yes, it's been awhile i know. things are busy over here. i have like 2 online shops and 4 different blogs plus a 3year old to take care of. eventually i'll post here more, probably after christmas. i have been cooking up a storm as always. my new thing is making jam. i've made pineapple lime and strawberry/lime/mint recently. they were awesome. i had a request for chili so here you go.
i've used this recipe to make a good sweet potato chili
it needs some adjustments that i don't have time to post right now. you also don't need a crock pot, i just do mine in a pot on the stove.

beef chili
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ground beef- two fists full
1 small onion chopped
1/2 pepper(any color) chopped
1 can chopped tomato
1 can kidney beans
beef stock cube
chili powder
garlic powder/onion powder
tomato paste

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list of optional things
ground cumin
chipotle flakes
lime juice- splash
cayenne pepper
can of beer
fresh chopped garlic
cilantro flakes
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medium heat your pot with a little oil, add the beef, onions and peppers, stir around. you want to brown the meat. when the meat is about half way cooked, add all your spices/seasonings. when the meat is good and brown add the beans, tomato paste and tomatoes. now you can either add a tomato can worth of water or a tomato can worth of beer. turn the heat down to low and let simmer on the stove for a few hours. when it's nice and thick, eat. make a box of jiffy corn bread to go with it.
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with  your spices you want about a tablespoon of the chili powder and 1/2 teaspoons of the other stuff. go easy on the cayenne pepper, just a super tiny amount if you don't like spicy food.
i usually get 4 servings, freezes great