Windows of Opportunity

Here are the pictures I promised of our "Windows Of Opportunity" project.  I know this is completely off the subject of what I ususally write about, but in our little City of Oneida we started a program called "windows of Opportunity" which is basically a program that takes the empty store fronts in our downtown and fills their windows with different displays....in this way we try in our small way to help our downtown look more attractive and draw attention to the wonderful old buildings that we have for rent in our business district. We have begun today with a new display....which I am ashamed to say I haven't taken pictures of yet (but I will over the weekend and I will post them for you to see)..this display is focused on showcasing our local artisans and we are blessed to have so many talented people in our community!

Now you may think this story is just a nice little tale, but it gets ugly.   Last week our codes dept. called the chair of our group and told him we were violating codes with our window displays.  Well we meet with codes next week and I will let you all know if our displays stay or go!  We aren't selling anything from the windows and we do not have any signage that is permanent or that is inapproriate or distasteful.

Let me know what you think about this....should government be able to dictate what business owners and building owners put in there space?  Leave me your comments.

Rainbow Chili...a little color on a cold gray winter day

I have always like beans....all kinds of beans....great northern, black, kidney, pinto....well you get the picture.  I have made up one of the easiest, tastiest..... and might I add, nutrious low fat recipes ever! I think you can guess where I am going with this.  I am talking chili, but my chili is called Rainbow Chile.   This chili can be served with biscuits or as I did the other night, fresh corn bread. 

It is so simple to make and I love the fact that I can save all of the cans that all of ingredients come out of and re-use them.  Last Halloween my daughter and I used the cleaned empty cans to make fun party favors.  

Drum roll please....I give you my Rainbow Chili!

What you need..... and you may already have it in your pantry:

1 lb. ground turkey
1 can chili ready tomatoes
1 can great northern beans
1 can black beans
2 cans bush's chili beans in mild sauce
1 can sweet corn
Season with salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder and Frank's Hot Sauce.
Serves 4 to 6 adults.

Brown ground turkey in a large pot. Season turkey with salt and pepper to taste.  Add the tomatoes followed by all of the beans.  Simmer for about 20 minutes.   While simmering add cayenne pepper, chili powder and Frank's hot sauce.  Now I don't measure any of the seasonings....so I can't really tell you how much I use of each.... I just add a dash at a time until it tastes the way I like it.  I will admit that I like spicy, but you may not.... so only add small amounts until you have it just right for you.  While the chili is simmering, I mix up some cornbread to go with it.  A small tidbit (hot spices help to fire up your metabolism ), but if you suffer from a skin condition called Rosacea, hot spices can cause a flare up in your symptoms.

Now to make corn bread you can usually find the recipe right on the cornmeal label.  It is pretty simple and always worth the 20 minute baking time!  If you like you can top your chili with a little bit of grated extra sharp cheddar cheese....mmmm' this is making me hungry.