Vegetarian Chili Recipe

I just realized that i have only posted one recipe, and that was for the fajitas (i'm glad y'all liked them)! but one of my other favorite dishes to make is this meatless chili, it's SO good! i found this recipe online and I want to make sure I give credit to its author so i'm just going to give you the link. Click here for the recipe. now as usual, i alter the recipe to my liking. i personally don't like the taste of jalepeños so i just don't put them in. And i add the corn way before it says to in the directions. oh and i only use 2 cans of tomatoes. so basically, i just do my own thing and follow this as a guide haha. especially out here in spain, because i haven't been able to find all of the ingredients in the grocery store. so try it out, let me know if you like it (or let me know if you don't). i'll think of what other things i like to cook and post more at some point.

peace love blessings
AMB

i know what you're thinking

you're probably saying to yourself, "this girl NEVER updates her blog." well you're right, if that's what you're thinking. so i decided to come on here and make a post. to give you the abbreviated version of my life up to this point, i have been here in spain, having a great time, better learning the language and experiencing a new culture. i like the school i attend, and i'm learning some things i never had the chance to while at UT (it's not that we didn't have them i just didn't have time to take the classes). i've met so many wonderful people here, and i am making friends for life! One of my good friends here is my girl Sharmaine, she and i go salsa dancing all the time together and if you know me at all, then you know that dancing is a MUST in my life haha.
so now you're pretty much up to speed, and i will try to keep you current as time goes on. Oh, another reason i am posting is to put up this little video i finally finished. it is from my pre-departure from home, on my way to spain. it's also on my YouTube page.



Anyway, I am currently getting ready for this event that Sharmaine and i are semi-hosting. so, out here in Pamplona, we're not exactly up-to-speed with all the latest and greatest hits of the United States. We have decided to solve that by using the playlists from multiple iPods (thank goodness for iTunes!) and have a dance party event at the local club/bar. hopefully it's a success so we can have it multiple times, and i can't wait to hear all this music on a real sound system with some bass. ta ta for now, darlings.

AMB

finally...

this is the first update of my blog since arriving in Spain. yes, i know, it has been a while. and yes, i know, i should have done it earlier. but i am sure you can forgive my absent-mindedness (is that a word?) and the chaotic schedule i have been pursuing. NOW, let me fill you in...




So, yeah i started this blog like 3 minutes ago but i really need to finish watching this movie soo i will write this when i'm not falling asleep ;-)

much love

my most recent project

my "aha" moment!

so i've had an epiphany (everytime i use that word i think of chrisette michele haha)! since i am getting ready to graduate, the question everyone keeps asking me what i'm going to do with my life lol. i didn't really have a single answer for them because i feel like there are so many options in life that i can't just pick one thing i'd like to do. i don't like feeling limited, ya know?! but as i was going through the list of things i'd enjoy doing forever, there was always one common denominator: helping people. no matter what career path i imagined, it always came back to helping people. be it through small efforts or large, i truly just enjoy helping other people. so with that said, can you guess what i want to be when i grow up?? well i'll tell you: i want to be a humanitarian. and i don't care if i'm never publicly recognized for my efforts because it is satisfaction enough to know that helped someone else who needed it. seriously. i know that sounds a little cliche or ambitious or whatever, but it is what i have decided. just wanted to share that with you. now that i've acknowledged my path, i also realize that i'm going to have to find ways to fund my passion of helping other people hahaha...but i will worry about that in the days to come Peace Love Blessings AMB(itious) p.s. the video has absolutely nothing to do with this post haha, i just added it to my youtube page so i'm putting it here as well

