Category Archives: Inspiration

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Posted on February 14, 2012 | 11 Comments

We all know It’s not really a holiday.  Let’s be honest and call it a Hallmark holiday and a celebration for retailers. People spend ridiculous amounts of money because they feel they need to and then get a hate on for Valentine’s Day because of the materialistic nature of the beast.

Obviously, I am not a supporter of all of the cheap chocolate and brightly coloured candy.

Remember, no one is making you eat the candy that you’ll be given or see in the bowls around the office that no one else wants so get a grip on yourself and just say NO!

The truth is, I really like Valentine’s Day.  Why not have a day to celebrate love?! Oh, dial it down you naysayers.  I can hear you, “I don’t need a specific day to show people I love them.” – yada, yada, yada….bah humbug!

It’s a day to celebrate, acknowledge the special people in you lives, be a bit nicer & happier.  Is that so wrong?

Those people who beat down Valentine’s Day and say that it’s useless are negative and if you come across these Valentine haters, give them an extra big smile, hold the door open for them, wish them a very Happy Valentine’s Day. Better yet, give them a hug!  That should make them really uncomfortable.  Maybe uncomfortable enough to realize that it is just a fun day and we all know the world needs more fun days.

Hate the commercialization of love?  There are a lot of things you can do for free that are just a little more thoughtful, a little more giving, a little more special…is that so wrong??

Yes, companies profit off of this day but again, it’s your choice to buy or not. This is a great time to get creative to show your love in a different way.  I obviously show my boot campers I love them through extra push-ups, squats and lunges…all with love!!!

Just like it’s your choice to be happy or your choice to love your loved ones. SO WHAT if it’s a commercial celebration?  Just celebrate those you love a little bit extra.  What’s so wrong with that? Nothing!

Another reason I like Valentine’s Day is that it brings much-needed attention to Heart Health. LOVE YOURSELF enough to take care of your health.

I could give you a list of do’s and don’t but you know what’s right and wrong.

Eat smart (real food), exercise (show up to boot camp), drink water, get enough sleep.  The all = love yourself!

A few more I would like to throw in:

  • Tell the people you love-that you love them each and everyday
  • Be kind…do unto other’s…
  • Be appreciative of your good health
  • Do something you wouldn’t usually do.  Wear your favourite red sweater or try a new red lipstick.

Time to redirect your thinking.

My take away message…Love yourself, be kind to others.

Happy Valentine’s Day and I hope you are all rocking your favourite red sweater!!!

Dance like no one is watching

xo

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Whitneys addiction got me thinking about my own…can you relate?

Posted on February 13, 2012 | 2 Comments

I have to write a bit about Whitney Houston passing away.  To say that it is sad is a real understatement.

First and foremost, she was a mom and now there is a girl without her mom. She was an amazing singer with incredible talent. She was only 48 years old; she had a lot of life to live and she threw it away because of an addiction.

It was sad to see such a brilliant person unravel before us on the world spotlight. Addiction is awful and it does break my heart when you see so many people fall victim to it.

You might be asking yourself, why is Carrie writing about Whitney Houston on the boot camp blog.  Simple; I was a fan and I am saddened to see such a loss from every perspective.  From her family’s loss to the loss of a young life and the loss of a great talent, who by all reports was on the verge of a comeback.

To tie this into what I do, I see this almost daily, people battling addiction.

I have written about my food addiction, if you haven’t read it–give it a read (http://thebootcampblog.com/tag/food-addiction/ )

I don’t want to get off track here but I want to stress that food is nourishment and we have turned it into something else. We have placed a value on food that is insane. We use food to quash our emotions and its temporary and then we go back for more.

Our health is our foundation. I think that those that eat/drink with no thoughts of the real consequences are reckless and fast tracking their own demise…just like an addict.

It’s sad that people only start to care for their health when something bad happens. Those are the same people who try to justify to me why they can’t eat healthy food or make an effort to cook.

You don’t realize what you have until it is stripped away from you.

To those of you that have sore knees and bad backs and are carrying extra weight, that is your body screaming that it needs help. If you don’t take the steps to eat right, exercise and get the extra weight off you are just as reckless as an addict.

