Crockpot Lean Turkey Chili

Crockpots come in handy for weekly meal prep. Successful fitness takes a plan and consistency eating right and regular workouts. Our busy week can get in the way of cooking at home, but when we set aside one day over the weekend to meal prep, you are ahead of the healthy game. This simple lean turkey chili comes out fabulous in the slow cooker and provides nutrient dense meals for days!

Ingredients

1 ½ lb lean ground turkey

1 medium sweet onion coarsely chopped

1 heaping tablespoon minced garlic

1 can (14.5oz) diced Italian style tomatoes and juice

2 cans (15oz) & (8oz) tomato sauce

1 can (4oz) fire roasted green chilies (chopped)

2 tbsp chili powder

1 can (15.25oz) low sodium kidney beans

1 can (15 oz) low sodium black beans

1 can (15oz) low sodium pinto beans

1 tbsp crushed red pepper (optional)

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

¼ tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp all natural molasses

Preparation

Preparation in the morning before noon:

Heat a large saute skillet, rough chop the onion and place in the pan with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking. Add the minced garlic and cook until onion is translucent. Add in the lean ground turkey. While the meat is browning, set your crock pot on 6 to 8 hours or for the time you want your meal to be ready. To your crock pot, add the remaining ingredients. Pour the cooked turkey, onion & garlic into the mixture and stir well. I usually take a sample taste at this point, but the full flavors will blossom in a few hours. Put the lid on and go about your day and dinner will be ready for you tonight.

SIDE BAR

Meal prep your way to fitness success:

Meal prepping is a great way to stay on track with your health and fitness. We all have busy schedules which can be simplified by preparing our meals for the week ahead of time. Below is a top 10 list of the benefits of planning and prepping your healthy meals:

1. Sets the stage for mindful healthy eating. Time to grab a pen and paper and plan your eat right grocery list.

2. Promotes cooking at home and control over what you put in your face and body.

3. Teaches healthy time management skills. Time to cook…time to exercise!

4. Positive example for your family when healthy cooking is going on at home. A home cooked meal encourages an enjoyable family dinner hour.

5. Meal prepping saves money. Food is cheaper when purchased in bulk and divided into containers.

6. Keeps you accountable to eating right. If you have your meals packed there is no need to rush to fast food or vending machines.

7. Allows you to reach fitness goals! Nutrition plays the largest role in losing fat and gaining muscle.

8. Who doesn’t love a well-organized refrigerator with grab and go meals!

9. Reduces stress and enables you to relax at dinner time.

10.The food tastes better and is better for you!

#recipes #mealprep