Vegetarian Chili

It has been chilly, cloudy, windy, and we have even had some rain today! A perfect day to curl up in front of a roaring fire with a good book and a warm satisfying bowl of homemade chili.

My Vegetarian Chili

1-14.5 oz. Can of chopped tomatoes- Mexican style

1- 15 oz. Can of ranch style pinto beans with jalapeno peppers

1/8 of a cup chopped onions

2 cloves of fresh garlic chopped

2 T. oil

1 cup Boca burger crumbles

1- can of water ( After dumping in the tomatoes, I fill the can with water and add it to the pan with everything else)

Saute onions and garlic in oil till transparent. Add Boca crumbles and cook for about one to two minutes, add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for approximately one hour or till desired thickness.

This makes enough chili for two adults. To feed more, double or triple the recipe. 

Options- For less spicy chili, use pinto beans without jalapenos. 

Still want a little kick? Try adding one small can of chopped green chilis.

I use no additional salt, because the tomatoes and beans have enough. I do add about 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper.

Serve in a bowl topped with chopped onions and cheddar cheese 

 Top Hot dogs with chili, cheddar cheese, and onions. Serve with tator tots, fries, or chips!

(I used Morningstar vegetarian hot dogs)

Follow up with a

Soft Vegan Pumpkin Cake with Pumpkin Spice Buttercream Frosting

Which you can find the recipe here at Averie Cooks 

Want more pumpkin recipes? Go here! http://www.crazyforcrust.com/2013/10/100-pumpkin-dessert-recipes/

Gift Cards

I always like to keep card stock paper on hand for creating cards for the holidays and special occasions. It also works out great for yard sale posters amongst other things. And I like to use it to make stencils to spray snow on my windows at Christmas. See mine here http://myuniquebaskets.blogspot.com/2012/12/making-stencils-to-decorate-windows.html

 I'm a writer as well as a crafter and have recently been working on illustrating and writing children's books.
Using card stock to draw my illustrations, I wanted my pages to be square, so I cut off 2 1/2 inches from one end, which left me with strips of paper 2 1/2 X 8 1/2. These work great to make gift tags.

Items you will need;
Scissors regular and pinking shears
Card stock paper
Markers
Crayons
Pencil
Ruler
Hole punch
Ribbon
Stampers and stamp pad (optional)

Take a plain white sheet of card stock

 Measure 2 1/4 inch increments (red lines) One strip will be smaller, but still works and that way you don't waste any paper. Cut using regular scissors.

Using pinking shears, cut straight down the middle. You can either fold and crease the paper

 or measure 4 1/4 inches. (Blue line)

 Now you have 10 gift tags

 Fold leaving top half of card about 1/2 inch smaller than bottom half.

 Using a marker, lay cards on another piece of card stock, and color the edge.

 Turn the card over to color the edge of the top half.

 Your card with the edges colored.

 Using crayons, markers, or stamps, decorate the front of the card.

 Using a hole punch, put a hole in the upper left hand corner and add ribbon and you're done!

 This is a great craft project to get the kids involved with. Cut out the cards and let them draw and color pictures on the front. You can leave the inside blank or write to and from or a personal message.

What do you use card stock for? I'd love to hear your ideas!