Harsh? I don’t think so. I see it all-day, everyday. People in pain emotionally and physically. There is a tried and true prescription: You need to take care of your body so it can take care of you.

We have all lost someone and it rocks us to our core.  Why do that to your loved ones? Why put them in pain? You can take control of your health and make it the best life ever!!

You don’t know if you will get a second chance, so don’t waste the first one.

Be healthy-live long and pain-free!

 

 

 

 

 

 

(http://pinterest.com/pin/176133035396574026/)

 

 

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6 Fitness Fails…and the fixes

Posted on February 9, 2012 | 2 Comments

We have made it over a month into the New year.  Did you make resolutions? Are you staying on track?

Losing weight and keeping it off has become a bit of a rarity. We all know people who lose weight and keep it off for a little while and then go back to their old ways and regain the weight. If you’re lucky you only gain it back…many go beyond!

Understanding the problem better helps lead you to real solutions. Time to get off the weight loss / weight gain roller coaster.

Instead of you trying the latest diet fad, I’ve put together a few things that will help you stay on track.

6 reasons why you fall off the wagon

1. No focus: you didn’t set goals, you didn’t put your goals
in writing, and or you didn’t keep your goals in mind daily

2. No priorities:  you may have set a goal, but you didn’t
put it on or near the top of your priorities list. For
example, your goal is six-pack abs, but drinking wine and
eating fast food on the weekend is higher on your priorities
list than having a flat/fit stomach.

3. No support system: you tried to go at it alone; no buddy
system, training partners, family, spouse, friends, mentors
or coaches to turn to for information and emotional support
when the going got tough.

4. No Accountability: you didn’t keep score for your own
accountability – with a progress chart, weight record,
measurements, food journal, training journal, and you didn’t
set up external accountability (ie, report to someone else
or show your results to someone else)

5. No patience: you were only thinking short-term and had
unrealistic expectations.  You expected 10 pounds a week or
5 pounds a week or 3 pounds a week, so the first week you
lost “only” 1 or 2 pounds or hit a plateau, you gave up.

6. No planning: you winged it.  You got the idea that you need to exercise and get healthy so you hit the gym. No plan, no schedule, no direction.  How do you get somewhere when you don’t know where you going? So then, you lose interest and excuses become easier than reasons.

6 mistakes that cause most people to fall off the wagon. Are you guilty of any of these?  If so, the solutions are clear and simple:

  • Focus
  • Prioritize
  • Get support
  • Be accountable
  • Be patient
  • Plan.

 

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It will be worth it

Posted on January 30, 2012 | 2 Comments

I know there are times that I rant about things or get on my soap box and preach to you all about what not to do.  I do this for a couple of reasons. One being, that I want / need you guys to be informed. Second reason is because, I have been where you are. When I ask you to listen (ok, sometimes I beg you / tell you) it is because I actually do know what I am talking about.

Some of my blog posts are meant to get you fired up.  They are meant to motivate you.  Some are to get you thinking or re-thinking about your fitness and food.

If you take nothing away from what I say this is what I want you to know.

If you get fit and healthy, I mean finally take control of your weight you will:

  • not feel uncomfortable and insecure all the time
  • be able to wear anything
  • be able to walk around and “not feel fat”
  • be able to wear a bathing suit without a cover up
  • be able to prove to yourself and everyone else that you are strong enough to do anything

If you don’t lose those extra pounds and keep putting weight on, this is what will happen or continue to happen:

  • you won’t fit into your jeans or any cute pants
  • you will never feel comfortable in a bathing suit
  • you will have a stomach that droops over your pants
  • you will feel self-conscious
  • you will continue to beat yourself up
  • you will not have the energy or the strength to live a long and energetic life
  • you will cut your life short.  That’s a big one!

This is what I know…it’s not theory. 

Those lists could’ve been much longer.  This is what I know, because that is where I was.  I’m not just giving you what I think.  I’ve been there.

Here is something else that you need to read to get your head in the game (yes, High School Musical reference).  It will be tough at times to eat right and show up to boot camp. It will require dedication and willpower.  It will require total effort. It will call for you to suck it up and stay strong

BUT, I promise that when you reach your goal…IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!

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How are your resolutions going?

