There is a storm brewing here today. The wind is picking up and there is a wind warning. Crazy wind storms remind me of when Sawyer was born. He finally decided to make his exit on March 11, after eight days of overstaying his welcome. The following day was the once in 30 years storm. We were fairly sheltered from it all. The hospital has generators to maintain electricity and the building is big enough not to notice much of the noise and chaos (plus it is hard not to stare at your new baby all the time). We were told our midwife was unable to discharge us due to trees down on the road. There was some talk that the power may be temporarly off at our house. Another midwife in the practise was able to come in and send us on our way. As soon as we pulled out of the parking lot, we realized the true magnitutde of the storm. We headed to my parent's to pick up Hudson. They were hudled under blankets with jackets on to stay warm. According to BC Hydro's website we weren't scheduled to get back on the grid until the following afternoon. Super cold, dark house and one day old baby = no way. After a few quick phone calls it was determined that the Coast Discovery Inn had power. We booked in for the night. Our new family of four headed downtown. I remember thinking that if this had of been my first baby, and I was spending the first night out of the hospital in a hotel room, I would have hyperventilated. It ended up being a great night. I had a nice, hot shower and got cozy in the bed I shared with my sweet, sweet baby boy. The breakfast buffet the next morning was perfect. Our midwife Sheila came to the hotel the following afternoon for Sawyer's first check-up. By then my parents had power again. We stayed with them for a few more nights until ours was back on. It was so nice to finally return to our own house with our two boys. For a while we referred to Sawyer as Thor; the god of thunder, lightening and storms. Stormy weather makes me want comfort food. Warm, hearty, make your house smell good, food. My Mom's side of the family has been making Beans 'N Stuff (yes that is what we call it) for as long as I can remember. It is a slow cooker staple at casual family gatherings in winter and summer. I decided I needed to make it, and of course make it a little more healthy. I have no idea where the original recipe came from. Ingredients: 1 lb. ground turkey 1 tsp. dry mustard 1 onion, chopped 2-3 celery ribs, chopped 1/2 cup vinegar 19 oz. canned stewed tomatoes (low sodium preferrably) 16 oz. canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed 16 oz. canned black beans, drained and rinsed 14 oz. baked beans with pork (or baked beans on tomato sauce) 1 tbsp. molasses 2 tbsp. brown sugar Tabasco sauce to taste 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce Directions: Brown ground turkey with celery and onion. Combine with remainig ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. You can do this on the stove top as well. The longer it simmers the better. The best way to describe this is zesty, it isn't at all the flavour of a chili. Use any combo of beans you have on hand or that you prefer. I have tried chick peas, black beans, kidney beans and navy beans, all great. This can be made with extra lean ground beef if you prefer or vegetarian. The beans provide more than enough protein with added fiber bonus. I found I didn't need to add any salt as the beans in tomato sauce provided more than enough. It is great the next day and freezes well. Of course I loved it. Hudson ate around the beans (so turkey) and Sawyer loved it (we have yet to find something he won't eat). Grab a blanket and light a fire (or in my case turn on the fire), Thor is at it again. Stay warm and dry.
5 Comments
Amanda Doherty
11/22/2012 08:39:10 am
First off - your picture from today = gorgeous! I was too warm and cozy at home to venture out with the camera :) Second - the recipe sounds amazing and I can't wait to try it (and the kids have been bugging me to make chili (or a chili-like dish) for a while now - this will be perfect. Last, I'm giggling over the brown sugar incident. I love my flat-top stove, but yeah, it definitely has it's drawbacks! Stay cozy and give those boys of yours kisses from us.
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Tiffany McFadden, RD
11/27/2012 06:59:57 am
Amanada, funny you should comment here. That big storm always makes me think of your parent's house. So scary.
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Tiffany King
12/4/2012 11:15:09 pm
As you know, I made the chilli yesterday. Steve was concerned that because it came from your blog that it would be "healthy" which translates into "tasteless" for him, especially when I told him there was no added salt. This recipe has received his seal of approval. I was told to make sure that I saved the recipe.
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Tiffany McFadden, RD
12/5/2012 12:42:12 pm
Glad I banished Steve's healthy = tasteless association. It is amazing how good healthy can taste, and how bad in the wrong hands ;)
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6/2/2013 04:54:32 pm
Strom and food are two different things, but you combined them and explained your storm experience along with the food. Thank you for sharing the recipe for Beans 'N Stuff. I definitely try this. The article that you given above is interesting to read.
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