Sweet & Spicy Crock Pot Pumpkin Black Bean Chili - An Easy, Healthy, GF Recipe

I've been so busy lately and haven't really been taking the time to cook healthy meals as much as I should be, I'm sure you can relate in the hustle and the bustle of the holidays. After another busy day working, cleaning, budgeting, paying bills, etc... I decided I wanted a meal that would be satisfying and hearty but couldn't commit to all the calories in nearly every recipe I could think of that fit those categories. I needed a recipe that was also gluten free so hubs could eat it as well. I was stumped...

Then I thought about mixing up a healthy, gluten free chili in a crock pot (or a slow cooker as some may call it). I decided on including a healthier element in a simple chili recipe, Pumpkin seemed like a logical and sweet answer. After adding in a whole can of pumpkin, a can of rotel, vegetable broth, a whole bell pepper, 1/2 an onion, and some garlic - I feel like I had a full serving of veggies in a bowl of this sweet and spicy chili. Plus using turkey instead of beef makes this recipe slightly healthier as well!

This easy, crock pot chili recipe is the perfect winter treat! With a good spicy kick of flavors and a surprisingly light sweetness - it's a staple in my home! It's the perfect meal to throw in your crock pot while you are cleaning house or while working on a project. The smell is out of this world and the taste is even better. This dish simmers in the crock pot for 4-5 hours, so go ahead and prep it around lunch time for the perfect dinner! You'll definitely want to have the fixings for your chili as well, I like reduced fat ritz crackers and a bit of low-fat cheese on my chili... what do you like on yours?

Sweet & Spicy Crock Pot Pumpkin Black Bean Chili Ingredients:  1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 onion (chopped) 1 bell peppers (chopped) 2 cloves garlic (minced) 1 cup chicken stock 1 cup vegetable broth 2 cans black beans (rinsed and drained)  1 lb ground turkey  1 can Pumpkin  1 can Rotel (I used hot, choose your preference) 2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes  2 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano 2 teaspoons ground cumin  dash of salt This recipe is super easy, you'll want to begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat, add in turkey. Once turkey is cooked thoroughly transfer into your crock pot, leaving oil in the skillet. Add in chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté until they look the onion looks a little soft, about 3-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and allow it all to sauté for a few minutes and place in crock pot with meat. Add the rest of the ingredients to your crock pot and stir. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours. Top with cheese, fresh parsley, crackers, or whatever your heart desires! Enjoy!

Do you have any favorite crock pot recipes? I'd love to hear about them!

The Chihuly Collection: St. Petersburg’s Little Gem - Glass Work That Will Blow Your Mind!

I recently went on a little adventure to The Chihuly collection, an amazing spectacle located in the heart of Downtown St. Pete and a true sight to see!

Dale Chihuly's work has been featured at The Louvre and even seen hanging over canals in Venice - his glass work is an art form that is truly amazing. With twists, turns, and detail that will blow your mind - I'm so proud that his permanent collection is a staple in my community. Having an artist that inspires you to grow, to achieve, to push yourself harder place their gallery within driving distance of your home is a huge deal... to an artist like me anyways

I've lived in the area for several years so I've heard his name before, I've driven by the collection and dreamed about what was inside, and I've actually worked at businesses that featured some of Chihuly's works so I've been a fan for a while now but visiting his collection really made me fall in love with his style, his intent, and his vision. His art makes you think, it also leaves you in awe of his talent; something I think any artist can appreciate.

I'm unsure of the name of all of his creations, I actually went to visit the collection on a weekend so I didn't go on a docent led tour, if you would like to have someone lead your tour visit M-F for the opportunity to learn the Chihuly lingo.

I'm just going to give you all the pictures at once because, they are all so beautiful.

Next time you visit The Tampa/St Petersburg area, be sure to add The Chihuly Collection to your list of sites to see.

Best Buy Digital Camera Deals for Christmas 2014!

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free

I've already shared some awesome holiday deals from Best Buy this season, including some items that are on my wish list but today is all about my camera wishlist. As a blogger with a creative mind, having a camera that can capture the angles I want and produce high quality, well lit images is so important! I know we all want nice looking photos that we can hang around the house and although cell phone pictures are nice they typically can't be printed off and used... So today I'm sharing three cameras that will fit different budgets but all have great qualities making them all great cameras!

The Nikon D5300 DSLR with an 18-55mm VR Lens is a high quality DSLR, with built-in Wi-Fi so you can capture photos and share them at the same time- no more messy cords and long waits for pictures after events, instantly share pictures in seconds! I know I always forget to send pictures after taking them to my family members so the convenience of this feature would be amazing. This camera also comes with a lens that helps you capture sharp photos and video footage with it's image stabilization capabilities. The Nikon D5300 is a fantastic camera and the fact that they offer it in grey and red makes it even more amazing! Which color are you adding to your wish list? {Ahem, I'll take the Red one, Santa!!}

Next up on the line up is the Sony - Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera. This compact camera system offers the World's Fastest Autofocus - helping you capture photos that are perfectly in focus no matter what's happening! It also offers a 24.3-megapixel sensor that provides stunning clarity and it's also Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to yet again share your photos easily and instantly! The Sony Alpha A6000 is the perfect size for vacations and adventures but don't let it's small size and good looks fool you, it's a powerful little camera as well. What color do you want the most - the white, silver, or black?

