Carolina Gumbo!!

So, I'm new to the low-carb lifestyle.  Yeah, I'm 9 days in. (And, 4 pounds lighter!)  I'm not going completely no carbs, I eat fruit, greek yogurt in my smoothies, beans, etc.  I'm cutting out breads, pasta and potatoes.  Oh yeah and sweets. I'm loving it so far, but cooking dinner that doesn't involve a starchy carb has been challenging to say the least.  We've eaten a whole lot of vegetables and a whole lot of protein.  All is good.

I don't usually create my own recipes,  I'm a pinterest junkie and usually go there for my recipe search, but I had this dinner idea brewing in my head and thought I'd try it.  Turns out... it was a winner.   To make winner status in the Powell household it needs to meet certain criteria:  It needs to have meat to please Mr. Powell, it needs to be relatively easy to prepare to please me, and needs to be edible by both a 9 year old and 6 year old with minimal complaining.  Here's my very first recipe to ever post...anywhere.

Carolina Gumbo (Naming your own recipes is kinda fun!)
* disclaimer: I'm not even sure what a true gumbo is, but this had shrimp and ham and seemed gumbo-like hence the name.  :-)  So sorry if my Louisiana friends are offended by this.  LOL

Ingredients:
1- Tbsp butter
1 small onion
1-2 cups of diced ham (I used turkey ham)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomatoes with chilies  (I used mild Rotel)
I can black beans
1 cup corn
2 tsp. Cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 lb. medium cooked shrimp (no tails)
shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
avocado

1.  Melt the butter and saute the onions

2. Add the ham and cook together for a couple minutes until ham is heated through.

3.  Next add the two cans of tomatoes and black beans.  I didn't drain any of them, just dumped them right in.  I also added my corn.  (I had a couple ears of corn leftover in my fridge, but you could use frozen and it would turn out just as good.)  Add the cumin, salt and pepper.  

4.  I brought this to a low boil and then let it simmer.  Once it was simmering, I added my shrimp.  Be careful not to let the cook shrimp too long because you don't want it to become tough.  I just needed to warm mine through.  

5.  Once everything is warm and has been simmering for a few minutes.  Serve it up!!!  I garnished my Carolina Gumbo with some shredded Monterrey Jack cheese and some avocado slices.   Enjoy!!!