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!