Wednesday, October 29, 2014

A Fall favorite to die for: Curried Butternut Squash Soup!

This is one of those go-to recipes that I keep coming back to in the fall because I love it SO MUCH!  The ingredients, cook times, and process are all burned into my retina's from making it so often, similar to my mothers famous Pasta Salad recipe.  That dish is something people rave about when we take it to cookouts in the summer (if you're lucky, I'll post that for you come summer 2015!)  I received this recipe from a friend in PA, so I can't take credit for the awesomeness of the soup.  But, I wanted to share it with everyone so you too can add this easy recipe to your fall arsenal!

So, here is what you need:

Ingredients:
·         3 to 4 pounds butternut squash, peeled and seeded
·         2 yellow onions
·         2 McIntosh apples, peeled and cored
·         3 tablespoons good olive oil
·         Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
·         4 cups vegetable stock, preferably homemade
·         1/2 teaspoon good curry powder

Cooking Directions:
First, you need to preheat the oven to 425 degrees - or if you're slow at peeling and cutting things, just wait and do it when you're close to being ready :)

Then, peel the squash and apples, remove the seeds, and cut the squash, apples, and onions into 1-inch cubes.  I like to put everything in a bowl and toss with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and some cracked pepper.  Next, place it on sheet pans (I recommend putting some foil down) dividing the mixture onto two pans and spread in a single layer, roasting for 35-45 minutes, tossing occasionally, until very tender.

Squash and apples peeled - time to cut them up!
While your mixture is roasting in the oven, heat 2-3 cups of the veggie stock in a pot.  When the veggies are done roasting, put them through a food processor, food mill, or a Vitamix (Love it!) adding some remaining stock to coarsely puree the mixture.  This may need to be done in a few batches to make the processing easier and faster.  I usually do 2-3 batches in my Vitamix.

Add the pureed batches to the heated stock, mixing well to combine the liquid with the pureed veggies into a thick soup.  While you are getting the consistency of the soup to your preference, heat a small pan and throw in some sweetened coconut flakes.  Toast them on a medium heat for a few minutes until browned and crispy.

Finally, add the curry powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and some more cracked pepper.  I like to add more curry than the recipe calls for, just b/c I LOVE curry - I'll usually do a full teaspoon+.  Taste your masterpiece for seasonings to be sure there's enough salt and pepper to bring out the curry flavor.

Pour into bowls, top with your toasted coconut flakes, and viola!  Soup goodness!  A few other options for toppings are sliced scallions, chopped roasted cashews, or sliced banana.  Get creative with what you like best!

Final product:  Curried butternut squash soup with toasted coconut flakes
I hope you find this recipe as delicious as I have.  It's simple with minimal ingredients, no added sugar (minus the coconut), and easy to vary to your taste preference.  So tell me if you make this and what you think!!

Happy cooking & eating :)
Chandra

Thursday, October 23, 2014

House update: From Amish country to Beach Living!

Well, it's been quite awhile since my last post and a lot has happened since then!

First off, we packed up and moved from Lititz down to Southern Delaware outside of the little town of Millsboro.  It's been quite a transition and there are still boxes everywhere!

This is the front of the new digs!  Loving the front porch and a GARAGE!


This was a view after the movers put the "master bedroom" boxes around the bed.  Oof.  They have been moved, but not completely put away...still a lot of work to do!

 Dining room - it looks much better now :)


View into the living room

View into the kitchen - all put away.  The one room of the house that doesn't still have boxes in it :)


Took a quick break to head up to Cape Henlopen for a windy walk on the beach.  Wind seems to be a common theme right now...

There's a little sneak peek into our new home!  There's still A LOT of work to do but we'll get there eventually.  Just trying to enjoy the ride!

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Thirsty Thursday - Green Tea style!


It's Thursday...and I'm thirsty!


I love smoothies.  So much so, that we splurged and bought a NICE Vitamix blender/food processor/dream machine.  I try to use it every morning - it's so quick to whip something up and then an easy cleaning process...and I'm out the door to work!

This morning, I created my own recipe using some Green Tea powder I received along with some various ingredients I found around the kitchen.


I figured the easiest thing was to add this powder to a smoothie for breakfast - maybe I'll bake with it over the weekend.  But, here's what I whipped together for my green smoothie this morning, which was DELISH!

Green Tea Protein Shake
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
  • 1 scoop/packet Vega French Vanilla protein mix (I am all out of my Juice Plus+ complete...for now!)
  • 1 tsp. Organic Matcha Green Tea powder
  • 2 large handfuls of greens (spinach, kale, anything from our farm share that week)
I threw all of that in the Vitamix, blended it for 30 seconds, and viola!  You have a delicious, filling, healthy smoothie!



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Workout "WOD" Wednesday!


Ok, so even though I did the WOD today, this post is more about this upcoming weekend!  A few weeks ago, I bit the bullet and registered for my first Crossfit competition, which is now 3 days away: the Battle Royale!  It is put on by Crossfit 717, which is located in Harrisburg, but the competition is at Lebanon Valley College.

