First blog EVER! Am I a vegetarian!?

OK...so...I have always thought that the whole blog thing was pretty narcissistic. I mean, isn't Facebook enough in this department!?  HOWEVER, I find that I have trouble connecting with everyone I need and want to connect with on a regular basis. I am busy or traveling or vocal resting between singing or watching So You Think You Can Dance.
For those of you who know me. I HATE talking on the phone more than ANYTHING! I HATE IT. So please, if you're someone who really tried to get me on the phone, don't take it personally..I am nuts. Deal. Now, you have this, my brand new blog to keep you up to speed!
My hope is that my life is interesting enough to some of you that you'll want to read this blog! It won't be daily unless something really cool happens or if I find a recipe that I simply HAVE to share. Which could be often actually because I have rediscovered my love for cooking lately! I don't yet have a FOCUS for this blog. OK...the focus is ME...but again, I don't want to seem too narcissistic.
So, about the vegetarian thing. Charlie (my husband) has been a vegetarian since January! Or a pescetarian? We love fish. I was slow to get on this train, let me tell you.  I thought I couldn't ever give up steak and chicken! BUT, I have found that I am actually not missing it. In the last 6 months I have had steak 6 times and I usually ended up feeling really disgusting after! I figure why do that to myself.  So, I started reading more about being a vegetarian. I thought I would still have to have CHICKEN at least....but since Charlie won't eat it...why bother? I'll just cook what he wants to eat. It won't kill me and maybe I'll shed the weight I have been struggling with. AND I am learning to use new ingredients and having so much fun trying new flavors and textures! I also have an amazing knife set gifted to me by my friend Deb and I kind of love chopping and slicing things..so the vegetarian thing is fun in that way! There are SOOOO many food options for vegetarians! I had no idea! Really YUMMY things! Who knew!? NOW I KNOW! =)
Please feel free to share any vegetarian recipes with me! Or any tips? I need snack ideas. I like to graze a little during the day. So far I am enjoying plain almond butter..JUST almonds ground up out of the machine at Mother Earth's, no oil or salt and I love it on celery, rice cakes and triscuits. I am going to attempt to make my own next week! I'll let you know how it goes.  Tomorrow I am going to make some healthy-ish Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies. I believe they are vegan!
In the meantime...here is a recipe that rocked Mike's world this week! =) (Mike is my son..step son..but as my Dad always said "we have no steps in this house". To which I'd reply, "then how will I get to my room?")

Stay well and please follow me!! =)  New couch arrives tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Hearty Vegetarian Veggie Chili (for the slow cooker!)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 2 onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 yellow squash, chopped
• 6 tablespoons chili powder (keep in mind..slow cooking chili powder, makes it really SPICY! so you might want to use less)
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce, or more if needed
• 1 cup vegetable broth, or more if needed

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the green, red, and yellow bell peppers, onions, and garlic until the onions start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Place the mixture into a slow cooker. Stir in spinach, corn, zucchini, yellow squash, chili powder, cumin, oregano, parsley, salt, black pepper, tomatoes, black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, and tomato paste until thoroughly mixed. Pour the tomato sauce and vegetable broth over the ingredients.
2. Set the cooker on Low, and cook until all vegetables are tender, 4 to 5 hours. Check seasoning; if chili is too thick, add more tomato sauce and vegetable broth to desired thickness. Cook an additional 1 to 2 hours to blend the flavors. 

This is how it should look! =)  YUM! I served it with brown rice and a tablespoon of light sour cream!