Guest Blogger C: Introducing "Cooking Companions"

The dreaded New Year's resolution. Honestly, there's nothing quite worse than making a commitment to something on the first day of the New Year, and having that glorified promise come crashing & burning down, maybe even within 24 hours of having made it (been there, done that). Unless, of course, your NY resolution is to feel like a failure! Thus, a slow-burn style resolution is MUCH more desirable, ESPECIALLY if there's an incentive involved! Who doesn't appreciate a good incentive??!

So, when I moved to Chicago and was sadly separated from one of my closest Dallas friends, we were forced to get creative! Though a couple of brief visits in both Chicago and Dallas curbed the craving, our time together just wasn't enough. Over winter break, home in Dallas and discussing what 2013 had in store for each of us, I not so confidently proclaimed that I was going to start cooking. I had no more excuses, a hungry husband, and perhaps had maxed out on Whole Foods salad bar offerings and take-away sushi (not really, but I have no desire to die from mercury poisoning). All of this being said, K came to the rescue, assuring me that cooking was really simple & that she would help support the cause (like an amazing friend should/would do)! We came up with the MOST brilliant idea---weekly cooking sessions via VIDCHAT!!! Putting food on the table and a therapy session all-in-one---a solid incentive! Not only would I be able to get my K-fill, but I'd also be able to fill-up my husband's starved stomach (total exaggeration).

These video chat sessions have honestly inspired a new love affair with both cooking & K (she's the Koolest). Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined myself scouring for recipes online, buying cooking magazines, or looking forward to my husband's beaming face as he devours something not only HOMEMADE, but EDIBLE (totally worth the dirty dishes)!

These days, one of the perks of getting older is the enjoyment of awesomely enhanced technology. Though, making friends post-college can be a crapshoot. You don't share the solid foundation bastioned by sorority rush, 21st birthdays, or Spring Break shenanigans. So, when you connect with someone special in your post-college years, someone who inspires you to DO more and BE better, it's worth every effort to foster and maintain those new friendships, regardless of where life takes you, literally. Phone conversations are fantastic, but from what I've gathered based on this experience, communicating and sharing passions that involve self-growth, even virtually, can highly enhance a friendship!

Though it's only February, my commitment to this year's New Year's resolution has already changed me for the better. Essentially, I've reconciled with the fact that effective change is all about the slow-burn...most especially when making CHILI... :)

{Mixing all of our ingredients together}

{The finished product}

Want to make this Chili with your very own companion?  You can find the full recipe here.

Companion Clue: We added turkey and only used one can of black beans, which we felt was a good choice, given the recipe was heavy on the beans.