With most of the country still deep in winter, spring seems far away. When the weather gets pleasant and the tulips and daffodils start blooming it’s the time to open all the windows, air out and think about spring cleaning. It’s a time to clean, de-clutter and organize your home. As long as I can remember I have liked organizing. My Barbie dolls clothes were organized according to color, my desk in elementary school and my locker in high school wasn’t stuffed with papers and odds and ends. I admit it…I’m a little OCD!
However I must say that living with an unorganized man for almost 39 years has made me less obsessed with finding a place for anything and everything. I love to organize whether it’s a cold kit for my car for winter travel, organizing my craft room or my closet. My son finally asked for my help organizing his desk and files. I was so excited and I showed up with office supplies and a label maker…truly in my element! I follow several organizing and cleaning blogs and here are a few of my favorites:
Cleanmama.net: She has great cleaning tips, free printable deep cleaning schedules and homemade cleaner recipes
abowlfulloflemons.net: Organization tips and cleaning challenges
OrganizedHome: Organized pantry: A beginners guide to Pantry Pride
ModernParentsMessyKids.com: Fun site for parents
Spring is a great time to go through your pantry and clean out the dry beans that have been in there longer than 2 years. The older dry beans are, the longer they will take to cook. Store beans in an airtight glass, metal container or a resealable bag in a cool, dry place, 70 degrees or below and not in the refrigerator.
Here is a look into my pantry.
Mason jars make great airtight storage containers.
Before you start cleaning, put this dish in the crock pot so you don’t have to worry about a good, healthy dinner to feed your family after you have had a busy day spring cleaning!
Spring Cleaning Crock Pot Taco Chicken Chili
serves 8
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
1 1/2 cups cooked light red kidney beans
1 1/2 cups cooked white beans
1- 16 oz. can whole kernel corn
2- 14.5 cans diced tomatoes
1- 7 oz. can diced green chilies
4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts
homemade taco seasoning
sour cream
shredded cheddar cheese
Taco Seasoning
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
1 Tablespoon granulated garlic
1 Tablespoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (more is you like it hot)
Combine together
In a large crock pot add all the beans, corn, tomatoes and chilies.
Add the taco seasoning and stir.
Place the chicken breast on top of the mixture.
Place the lid on and cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 5 hours.
Take the chicken out shred it and mix back into the bean mixture. Serve with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese or any topping you like.
Enjoy!
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