There was once a time in my life when I sat through long, cold football games pretending to know what the hell was going on. After uprooting my life in New Brunswick and moving to Ontario with my mom, I was the new girl at a new high school where I met the man I would someday marry. But first, I would avoid him like the plague.
“He’s cute.” I gushed to a new friend while pointing to this tall, confident guy walking out of class.
“Tell anyone and I’ll kill you.” I added.
The next day, the entire school heard about the new girl’s crush on Eric.
I did what any mortified girl would do and avoided all eye contact while hiding down random staircases whenever he was within 100 feet of me. Or I would suddenly, urgently, need to go to the washroom. Libraries also made good hiding spots. I was willing to keep this up for the entire year if I had to. I only had a year until I graduated anyways.
That morning, Eric was in the locker room getting ready for football practice when his teammates told him about my rumoured crush. He didn’t believe them. “Why would she go after someone like me?” he asked. “You guys are messing with me.”
When my girlfriend confirmed to him it was true, Eric decided to mortify me even more by approaching me during student photos later that afternoon. I was stuck in a line up, going nowhere fast. Shoot me, he’s coming over!
“Hey Angela…” he said with a quivering smile.
My face turned the shade of a beet…no, make that a fire truck.
“Hey,” I replied casually.
“I’m Eric”
Awkward shaking of hands. Very awkward.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Waiting to get your photo taken…?”
“Yup…”
“You…?”
“Same…”
“Cool…”
“Cool.”
……….
……….
“Hey, are you going to the party on Friday night? I think someone mentioned you are going with the girls…” he asked
“I think so. It should be fun to meet some people. Are you…?”
“Yup, I’ll be there. Hopefully we can talk at the party…”
“Ok, see you then…”
“Thanks…I mean, bye…”
Whew he’s finally gone, I thought to myself.
Then it was time for my photo op.
Does my face look a bit flushed to you in this photo?
That’s what I thought. Thanks for flustering me Eric.
We played this awkward cat and mouse charade for a couple months. I showed up to his football games half watching, half ignoring him, as he tried to show off for me like guys often do. I was really there to examine his butt in spandex and talk with friends, though. He showed up at my locker every morning and waited for me after class. Sometimes he even drove me to Subway for lunch.
Two months later, we had our official first date on October 27, 2001. Football season also came to a close soon enough, and later, my confession that I had zero interest in football. I was a hockey girl through and through. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to mind. He does, however, refuse to give away his stinky football jersey hanging up in our closet. I decided to let him win that battle.
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Black Bean Chili Dip
Yield
2.5 cups
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Reminiscent of a hot bowl of black bean chili, this chunky dip is great to pair alongside your favorite corn chips or crackers. I love Food Should Taste Good blue corn chips or sweet potato chips. To garnish, add some chopped green onion, avocado, cilantro, or your favorite cheeze.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups chopped sweet onion
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
- 1.5 cups cooked black beans, rinsed and drained
- 3/4 cup mild salsa
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 tsp chili powder (or to taste)
- 1 tsp ground cumin (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
- for garnish: chopped avocado, cilantro, cheeze, or green onion
Directions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add a bit of oil and sauté the chopped onion and garlic for about 5-7 minutes. Meanwhile, remove seeds from jalapeno and chop finely (I use gloves so the seeds don’t sting my fingers). Add in the chopped jalapeno and sauté for another few minutes.
- Add in the drained and rinsed black beans, salsa, and corn. Stir well and cook for a few minutes. Now add the chili powder, cumin, and salt all to taste. Stir in the nutritional yeast if using. Cook on low until heated through and serve warm with corn chips. Garnish with green onion, chopped avocado, or fresh cilantro.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
I love easy appetizers like this one. I was done in 20 minutes and didn’t have to dirty a bunch of dishes or food processor. Touch down!
I’m also working on some crispy cornbread crackers…but they need some work.
If you need me, I’ll be hogging the black bean chili dip, wrapped in a warm blanket reading my book.
Just be sure to let me know when the halftime show begins. Then I’m all over it.
You can also email me the best Super Bowl commercials on Monday. I’ll watch those too.








That’s such a sweet story about how you met! You make such a sweet couple.
Awwww I had no idea what the story was behind the two of you meeting, but it’s very cute! I also had no idea Eric played football – I think I would have had him down as a hockey guy. Clearly you weren’t faking that smile in your photo! ;)
What a sweet story!! And a sure to be hit Sunday night- thanks for the recipe!
so glad i read through this whole post and not just the recipe. you are too cute for words!! love this story (sort of wish it was mine ;) ).
I loved the story! You two are to cute! This dip rocks btw :)
What a sweet story and delish recipe idea.
I love love stories. and black beans.
Loooove that story!!
i ADORE this post. it makes me smile because i’m kind of right there now, too!!
You should post more stories about you and Eric! So precious. And the dip looks delicious :)
Hey Angela, I enjoy tuning into your bloggie when I get the chance but have never commented. I just HAD to say something today – That’s the cutest story of you and Eric meeting!!! hehehe! Brings back high school memories.
Thanks for your great blog and all the wonderful recipes you share.
Thank you!
Loved your post!!
This looks wonderful and so perfect for this Sundays game!!! Excellent job.
Hi
I’ve been known to be baking a chocolate cake during the super bowl. But I’ll join you to watch Madona perform.
thanks for the cute story. Always fun to hear “how you met” stories.
That just made my day! A wonderful story!
That story of how you guys met is too cute! And I’m loving your recipes as usual. You have no idea how encouraging your recipes and motivational posts are for me. Thanks Angela. :)
Im happy to hear that Jessica!
What a sweet story, Angela! You look adorable in that picture.
YUMMY dip! I will definitely be making it. :)
that was one cute post! congratulations you’re married to your high school crush..i too am married to my former college classmate for eight years and counting.. so LOVE your blog!
As someone who also married their high school sweetheart, I loved this story! We also first met each other after our friends told each other about how we thought the other was cute. Funny how things works themselves out :)
The black bean chili dip looks awesome!
I’m a hockey gal too!! Black and gold all the way…
Love your story…It’s always funny to reflect on what was once awkward or just plain ol’ embarrassing… Like when i met my husband (also 2001)…I was learning how to snowboard and ran right into him! Fell right on my butt…totally humiliating! Then I made friends with his sister ( at the time i didn’t know that they were related), was hanging out with her at a party at which she wanted to introduce me to her brother…total embarrassment #2 ! … 6 years later i married the guy….weird….
I love your story….brings back sooooo many memories. I met my Eric in high school as well. We went to rival high schools and he was the star football player/all around jock-good-at-every-sport type of guy. It was a huge deal when he started dating a cheerleader (me) from the rival high school. We met in the summer of my junior year, he was a sophomore.
We dated for 7 years–had to get the high school and college out of the way, and now we have been married for 22 years!!
I never have understood football and I was a cheerleader for 6 years–pretty pathetic!!
Thanks for bringing back some memories and your dip looks wonderful.
Peace and Raw Health,
Elizabeth