Award-Winning Chili!!

I wanted to share my good news.

I fixed a large batch of my Super Soy Chili (receipe posted Apr 08)
to participate in a Chili Luncheon fundraiser at the local hospital where I work. (10.24.08)

I was UNAWARE that there was also a Taste-Contest, unitl someone said "Congratulations!"

My super soy receipe had won "Best Chili"

and I was asked to prepare another batch to represent the Hospital in the Local Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-Off.

I am so proud that my 'healthier' version of traditional chili still tastes good enough to compete with good 'ole Kentucky home-cooking.

Smiling from my Kitchen in Kentucky,
Laura

10 Ways to Add More Soy to Your Diet

Written by Lauren Girdler
Reviewed by Gloria Tsang, RD
Published in October 2008(HealthCastle.com)

Soy-based foods are often neglected in the North American diet, but they shouldn't be! Soy is a heart friendly food because it can help to lower cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. On top of that, eating soy foods is a great way to build bone health and has been show to help prevent cancer, particularly prostate cancer. With so many great nutritional features, there is no reason to keep soy off the dinner table.

Adding More Soy to Your Diet:
Health experts recommend a diet with 25 grams of daily soy protein intake to reap the health benefits (one glass of soymilk contains ~ 8 g).

Here are 10 ways you can include more soy in your diet:
1. Edamame: You can find edamame beans in the frozen foods aisle. Simply pour some edamame into a bowl with water and microwave until hot. Drain the water and sprinkle the edamame with salt for a quick, healthy snack.
2. Soy nut butter: Found right next to the other nut butters, this tasty spread is great on toast and makes for a change at breakfast.
3. Soy milk: Fat-free, regular, vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate – there are so many varieties of soy milk to try! Use soy milk with cereal, in baking, and to make pancakes. Or simply drink as a healthy snack or beverage.
4. Soy nuts: Look for soy nuts where other nuts are sold, or in the Asian cuisine section of the grocery store. Use them when baking cookies, bars, and loafs - or as a healthy addition to mixed nuts.
5. Soy cheese: You can find soy cheese in either the dairy aisle or the vegetable section (with the salad dressing) of the grocery store. Soy cheese can be cheddar or mozzarella flavored. Use soy cheese as a topping on salad, when making lasagna, or as part of a sandwich.
6. Soy cereal: You won't find soy cereal in the cereal aisle. Instead, look for it in the health foods section of the grocery store. Eat soy cereals as an alternative to high-calorie, high-sugar cereals.
7. Soy ice cream: Soy ice cream comes in many delicious flavors including strawberry, butterscotch, and almond vanilla. Top soy ice cream with fruit to make a healthy dessert.
8. Soft tofu: Because of its thick and creamy texture, soft tofu can be used in a many different ways. Salad dressings, sauces, deserts, and smoothies can all be made using soft tofu.
9. Hard tofu: Because of its firmer consistency, hard tofu is used more often in dishes where it will retain its shape. Try adding hard tofu to stir fries, salads, soups, pasta, or any other dish where it will absorb the flavor of the other foods.
10. Soy meats: Try soy burgers or soy veggie dogs as a healthy alternative the next time you barbeque. You can find soy burgers in the frozen food section, and soy veggie dogs with the meat hot dogs. The burgers come in both beef and chicken flavors, while the veggie dogs can be regular or spicy Italian style.


Thought this article was worth sharing :)
The Super-Soy the I most often use is a dehydrated, texturized soy meat substitute which would fall under #10 above. I actually use several of the above categories in my meal planning to add variety and maximize the nutritional value of my meals.

Which one would YOU be interested in trying next?

Finding my way back to the Kitchen,
Laura in KY

Super Soy Enchilada Easy-Bake

Super Soy Encilada Easy-Bake (can you tell I enjoy Mexican food? *grin*)

12 oz reconstituted ground beef super soy
(using water flavored with soy onion broth mix per broth directions)
1 packet taco seasoning
2 15.5-oz cans enchilada sauce
18 corn tortillas
2 15.5-oz cans pinto beans, drained
2 green onions chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese ( consider vegan soy cheddar cheese)
1 4.5-oz can diced green chilies
2 cups fritos corn chips, finely crushed
*optional - black beans and/or corn kernels can add variety and color to this dish