Posted on January 24, 2012 | 1 Comment

Well , we are one week from the end of January.  The first month of 2012 is almost gone and what have you got to show for it?

How are you doing on your goals for this year so far?  Did you set your goals for the year?  It doesn’t matter if we are talking about finances, family of fitness…you need to set goals.  It’s no just enough to say I want to lose 30 pounds or I want to be a size 6.

When do you want to lose 30 pounds? After you gain 20?  If you’re a size 12 you might just be a little discouraged right now if you wanted to be in the size 6-slinky dress for Valentines Day.

Just like it’s not enough to say (wish) what you want, you need to be realistic about the time line and you need to put a date on your goals.  Here’s what I mean.

Goal

I will lose 30 pounds by December 31st, 2012.

(I’m going to use that as an example for the rest of this post…feel free to put your own number in there)

That’s a great goal and its got a realistic date for achievement.  Now that you’ve got the goal and the date and you’ve written it down, committed to it and even shared it with someone to be accountable to, you have to take action.

Big surprise! All the wishing, wanting, writing and dreaming will NEVER get you where you want to be.  You HAVE to take action, and that action needs to also be set in stone.

How are you going to lose 30 pounds? Are you going to wait until November 1st to go into panic mode and try to take some drastic measure?

Bench Mark Goals

You need to set mini-goals on your way to the ultimate goal.  30 pounds by December 31st = 2.75 pounds per month.  So every month for the next 11 months you need to drop 2.75 pounds.  That works out to be .68 pounds per week.

I will tell you right now…that is very attainable.  BUT, you have to do it right.  Last week I praised Mayor Ford for making the decision to tackle his weight.  One week later, 10 pounds gone! He has a very aggressive goal of 50 pounds in 6 months and after only one week, 10 pounds!  Time for celebration?

NO!!!

It is not time for celebration and that is where so many people go off the rails in their plans.  “This is easy!”  “I deserve a treat.”  “I don’t have to work so hard”  I’ll take tonight off of boot camp.  I guarantee thinking like this is the key to so many people’s failures.

You have not reached your goal.  30 pounds by December 31st is your goal.  Don’t make the mistake of easing off or destroying your good efforts.

Objectives

To reach your bench-mark goal (.68 pounds per week to attain 2.75 pounds per month) you need to set the objectives to meet and measure your plan.

  • I will lose .68 pounds this month by:
  • Eating 4 to 6 times per day
  • Each meal I eat will include a lean protein, a vegetable, a fibrous carb.
  • Each meal will not go beyond an intelligent portion
  • In between meals snacks will be small and intelligent
  • I will exercise a minimum of 30 minutes per day
  • I will sleep at least seven hours per night
  • I will not eat after 8 pm.I will drink 3 litres of water per day (divide that as well: 1 cup (250 ml) every hour.
  • I will NOT drink alcohol
Measurement

At the end of the week, before you get on the scale, look back at your daily journal.  What? You’re not keeping a food journal? You’re not checking off your accomplishments? OK, you need to journal what you are doing.  On the top of each page of your journal you need to write down your objectives (To Do List) and as you accomplish them, check them off.  You also need to write down what you eat…EVERYTHING!

I guarantee that if you look back at your week and your journal is not something you are proud of you will not be happy with your results.  In fact, if your journal isn’t good, don’t even get on the scale.

In fact, just stay away from the scale.  Look at yourself in the mirror and see if you have improved at all.  Think of how your clothes feel.  Yes, you will be able to tell after one simple week.

Reward

Meet your objectives? Reward yourself.  Meet your goals?  Then reward yourself.  Rewards don’t mean bingeing on crap. Don’t destroy your great accomplishments with bad rewards.  A facial, new book, a healthy dinner at a restaurant.  Mani / Pedi.  Find your hot button and use that as your reward.

Here is a great tip.  Include your family in your objectives and goal settings.  Make the journey for them as well.  Lets say your children know that if you hit your goals, there will be a family outing or movie night.  They’ll help remind you when you are about to do something that goes against your objective’s.

What happens when you find yourself ahead of schedule? Celebrate by changing your time line.  Move it from December 31st, 2012 to October 31st, 2012.  Don’t slow down your schedule or results by backing off.  That will lead to compromise and delay.  Let that happen long enough and complacency will set in and before you know it…you are right off track.

