Potpourri

"CLIMATE"
I have decided for all the good it will do that what we have in Calgary that passes for weather could be better described as "CLIMATE". For instance, last Wednesday it was some 72 F or 21 C, for those who are into the not so new system of temperature measurement. It was sunny and very nice. The following day we had 32 F or 0 C and it snowed, not a lot but it stuck around all day. This was not our first snow of the season but it was the first one to stick around. Nothing to do about it, other than complain.

MEN'S HEALTH
Over the past week or so, I got some video links from the Canadian Cancer Society that relate to men's health. The subject is deadly serious in that it deals with prostate, testicular and colon cancer. The 3 videos are funny and eye catching that convey this message. They are not long, and are on youtube. The material is graphic in nature, but at the same time is very important to men and to their loved ones. I have posted the links for you below. Turn on your sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlyF8BKMEYc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7NdoEtqd5Q&playnext=1&videos=HrKP_PtshYI&feature=mfu_in_order

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1GZg_FkNIc&playnext=1&videos=qdxkn2JwutI&feature=mfu_in_order

COOKING CHILI
Do you enjoy chili? I know I do. So much so I make our own. I use a couple of different recipes and I would like to share my oldest one with you. It is very simple to make, freezes well and warms nicely in the microwave for what is left over. You need a good sized pot or pan to cook it in, and I use a crock pot or slow cooker, for making mine. Let's get started!
You need:
1 Pound of LEAN ground beef.
1 2" onion chopped reasonably fine
1 regular size can of tomato sauce
1 large can of chopped tomatoes, (spiced is OK if you like)
1 14 oz can of red kidney beans
1 14 oz can of baked beans with tomato or molasses
1 small can of mushrooms (bits & pieces)
A few cloves of garlic as needed to taste. I use about 3 or four depending on the size.
Now we cook all this up. First add a tablespoon or so of olive oil if you have it to a skillet fry pan and brown the ground beef. Chop the onion up and add it to the beef until the onion clears.
When this is done spoon the fry pan into the slow cooker and start to add the rest of the ingredients to the mix.
Season the mixture with the garlic crushed or chopped fine, about a tablespoon of fresh chili powder, sprinkle on some ground black pepper. For me I like to add a sprinkle or so of Hy's Seasoning, a LIGHT sprinkle of red chili peppers, some Worcestershire Sauce (a dash or so to taste), Finally I add a shot or 2 of Tabasco. All of the add ins are optional for your own taste, since much of this can be added at the time of eating. Feel free to adjust the recipe to how you like it. Let the mixture simmer in the crock pot for about 4 hours on low heat. Delicious, and to make it even more so try eating it with hot baking powder biscuits.
Uneaten chili can be frozen in plastic containers for future enjoyment. This will make about 10 meals in total, nice on those cold wintry nights that are coming our way. See the first item! Enjoy!