Vegetarian Chili

I found these packets of seasoning for vegan chili at my grocery store a few weeks back. I made it and put on baked potatoes. It was a hit. It is vegan but we of course topped with plain yogurt, some shredded cheddar and freshly snipped green onions. There is no fat in the chili when you prepare as directed so we did not feel bad topping with a little cheese and yogurt. It's very good but I feel like I want some cooked onions in it. This would definitely qualify as a "Skinny Meal" like on Mama Cheryl's "Skinny Meals" site.

Dragged baby and sore hubby to the mall today. I have a pair of baby shoes I needed to return at Stride-Rite and I thought it would be an excellent opportunity for the family to get out of the house. Well Chicago weather was anything but favorable for a trip to the mall with a baby and recovering hubby. It snowed about 2 inches last night and just as I told my husband I was going to start the car I headed out to the driveway when down came the rain. Then I thought I'd shovel a little path to both doors when it started to thunder. Yep. Thunder. So I rushed the shoveling and headed back inside. We then set out for the mall a short bit after that.

Upon arriving at the mall it was like a downpour, and a cold one. We tried to hold umbrellas over us and baby and stroller . . . . . . Ha! Ha! My husband said in a very nasal soft voice, "My shoes are soaked, let's go home." Then he waved his hand like forget it, so we ventured inside with a screaming baby and wet feet. We made our way to the store and actually ended up getting some Melissa & Doug toys in exchange. I love most of the Melissa and Doug toy line. Who would have thought that a childs shoe store would have toys though? Afterwards, we let baby walk around a bit (holding on to Daddy's hand). We hit the kids play area with the rubber floor and coin operated ride-ons. That was a hit. Good times at the mall. Not normally a fan of malls but it worked for today under the circumstances.

Baby's sleeping. Vegetarian chili is cooking on the stove. Potatoes are in the oven. Hubby is watching the few dish channels that are currently working as he eats his cream of wheat. Blagh! He has been doing OK. I have been calling the Dr.'s on call over the last few days asking for different pain meds. We now have a little pharmacy on the kitchen counter but only one really works. Last night he had a bit of stitch string come loose (which I guess is normal after 6-7 days). His right ear and side of throat hurts bad though. I again called to talk to nurse, she said that it was normal and to "Hang in there!" He returns to work next Tuesday. He will be on the day shift though so he can work with his dad for the last four months before his dad retires. I like afternoon shift best. That's when I get my own time in the evening after baby goes to sleep. It's quite relaxing, but would really suck if I had kids in school and sports, etc., when a family needs their dad around. I must try to relish these days before homework, soccer, parent-teacher conferences, etc.