I WON A MAJOR AWARD!

No it wasn't a fishnet stocking covered leg lamp stamped 'fra-jee-lay' on the box.

At the Allegany Community Chili Cookoff ( I was invited to attend and set up a Shelf Reliance table with samples ) on Saturday night, my THRIVE 20 minute chili recipe won 2nd runner up out of 12 contenders! I was absolutely shocked! Not that I didn't think my chili was good, but that 3 judges, experienced judges mind you, gave my recipe an official stamp of approval! Mind you it didn't earn that shiny golden trophy I had my eye on, but it will suffice for my first attempt using ALL THRIVE foods in a recipe!

What a neat little community get together! Such neighborliness and friendship. And great food, laughter, socializing and sharing. It was like a church social without the prayers.

In 3 weeks they are having a community Shelf Reliance tasting party. The proceeds from the sales will all be donated to stock their community center as an emergency shelter in the event of a disaster. This little community of 300-400 homes is doing something proactive to take care of themselves. They know that small isolated areas will be hard to rescue. Big cities will come first. I am so excited to help them on their quest to be self sufficient! This is a great example of what neighborhoods, communities and cities should be putting into place. Americans have a history of helping ourselves and neighbors through hard times. If your area isn't involved in something like this yet, at least YOU can be by taking steps to insure your own household can take care of themselves.

When it comes to being prepared, you don't want to be a runner up, an also ran. You want first prize!

Here is the recipe if you'd like to try it:

THRIVE 20 minute chili
by Dorie

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil.
Add 2 1/2 C. THRIVE instant beans; red, pinto & black
Simmer 20 minutes

In another saucepan, mix together on low heat:
1/4 C. each of THRIVE freeze dried onions, peppers, celery
3/4 C. water
2 T. THRIVE tomato powder
1 T. chili powder
2 t. THRIVE sugar
1 t. cumin powder
1/2 t. habenero powder
1/2 t. minced garlic
1 cube Knorr chipotle seasoning
4-6 oz. canned green chili sauce

When beans have been simmering 15 minutes, add:
1 C. THRIVE freeze dried sausage crumbles
1 C. THRIVE ground beef crumbles
1/2 C. THRIVE bacon TVP
1 C. THRIVE freeze dried sweet corn

Combine seasonings and beans together. Mix well and simmer 5-10 more minutes.
Salt and pepper to taste, add more water for thinner chili.

Serve with THRIVE cornbread recipe, THRIVE powdered butter reconsituted and THRIVE cheddar or mozzerella cheese reconsituted.
WHO SAID FOOD STORAGE MEALS HAD TO BE BLAND!
ENJOY!