  1. Goal
  2. Benchmarks
  3. Objectives
  4. Measurement
  5. Reward

Stick to that, be honest to yourself and committed to your goal and you will win!

Then we can move onto to maintaining the new you forever!

Who loves ‘ya?

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Challenge creates change

Posted on January 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

Results ALWAYS happen 1 step / 1 lap / 1 lunge past where most people give up so they never get to see the results they are looking for as fast as they want them.

I know how it feels when you just want to give up. When you are too tired to try.  When you are too busy to make the time.

BUT, I also know how amazing it feels to pull it together and push past those feelings.  To give it your all with exercise and proper nutrition.

You know what I’m talking about.  When you come to boot camp and you push beyond the tired and give me, “Three more, two more, one more. You did it!!”

You feel strong and proud!!

How do you feel when you stop halfway thru an exercise?  When you walk when you know you can run?  When you give into those cravings when you think you are hungry?

We all need to be reminded that the MAGIC doesn’t happen on the 1st mile, it happens when you go the EXTRA mile for yourself and for others.

Anybody who knows anything about weight training or dieting will tell you that you get most of your results from those last 2-3 reps you don’t want to do, or from those last few weeks that you really don’t want to diet.

But here’s the catch.

Most people quit on themselves and their goals and dreams, right when it gets tough.

Unfortunately, they then never get to experience the MAGIC that would have taken place for them. That same magic that could have transformed them from ordinary to extraordinary.

I’ve said it over and over again, but I’ll repeat it here one more time…you don’t have to be 50% or 100% better than everyone else when you diet or exercise.

You only need to be 5% better.  5% is it. 5% is all it takes to be extraordinary.  To be better than the average.  To accomplish more than the norm.

That’s it.

  • Push past your desire to stop.  Do a little bit more today.
  • Do one more rep. Run a bit faster on that lap.
  • Drink one more glass of water.
  • Eat that salad
  • Show up to boot camp even on those days you are tired (I promise you will leave feeling more energetic).
  • Motivate one more person to exercise with you.

Are YOU ready to give 5% more today?

I saw this the other day:

I exercise because I can. When I get tired, I remember those that can’t exercise and what they would give to have this simple gift that I take for granted, and I work harder for them.

Powerful.

Focus on that when you think you can’t do one more rep or go the distance.

I know you can tough it out; CHALLENGE CREATES CHANGE.  Make that your mantra when you want to give up.

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My 2012 Predictions

Posted on January 10, 2012 | 3 Comments

I PREDICT that if you reach into your pocket on any day in 2012 and pull out a card or piece of paper with all your realistic body and fitness goals written on it in precise detail, the odds are in your favor of you’ll achieve every one of those goals before the end of the year.

I PREDICT that if you focus your thoughts on your goals and how you are going to achieve them, all day long, you will reach your goals so fast in 2012, it will make your head spin. #truth

I PREDICT that if you focus your thoughts on health woes and body fat problems and if you think about what you don’t want, all day long, your problems will get worse than ever this year.

I PREDICT that if you can tell me all the reasons why achieving your health and fitness goals are important to you, you will be motivated from within to stick with them when the going gets tough.

I PREDICT that at times, the going is going to get tough. But you need to tough it out.

I PREDICT that the way you see yourself in your mind’s eye today will be an exact reflection of what you see in the mirror at the end of the year.

I PREDICT that if you have a setback that seems to get in the way of you reaching your health and fitness goals and you tell yourself “this is temporary; this too shall pass”, then it won’t set you back and it will pass. Don’t be a victim to excuses.

I PREDICT that if you believe the way your body looks today is out of your control and you feel helpless or powerless to change, you won’t even make much of an effort this year.

I PREDICT that if you accept complete responsibility for the way your body looks today and you believe that you have the power to change, that you will take action and keep taking action, even through the tough times.

I PREDICT that if you’re unhappy with your physical condition and you say, “it’s not my fault” or you blame it on genetics, hormones or age, then your body will look pretty much the same at the end of 2012 as it did on New Year’s day.

I PREDICT that the more you seek “miracle pills” or “quick fixes,” the more likely you are to be a failure a year from now.  That’s the cold hard truth.

