Butternut Squash Tomato Soup

This soup has been such a hit at our house!! Even though the weather is warming up (hopefully for good) it can always be soup season! And what a tasty way to get those veggies! My little chef loved making it with me.

Butternut Squash Tomato Soup

Ingredients
– 3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
– 1 onion, thinly sliced
– 4 cloves garlic, smashed
– 2 fresh sage leaves
– Freshly ground black pepper
– 4 medium canned plum tomatoes
– 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 pounds) peeled, halved, seeded and diced
– 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or water)
– 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
– 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

What to do:
1. Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, sage and one teaspoon of the salt. And season with pepper, to taste. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant about 15 minutes.
2. Raise heat to medium-high, add the tomatoes, and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the tomatoes break up and the onions brown slightly, about 7 minutes.
3. Add the squash and the remaining salt, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally for about 12 minutes or until the squash is tender.
4. Add the broth, bring to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, until the vegetables tender about 20-30 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
5. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender.
6. Return the soup to the pot and reheat over medium heat. Stir in the balsamic vinegar.
7. Serve the soup with a touch of fresh grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

It’s been a while since I’ve added a recipe for you all.

Growing up and to this day, Mac and Cheese is my jam. I mean it simply is the best. I’m not talking about a kind from a certain blue box. I’m all about the gourmet delicious mac and cheese. Hello Capital Grille lobster mac and cheese. Now I could probably eat it multiple times a week, but it probably wouldn’t be very good for my waistline.

Butternut squash is also my jam…so when these two are combined it. is. amazing.

Give this a try, you won’t be disappointed. Who knows, your toddler may even it it??? Say what? I like to pair this with a simple spinach side salad.

And for all you fixers it is 21 day fix approved! It was such a yummy dinner. Perfect winter weather comfort food, but let’s be honest, I can eat macaroni and cheese year round! Paired with a salad and it rounds out the meal!

Here is the recipe:

1 lb. dry whole wheat macaroni

1 tsp. olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 medium red bell peppers, chopped

3 cups cubed butternut squash

1¾ cups low-sodium organic chicken broth

1 cup low-fat (1%) milk

2 Tbsp. low-fat (1%) plain Greek yogurt

1 cup shredded Gruyere (or Swiss) cheese

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)

Nonstick cooking spray

Finely chopped fresh parsley (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.

2. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

3. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

4. Add onion and bell peppers; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Set aside.

5. Combine squash, broth, and milk in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; gently boil for 22 to 25 minutes, or until squash is tender.

6. Place squash mixture in a blender or food processor; cover with lid and kitchen towel. Blend until smooth.

7. Combine squash mixture, macaroni, onion mixture, yogurt, and cheeses. Season with salt and pepper if desired; mix well.

8. Place macaroni mixture in a 13 x 9-inch ceramic or glass baking dish that has been coated with spray. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until sauce is bubbling.

9. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Tip: Blend small batches of hot liquids in blender or food processor since they expand during the blending process, therefore decreasing the chance of overflowing.

Basil Pesto Zoodles

 

Looking for a light and healthy dish, that is perfect for all that zucchini that is popping up either in your backyard or at the farmers market?!?!? Look no further than this delicious pesto zoodle recipe!

Next time I think I will add some cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese on top!

Ingredients:

1 tsp. olive oil

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 cup sliced mushrooms

4 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

2 medium zucchini

1 Tbsp. basil pesto sauce

6 oz. cooked chicken breast, boneless, skinless, sliced, warm

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.

2. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.

3. Add mushrooms and basil; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until mushrooms release liquid. Set aside.

4. Spiralize zucchini!

5. Add zucchini to mushroom mixture; cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for 2 to 4 minutes, or until heated through.

6. Add pesto; mix well.

7. Evenly divide zucchini mixture between two serving plates; evenly top with chicken.

What is a Challenge Group?

 

In June of 2015 I joined my very first challenge group. Perhaps you are wondering….what exactly is a challenge group? A challenge group is a private group online to help yourself live a healthy and happy lifestyle in a nutshell!

The challenge groups are online and completely secret. So no one knows what you are sharing, besides the other members of the group. We focus on accountability and motivation. These two things along with a clean eating plan/recipes and fitness are key in getting you the results that you want!

All the women support, encourage and motivate one another. Along with that, you get daily health and fitness tips, meal plans, coaching from me and the chance to win prizes! It is a lot of fun!

Blackberry Overnight Oats

 

It is summertime which means it is HOT out! 

You may or may not know but I am not a morning person. Like at all. So making a big breakfast is not exactly what I want to do every morning. I’ve recently (I know) gotten on the overnight oats train.

 

I love prepping a few of these for the week, so I can grab it in the morning and my breakfast is ready for me! And these can be served hot or cold. I actually prefer them cold! 

 

This particular recipe tasted like a delicious PBJ! But with good ingredients! 🙂 We are hoping to get out to the berry patches to get some fresh blackberries!

 

Blackberry Overnight Oats

 

1/2 cup blackberries

1 tsp maple syrup/honey (optional) 

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

2 Tablespoons peanut butter

 

What to do:

1. Mash the blackberries until they are the consistency of jam (if you want prefer them to be sweeter, mix in the maple syrup).

