Celebration Chili

I DID IT!!!! Today, for the first time in my life, I ran 3 miles straight!!!!!!

Everything happened faster than I thought, I still have 2 more weeks before my goal deadline of February 28th. But today on the treadmill I said to myself “Just keep going!” It was almost an easier workout than I have done in the past…rather than upping the speed to 6.5 and 6.7 for some intervals, then back down to 5.7, I kept my intervals tight together, between 6.0 and 6.3. I got in the zone. With less fluctuation I was able to keep a better pace and for the last 5 minutes ran at 6.0. For some people this isn’t running, but jogging, but considering my sweat-to-tshirt ratio, it was more than enough work for me! I hit 3.0 at 29 minutes 🙂

I couldn’t have done it without setting myself the goal and tracking my progress. It was so motivating; even on a bad day (and I had a few) I knew that I couldn’t give up, that I had to make it to 3.0 and I had time to do it in. For the first time in a long time I am proud of myself! Now I want to stick with running between 2.5 and 3 miles whenever I run for my workout, until running 3 miles gets easier. I think some interval training will be needed in that too. Once I am not so winded after that run, maybe I’ll try for 4! In the meantime, I’m going to set myself some other fitness goals. What to do, what to do?!

I got home and told Z the good news, and we decided to celebrate. First he ran out and got some supplies to make a Moscow Mule. Z was a bartender during some of his time in Australia, and he can mix a mean cocktail!

Moscow Mule

Juice of half a lime

1.5 shots of vodka

Ginger beer

Put lime juice, vodka, and ice in a glass. Fill the rest of glass with ginger beer. Serve!

This drink is delicious and spicy! If you like ginger, you will loooove it.

Over the past few weeks I have seen a lot of white chili around the blogosphere. The winter is prime chili time, but Z and I usually make chili of the black bean – tomato variety. It is always good, spicy, and lasts for a few days (tasting better each day after!). But I figured, why not celebrate my 3 mile run with a chili of a different variety? I compiled a bunch of recipes I read and came up with my own creation.

White Bean Turkey Chili

1 lb ground turkey

1 onion

2 cloves garlic

2 jalapeno peppers

2 cans of white beans

2 cups of chicken stock (or 2 cups of water and a bullion cube)

1-2 cups frozen corn

Cumin, allspice, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Chop the onions and garlic and saute in olive oil. Chop up and add the jalepenos. It is up to you if you want to keep the seeds, depending on how spicy you like it. I used the seeds of 1 jalapeno, and got rid of the rest.

Once the onions are soft, throw in the ground turkey and cook until no pink is left. Add the beans, chicken stock, and frozen corn. Then throw in your seasonings! This is really up to you and what flavors you like the best. I used about 2 tablespoons of cumin, a dash of allspice, 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and a few good grinds of both salt and pepper.

Cover and let simmer for 20 – 25 minutes. Mine was still a little watery, so you can either cook uncovered for 10 more minutes or add about a teaspoon of cornstarch. The best secret to thickening up any sauce 🙂

Taste and re-season as you like it. I serve this atop some brown rice, along with a dollop of sour cream and some fresh cilantro (left over from Tuesday’s pesto).

Z was incredibly skeptical about a white chili. He has been making his chili ($10 chili, as he calls it) for years of batchelorhood. But while we were doing the dishes he admitted that he loved this dish, would ask for it again, and he thinks it is better than his own chili! SCORE 1 POINT SOPHIE!! This dish is much lighter and less acidic than your conventional red chili, and it was a really nice change. The sauce was gravy-like, extremely comforting and mellow. The cayenne and jalapenos added a little kick to it, but I would add more spice next time. However, this was a great yumventure…I had never actually had white chili before! Just goes to show its always good to try something new. This was the perfect way to celebrate.

(I also bought myself a little congratulations gift, some new Lorac bronzer (the hot flash duo — my favorite!) and two books, The Tipping Point and In Defense of Food. It’s always nice to treat yourself 🙂 )

How do you celebrate a personal victory?

Have a great night everyone!