I am really starting to place priorities on cooking healthier for my husband and me. Therefore, I am using lots of poultry and fish, staying away from beef, fried foods, desserts, and high cholesterol foods as much as possible. I am a diabetic, overweight, suffer from hypothyroidism, have asthma, and tolerate acid reflux disease. As my late parents used to say, "It is tough getting old." I will be 66 on November 16. As one of my former teachers in Oklahoma would say, "Dear Gussie!" How does time pass so quickly sometimes, but travels so slowly at other periods?

Anyway, we wanted some chili this weekend since we are both such football fans, so I looked at numerous chili recipes, taking a little from this, a little from that, composing my own version. I will say that I drew a lot from the Food Network's Valerie Bertinelli's recipe named, Three Bean Turkey Chile.

Val used to be on the old show, "One Day at a Time," a sitcom. Like some celebrities, she has found her niche cooking on her own show on The Food Network, besides writing cookbooks. It is what it is, so try this recipe. I think you will like it.

Equipment needed:

Large pan w/lid, like Dutch oven pan

Large cooking spoon

Measuring spoons

Measuring cup

Ingredients: (Do not drain anything.)

2 lbs ground turkey

2-15.5 oz cans Goya kidney beans

2-15 oz cans Goya black bean soup

1-15 oz can Ranch Style beans, reg.

1-4 oz can mild diced green chilis

1-6 oz can tomato paste

1-14.5 oz can diced petite tomatoes

4 Tbsp. Chili Powder

2 tsps. Ground Black Pepper

3 tsps. Natural Sea Salt

2 tsps. Celery Salt

2 tsps. Onion Powder

2 tsps. Onion Salt

4 Tbsp. Chopped Onion Flakes

If desired:

1 c. shredded cheese (for topping)

1 c. Sour Cream (for topping)

Tortilla chips (for topping)

Jalapenos (for topping)

Directions:

Brown ground turkey in Dutch oven over medium low heat, stirring often. You do not need to drain meat. Turn off the heat. Now, add all the other ingredients (cans and spices) to the cooked ground turkey. Remember to NOT drain any of the cans. Just mix it all together well. Turn the heat back on medium low to low heat. Keep stirring very often so mixture does not burn.

Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, and tortilla chips, if desired as toppings.