1. Today’s Recipe: 

I’ve been making this particular chili recipe for a few months now and it seems to be a big hit - it even got rave reviews at our Super Bowl Party!

It is a very simple recipe and uses mostly pantry ingredients which is great during this quarantine period. I used to make a similar recipe in the past, but could never get my husband, Jim, to embrace it. Once I changed from ground beef to ground turkey, though, he is now a convert!

1 lb ground turkey

1 can Bush’s Best Mixed Chili Beans (15.5 oz)

1 can Del Monte Petite Diced Tomatoes with Hatch Green Chilies (14.5 oz)

1 can Green Giant Steam Crisp Super Sweet Yellow & White Corn (11 oz)

1 packet McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix (Mild)

1 chopped onion

1 chopped pepper

Saute onions and peppers. Add ground turkey and cook through. Drain if needed. Add beans, tomatoes, corn and seasoning mix. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Top with your favorite things. Some yummy suggestions are: shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado or crumbled tortilla chips. One of my sons even likes to crumble cornbread on the top!

2. Top Song Picks:

I am really not a music person and this causes some concern in the office when Becky and Steph are dueling for the airwaves! If one of them leaves the room for a bit, they may find that the volume has been turned WAY down when they get back. I have no idea who would desecrate Matty in the Morning or a Bluegrass banjo like that????? :)

If I am listening to anything, it is country music in the office or in the car, George Winston if I am trying to concentrate, or 70’s Lite with Jim during our deck drinks. Clearly I am not one of the cool team members when it comes to music!

3. Good Kid-Friendly Activity:

I am going to name this a “Young Adult” Kid Activity. I am older than the rest of the team and therefore have 3 older kids who are young adults. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that I am not trying to homeschool little ones! 

Because they are older, one of our family activities is the daily cocktail hour! Since we have nowhere else to go and time on our hands, the cocktails have become a little more creative than the standard beer and wine. 

My daughter has been experimenting with different margarita recipes and is now moving on to perfecting a Paloma - apparently a very popular tequila drink in Mexico. One of my sons has been drinking Paper Planes (inspired by the MIA song) which consists of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro and a splash of lemon juice. 

I personally am breaking away from my beer and have been enjoying Citron vodka with Spindrift seltzer, splash of cranberry juice and topped with a lime.

Jim is a hardcore Manhattan guy - which is basically rocket fuel!

Cheers!!!

4. Proud Moment:

This may sound very lame to those people who are good cooks, but I am not one of those people! My husband is a much better cook and seems to enjoy it a lot more than I do. And while he has still done the majority of cooking in this month or so that we have been forced to be home, I do think I have cooked more during this quarantine time than in the previous few years combined. So this feels like reaching, but I am going to give myself a pat on the back for that.

5. Not-So-Proud Moment:

Oh so many things to choose from - take your pick! Could it be:

• That almost empty bottle of Citron?

• Those thank you notes that I still have not completed - even with all this time on my hands?

• That full box of Kraft Mac & Cheese I had for lunch? 

• That scale that must be malfunctioning?

• The hours spent on Words with Friends?

6. Whatcha Reading: 

I have been listening to Audibles while out on long walks. I feel like I am killing two birds with one stone! I tend towards non-fiction so that I can learn something new.

I am currently listening to “Get Out of Your Own Way” by Dave Hollis. Other recents favorites are: “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah, “Educated” by Tara Westover, “Talking to Strangers” by Malcolm Gladwell, “Becoming” by Michelle Obama.

7. Movie/Show Recommendation:

We have been binge watching the following shows that I can highly recommend!

• Succession

• Ozark

• Homeland

8. Excellent Outdoor Activity:

We have been taking some long walks (4-6 miles) on paths around town and also in Concord - sometimes together and sometimes alone. It’s been great to get outside for some fresh air and sunshine. It definitely helps to improve my mood and my mindset.

We are also starting to take some day trips down to our family cottage in Plymouth to get it opened up for the season. It’s amazing how therapeutic a view of the ocean can be!

9. Any Advice You Want to Share:

I don’t want to end on a somber note, but both Jim and I have experienced a lot of loss - both family and friends - during our lifetime so far. So we both share the perspective to enjoy life wherever and whenever you can, because we know how short life can be sometimes. Gather and laugh with friends! Get that puppy! Take that trip to Napa with a bunch of girlfriends! Enjoy and treasure the now, remember and cherish the past.

Would love to hear from you all as well!!! The more we engage, find humor, share encouragement and challenges, the stronger we can come out of this!!!

Stay safe and be well- signing off- "DJ' Mo