In Focus

Spilling the Beans about Stagg Chili

I found out a couple of hours ago that the article that I was going to write for the website today was scooped up by another publication. (Like as in a magazine.) I had submitted it and hoped that they would use it to promote the book (which comes out in 26 days!), and sure enough, they liked it! So, by law, you are not able to publish the article anywhere else in the world or you will be sued. Even if it is your own website, it's not legal. Don't worry, I'll flip it onto the screen as soon as I get the "okay" from my people. "My people," how funny is that? Like I have "my people".

Anyway, the call came right in the middle of my bowl of hot chili. I've been on a chili kick for about three months. You see, summer is a'comin', and I've been doing my dang-dest to get this body in shape. I've been working out five days a week and being very careful as to what I put into my mouth. I'm doing that "Protein Protein Protein" thing. The only problem is, there isn't a lot of "Protein Protein Protein" that I like. I will not touch those powder drinks, I will not take those pills, and I absolutely can't stand those gooey protein bars. Thank God, my husband found Stagg Chili.

I held the phone away from my mouth so I could swallow while my publisher chirped on about the legalities of the industry. "Whatever," I thought. But, being the pleasant Chick that I have to be to the man who is trying to sell my book I said, "Don't worry, I'll think of something to write about for the website. No problemo, Roberto, I have two hours, a grocery list a mile long, and it's Reide's special day today at school and she wants me to bring up the dog. I'll think of something in the next two minutes. If worse comes to worse, I'll write about my chili."

It's your lucky day!! Today's Chicks Eye View is about my chili... Stagg Chili.

First, you gotta admit that's it kinda cool as you sit there eating your chili that you would even think to find out who makes it, where it's based, is it public or private, and what do their financials look like. Every once in awhile I wish I could just go back to the way I used to enjoy food. Remember when you didn't used to think and eat? Wait, remember the days when you didn't used to have to count FAT GRAMS and eat? Remember the days when you could just pull up to McDonald's drive-thru and order a Quarter Pounder with cheese and fries and not feel an ounce of guilt? Ugh... If only I could go back, back, back instead of thinking protein, protein, protein.

My husband Phil found this Stagg Chili in the organic grocery store so he really thought he was onto something special. He raved about it for weeks and finally got me to try it. (I really like my own homemade chili, but I had to admit this can thing was a little easier.) I liked it. I really liked it. Then I looked at the can... 3 grams of fat and 18 grams of protein!! I was thinking there might be hope for my bikini.

I went back to the grocery store and found a bunch of different varieties, also noticing that Phil had bought me the 99% Fat Free Can of Silverado Beef with Beans. I guess he too would like to see a bikini one of these years. He's on the road this week so I splurged and bought the Dynamite Hot chili. Who cares what my breath smells like or that it had a whopping 16 grams of fat. I wanted HOT.

Then Bob called, took my article away from me, and I had to come up with an idea. I put on my Chick beak and got to work... ('cuz you need this article in about twenty more minutes and Reide is at school waiting for me to bring her show and tell item.)

Thank goodness for the Internet, Stagg Chili has a website. Yep, it's www.staggchili.com. It's very funny. They list all twelve of the varieties of chili they have, from vegetarian to chicken chili, and Phil's FAT FREE favorites to Karin's HOT HOT HOT.

Stagg Foods was established in 1955 and changed their name in 1980 to Stagg Foods. Get this, it's based in the ever so organic place... my home state of Minnesota! In 1996 Hormel Foods Corporation bought Stagg Foods, which makes Hormel the leading chili maker in the U.S. Whoooooaaaaa!! That's the beans I'm looking for. Hormel... a public company!! Dig further, Chicky.

Hormel Foods, HRL. Holy Gas BatChick... in the past year their stock has risen 50% compared to the S & P 500's drop of 15%. This stock needs to be looked at! Does it meet the Chicks Dozen? Who's running the company? What are their Gross Margins? What are their Net Margins? Do they have a lot of cash? Is chili a growing industry? I'm going to start a Chick Eye View message board to see who responds. Let's discuss whether or not HRL would be a great investment.

Both Hormel.com and StaggChili.com have recipes listed on their web site, so they're obviously trying to reach out to their audience and give you more reasons to buy their product. Lets see, they have recipes for

Ranchero Chili Pie, Skillet Potato Pizza, Southwest Chili Brunch. I'm liking the Southwest Chili Brunch... eggs, onions, cheddar cheese and chili? Come on, you gotta admit... it's the real man's answer to eating quiche. I think I'm going to make it for Phil when he comes home tomorrow. I'll use the Dynamite Hot stuff and surprise him. Hmmmm... maybe I'll serve it while wearing my bikini.