I PREDICT that you will be tempted by many quick fixes in 2012. You’re smarter than that–don’t fall for it.

I PREDICT that if you hang out with losers (not weight) and negative people (food pushers) this year, you will become just like them.

I PREDICT that if you hang out with winners (boot campers) and positive people this year, you will become just like them.

I PREDICT that you will run into more negative people and losers this year than positive people and winners. Choose wisely who you want to be like. There is a reason there are more negative people…it’s easy.

I PREDICT that if you recruit just one friend or support partner that stands behind you and the lifestyle changes you want to make in 2012, you will double your chances for success. If you surround yourself with numerous support buddies, you will become unstoppable.

So how does your future look this year? It’s totally up to you!! Just know that I am here to help.

The past is the past and you can’t change it, but by changing your thoughts, attitudes and ACTION in the present moment, the future is yours to create.

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Your mistakes should be your motivation, never your excuses.

Posted on November 22, 2011 | 2 Comments

You can’t hope away the extra pounds.  Simple enough sentence but really think about it this:

“If you want to see change, you have to make the change happen.”

We all get off track from time to time and the reality is life happens. You don’t give up, you don’t throw in the towel and you don’t make excuses.

As one wise boot camper said to me, “Those times when you don’t feel like showing up; when you are busy, stressed, over scheduled, that’s when you do show up”

Know the difference between a set back and failure.

Set Back: You slipped up, lost focus, got busy, caved in, got lazy

Failure: You decided your health wasn’t worth the effort.

You can recover from set backs pretty easy.  As long as you don’t suffer set backs too often and your commitment on your goal is always your prime focus.

When you feel like quitting or not showing up you need to remember the reason why you started.  Your goal, whatever it is, has to be from your heart.  Your, “I want it so bad!” motivator.

I am here to motivate you, but you have to actually want to see change.

The excuses get old and tired.  There has to come a point where you just stop making excuses.  I guarantee you that there is someone out there that is busier than you, stressed more than you, over-scheduled more that you and they still manage to eat healthy and exercise.

So what’s stopping you???? That’s right, your answer should be NOTHING!!

I read a great quote and I think this needs to stay with everyone

“Dead last is greater than did not finish which trumps did not start”

Recognizing the things that you do wrong is a great step to fixing your mindset.  You have to be honest with yourself. Your mistakes should be part of your motivation to succeed, not your excuses when you measure your failure.

Hockey practices, swimming lessons, tough day at work, shopping, tired, hungry.  Guess what.  So many people think those reasons for not eating healthy and not exercising are justifiable because you got to “take part” or be there.  Good, you should be there, but what about the television, talk on the phone, surf Facebook time.  Pass on that stuff, because it’s not what the people who are hitting their goals are doing.  And when those people look back, they won’t be saying, “I wish I would have spent more time updating my status, or watching TV.” Nope, they’re looking in the mirror and saying, “It was so worth it!!”

Your mistakes should be your motivation, never your excuses.

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8 Reasons Why You Should Just Do It!

Posted on November 17, 2011 | 2 Comments

You hear it alot….find your “why”   Find your passion, your reason for doing things.

I see so many people who start strong on the road to their improved health and fitness journey and then fizzle out.

Why bother exercising?? 

The first answer of course you will say, is for your health.  Newsflash; Sitting on a bike while surfing Facebook is not really exercise. Neither is walking at a snail’s pace on a treadmill.  It is ok but you know you can do better. So why do you do it? Why not give it your all and be effective?

We all have our own reasons for sweating it out.  I never want to be 225lbs again–NEVER.  Some people do it to lose weight, some do it to fit into their Christmas party dress, some do it because they have had a medical scare and decide to take control (diabetes, high blood pressure).  These are great whys.

Everyone can come up with reasons on why to be fit and just as many excuses on why they can’t.

Here is what I don’t get.  I see so many of you that work so hard at boot camp and then blow it with crappy food.  You sweat your guts out with me and then tell me you had wings, beer, cake, etc.  WHY??

  • Why are you sabotaging yourself?
  • Why don’t you want to see the results?
  • Why are you letting junk food win?
  • Why do you want to look bad?
  • Why do you want to feel lousy?