just a moment, please

i take way too much time between my blog updates. i always have the intention to update it at least once a week, and i almost get it done....but everybody knows almost doesn't count (thanks for those fine words from Brandy).
i think the main reason i haven't blogged recently because nothing too much has been going on. aside from our show HAMMERTIME on A&E (which had its season finale this past sunday), i've just been going to classes and trying to keep up with school work. i will be finished with summer classes soon but then it's time for the fall semester to start so...adios to my summer vacation haha. it's not all bad though. i just went to Houston this weekend with my my good friend and we had fun.
i know many of y'all who read my blog also follow me on twitter, and i see that a few of you have requested vegetarian recipes...i have no problem sharing my food ideas with y'all but for the most part i just take recipes off-line then end up doctoring them to my specific taste. i just keep adding to or subtracting from the original until i get what i want. so i suppose in that way, it is uniquely my own recipe. but i don't measure things, so i don't know how to tell you what i added haha. i'll try though ;-)
a lot of you have also been asking me about this hot yoga that i do. i don't think it's really called "hot yoga" but that's what i call it. it's a yoga class, usually consisting of 34 poses, that is done in a room that is about 90-100 degrees and 50-60% humidity. i have always wanted to do yoga and this method seems to be really good for me. i recommend you try it at least once. just look for studios near you, and make sure the instructors are well-trained so that you don't injure yourself. i got my twin-darlings and my girl Krys to try it out with me and i think they like it so far.
oh my goodness i watched this show called Dance Your A** Off on monday night and i loved it. if you follow me on twitter then you should know by now how much i love to dance! i went salsa dancing last night actually. anyway, the show is amazing and i want to be on it hahaha. i don't remember what channel but i'm gonna find it again. the video below is of sammy dancing his little behind off on stage at my dad's concert in vegas!
well i think you are pretty up to date with my life. if you don't already, follow me on twitter or friend me on facebook or check out my YouTube channel if you wanna see some of the videos i've posted (i'm gonna post a new one either today or tomorrow, i promise). hmmmm, what else...i think you can catch the re-runs of the show during random times of the day or ON DEMAND. that is all for now my darlings.

peace love & blessings
AMB

Veggie Fajitas from HAMMERTIME

ok my dearest darlings, you asked for it so here it is! this is the recipe for the fajitas i cooked on the show last night. they could be considered vegan i think if you don't add any animal products for your toppings or side dishes.

no before i give you the recipe you must understand one thing: i cooked these for CARNIVORES hahaha! i say that because i made them extra hearty so my family wouldn't miss the meat. oh and i should just tell you now that i don't measure things or write them down when i cook so i'm just going to give you all the ingredients, then you can season to taste when it comes to spices. sorry if you don't like this method but it's the way i cook. plus it should be fun for you to experiment. and if you end up hating it, my feelings won't be hurt. i'm just glad you gave it a try anyway ;-)

1 large sweet onion
3 bell peppers (of varying colors to make the dish pretty haha)
1 zucchini
1 container of fresh, pre-sliced mushrooms (canned works but fresh are better)
fresh cilantro
1 can black beans
1 can whole kernel sweet corn
olive oil
taco/fajita seasoning packet
chili powder
cumin
salt
pepper
fajita tortillas (i prefer corn but most people like flour)
shredded cheese
salsa
guacamole
sour cream


i suggest that you buy organic produce but it's not a necessity. so you can start by chopping all the veggies. the bell peppers should be cut into strips (like strips of fajita chicken or steak). and you can leave the mushrooms since they are already pre-cut, or you can half them again.
saute the onions first in the olive oil, adding in the bell peppers, then zuchinni, and lastly the mushrooms & cilantro. add the seasonings (except cumin), but be careful with the chili powder since it revs up the spicy factor. let cook for a while til veggies are coated in the seasonings and tender, but don't overcook!
in a separate pot, combine the beans and corn. season them with the cumin, salt & pepper. the reason i make it in another pan is because i don't like the beans to be all over everything else. plus it gives you a little control over how hearty you want these fajitas to be. now you're done!
if you warm the tortillas in an oven first, i've found that they're easier to handle. to plate it presentably, put down a tortilla then the bean/corn combo (or not if you don't want to), then add the veggie mix. finish with your favorite toppings. i personally like everything except sour cream.

i hope y'all enjoy the fajitas. these are just the bones of the recipe, add your own touches plus your family to make it genuinely yours ;-)

AMB