Inauguration Day 2021, Tex-Mex Turkey Chili & My Go To Banana Bread

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation. But in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

Barak Obama

I remember January 20, 2009. Exactly 12 years ago today. I sat in our livingroom in Winnipeg holding my 6 week old baby, HBear, and watching the TV with eyes filled with tears. I remember watching the first black man become President of the most powerful nation on Earth. As a student of history that double majored in American History and Political Science, this was a very important day for not only The USA but the whole world watching. It was emotional. I had so much hope for the future. 

I had no idea that raising a black man to the highest office in the world would bring such a massive backlash from privileged white men and women. It became plainly obvious to me when Hillary Clinton, the most qualified person to have EVER run for President, lost to a reality TV star that was blatantly honest about his misogyny and racist views. 

For the first time in 100 years the outgoing POTUS will not greet the incoming President Elect. As a person who believes in tradition, this breaks my heart. Joe Biden is a good man. I believe he is a man of integrity. He wasn't my first choice as President but I believe that he is the BEST person for the job at this precise moment in American History and frankly in world history.

Watching the inauguration this morning was like a weight was being lifted off the world as a whole. Seeing the FIRST woman, a black/Indian woman, being sworn in as the Vice President was moving. Watching it with HBear was downright emotional. A few years ago she asked me if a woman could be President and I said, "no Baby. The world isn't ready for that right now. I hope one day soon we are, but not today." Today, we came 1 step closer to breaking that glass ceiling. Today my daughters saw that maybe, just maybe, 1 day our own country, Canada, will have a woman elected as OUR Prime Minister.

Biden's Inauguration speech was inspiring, honest and determined. All the performers were amazing! Lady Gaga, JLo, Garth Brooks and the breakout STAR of the show Amanda Gorman! Wow! I don't think I even breathed during her recital of her poem. It was all consuming. It was a fire in the belly of the nation that was stoked to blazing flames of unity and hope!

Today Joe Biden became the 46th President of The United States of America. 46. The same age his son, Beau Biden, was when he died. Today the healing has begun 💛.

Check out the latest How Was Your Week, Honey? Episode #207: January Blahs. This week we are feeling uninspired during the mid-winter period of grey skies and cool weather. Topics include: Quebec, keeping occupied, Rowyn educates, Kari tales, Winnipeg words, Joey Moss/Dancin' Gabe, meat shoulder, S.O.W., R.I.P. Mark Keds and Sylvain Sylvain. Check it out HERE!

I still have turkey in my freezer from Christmas! Actually, I HAD turkey leftover in my freezer 😆 until I made this fast, easy and delicious dinner a few weeks back. As you know, we love Tex-Mex foods! This one was so good that HBear took leftovers to school for lunch!!!! That rarely happens as both Girls have a thing for eating the same thing 2 days in a row. It is an ongoing argument in the house lol. I love recipes that call for ingredients I already have in my pantry and freezer, it is a super big money saver! Ninja just went through our freezer and made a list for me, this is a good thing to do every couple months so that nothing goes bad and so you don't buy items that you already have! I will be making this again! Oh 1 more note, this recipe isn't super spicy as my kids aren't huge spice fans.

I also attached my GO TO Banana Bread. We love banana bread! Every once in a while I have a banana that doesn't get eaten. Just as it is turning colour I peel it, wrap it in saran and throw it into the freezer. Once I have 3 bananas, I make banana bread or chocolate chip banana muffins! This bread is moist and delicious! Both the Girls like to add a smear of butter and have a piece for breakfast 💛.

Tex-Mex Turkey Chili
Adapted from Chew Out Loud

2 tablespoons oil
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 can crushed tomatoes
3 cups, cooked turkey or chicken, meat shredded
1 cup turkey or chicken broth

1 can black beans, rinsed

1 can corn, drained

For Serving: chopped cilantro or green onions,  shredded cheese, tortilla chips, and sour cream.

In a large Dutch oven, heat oil until hot. Add onions and garlic.

Stir on medium-high heat 3 minutes or until tender. Add bell pepper, black beans, salt, chili powder, sugar, cumin, and paprika; stir 2 minutes on medium-high heat.

Increase to high heat and stir in crushed tomatoes, corn, shredded turney, and broth. Bring to a rapid boil. Immediately cover and reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes.

Serve with toppings.

Go To Banana Bread

Adapted from Two Peas & Their Pod

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 brown bananas
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup oil
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cinnamon/sugar

Heat your oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork. Add the melted butter and oil and stir until combined. Stir in the brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.

Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, don’t over mix. Don't over mix or the bread will flatten and end up heavy. (like ours this time LOL)

Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon/sugar.

Bake for 50-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the bread comes out clean.

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of the bread and carefully remove from the pan. Let the bread cool on the wire cooling rack until slightly warm.

This week was slow. I worked and we didn't do much. SBean bought a new LEGO set with a GC she got for Christmas. We had Friday family movie night and ordered one of our favourites, Flambe Catering. We drove to Kelowna to go shopping at the Dance store for new shoes, ribbons, and bodysuits. We stopped for a little treat on the way home. I have been doing Yoga with Adriene, her 30 day Breath series. It has been amazeballs. I had a PAC meeting looked through a few of my old essays from University 😆, ate some easy peasy dinners and started the next week with a smile.