There will be 3 separate WODs that day:

WOD 1:
10 MINUTE TIME CAP
  • 5-3-1 Power Snatch, Bar Facing Burpee
    100 yard dash (50 there and 50 back)
  • 5-3-1 OHS, Bar Facing Burpee
    100 yard dash (50 there and 50 back)
  • 5-3-1 Power Cleans, Bar Facing Burpee
    100 yard dash (50 there and 50 back)
  • 5-3-1 Front Squats, Bar Facing Burpee
    100 yard dash (50 there and 50 back)
RX – 135/95
SCALED – 95/65

Good:
I have a decent power snatch, overhead squat, and power clean.  I can do front squats fine with 65#, but I don’t do them often and they can be awkward.  I also think my endurance/cardio engine is suited well for WODs with running throughout them.

Bad:
Burpees - is that even a question?  Those followed by running will be a gasser.

WOD 2:
“The Triathlon”
  • 100m Swim (4 laps)
  • Rest 4 Minutes
  • 400m Track Sprint
  • 500m Row
Good:
Well, I can swim, I can run, and I can row.  What’s not to love about this one?  And triathlon is in the name…

Bad:
Nada.  Maybe the rowing…technique could be worked on.

WOD 3:
10 MINUTE TIME CAP
  • 30 KB Swings (16kg)
  • 30 ft one arm front rack lunge
  • 30 pullups
  • 30 ft one arm front rack lunge
  • 30 double unders
  • 30 ft one arm front rack lunge
  • 30 toes to bar
Good:
I can do kettle bell swings, lunges, and double unders.  Hopefully I can fake my way through 30 pull ups and have enough time to make it to the TTB.

Bad:
I don’t quite have my kipping pull up down, so I may end with the 30 pull ups in the 10 minute time cap.  We shall see…but no better place to work on it than there!


I am really excited to give this a shot - it will be such a different experience from triathlon racing, but just as exciting.  I’m not sure what to expect…

There will be few cheerleaders there as my gym is hosting a day of MURPH WODs.  Stupid me signed up for the competition completely forgetting MURPH was the same day.  So, if you are free Saturday and want to watch some people throw weight around, come out to LVC and cheer me on!!

So tell me:  Have you done a Crossfit competition?  What did you do to prepare the few days before?




Monday, June 16, 2014

Motivational Monday!


Monday is usually the most difficult day of the week, (although sometimes, I really believe Tuesday is).  Coming off a nice weekend visiting family and a longtime friend in Massachusetts, focusing on work after a weekend of sleep deprivation can be quite a challenge.
Monday can be a nice, fresh start to the week.  If you’re like me, I tend to think, “Ok, it’s the beginning of the week, so this is a good day to start anew”.  If it’s Tuesday, maybe.  Wednesday-Saturday, forget it.  So, since today is Monday, I decided to revive my sleepy blog.  Good thing it’s not Tuesday!
I’ve begun a new chapter in my life, so why not share about i on this Monday?!  I’ve decided to pursue a new avenue in life by studying to become a Certified Holistic Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.  I haven’t been in school since…2006?  This will be a new challenge for sure!  I’m excited to share all the exciting things I’m learning and my journey along the way!  We are about a month into the program and it’s been a really great, reflective process about who you are, what factors affect your health and where you want to be in life.  While it is important to nourish your body with healthy food, you also need to look at the other factors in your life that are affecting you.  Do you have healthy relationships?  Are you enjoying and being fulfilled by your career?  These are the kinds of things IIN discusses, which is so different than anywhere else.  It’s a whole picture view of your life!
I’ve also began nutrition coaching with a great company called Nourish-Mint.  Check them out when you have a chance:  www.nourish-mint.com.  We provide whole food nutrition programs to suit everyone.

June is Men’s Health Month - so come on guys!!  Set goals for your health (not just for this month), but there’s never a better time to get a fresh start!

It’s never too late to start anew.  Today is the perfect day…!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Bloglovin'!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11982013/?claim=qztr8yqexjt">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Just found the wonderful site Bloglovin!  It can be quite overwhelming with all of the blogs out there these days, but this helps compile all of your favorites in one place!!  Why did I not know about this site sooner?!

Sunday, March 30, 2014

New Year, New Goals!

So, this New Year, New Goals post is a little late, considering it is almost April.  But, a lot has been going on since my last post in 2012!!

I've recovered and moved on from the Ironman - as all of you probably know by now.  Crossfit is my new passion…don't worry Shiv, I'll be back soon on a regular basis…once this weather starts to perk up a little bit.  You know how I feel about riding in the rain...



I just finished the last workout in the 2014 Crossfit Open yesterday.  It kicked my ass but I am SO GLAD that I took on the challenge of the Open.  I didn't think I was capable of doing the workouts RX'd, but I was…I AM!  This was a rep scheme of 21-18-15-12-9-6-3 each of Thrusters (65 lbs) and bar-facing burpees…i.e. 21 thrusters, 21 bar-facing burpees, 18 thrusters, 18 bar-facing burpees, 15 thrusters, 15 bar-facing burpees, etc. etc.  The workout was mentally tough and I am SORE but am proud of my time of 20:54 (I think).  That doesn't mean much to most of you, but that's a long time for a WOD in the Crossfit world.

I look forward to continuing with Crossfit.  I've seen so many gains over the past 7 months since I REALLY started doing it.  Triathlon is a great activity and I love the feeling of competing in races, but Crossfit is just as exhilarating, just in a different way.  I love my gym and the members that go there…they are some of the most dedicated people I've ever met.  My coaches are just as equally dedicated to making sure we are pushing ourselves, but being safe, at the same time.