LOL That sounds like me. I always make tacos with left over meat and as for the chili addiction I have it too. I will get on a kick where everything is spicy. I love fruit with chili on it. There is just something about the sweet and spicy mix.

OK, I've been reading, but I'll bite (boo!)

For years I've made what I call "Bad Mood Stew". It got that name one day when I was trying to make a chicken breast with some rice on the side, and some vegetables.

This is what happened: I grabbed a steak knife and cut that sucker up into small pieces. Then I turned to the rice and dumped it on top of the chicken. I grabbed whatever vegetable I was making, and that went into the pot. Finally, I poured salsa on top of it all! Hot and spicy, just like my mood then.

Now I make it on purpose ;).

Yum, thanks for being in a bad mood that day...sounds delish..I need to try it

Sun I am not sure how to cook dry beans. Also what I am craving are those yum yum beans they make at Pizzaiolo. They are stewy and olive oily and yummy. So I am thinking chicken stock, olive oil, hot pepper flakes, garlic and the serving them with kale, quinoa, and some sweet potatoes.

I make "burrito filling." At first it was just leftovers but now I do it on purpose.

1 1/2 cups rice, cooked in a little less water than usual and seasoned to taste (garlic, pepper, chili powder, cumin)
1 cup or more leftover chopped chicken or beef (totally optional, believe me)
1 can black beans with liquid
1 can refried beans (love the seasoned kind)
2 12 oz bags frozen veggies, cooked (Mexican or Fiesta blend, usually)
1 cup or so Picante sauce

Mix it all together and heat it through. Then remove from fire (or microwave!) and stir in 8 oz shredded cheese, either Mexican blend or sharp cheddar. The cheese usually melts in without sticking to your pan or bowl. Serve wrapped in tortillas or serve in a bowl with lots of tortilla chips. Makes enough to have several meals.

When I have them, I chop in two avocados with the cheese :kissy: soooooo good!

OH you have my sympathy! I worked retail at the holidays once and that was enough for me! Poor Gryph worked retail twelve years before we sprang him free. This will be his first holidays in forever when he doesn't have to work Black Friday. Ironically enough, I will have to work that day, but I don't mind--because it's not retail!

Thanks :). I don't like either of those, so I stopped without a topping. It works with any veggies you have around (nowadays you can steam a bagful), or any variety of rice. I just play with it.

Question:
 

I have fasting tea every morning at breakfast time. I've tried forcing myself to eat early in the day and I just can't.

However, I love breakfast foods and I often have them for lunch and dinner. One of my favorite things to make is slow cooked steel cut oats.

I use steel cuts oats, almond milk + water, cinnamon and nutmeg, chopped apples, and flax and cook them on low in the crock pot for seven hours. It's the best thing ever- the texture is perfect in the middle and the edges get crunchy (make sure you use cooking spray on your crock pot).

I love a Carnation Instant Breakfast pretty early. It's like chocolate milk but I get the sugar free kind.

I've had to change breakfast, as I've found that what I do here can make or break a day. I can't run out of gas in the afternoon. I also find that if I eat too many grains, I get "wheat brain". So I actually prefer fruit and even some of my stew, if leftover ;). I don't like eggs, but some kind of protein seems to really help.

Fish in a tortilla? I'll take your word for it, but I'd rather have my fish on rye. Everything else, I'm good with in a tortilla ;)

Mango and chili together is awesome. Try Mango and chili tossed with matchsticks of jicama and a little cilantro tossed in with it... I first thought the combination would bother me because of the opposing textures of the jicama and mango but it totally works.

I have to many things to respond to and I can't multi quote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mangoes.... I had a bad mango experience last night...was nice and squishy then cut into it and it was BEIGE :| I was super saddened. I heart a good mango and they are hard to come by.....

Steel cut oats. ... I just made them last night for my employer. Now that I know how to make them I'm gonna try it. He tried describing them to me...but some things are beyond description. Like cajun food...mmmmm

Breakfast.... I don't love to MAKE it...it's the only meal I really will only eat when I go out....(Unless I have pecan Honey Bunches of Oats...which I DO! )
I prefer goodies like french toast or pannycakes...(had pumpkin pancakes for the first time EVER while we were in Maine...omgggg) If I DO have eggs...they have to be cleverly disguised. I never like the texture of them....I'm a texture person...I like eggs in an omelet. I lovee spinach and mushroom and tomato...used to add bacon when I ate it...now i will put fake bacon in it...never thought to bring my own to the restaurant...hmmm....oh and swiss cheese...or pepper jack mmm but I have to eat every bite of egg with toast...to negate the texture. The only eggs I DONT have this issue with is hard boiled eggs....

That's all I can remember and all I have time for.... :)

What kind of crock pot do you have?


I agree about cooking spray. I use Winona Pure sunflower oil spray, which doesn't have all the nasty chemicals of Pam, but I still always cover my nose with a kitchen towel when I spray it so I don't breathe it in :|

All I have is Lemon Drop Cookies: http://www.crisco.com/Recipes/Detail...peID=976&loc=7

Do you know what kind of cookie it is? (I mean drop, roll, press)?

And I think I would need said cookie myself to make a final decision ;).

Either the sign of a good baker, or a world class cookie eater :)

Oh, I tremble in fear (not). Chocolate, cookies, cake-wish I could say I eat healthy 100% ;).

And don't get me started on chips.

BTW, cookie monster, have you ever tried those crock pot liners? Makes cleanup so much easier and without a spray.

Thank you Sun! Maybe one day I'll get the gumption to try a fish taco, but I'm liking the other ideas so far for burrito fillings. Everything sounds wonderful, especially eating cookies just to find out what kind they are ;)

Crock pot liners are awesome!

Talking about burritos and fillings-- thinking we may just have this sometime during the week. My favourite is--

carrots (chopped smaller pieces)
yellow onion (chopped smaller pieces)
zuchinni (1/4 pieces (smaller) pieces)
brocolli (smaller pieces, chopped)
black beans, whole, removed fluid
shredded chicken breast/thigh
olive oil
cumin, to taste
salt/pepper
whole wheat/spelt tortillas
grated cheese
favourite salsa

take veggies saute with olive oil, s/p, cumin -- add beans, cook til heated. Add chicken to a flat tortilla, spoon over veggie mixture, add cheese, fold up, add salsa to top and eat. makes some awesome leftovers--

enjoy!!

Well, me too, actually. At my age, I just can't eat an entire bag like I used to. I think I've gained weight just posting on this thread.

I read somewhere that reaching a goal of 80% good-20% "treats" is pretty good; 90-10 is better. So many yummies in this thread that maybe I can change my habits :)

But... where is the avocado? I'll swap my chicken out for avocado and place an order please!