Chili Recipe

Our weather has finally turned cooler which means that soup for dinner is an viable option. Growing up I remember eating chili for dinner in the Winter and pairing it with cheese and crackers. Since I didn't grow up in Texas the idea of Frito Pie was foreign to me. However, this recipe goes great with Fritos, cheese, crackers or whatever you choose to put on top.

Note: This recipe cooks on the stove top but if you want to cook it in the crockpot you can do that after browning your meat and cooking the onions and garlic. Heat on low for four hours in the crockpot.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/13423/my-chili/

Benefits of Spinach and Recipe for Cucumber, Mango, Spinach Salad

I don't know about you, but spinach is a staple vegetable in our house. It is perfect for smoothies, salads, pasta dishes or munching on raw. If you are not already eating spinach regularly, here are some great reasons why you should add it to your diet. I have also included a super yummy spinach salad recipe below. This salad is great for big groups and sure to be a crowd pleaser!







Cucumber, Mango, Spinach Salad [Serves 10-12] 

This recipe is a favorite for salad and comes from the Cancer Project. This is best eaten soon after it’s made and doesn’t keep well overnight, so don’t overdue the amount! 

8 oz or Bunch of Fresh Spinach 
1 Mango, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces 
1 large Cucumber, peeled and sliced 
6 Green Onions, thinly sliced 
½ Cup Fresh Basil, thinly sliced 
3 Tbs Lime Juice 
¼ Cup Seasoned Rice Vinegar 
¼ Tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper (or to taste) 

Wash and drain spinach, tear into bite-size pieces, if necessary, and put into a large serving bowl. Toss Mango, Cucumber, Green Onions, and Basil in a medium bowl. Add Lime Juice and Vinegar and stir to mix. Arrange Mango mixture on Spinach and sprinkle with Black Pepper. To enjoy the fresh flavors in this salad, eat immediately after tossing

How to Cook An Artichoke

I don't know about you, but every year at about this time I see artichokes in the grocery store and wander how to eat one. I've always been intimated by their appearance and didn't think they were worth the effort. That is until this summer when I tried one with melted butter at a Renaissance Festival. At that point I knew that I would have to learn how to prepare this yummy vegetable. In September when I started to see them more frequently in the grocery store I grabbed a few and went to work finding out how to cook them. Once I started my research I found that they are quite simple to cook. I also found that two of my three kids love them! So, if you have ever wanted to cook an artichoke and thought it looked like too much work, this link below gives very easy and detailed instructions on what to do. Trust me, it's worth it!

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_cook_and_eat_an_artichoke/

Believe McKinney 2016

As we finally move into some cooler temperatures there is nothing better than getting out as a family and getting some exercise. If you have lived in McKinney for awhile then you know that the weekend after Thanksgiving is the annual Believe 5k and 10k races. Whether you are a walker or a runner this is a great opportunity to be active and to give to a great charity, Holy Family. If you are interested in registering, please see the link below.

http://www.playtri.com/believe/

What to do with all of the Halloween candy?

Halloween is now officially behind us and if your kids had the type of night that mine did you may find yourself knee deep in candy! So the question is what to do with all of it. Sure, you could keep it and eventually toss what doesn't get eaten. Or you could donate it to our Troops who are serving overseas! If this is the option that you choose, here are a couple of places where you can take your candy. 

Texas Pediatric Dentistry
3595 S Custer Rd, McKinney
They will pay $1 per pound up to 5 pounds 
Saturday November 5th from 8:00-3:00

Faubion Middle School 
2000 Doe Rollins, McKinney
Donations will be accepted in the front office