Chili and cold weather go hand in hand. It's a tasty bowl of goodness with enough spice to clear the sinuses and warm the cockles of the heart. Eaten by itself topped with all your favorite accoutrements or laid bare on a bed of rice, it's a classic turnkey dish that begs to be made en mass and served every day until it's gone... or freeze for later enjoyment!

Here's a twist on the traditional recipe forsaking the beans and making it Keto friendly. I'm not a rigid Keto dieter, I simply prefer this version as it makes me feel less blah after eating it! And, if you are following a Keto diet, the cauliflower rice suggestion is a delicious  nutritional accompaniment.

For the main dish:

• 6 tablespoons olive oil (save some for the cauliflower rice)
• ​2 lbs ground turkey (I use 1 lb white meat and 1 lb dark meat)
• 2 jalapenos finely chopped
• Mirepoix (1 small onion/2 celery sticks/2 carrots diced)
• Bunch of cilantro roughly chopped (half for main dish and half for accoutrements)
• 4 large cloves of garlic finely chopped
• 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 packet chili spice mix of your choice

For the accoutrements:

• Cup of grated Mexican cheese blend
• A finely diced yellow onion
• Fage plain Greek yogurt
• Juice of 1 lime
• Diced avocado
• Bag of crumbled cauliflower rice (from Trader Joe's)​

1. Heat 4 tblsp of olive oil in a large pan, and cook the turkey enough to brown it and then remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Add the rest of the olive oil to the pan and saute the mirepoix and jalapenos for about 3 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and saute for another minute.
4. Return the turkey to the pan and incorporate the saute'd vegetables.
5. Add the tomato paste and the diced tomatoes and incorporate.
6. Add the chili mix
7. Add the chicken broth as needed to maintain moisture.
8. ​Add half of the cilantro and bring to the boil, then reduce to simmer for 45 minutes stirring occasionally. 
9. ​After 30 minutes of simmering, taste to see if you need to add salt and pepper. This depends on your chili spice mix, once it has been absorbed you have a better idea what to add for your taste preference.  

Tip: To prepare the jalapenos use a different cutting board and remove the white bits which are bitter and remember the seeds are the hottest part so be aware how much of those you add to the dish. You may want to wear gloves, but in any event remember not to touch your face or lips after cutting.

Brown the turkey just enough to cook it through and remove from the pan and set aside. Next, retain some of the fat in the pan from the meat, add a little olive oil if necessary and saute the vegetables.

Once the vegetables are saute'd, return the turkey to the pan and incorporate together. Then gradually add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, chili seasoning and mix well. Finally add half the chopped cilantro, and after bringing to the boil, reduce to simmer. 

​If you feel it needs a little more moisture, add small amounts of chicken broth as required. 

1. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a non stick frying pan and saute the crumbled cauliflower until softened stirring continuously.
2. Add salt and pepper to taste and a quarter of the chopped cilantro.
3. Squeeze lime juice into the cauliflower and continue stirring until done.

• Finely dice a medium onion and mix the remainder of the chopped cilantro into it.
• ​Dice an avocado
• Have some grated Mexican cheese and Fage Greek yogurt at the ready

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Serve over a bed of cauliflower rice. Top with grated cheese, chopped onion relish, diced avocado and a big dob of Greek yogurt.  You can sprinkle with a dash of paprika and lay a lime wedge atop for aesthetics! PROVECHO!
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The current obsession with animal print is rather like a number one hit record. Every time you turn on the radio, it's that song playing again and everywhere you look, it's animal print again! 

Before the numbness sets in and we go off it altogether, the fashion powers that be have decided to spice things up! What better way than to throw in some unexpected colors. Rich deep reds, blues, greens and yellows are now sporting our beloved leopard spots and snake prints, yes indeed... step aside neutrals, colored prints matter!

It's bold, it's daring and it's downright fierce, plus it takes the glam element of animal print to a whole new level. I opted for a deep red leopard midi dress for my pick of the trend. This one from Zara (linked HERE) was an inexpensive yet brazen way to embrace the color within my existing animal print collection. It's a great way to wear red around your face if you don't want to be overcome with it. The black spots break it up nicely. 

Heels and a leather moto jacket slung casually over the shoulders, contrasting gold statement earrings and an over-sized clutch... giving me lots of drama without over accessorizing, good for day or night!

The other important element for me, concerning the decision to choose a red print, is it's totally on queue for the holidays. The perfect color to enjoy family gatherings, impromptu happy hours and festive frivolities.

But colored animal print comes with a warning, it can tend to look tacky. Avoid this by choosing pieces in a modest style and/or quality fabric. This dress, with its high neck, long length and sleeves eliminates the bad taste that may come from a low-cut shorter dress in the same print. It's rather like driving a Ferrari at the speed limit - classy with nothing to prove! Or, drive flat out in a Fiat Punto, (everything to prove), and get a speeding ticket - embarrassing! People are staring either way, but not always for the right reasons!

A change of scenery and vibe in the next look by adding a belt and booties. Just so happens the red suede boots (linked HERE) match the red in the dress perfectly, and the black elastic side panels compliment the whole ensemble.  Boots add a wintry theme, black boots, even knee-high boots look fabulous also, I tried it!

No need to fear being ensconced in a bold trend, it's there to be played with. Embrace it however you like, be it in bite size chunks like a scarf, a blouse, or a shoe.  Take it to the extreme with an entire dress, pant suit or overcoat.  The choice is yours.  But whatever piece you choose, and whatever color you pick, your glam level is bound to go up several notches! 

I've included some fabulous finds in colored animal prints in the links below - a range of pieces including shoes and accessories as well as clothing. 
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​There are affiliate links in this post which means I may receive a small percentage of sales made.  This does not affect the price you pay. 

Let's slip into something more comfortable, shall we? With the holidays fast approaching, we don't want to feel trussed up like a Butterball turkey in our party regalia. If you prefer the holidays with free-range rather than restricted movement, fearing your outfit may tear, snag, catch on something or simply bust open at the seams in its efforts to relieve itself of your person, then consider a slip dress. 
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