 

2. In a separate bowl mix together the oats, almond milk and peanut butter. 

 

3. Spoon the oats into a mason jar alternating with the blackberry mix. Continue alternating until jar is full. 

 

4. Refrigerate overnight and enjoy!

Working out at home with littles

Working out at home is a part of my everyday routine. I used to spend so much time at the gym. A good hour or two every single day! This was before kids though. After having my son, I couldn’t and didn’t want to spend that much time at the gym! On top of that, driving to the gym, finding parking, the hours of the gym daycare and if my kiddo even liked the gym daycare, which he didn’t! I had to switch things up and move my workouts to home. I’m a huge fan (obviously) of at-home workouts! So I thought I’d share some tips for working out at home!

 

The dog is NOT impressed! 

1. Setting your alarm 30-35 minutes earlier. I am NOT a morning person at all. But I feel incredible when I can get myself up and knock out my workout first thing in the morning. An extra bonus if I get a shower in before Benjamin wakes up!
2. My other preferred time to workout is at nap. I typically like to do this the second I get Benjamin down. Sometimes that happens, other times it doesn’t.
3. Maybe your kiddo woke up early or nap time was a disaster….it happens to all of us!! I’ve put on a show for Benjamin to watch so I can workout. He likes to say “Workout mommy!” and gives me high-fives during my workout. Other times I’ve given him little activities to do. Coloring, stickers, snacks, books, a certain toy. He is at the age (2.5) that I can explain what I  am going to do and what his “job” is. Sometimes he just sits and watches me or imitates the moves that I am doing. This did take some getting used to. For many weeks he would crawl all over me or get mad that I wasn’t paying attention to him!I love setting that healthy example for him!
4. For younger babes….Setting them on the activity mat, in an exersaucer, a little swings or a baby bouncer. Probably after baby is fed and happy is the best time to crush a workout!
5. Once daddy comes home! I’ve enlisted my husband for help and tell him, “I need to workout so take Benjamin off my hands for 30 minutes so I can get my workout in.” When I started making my health and fitness a priority I explained to him how important that this was and that I needed his help! Whether watching him while I worked out or being supportive of our healthy food choices!
6. After bedtime. Yes I’m tired and just want to lounge but 30 minutes flies by. And I can get it done and then really relax!

When I workout I am absolutely a better mother, wife, friend and all around person! It makes such a huge difference in my demeanor. As mothers, we spend so much time taking care of our families, it is so important to take care of ourselves as well!

Playing with his “baby” while Mommy works out!

What other tips do you all have for working out at home with little ones? Contact me if you are interested in hearing more about working out at home!

Clean BBQ Chicken

It is no secret that I love a quick and easy crock pot meal! When it gets hot the last thing I want to do is turn on my oven or spend hours in the kitchen! I’d rather be at the pool and soaking up the summer moments with my family and friends!

This BBQ chicken sandwich recipe was a hit with everyone and it’s a clean recipe! What a win! Tonight we paired it with some brown rice, whole grain buns and steamed broccoli. If it isn’t too hot and I want to turn on the oven, we will pair it with some sweet potato fries!

What you need!
🍴4-6 chicken breasts
🍴 BBQ sauce (look at those ingredients, I like Annie’s, I find it at Target)
🍴 1/2 cup water

What to do:
1. Throw chicken in your crockpot
2. Add 1/2 cup water
3. Add 3/4 of the BBQ sauce (I save the rest for the topping)
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours or until chicken is done.
5. Shred chicken.
6. Serve plain or over a bun using a slotted spoon. Add more sauce to your chicken if desire

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Below is what the toddler’s plate looked like! We’ve learned to give him a little bit of everything and what he eats, is what he eats! The less we stress on eating, the better eats! Imagine that?

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Meal Prep Tips

I don’t know about you but our weeks are CRAZY busy. The days that I could linger in the kitchen and make a recipe and the most I was distracted was when my wine glass would run out and I’d pour myself a glass are far far away!

Now the reality is a little tyke at my feet who wants to help for .5 seconds, is getting everything out of the cabinets or finding something to get into! Whats a mama to do?

But my own health and fitness have to take a priority so I thought I’d share some ways that I can make my life a little easier around meals and snacks!

1. Prep on the weekends. Doing some simple tasks such as chopping veggies, hard boiling eggs, grilling or baking some extra chicken so I have healthy snacks within reach. Sundays during nap or after my son goes to bed are my time to do that.
2. Meal Plan. It makes going to the store SO much easier and affordable! I typically eat the same thing or two for breakfast and salads are typically my go to lunches. For dinners I try to use the same ingredients within a week. So I won’t have to buy fish, chicken, pork chops etc etc. I try to think of things that will make my life easier!
3. Back to prepping on the weekends. I absolutely LOVE making bigger main courses prepped then too! Perhaps a lasagna or enchilada bake. I make it and then come that chaotic 4pm dinner time it is so easy to pop it in the oven! Along with that even if I can start chopping veggies for meal or browning some meat. Sometimes those extra steps make all the difference!
4. Mason jars! Need I say more? Not only are they cute but they are just so practical!

   

   They are awesome for salads and overnight oats too! How great that we can just throw everything in the jar and then in the fridge and voila a delicious and healthy meal!

What are you tips for meal prep?