Chili Mac Casserole

Try this hotdish. It goes together fairly quickly. It freezes well. I love it left over for an easy lunch or dinner.

1 c. uncooked elbow macaroni
2 lbs. ground beef
1 med. onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
2 c. (8 oz.) shredded Mexican-blend cheese


1. Cook macaroni according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic; drain grease.
3. Add tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato paste, chilies, and seasonings to beef mixture. Add drained macaroni.
4. Transfer to a 9x13 baking dish coated with nonstick spray. Cover; bake at 375 F for 25-30 min.
5. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5-8 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Toltec Wisdom

There are a series of books by Don Miguel Ruiz and his son, Don Jose Ruiz. The Toltec were known as "women and men of knowledge." They were scientists and artists who formed a society to explore and conserve the spiritual knowledge and practices of the ancient ones. The following is the basics of their teachings.

The Five Agreements -
- Be Impeccable with Your Word (Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.)
- Don't Take Anything Personally (Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.)
- Don't Make Assumptions (Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama.)
- Always Do Your Best (Your best is going to change from moment to moment, it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstances, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.)
- Be Skeptical but Learn to Listen (Don't believe yourself or anybody else. Use the power of doubt to question everything you hear: Is it really the truth? Listen to the intent behind the words, and you will understand the real message.)

Waffles

The original recipe feeds a crowd. The second set of measurements is 2/3 of the original. This is still quite a bit (approximately 18 waffles). I freeze what is left in packs of two and pop in the toaster right out of the freezer for a quick breakfast. I have a waffle maker. (Thanks Mom!) I use about 1/4 c. batter for each waffle. You could just as easily make pancakes although I think I would thin the batter a little bit with additional buttermilk.

3 c. flour
3 c. buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
6 eggs
8 tbsp. butter

OR

2 c. flour
2 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
4 eggs
5 1/3 tbsp. butter

1. Separate egg yolks from whites. Beat egg whites until stiff.
2. Combine flour, buttermilk, soda, salt, egg yolks, and melted butter.
3. Fold in egg whites.

Banana Muffins

I looked at a fair number of banana muffin recipes and finally came up with this one which is a combination of several I found. They turned out very nice.

1 c. pecans, toasted and chopped
1 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 c. butter, melted and cooled
1/4 c. canola oil
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 tsp. vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease muffin pan (makes 12).
2. Place nuts on baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly toasted. Let cool and chop coarsely.
3. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nuts.
4. In medium bowl, combine bananas, eggs, melted butter, oil, and vanilla. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until combined.
5. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Place on wire rack to cool for 5 minutes and then remove muffins from pan.