessista on October 1, 2013 at 5:46 pm

      let me know how it turns out!

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