No Bean Crockpot Chili

Ok, so have you heard the term Paleo before?  I heard it for the first time about two years ago but just kind of shrugged and went about my way.  As the last two years have gone by the term has popped up more and more. 

So what is it?  As defined by thepaleodiet.com: The Paleo diet is based upon eating wholesome, contemporary foods from the food groups our hunter-gatherer ancestors would have thrived on during the Paleolithic era, the time period from about 2.6 million years ago to the beginning of the agricultural revolution, about 10,000 years ago. These foods include fresh meats (preferably grass-produced or free-ranging beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and game meat, if you can get it), fish, seafood, fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and healthful oils (olive, coconut, avocado, macadamia, walnut and flaxseed). Dairy products, cereal grains, legumes, refined sugars and processed foods were not part of our ancestral menu.

I like to describe it as the back to basics diet.  The “if you made it from scratch” you can eat it diet, provided you don’t use ready made items, dairy, white or brown sugar or legumes (beans).  Yes, I know that’s an over simplification but I’m overly simple when it comes to food.  Too many rules makes me want to walk away because, if anything, food should be easy.  Anyone should be able to eat healthy.

At the grocery store, the best way to stay in the “zone” of healthy eating is to stay to the outside aisle.  The moment I go down the other aisles, that’s where I get in trouble.  I do love a good processed food :) Crackers are my biggest downfall.

As we enter into 2014 with all the possibilities available, my only goal is to be pain free and to not have to have another surgery.  Sadly there is a possibility there, so I’ve hired a personal trainer who specializes in back trauma to help me strengthen pretty much every muscle I have and to eat healthy consistently.  I mean we all try to eat healthy but who doesn’t like to indulge now and again.

I have no plan to go completely paleo, but I am going to try limit my intake of all things processed.  Now saying this; the month of January is going to be gluten free-ish.  I’m a baker after all and therefore I taste all things I bake.  I just need to gain back control after the gluttony that was the holiday season.  I was so so bad.

My first recipe I’m sharing in the savory department is this crockpot chili.  I must confess, this wouldn’t be the way I would eat chili but when you have a husband who doesn’t do beans or onions, you kind of have to roll with it.  Without knowing it, this actually falls into the category of being paleo.  It’s also a set-it-and-forget-it kind of meal, which I do so love.

Crockpot Chili

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef or turkey
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 1 cup homemade tomato sauce or favourite organic sauce
• 1 chopped red pepper
• 1 roasted pablano pepper chopped, seeds removed
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 2 tbsp parsley
• 1 tbsp ancho chili powder
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp pepper

1. Put all ingredients into crockpot, mix well and set on high for 6 hours.
2. Enjoy!

My mother, in all honesty, makes the best chili.  However, this is darn good.  Even Abby gave it a thumbs up and that, right there, speaks volumes!!!

So over the next month, why don’t you join me while I attempt to stay on the straight and narrow!  Don’t worry, lots of sweet treats will be shared as well. Fun cookies as well as taking some old favourites and giving them a new twist.  It’s also my birthday month followed closely behind by Rowan’s 6th birthday.  Lots to celebrate!

Thanks for looking!