Delicata Squash Rings with Cashews and Sweet Mustard

I really think it's time that Pinterest instituted a curfew.  If Pinterest had a curfew, I would get exactly 1.08 hours more sleep per night.  If this keeps up at its current rate, by next month, I will need to use all of the beauty tips I've been pinning to get rid of my dark eye circles...

(And if you don't know what Pinterest is, all you need to know is that it's essentially an online bulletin board. It may sound silly, but once you use it, I promise you'll be hooked.  And now you've been warned!)

Speaking of Pinterest, I have been obsessed with all of the amazing recipes people have been making with fall squash lately.  I'm a big delicata squash fan and last year I loved stuffing it with different legumes and grains. But this year? This year is all about the delicata squash rings.  Pin away...

Tweet

Lentil and Greens Casserole with Millet-Amaranth Crust

I moved into my current place almost two months ago and for the first time in my life, I have a gas stove.  When I realized this on my moving day, it felt like a dream come true.  I think this is what fashionable women must feel when they find their perfect pair of shoes.

The unfortunate side of this is that every time I use my dream oven, it sets off the fire alarm.  Every. time. No joke. And since I'm in the bottom floor of a house with other tenants above me, our fire alarms are connected. Meaning: when mine goes off, I make theirs go off too.

Wednesday at 9 pm: Sorry, just indulging in a late-night kale chip craving. 

Friday at 7 am: What? You're not up roasting carrots for breakfast too?

Saturday at 6 pm: Hey neighbor, sorry about the fire alarm. Maybe I can make it up to you by bringing by an extra casserole for you. Oh, you're not even home? That's cool too.

Tweet

Beet Detox Juice

If you live in the United States like me, yesterday was Thanksgiving; a time when most people eat their weight in stuffing and gravy. After all that heavy holiday food, I'm guessing that some of you might need a break. At the very least, maybe your digestive system does? I have just the thing: my favorite beet detox juice.

I'm a big fan of fresh vegetable juices and I always notice a huge difference in my body when I juice regularly.  (If you're new to juicing, check out my vegetable juice tutorial.)  I'm not one of those people who advocate extreme juice fasts, but I think there are a lot of benefits to adding juice to a healthy diet.  

This detox juice is one of my favorites because it's naturally sweet, even without adding fruits to the juice.  If I've had a big dinner the night before, I like to start my day with a glass of water and then drink this juice before my morning smoothie.  Beets are loaded with iron, antioxidants, and a cancer-fighting agent called betacyanin (the pigment that is responsible for its purple-red color), making this juice a powerful blood cleanser.  Drink up!

Tweet

Sweet Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries & Walnuts

Lessons I am learning right now...

It is okay to sleep in when you are tired.

It is okay to snuggle a cat who really does not want to be snuggled.

It is okay to take a day off.

It is okay to sneak a cookie when no one is looking. (or even if they are...)

It is okay to say no.

It is okay to need help, ask for help, and accept help.

It is okay to burn pancakes.

And it is okay to sit on your couch on a Sunday morning, eating Brussels sprouts for breakfast, and covering them in maple syrup because you burned your pancakes. 

Tweet

Bhakti Chai Giveaway!

I love a good chai. Seriously, I am kindof a chai fanatic. This is precisely why I was thrilled when I was contacted by Bhakti Chai and asked if I would be willing to do a product review.  Heck yes.

For me, a good chai is all about the spice. If you live in Seattle, you're usually asked the question: Oregon Chai (sweet) or Morning Glory (spicy)?  I'm a Morning Glory gal.  Well, until recently when I was completely won over by Bhakti Chai.

When I read more about their company, I was really impressed to learn that Bhakti Chai is micro-brewed in Boulder, Colorado using Fair Trade and organic ingredients. Besides focusing on sustainable practices (like zero waste manufacturing!), they are committed to social action and support a variety of nonprofits that benefit women and girls.  If you know me, this is a huge passion and focus of mine as well.

