The weather here in Orlando came as quite a surprise to me yesterday. When I checked the forecast for the week and the highs were supposed to be in the 80’s, I never even thought twice that this could mean cooler temps for us so soon. Around 4:30 PM I went for a walk with A* so she could play at the park and there was a definite chill to the air. Combined with lots of cloud coverage and wind, I actually got cold wearing my pants and t-shirt!
I also got excited because I’d been craving chili all day and I refuse to make chili when it is hot outside. Chili + hot weather = sweaty mess. On my way home from work I knew I had to stop at the store to pick up the necessities and go straight home to get some chili cooking in time for dinner. The only question was…what to put in it.
I’ve used my mom’s chili recipe for years now but it contains ground beef. I wasn’t vegan last year when it was cold, so creating a vegan chili was unexplored territory. I also wasn’t aware then of the many other things that make chili wonderful, so I really wanted to venture out with a new recipe, using my mom’s as the base.
Luckily, chili isn’t too hard to get right. I think you can throw most anything in the pot with chili powder and it will come out tasting fine. I kept that in mind, while taking inspiration from chili I’ve had at Infusion Tea, as I gathered my ingredients at the store and added new things (tempeh and garbanzo beans) to the usual mix. It came out wonderfully spicy and hearty!
With the chili, I wanted to try some Cheddar Flavored Sheese that I’d sampled at VegFest and later found at Whole Foods.
I liked the Sheese at VegFest, but I was not a fan of it on my chili. I think it’s because the taste and smell was so similar to real cheese, which kind of grosses me out now. Evan seemed to like it though. I also got extremely crabby after eating it, but I’m not sure if the Sheese played a role in that or not. 
Could have just been exhaustion.
Please visit the Vegan Tempeh Chili recipe page if you’d like to make some of your own! As always, let me know if you do and I’ll feature you on my blog!
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Today I’m at work for the second day in a row! Luckily, I was able to get in some yoga time at CPY with Ashley this morning. We had Calvin and…I’m going to be sore tomorrow. So so so good though.
Pre-yoga fuel: Rudy’s Whole Grain Bagel with almond butter and sliced banana
And a Strawberry GoodBelly shot! GoodBelly sent me some coupons to try these out. Review to come!
Post-yoga fuel was leftover chili!
Now I’m sipping on some decaf chai from Infusion Tea.
Traveling Announcement!
I am going to North Carolina with my family for Thanksgiving!!! Anyone on the East Coast want to meet up? I’ll be in New Bern Wednesday to Saturday of that week!
30 Days of Yoga
I’m participating in Leah’s 30 Days of Yoga to challenge myself to do even 10 minutes of yoga on my off days from the studio! I noticed a huge difference in class today just from doing extra yoga over the weekend! Go check it out!
Do you have a favorite chili recipe? Do you wait until it’s cold or make it whenever? I typically wait until the first fully cold day of the year to make chili, but I was out of town for it this year!
Have a great day!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
The cold front didn’t quite make it down to us her in South Florida… it’s still almost 90 today! I’m curious to hear your review on the goodbelly product.
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Ryan @ Greens for Good Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Hi Tracey! I’ve reviewed the drinks previously if you’d like to check that out: http://www.greensforgood.com/2009/09/01/probiotics-are-you-getting-yours/
My next GoodBelly review will be on their “shots”!
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Chili must be the blog food of the week! I just throw whatever I have in a pot and call it chili! I haven’t found an amazing recipe yet.
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Ryan! I am headed to CPY tonight.
Love it! I want to try doing more yoga at home for sure! I feel like my wrists hurt more at home though. Do you? Not sure if that makes sense. Did you see my post on Calvin? I had to rest a lot with him so part of me is hoping Theresa will teach tonight!
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Yum, chili! I love that you just threw yours together! We’ve been making this recipe recently. The last time, we used TVP instead of morningstar crumbles. We wait until it’s in the 30s to make chili! We made some on Sunday!
kilax´s last blog ..Mud, Poop and Vomit
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oh,i can never have chili if it’s not cold outside! sweaty mess indeed!
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Leftover chili is awesome! It always tastes so good the next day. And agreed…not a good combo with hot weather.
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mmm the chili looks so good, I am definitely going to make some soon! It will be the perfect meal for cold weather
have a great trip
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Hi Ryan.. love your blog and I cant wait to see the review on the Good Belly shots. i think i need to go find those!
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