Crock Pot Turkey Chili

INGREDIENTS
2 fresh tomatoes
3 garlic cloves
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp oregano
2 Tbsp Paprika
3 Tbsp Chili powder (to taste)
2 Tbsp Cayenne Pepper (to taste)

3 cans canned beans (black beans, pinto beans), rinsed & drained
1 lb Turkey bacon
3 lbs ground Turkey
2 (16 oz) cans tomatoes, diced
12 oz. tomato past
1 - 2 onions, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 (10 oz) cans condensed beef or chicken broth
6 oz. beer
1 (8oz) package shredded cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS
Day Before
1) Process the fresh tomatoes, garlic, cumin, oregano, paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper & jalapeno pepper in the food processor; place in the refrigerator overnight.

Day of
1) Place beans in crock pot.
2) Fry the bacon until crispy, chop it up into bite sized pieces and place in crock pot.
3) Brown the ground turkey in some of the bacon drippings and place in the crock pot.
4) Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste,onions, bell peppers, and  broth and tomato spice puree that you made the day before.
5) Stir to mix and let cook for 12 hours on low or 6 hours on high. (beans will soak up more flavor if on low setting)
6) Serve topped with shredded cheese and sour cream.

Note: This recipe is for a 6 quart crock pot or larger

Christmas cookies - Part 1

I made these first. They turned out great with a lot of help from Alica. I learned a lesson here....'getter done...getter done'. Talk about someone who will inspire you to 'get things done', Alica and I created an array of beautiful Christmas cookies in 2 days of work! (Alica made the beautiful part) I calculated almost 24 hours that weekend! We had New Zealand Holly, Mint Surprise, Peanut butter chocolate thumbprint, Chocolate Peppermint, Toffee Biscotti, Macadamia Drop, and Toffee Oatmeal!

Christmas Cookies

This is what I made for my Christmas gifts! Homemade goodies, and they're ALL Gluten-Free! From top left, Macadamia toffee and chocolate, chocolate german bars, Coconut toffee cookies, TD cookies (Thin & Delicious). yummy

By the Christmas Tree 2009

Feliz Navidad & A very Happy New Years!

Mother's Day

Compost Bins

May 2009 - For a long time now, I've wanted to start a compost bin and finally I've got the approval of my cousin to set one up in the back yard. Ideally, I wanted to have the "Three bin" system, but the two bins will do...for now.

I purchased some rebars (6 pcs - 4' of 1/2" diameter) and hammered them into the ground, about 8-12 inches down where the corners of the compost bin are located. I found some plastic material that can be used for the fencing. Compost bins need to be able to breathe. What a great find, free and usable. It took some maneuvering of the fencing to slide through the rebars but it looks like it'll hold up, I hope. When conditions are ideal for a compost bin, the inside of the bin can get up to 150 degrees farenheit and 'cook' fast. The compost can take be ready as soon as 2 months, depending on the conditions. Weather, water, volume, and materials determines the temperature inside the compost bin.

2009 April Garden update

The cilantro is doing great! I need to start harvesting. I have carrots, a cherry tomato that come up every year growing in the middle of the garlic and carrots. I think I'm going to leave that there. The three grow well together. My green onions seem to be doing ok as well as my green beans. I made a teepee like trellis for the green beans to climb. I have more tomoto plants in front of the green beens.

2009 April Garden update pictures

Spring Garden 2009 - April

I turned over the soil but didn't add any compost or amending soil, big mistake! The clay type soil was very dense for the seedling to sprout and It didn't drain well.

I also tried to seperate each set of vegetables with some type of irrigation. I don't know how I came up with that design, but it seemed to work well. I just leave the hose at a particular spot and the water will get through the canals that I've dug up for irrigation.

LA Times Travel and Adventure Show

This was an exciting show! I had the opportunity to promote my home town GUAM, visit with Dano (and mom - Gina Kono), a long time friend, and meet some great people (Jim & Valerie Flores, Pilar Laguana, and Katie Black). We spent a weekend during the days at the LA Convention Center promoting Guam and the Micronesia Islands. On Saturday night, Jim and Val took us to watch a theatrical play, The Full Monty, at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. A musical full of comedy and drama. It was amazing! Very funny and I would recommend everyone to see it! Thanks Jim & Val for such a great and memorable time! Thanks you Pilar and Mom for the necklace, book, and little nick nacks that I will use to help promote Guam and the Micronesia! oh, can't forget about dinner at the Ocean Seafood Restaurant in China Town.

Ocean Seafood - China Town-Los Angeles, Ca from sheila distor on Vimeo.