Last but not least, the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 is a digital camera that is basically a cell phone without all the same capabilities- how cool is that? It reminds me of a really awesome mini-tablet and with a 16.3-megapixel sensor you are able to capture super vivid and sharp images and HD video! The 4.8" touch screen is the perfect size for making sure your images are going to be perfect and since this device is so similar to other android products, it's obvious that the camera offers Wi-Fi, making it easier to store and share photos with anyone.


So many awesome cameras are on the market this year, but these three are some of the best... Which one do you want to find under the tree this year? They're all pretty amazing but I'm hoping Santa brings me the D5300 with a nice red bow on the top! If not maybe I'll grab one for a great deal next time I'm checking out Best Buy Holiday Gift Center!

A Game Changer: My Proactiv+ Review

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for Proacitv+. I received samples of Proactiv+ to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating.

So I'll admit I suffered from acne as a teen, it was horrible... I started using Proactiv when it first came out and loved the line because it actually helped. It cleared up my acne to the point that I actually stopped using it and I really didn't have much of a problem with pimples up until recently. I started getting these horrible deep pimples, resembling cystic acne. They were horrible and I knew I needed to do something about it, so when Proactiv+ wanted me to review their product I was all for it!

Although I don't have any pictures where my blemishes are prominent, because I'm the type of girl to avoid the camera like the plague whenever I have a volcano growing on my face. But here's a good idea of what my before and after with Proactiv+ looks like!

My No Make Up Selfie Before & After Using Proactiv+:

I'm so happy to report that my skin is blemish free now. I occasionally still get a pimple here and there but they aren't anything compared to the horrible, huge things I used to get. I really am a huge believer in the ability of Proactiv+. Their formula is unlike any other; every enhanced acne-­fighting benefit comes with an equally powerful skin-­care benefit - this means while Proactiv+ is fighting your blemishes, it's also nourishing the skin as well! You can check out my video testimonial about how much I love the product and check out how clear my skin is after using Proactiv+ here:

As I said in the video, Proactiv+ is a game changer. If you aren't comfortable with the way your skin looks now, Proactiv+ is the answer. The whole line is amazing and formed to treat break outs, the answer to my adult acne prayers!


I know several people think Proactiv+ is another "as seen on TV" item... and while it is advertised on television, that's only because the line actually works! The Proactiv+ system provides enhanced hydration, skin smoothing and mark reduction. It's also been known to show an overall improvement in texture, tone, pore appearance and brightness- all of this greatness in one simple system!

The Proactiv+ system is simple to use, three easy and quick steps:

Step 1‐ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator - The Head Honcho - This product is the main ingredient in your skin care routine, cleaning your pores, and allowing them to be open and ready for the next step.

Step 2­‐ Pore Targeting Treatment - The Star of The Show - This part of the system is the real game changer, it really helps with pimples and is by far my favorite product in the Proactiv+ line!

Step 3‐ Complexion perfecting Hydrator - The Smooth Operator - This product is the best moisturizer on the market. It helps my skin feel soft and fresh without making it feel heavy or too wet.

My results with the system were so amazing, they had to be shared. It's so easy to use, fits into my daily schedule, and the products work well - I highly recommend Proactiv+! If you want to try the Proactiv+ line for yourself, find out more here.

Be sure to stay connected with Proactiv+ on: Facebook   |   Twitter

Holiday Gift Guide Wish List: Canon EOS Rebel T5i from Best Buy

Best Buy has to be one of my favorite stores, especially when I'm on the market for new electronics! I've been eying all different types of new gadgets each time we visit... because I'm a bit like a kid in a candy store inside a Best Buy - I guess you could call me a techie for that reason! I love the finding the best products on the market and recently I've noticed my current camera just isn't holding its own anymore...So with that said, I'm pretty sure I want to invest in a new camera soon! I'm currently using an older model and I think with the grainy quality and it's inability to focus on occasion, that it's pretty much a goner.

After browsing through Best Buy recently, I think I have my sights set on The Canon EOS Rebel T5i! It's actually one of the best-selling DSLRs, so obviously I'm not the only one with upgrading on my mind!

The Canon T5i makes advanced photography easy and fun, and gives you exceptional image quality, along with a host of features to enhance your creative expression - the DSLR for any level, since you can shoot in a preassigned mode or shoot manually!

Another benefit that The Canon EOS Rebel T5i has over my current camera is the ability to capture video - I still can't believe my current camera doesn't have video while T5i has a HD video camera with the ability to capture Hollywood quality footage and also hosts the ability to autofocus constantly while taking video - imagine the videos this baby could make!  With an 18.0-megapixel sensor and 5 image processor, you are assured vivid, crystal-clear images; something I think everyone strives to achieve...

If I haven't sold you on buying The Canon T5i yet, the amazing deal they are offering on it at Best Buy will definitely seal the deal! Head over to Best Buy and buy your Canon EOS Rebel T5i and save $150 (from now through 12/20/2014)!