Hey guys!

FYI – it has been raining for the entire 14 hours that I have been awake today! Literally pouring for the entire day. I suppose it could be worse – it could be snow…and that just might push me over the edge…

But what goes better with the gloomy rain, than dinner that’s been bubbling away all day long, and ready for you when you get home? Not much!

Iowa Boy Eats’ Dinner #4: Slow Cooker Chili!

Ben strikes again with his hodge-podge chili! In the mix:

• 1/2 an onion
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 64oz V8 juice (shout out to J.O. @ work for the idea!)
• fresh garlic
• fresh jalapeno
• can of chili beans
• small can of tomato paste
• Louisiana Hot Sauce
• can of diced tomatoes
• ketchup
• Grey Poupon
• honey
• Spices: chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, black pepper, salt

I mean, WHAT? Where does this boy come up with this stuff? Who would have thought to put all these ingredients in a pot and call it chili? I honestly have no idea, but it was GOOD guys – GOOD! Pure deliciousness that we curled up on the couch with and devoured.  

He also surprised me with one of my favorites: Cornbread Muffins.

With honey in the mix! ‘Honey for my honey’ is what he said. He didn’t really, but I’m sure he was thinking it when he put it in there. I could have eaten about 16 of these guys, but I sadly wisely stopped at 2.

Well guys – this concludes a week of dinners by Iowa Boy Eats! What did you think? I think he did better than he could have ever imagined, surpassed and squashed my expectations and most importantly, he loved every minute of it. I think you may be seeing more of IBE in the future! Give it up!

In other news, I tackled the Calorie Scorching Workout again today while watching Oprah. If sweating is any indication of how intense a workout is – then I don’t know that I’ve ever had as intense a workout as the Calorie Scorcher. It doesn’t take that long – but the payoff is so great! Here’s what I did:

• 13 minutes on the elliptical @ 5% incline and 5.0
• 11 minutes on the treadmill @ 7.0
• 2 minute sprint on the treadmill @ 7.5
• 13 minutes on the elliptical @ 5.0

Just as I determined that my legs were going to fly off during the treadmill sprint, Oprah saved the day by playing this insane video on her show!

I mean – isn’t that one of the coolest things you’ve ever seen?? Oprah’s entire staff and 20,000 others surprised her by working together to perform this choreographed dance with the Black Eyed Peas on Michigan Ave. SO COOL – I had goosebumps the entire time I was watching it!

Watch it!

Alrighty, I’m off to go enjoy a night of my “shows” – The Office, Community and 30 Rock. See you in the a.m.!