Many of you will be saying “I know, I have to pull it together”
If you want to see the results and changes in your body you have to do the work, all of the work.  Just showing up doesn’t do it.

You know you need to eat 5x a day.  You know that you must have healthy snacks.  You know that you NEED to drink water.  So why aren’t you?

Boring, lazy, busy, forgot, my back hurts, I don’t like to get sweaty.  The list of excuses can go on and on.

Be a finisher.  Not a ‘half-asser’ (Sorry, not a word but I’m trying to stress a point and maybe my creative word use might get you fired up!)

So why do this?  All of this proper eating and exercise. We all have our own “why’s” but here are a few you might not have thought about:
Do it for the stares.  Yes, we all like to be noticed (in a good way).

  1. Do it for the compliments.  It is nice to be acknowledged for hard, noticeable achievements.
  2. Do it for the shape and definition in your muscles (hello tank tops!)
  3. Do it for the ability to fit into the clothes you want
  4. Do it for the swimsuit.  We all want to be able to rock the swimsuit
  5. Do it so you can be off the gaining weight / losing weight roller coaster!!
  6. Do it so you can be proud of your effort and how you look.
  7. Do it for your health
  8. Do it for your family

Nike has made billions off of the saying “Just do it”.  It really is that simple; Just do it….already

Find you WHY.  Set your goal, focus on it and don’t do anything that isn’t in line with your goal.

Here are some healthy snacks to incorporate into your day:

- hard boiled egg with cubed cantaloupe
- snow peas or sugar snap peas with humus
- greek yogurt with blueberries
- turkey pepperettes with an apple
- lettuce leaf with avocado and chicken or turkey-roll it up

Bonus snack!!
- greek yogurt, pb or almond butter and boot camp chocolate protein

Have a great day…Why? Because you deserve it.

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Kim Kardashian’s marriage could have been saved with Boot Camp

Posted on November 8, 2011 | 17 Comments

Big news last week was that Kim Kardashian filed for divorce. I really can’t say I was surprised, but I was shocked.  Shocked that everyone was talking about it.  Honestly, who cares?!

It took her longer to plan her wedding than her 72 day marriage lasted….yikes!

Actually, it made me think about how this relates to weight loss and fitness.  Seriously, there is a connection, stay with me here.

Everyday people start a weight loss or fitness program, but don’t ever really give it a full commitment.  A bump in the road, a little challenge, a temptation and in goes the towel!  You might be one of those people…..hmmmmmm??!

We have had a lot of people come to boot camp and not give it a full commitment.  Is it tough?  YES, it can be.  Is it worth it?  Hellz yeah it’s worth it!!

Weight loss is like a relationship.  It takes, and requires, focus, patience, sacrifice, dedication, passion and love.  Yes, I said love.

You have to actually love yourself enough to make the commitment.

You also have to love your exercise program. Hang on before you scoff.  I know y’all might not love boot camp, but you love the feeling, you love the group support, you may even love (but probably only like) my lame jokes.  You love the energy you feel after you have completed a tough workout.  If you don’t love your program you are going to break up, dissolve the plan and file it under irreconcilable differences.

So how do you fall in love with your exercise and nutrition program?

YOU WORK ON IT.  

YOU COMMIT TO IT.

YOU NURTURE IT.

Make adjustments daily. Focus on being better, not perfect, just better. Better = stronger, fitter, happier, committed!

Kim should have taken our commitment lessons to help her marriage.

Boot Camp Chili

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ pounds ground white turkey meat or extra lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 14 ½-ounce can kidney beans, drained/rinsed
  • 1 14 ½-ounce can black beans, drained/rinsed
  • 1 14 ½-ounce can pinto beans, drained/rinsed
  • 1 29-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 29-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 2-4 tablespoons chili powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper, cayenne, or chili pepper flakes to taste
  • *if you prefer a five alarm chili add extra cayenne, chili pepper flakes or Tabasco (get creative with the flavours!!)

Directions:

  1. Cook and stir the onion, celery, and carrots in olive oil over medium-high heat until softened, about 6 minutes.
  2. Add the ground meat and garlic. Cook the turkey until it’s just done, taking care not to over cook.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Let me know how you like it.

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