All of their chai includes fresh-pressed ginger, fresh-ground cardamom, and is brewed with black tea from the Assam region of India. It is also gluten-free, vegan, and does not contain preservatives. Bhakti Chai has four varieties: Original, Decaf, Coffee Blend, and Semi Sweet (low sugar). Since my local Whole Foods didn't have the Semi Sweet in stock, I opted for the Decaf (green bottle pictured above).

What I love about this chai is that it has a good spicy kick and it's not too sweet. But, the best part?  I could taste fresh ginger in every sip. Coming from someone who makes fresh juices with ginger daily, this is quite the compliment.  Although I'm not usually a fan of soy milk, their organic non-GMO soy base was irresistibly creamy and I loved it combined with the spiciness from the fresh ginger and cardamom.

Over all I can honestly say that this chai knocked my socks off.  And, it knocked my socks off so badly that I want to share it with you. Bhakti Chai was kind enough to offer 5 readers a chance to try this chai for yourself and I can't wait to hear what you think!

Since the chai is fresh they can't ship the actual bottles, but Bhakti Chai will be sending 5 lucky readers coupons to try it for free at a store near you! Since Bhakti Chai is a small company and is only available in the US at this time, this giveaway is limited to US residents only. (Sorry to all my international readers!)

To enter: Leave a comment below telling me whether you prefer sweet or spicy chai and a valid email address (so I can contact you). For an additional chance to win, like my page on Facebook and then leave me a comment telling me you did so.

Deadline: This giveaway ends on Wednesday, November 21st at 5 pm PST. Winners will chosen at random and notified via email.

Contest is now closed; thank you to all who entered!  

Tweet

Creamy Cinnamon Oatmeal Porridge

There are days when a smoothie just isn't going to cut it for breakfast.  On these days I wake up craving something warm, filling, and cinnamon-y.  These days call for homemade spelt waffles, fresh from the griddle.  

But, if you're anything like me, you don't end up with warm, delicious spelt waffles.  Nope, if you are me, you end up oddly crispy, yet somehow undercooked waffle-imposters because you decided that you didn't need to follow a recipe for waffle batter.  (Apparently, Sonnet, apparently... you do.)  

No harm done though, because smarty pants you, you had some steel cut oats soaking.  Looks like you get to indulge in that hearty, delicious breakfast after all.  

Tweet

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Here are some things to know before your first Zumba class:

If your gym is on street level, do not stand by the window.  I repeat, do not stand by the window.  If you take this piece of advice you will be spared the looks of curious passerbys who are interested in Zumba, but are also thinking to themselves how they are grateful that they are not that really uncoordinated girl who looks out of place (i.e. me).

Definitely style your hair before you go.  This is not a typical gym-ponytail situation because when you can't follow the moves and you're messing up the people beside you, you can at least take pride in the fact that your hair looks totally awesome.

Do not eat a large meal right before you go.  Okay, I didn't exactly learn this lesson first-hand, but judging by the painful looks my co-worker was giving me during the class, I'm just going to advise you against this one.

And on this note, it's probably best not to drag people to your first class with you.  Sure, the support is great, but this means that you'll have witnesses.  In a situation like this, witnesses are not good.

Finally, know that during your first Zumba class you will totally feel lost, uncoordinated, and possibly panicky at times, but you will also have the most fun that you've had all week.  If you have a chance, definitely go.

And definitely make these roasted sweet potatoes afterwards.  After all, you deserve a reward for surviving Zumba, having awesome hair, and not having eaten too much beforehand.

Tweet

My Favorite Fall Soups

Ah, soup weather.  There is nothing like the first really cold, grey, rainy week in Seattle to get you in the mood for soup weather.  During this time of year, I swear that Whole Foods must make a killing on their hot soup bar.  But you, my friend, are lucky.  You do not need to venture anywhere outside of your kitchen in search of the perfect hot soup because I am sharing my favorite fall recipes with you.  So get ready, grab some onions and garlic, and let's make soup! 

Apples and squash.  Is there a more perfect combination for a fall soup?  I think not. This Acorn Squash Apple Soup (pictured above) is a quick and easy soup to please everyone.  Feed it to your significant other, your friends, your kids, your third cousin, and your grandma. I swear you'll never hear a single complaint. 

Tweet