-Preheat oven to 375 degreesF
-In a small bowl, combine the ground beef soy and taco seasoning and set aside.
-Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with oil.
-In layers, spread
1/4 of the enchiliada sauce along bottom of dish,
lay out 6 corn tortillas,
add pinto beans,
scatter a handful of green onion,
a 1/3 of the shredded cheese,
half the can green chilies,
1/4 of the enchilada sauce,
6 more tortillas,
all the seasoned soy ground "beef",
another 1/3 of the cheese,
the remaining green chilies,
another 1/4 of the enchilada sauce,
then the final 6 tortillas,
the remaining enchilada sauce, and
the rest of the cheese.
-Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
-Remove foil, top the casserole with the crushed Fritos, and bake for another 15-30 minues or until bubbly and browned.

Serves 6-8.

Why Cook with Soy?

Why Soy??

Health magazine (April 2007 issue) suggested,
"Add one meatless meal a week. Less meat means less saturated fat--and fewer toxins like dioxin, DDT, and PCBS."

Why Soy??

Probably most popularized as a protien alternative for Vegetarians.

Soy is the answer to several concerns: low cost, high protien, low-saturated fat, low-cholesterol, high-fiber, low-sodium, lactose-free source of calcium, and fewer potential toxins.

Benefits. . .

Research is on-going that soy can benefit the human in body in various ways:
*assist with cardiovascular function
*support gallbladder function
*promote optimal blood sugar and cholesterol levels
*source of calcium to promote bone health
*anti-cancer effects
*promote cognitive function and brain healing

Soy is by no means a "cure" for any of the above mentioned health concerns. However, soy can be one way to incorporate healthier food choices into our lifestyles and take back control over our OWN health.

I firmly believe that in many cases the credit OR blame for our state-of-health is based on OUR CHOICES. . .

We choose what we put into our mouths.

We choose our habits--be it smoking, exercising, over-scheduling, relaxation, etc. Even if you feel that you did not specifically choose your habit, it is still YOUR CHOICE to go with the "default" or easiest option. The "choice" may not always be easy but it is OURS to make--no one makes it for us (adults).

I loved how Zig Ziglar once put it,

"I was overweight by choice.

I have never accidentally eaten anything."

In my personal journey to take back control of MY life & health, I discovered Super Soy products. Knowing that others will make this same journey, I am moved to share some of what I have learned. Unfortunately, knowledge is only a small portion of the challenge; ACTION and PERSISTENCE are the biggest part of choosing a healthy lifestyle. It is my hope to share tips and ideas that facilitate TAKING ACTION.

. . . this Bill Maher's rant about big pharma in this clip I feel echos my point of

Individual Responsibility!

To Your Abundant Health & Success. . .
Your Friend in KY,
Laura in the Kitchen

SuperSoy Chili

Super-Soy Chili

This is a flexible recipe that can easily feed a family or be doubled (or tripled) to feed a crowd. It's great for the vegetarians or persons-looking-to reduce (cholesterol) meat intake, BUT the meat-lovers don't notice the difference and LOVE it too.

1 cup dry super soy ground beef (meat substitute)
Note: come dry and will be reconstituted.
1 cup hot water
1 tsp super soy onion broth powder (optional, may use bullion or other seasoning)
1 can mexican chili beans
2 cans diced tomatoes (green chili optional)
2-3 8oz cans tomatoes sauce1 small - medium onion diced
1 pkg Chili seasoning
1 small green pepper diced
salt/pepper/sugar to taste




Sautee onion and green peppers in pot (use spray oil or olive oil to coat pot). Heat water to boiling, dissolve bullion cube or broth mix, stir in super soy, let sit a few minutes. Once onion and pepper are cooked (beginning to soften), fluff super soy with fork then add to pot.
Add chili beans, diced tomatoes, tomatoe sauce, and package of chili seasoning and stir thoroughly. Heat to mild boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 - 30 minutes. Add salt, sugar, or pepper to taste.
(Note = sugar will cut the "tanginess" of the tomatoes).

Variation--1.)This can also be easily prepared in a crockpot. 2.) additional can of tomatoe paste will thicken chili

*NOTE- I buy my super-soy on line at http://successtransformations.vitamark.com/shopping/Default.asp?CatID=3&page=3
It's item #205 OR you can find meat-substitutes at a local Health Food store.

Enjoy!!! Laura in the Kitchen