Butternut Squash Soup

What's Cooking Wednesday: Just made and ate this yumminess . . . perfect for fall!  And I used the extra carrots and squash to steam and make pureed baby food for Grace.  Trying our first food tomorrow, thinking the spinach, but these two veggies are frozen in the freezer now :-)

Ingredients: 
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 onion, diced
4 cups cubed butternut squash
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper


Method:
Heat oil in a large soup pot. Add carrot, celery and onion. Cook until vegetables have begun to soften and onion turns translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in butternut squash, thyme, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until squash is fork-tender, about 30 minutes. Use an immersion blender to purée soup. Alternatively, let the soup cool slightly and carefully purée in batches in an upright blender.

My "WHY"

Here is a link to a video where I talk a little bit about why I became a Beachbody coach . . .

https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xap1/v/t43.1792-2/10536553_783662661694855_54720691_n.mp4?oh=c4dfbc3019ae3145334a518ce81100db&oe=543B389B

Guiltless "Pasta"

Spaghetti squash makes a great alternative to actual pasta.  This dish is pretty much all vegetables with chicken but almost leaves you feeling like you had a heavy bowl of pasta!

Ingredients:  

1 spaghetti squash (seeded and quartered)
2 chicken breasts (diced), 1 small onion (diced),
3 C spinach
1 can tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes
2 C mushrooms
1 TBSP minced garlic
1 TBSP balsamic vinegar
1 TBSP EVOO
Basil + oregano + crushed red pepper (to taste)

Directions:  

1) Steam the spaghetti squash for 20 minutes until tender.  Heat the EVOO olive oil, add the balsamic vinegar, garlic, onion, and chicken.  Sautee until chicken is browned.  

2) Add the mushroom, tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasoning.  Simmer until cooked through.  

3) Spoon out the spaghetti squash and add to the tomato mixture, add spinach until wilted and entire mixture is heated through.

Apple Harvest Muffin

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray (I use the Misto with organic olive oil)
1½ cups whole wheat flour
½ cup wheat bran (or oat bran)
1 Tbsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
¾ cup apple butter, no sugar added
½ cup nonfat greek yogurt
2 large egg whites
1 medium apple, chopped (about 1 cup)
½ cup chopped pitted prunes

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Prepare twelve muffin cups by lining with muffin papers or coating with spray.
3. Combine flour, bran, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl; mix well. Set aside.
4. Combine apple butter, yogurt, and egg whites in a large bowl; mix well.
5. Add flour mixture to apple butter mixture; mix until just blended.
6. Add apples and prunes; mix until just blended.
7. Divide batter among twelve prepared muffin cups.
8. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown and tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Transfer muffins to rack; cool.

Stability Ball Circuit

{Stability Ball Circuit}

Admit it - some of you have a stability ball lying around collecting dust or deflated and shoved in a closet.  That big awkward ball that you have no idea what to do with it, yeah, that one.  I confess, mine has sat un-used for long lengths of time - longer than it should.  It is such a great workout tool - so I made up a circuit for you guys.  And if you don't own one, I will be giving away a brand new one I received as a gift from Beachbody since I already own one, so stay tuned!

So do each move for 1 minute, and do 2 or 3 rounds for time (15 moves total)

-Ball passes
-Side to side rolls (tighten your core to keep from rolling too far)
-Pendulum swings
-High single leg balance holds (30 sec. each leg, use couch, bench, bed, etc)
-Wall squats with weight (if you don't have a baby or toddler, you can use actual weights ;-) . . . keep the ball in the curve of your back)
-Sumo squats with hop
-Tricep push-offs (keep elbows in)
-Single leg squats (30 sec. each side)
-Ski abs (left, center, right, center, etc.)
-Leg curls (both feet on ball)
-Roman twists
-Around the world hops
-Decline pushups
-Single leg balance hold on ground
-Plank hold (elbows on ball)

If you share this video or tag someone in the comments, you will get some extra entries as a chance to win the giveaway stability ball and pump ;-).

Funny little side note, I should have videoed me trying to pump more air in mine this morning, the plug kept flying across the room and my dogs were running away and then trying to attack the rolling around, air releasing ball.  It was hilarious . . .