Eeeeeep! I’m so psyched to see that so many of you have already decided to join in on the 2012 Closeout Workout Challenge! It’s going to be so darn fun to see how everyone’s doing and have the support to keep us going.
If you missed the challenge post yesterday, check out this post for all the details.
It’s gonna be fun!!
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Last Night’s Dinner
Dinner with friends on a weeknight…always a good time! We were invited over to our friends’ Joe & Kate’s house last night for some homemade chili and cornbread and mannn, was it good.
Kate actually made two chili recipes: Zesty Wheat Berry Black Bean Chili (top), and Three Bean and Beef Chili (covered with cheese). Kate, aren’t you impressed I remembered both of the recipes??
I, obviously, couldn’t decide which one I wanted so I made like a pig and had a little of each. Both of them were ridiculously good, but I was really diggin’ the wheat berry one. I may have to make that here at home and have it for lunches. Yum!
With dinner we also had cornbread, of course, because who can eat chili without cornbread? I actually made that and brought it over as my contribution to the meal, and I am happy to report that it turned out quite good. I use this recipe quite often, and it has never failed me – only substitution I make is applesauce for the oil.
Side note: I now want a whole new set of white places just because they photograph so awesome.
For dessert, there was a decadent treat for us all to share…
They had a piece of leftover cake from her sister’s wedding over the weekend, so we all grabbed a fork and dug in. Actually, I probably dug in more than anybody, but whatever. Stuff was gooooooood.
Since we were out for most of the evening, we still have all of our bajillion Wednesday night shows to catch up on…but it’s looking like we may have to wait a bit longer because we’re off to another friend’s house for dinner tonight! I just love friends…and friends who cook…and reasons for me not having to cook.
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Breakfast
Heyyyyy.
Are ya surprised?
I. Cannot. Get. Enough. Of. These. Waffles. This. Week.
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Odds & Ends This Morning…
- SOYJOY is currently holding a 15 Days of Thankfulness giveaway: From now until December 5th they will have a new giveaway each day on their Facebook page, including prizes like sunglasses, coolers, iPod speakers, gift cards and more. Be sure to check it out!
- You still have until tomorrow to enter the Look-Alike Character giveaway.
- There’s some pretty great finds on Fitsugar’s Best Fitness Gifts post…I’m totally loving the Columbia Heather Honey Long Hoodie.
Catch you guys a little later!!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
That Zesty Wheat Berry Black Bean Chili sounds awesome..and totally unlike any chili I have ever eaten. You have me intrigued!
I absolutely love white plates, too! They are my favorite plates to use whenever I know that I am going to be photographing my food….man, I sound like such a nerd. Oh, the life of a food blogger! ;)
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
That cake looks really yummy! I just finished off the last leftover piece from my sister’s wedding….yay for wedding cake!
Khushboo says
Leftovers are great but leftover dessert is a whole different ball game :)
chelcie @ chelcie's food files says
mmm I’m jealous of the leftover wedding cake! I definitely would of been the one digging in more than anyone too haha I had some of my friends birthday cake last night and she didn’t even have any..woops. haha
Carrie @ Fitness and Frozen Grapes says
Mmmm, it’s definitely chili weather! In my family, when someone can’t make up their mind about food–in terms of the entree, sides, or desserts–we make “Mill packs,” which are named after my uncle’s great aunt; each Mill pack has a little bit of each option, so you get the best of both worlds. I’m all about the dessert Mill packs. :)
Meghan @ After the Ivy League says
You just reminded me there’s a buffalo chicken chili recipe I’ve been wanting to try for awhile now. This weekend may be the perfect time to bust out the slow cooker and get cookin! Dinner with friends on a weeknight is always a good time.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
Friends that cook are definitely the best kind, and bonus points when they break out leftover wedding cake :D Now I can’t tell if I’m craving chili, cake, or waffles… probably all of them…
Ashlee says
All of my dishes are white and I love them!! The every day collection from Bed Bath is awesome!
Emily says
Yum! Chili and cornbread is such a great winter meal! I would have had to try both kinds too!
Rachel says
oo yum cornbread :)
alyssa - life a la wife says
I love friends who cook too – No mess, no stress – just fun food and friends :)
Brandi says
Oh my goodness that cakes looks amazing!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
Chili is ALWAYS a winning dinner for me!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
I need to make chili. And stat! Looks awesome!
Kaylie says
That chili looks so good!! It s perfect for a rainy day!
michelle kim says
Cool. Hope I win something from the SoyJoy giveaways. Thanks for letting us know about it!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says
I know I’ve said this before, but I’m going to say it again – you have such awesome friends! I’m jealous ya’ll live close enough to each other that you can have week night dinners together. Chili sounds delicious, too :)
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie says
Aww sounds like a great night with friends! i love different chili recipes, so I would have gone for both for sure!
Ali @ WHOLEistically Fit says
Yay for a dinner party with friends on a weeknight! :D I love those. Yum, chili and cornbread sounds delicious let alone two different kinds of chili. How awesome is that!?!? I’ve always wanted to participate in one of those chili cook-offs, but not as a cooker, as a taster. ;)
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions says
I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to have chili without cornbread. Hands down my favorite winter meal! Thanks for linking to the cornbread recipe, too. I want to make cornbread from scratch, but I was so overwhelmed when I looked for recipes that I just gave up and bought a box of mix from Trader Joe’s (which makes some AWESOME cornbread, btw).
Stefanie @ Thin Vegetarian says
I have chili quite often, but I actually can’t remember every having it with cornbread…maybe I just like to have my mouth on fire :) I have made a wheat berry chili, however, and love it also!
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength says
I love how you get on food kicks. I do the same exact thing. I literally will have the same things for months and then move on and forget all about it. Of course when I remember it’s back to it again. LOL
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says
MMM that cake looks incredible, so does the rest of the food! I love mid-week gatherings :)
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
So right …you need cornbread with chili! I post a pumpkin one the other day you might like! http://peachypalate.com/recipage/?recipe_id=6037189
Lauren says
When I first saw this, I thought it was borscht! It slightly looks pink but regardless, still delicious!
Chili and bread has been a staple meal lately. It’s the perfect comfort weeknight dinner.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
Wheat berry chili? That’s definitely unique! And now I’ve got a craving for cornbread, stuff is delicious!
Sarah says
I couldn’t get past the cake… still can’t…
Bek @ Crave says
Pfft pig? I think now! Any true foodie who is switched on would get a bit of both too ;)