Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili

So here's my first official recipe, black bean & butternut squash chili from The Everything Vegan Cookbook.  What you'll need:
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons oil (I used canola)
1 medium butternut squash, chopped into chunk (I ended up buying a pre-chopped squash from Trader Joe's)
2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained
1 28-ounce can stewed or diced tomatoes, undrained
3/4 cup water or vegetable broth (I used the broth)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or 2 teaspoons dried cilantro (optional, I ended up using the dried)

1. In a large stock pot, saute onion and garlic in oil until soft.

2. Reduce heat and add remaining ingredients, except cilantro.

3. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes.  Uncover and simmer another 5 minutes.  Top with fresh or dried cilantro just before serving.

Serves 4.

The chili was very yummy, it just didn't heat up well the next day. 

"Allow myself to introduce, myself..."

Inspired by my friend Kristin from www.pursuitofvegetables.com , I decided to keep a blog of the recipes I make.

 First a little about me: My name is Carly and the best way to describe myself when it comes to my eating habits is picky. I love food but only certain foods. I want to use this blog as a way to expand on my eating habits while eating healthy at the same time. I am currently trying to eat vegan but since my fitness trainer/nutrition coach hates this, I'm trying to expand my palette. I am not eating enough during the day and not getting enough nutrients, so I need to change this to be more healthy.

 I used to eat meat and actually liked it. I also used to eat a lot of dairy. Why did I wake up one day and decide to change this? I think it had a lot to do with trying to find the perfect diet so I can lose more weight faster. It was working for a bit, but I found myself more hungry after meals and would end up bingeing before bedtime. Not good at all.

So I came up with this philosophy, when I'm not at home I can eat meat and dairy. I'll only eat animal products when out to eat or visiting somebody else's home. Didn't work, so now I'm back to my old eating habits, a semi-vegetarian. What does this mean? Usually it means you don't eat any meat except fish and eggs, and eat dairy. I've also been told a semi-vegetarian will eat the above and poultry. But most dairy does hurt my stomach so I try and stay away from it. I love cheese but it doesn't love me.

So what will my recipes consist of? A lot of baking, because I love to bake and you'll probably see a lot of vegetarian recipes.

Enjoy!