Outdoor Mindset Chili Cook-off 2011 - YUM

Well, they say a thank you is "Better late than Never" and I truly hope you all agree with that statement because we are almost 2 months past our 2nd Annual Chili Cook-off which was on October 23rd at Avery Brewing Company... and we owe everyone who came or participated in any way, shape, or form a BIG THANK YOU, because this event was a huge success for us.

Considering last year we were at a local Boulder park with coolers, an iPod dock, and probably 50 of our closest friends and supporters (and it was STILL awesome), this year's event where

we had around 200 people attend, live music, and AMAZING Avery Beer fresh on tap, we've definitely come a long way!

We also had corn-hole outside and an amazing raffle and silent auction inside with everything from Denver Broncos tickets, Avs tickets, Avery Beer (of course), Moosejaw jackets, Nutcase helmets, Love of Pretty jewelry, SweFish Messages, Kelty Backpacks, a KitchenAide mixer AND coffee pot, and more! The raffle and

silent auction items were amazing!

Then there was the music: Mortimer and Arthur Yoria rocked the house (or should I say tap

room) and were absolutely fabulous. These guys both came out special for this event, so we can not thank them enough!

And THEN there was the Chili: which was DELICIOUS!

Here is where the votes came in for the top 3:

#1: Eric's (or should I say Ember's!) Green Chili

#2: Jill's White Chicken Chili (with a little touch of bacon!)

#3: Kyle's 'Smoked' Texas Chili (his trick was burning the bottom of the pan!)

And, as we promised, here is the recipe for Eric's Award Winning Green Chili:

2011 Turkey Green Chili "Champion" Recipe

2 - Ilbs Ground Turkey

1 - medium onion (chopped)

3 - cloves garlic

1 - green pepper (chopped)

1 - 4 oz can green chilies (diced)

2 - 15 oz cans white beans

1 - 28 oz can medium salsa

1 - jalapeño (diced & seeded)

2 - Tbsp sea-salt (I use closer to 1 - 2 tsp)

2 - Tbsp cumin

1 - tsp coriander

1 - tsp oregano ( I use dried)

2 - cups chicken broth

Sauté garlic & onions with olive oil till "glassy". Add turkey & brown with salt & pepper.

*Crock pot version - Add turkey and other ingredients to crock pot and put on high for 6-8 hrs.

*On the stove version - same as above, except add beans later in cooking process. Cook for 2-3 hrs.

I'm not gonna lie- it was good. Next year we're gonna have to step it up even more. Which means more chili, more beer, more music, more people, and even more love and support (if that's even possible). Again, thank you to everyone who came or supported in every way. All of the Outdoor Mindset crew left feeling so proud and excited to be a part of something that could draw the amazing crowd that attended that event. We had Guides, Travels, Members, Friends, Family, and Supports all in one room and you could feel the strength in our mission to unite and inspire individual people affected by neurological challenges through a common passion for the outdoors the entire night.

And also a BIG thank you to OM Friend Caroline Bridges for being our photographer for the night!