What's for dinner?

I'm making a fantastic meal tonight, butternut squash soup and grilled chicken.  In fact, it's one of the meals my husband requests the most. Oddly enough, it's simple and full of whole, real foods and easy to make!

I usually make this soup on Sunday night and then put it in the fridge, so on busy work nights, all I have to do is heat it up and throw a couple of chicken breasts on the grill. Just because I'm busy, I can still be successful with my eating.

Ingredients:

1 large butternut squash
1 granny smith apple
1/2 yellow onion
2 TBS butter
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 cups water
1 tsp sage
1tsp salt
3/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (if desired)
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 425 and line a baking sheet with foil.

2. Split Butternut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds.

3. Place halves skin side down on baking sheet and season generously with salt and pepper.

4. Place 1 TBSP butter on each half of squash.

5. Bake squash halves for 50 minutes to one hour, or until knife tender.

6. Dice 1/2 onion and whole apple and place in hot dutch oven or sauce pot, prepared with a drizzle of olive oil.

7. Add 1tsp sage to apples and onion and cook approximately 8 minutes.

8. Remove pan from heat and set aside.

9. When squash is cooked, take out of oven and place baking sheet on wire rack to help cool.

10. Once cool enough to touch, scoop flesh of squash out of skin and place in pot with apples and onions.

11. Add chicken broth, water, nutmeg, and (if desired, crushed red pepper).

12. Bring to boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring to break up large pieces of squash.

13. At this point, I taste and add any more salt and pepper if needed, add the coconut milk and then take off the heat to cool.

14.At this point, you can either blend the mixture in small batches in a blender, being careful with hot liquids. Or you can do what I do and put it in the fridge. Then, when you're ready to eat just blend and then heat!

Yum! Enjoy!

Beginning My Journey

A few months ago, my husband deployed. I found myself in a new town where I didn't know many people, a brand new house that I had no idea how to take care of, and no job to be found in this small town. I was lonely, depressed, and significantly heavier than I had ever been. Upon printing the pictures that were taken of our "see you soons" (you never say goodbye in the Army), I realized just how bad it had gotten. I was looking at a person that I didn't even recognize. I was crying into my heaping helping of macaroni and cheese with extra hot dogs and feeling like my life was over.

I remember doing my hair and makeup to send this pic to my hubs overseas. I was forcing a smile and trying to feel pretty, but all I didn't even send it to him because I was so embarrassed at how round my face was. Total wake up call!

A lot of military wives I have met over the years seem to fall into this self pity phase. Some remain stuck in that miserable place until their loved one comes home. I chose a different route. I chose to throw out that stash of Cheetos and Snickers bars and face this thing head on. I wasn't sure where to start exactly, but I knew I couldn't spend the next 9 months feeling miserable, so I chose a new path.

I chose health. I signed up at my local gym and tentatively began to attend classes. At first, I started with Zumba. That first day of class, I thought I wouldn't make it out of there alive! I was shocked at how out of shape I really was and how in denial I had been about it. Once I got a little more brave, I started trying different classes, including Spin and Pilates. I loved the rush that I got after each class I completed. I felt so alive!

We're almost halfway through this deployment now and I am happy to report that I am just shy of 20lbs lighter. I am no longer pre-diabetic, and my overall health has improved drastically. My new found love of fitness has changed my life for the better.

I'm taking it to the next level now. I have recently started running and am participating in a Mud Run in 10 days! Eek! Once that is over, I am starting BeachBody workout programs. I never would have imagined doing these things just a few short months ago.

I am currently working towards my certification to teach fitness classes and have become a BeachBody independent coach. I am thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to help others do the same as I have done and put down that spoonful of mac and cheese and become a happier, healthier person. Feel free to contact me to see how you can change your life as well!