Winter Squash Soup

While not working during the government shutdown, Mark flew me down to Arkansas so I can spend quality time with him and have a huge kitchen (compared to my shoebox of a kitchen in DC) to play in.  Well, with a kitchen comes creative meals.  This is the first of a few.

Now please note, this recipe came from Fresh Market.... this isn't mine. 

Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash
1 medium acorn squash
4 Tbsp Olive Oil, divided
2 carrots coarsely chopped
2 celery ribs coarsely chopped
1 medium onion coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minuced
salt and pepper for taste
3/4 tsp cayenne pepper
6 C chicken broth
8 oz whipping cream

Toppings
1 C low fat sour cream
3 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1 jar chipotle chili in adobo sauce

Direction

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
• Cut butternut and acorn squash in half lengthwise.  Take the seeds out
• Coat the squash halves with 2 Tbsp of olive oil
• Lay face down on baking sheet and bake in oven for 30 - 40 minutes
• Take squash out and let it cool

• While that is all going on, heat up 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a medium stock pot
• Saute carrots, onions, and celery until tender. 
• Add garlic, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.  Saute for about 3-4 minutes
• Add chicken broth
• Peel all the squash away from the skin and chop it up.  Add to the soup
• Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes
• Once the squash is all cooked, you can use an immersion blender to puree it and smooth it out.  (I had a blender so it wasn't completely smooth but good all the same)
• Add the whipping cream, stir to blend.  Add salt and pepper for taste
  
• Serve the soup and add the toppings.  They are actually awesome spices fro the sweet soup.

Enjoy!

**on a side note, Mark, who hates squash, absolutely loved this soup and had seconds and thirds.  I consider it a hit, don't you?

The Stitch Fix

I recently gotten wind of this new (well, new to me) thing called the Stitch Fix.  After reading it for a while, I decided in the beginning of September to place my first order.  Well, during government shutdown this lovely package finally arrived.  Honestly, it came at a great time so I can justify needs over want and it allows me to play dress up without going to the store and becoming a shopaholic.

First the background.  Stitch Fix is this awesome site where you fill out a quick survey about yourself and your likes and dislikes when it comes to the styles and clothes you are going for.  Afterward, you agree to pay $20 for the stylist to pick out clothes.  Don't worry, ladies that $20 credit goes toward your overall purchase later on.  After you finish the survey and agree to put your life into a stylist's hands that you never met, you sit and wait.  Personally for that month I agreed to not buy any clothing since my stitch fix was coming in

Finally the day arrived.  I worried about what clothes this person who I have never met in my life has picked for me.  Would it be on the mark or a total sham.  Oh well, I went and picked up the package and off I went to my room to try things out in comfort.

The box arrived all packaged up like a gift with a note from my stylist, Claire.

the unveiling of the Stitch Fix box

Inside I found five items. Two shirts, one dress, one pair of jeans, and a necklace.

The first two items I tried on where the Hawthorn Ivy Tulip Print Tab Sleeve Blouse and the Kut from the Kloth Simmons Bootcut Jeans.  

Hawthorn Ivy Tulip Print Tab Sleeve Blouse - $68.00
Kut from the Kloth Simmons Bootcut Jeans - $98.00

I did cringe when I first saw the jeans because I knew Claire wouldn't get it right.  I just knew it.  Well, I was definitely wrong.  Sigh... why did I have to be wrong?  The jeans fit so comfy but I could justify the cost of it?  I don't know.  Do I need them?  Probably not.  Do I love them?  Yes.  I can see myself wearing these all the time.

As for the blouse, there was no contest.  This was the best blouse I tried on in a long time and the style was me.  Casual yet classy.  So thumbs up on both, Claire!

For the next item, I received another blouse that was pleated in the back.  Hmmm, maybe that is why they call it the Back Pleat Top.  OK, so I didn't see that at first!  Anyways, here it is.  Notice I haven't taken off the jeans yet?  Still in love with them.

Under Skies Milan Lace Print Back Pleat Top - $58.00

OK, Claire, you win again.  This is another top which I looked at oddly and tried it on loving the way it sat on me against those fabulous jeans.  Hmmmm, this is going to be tough.

Off to the fourth item.... since I have shown you three already.  This was a dress with an elastic waistline.  It was known as the Spruce Button Shoulder Detail Dress and made by Peppermint.

Peppermint Spruce Button Shoulder Detail Dress - $48.00

While I loved the color, this dress did nothing for me.  I really didn't like the bulky feel and there was no way I could justify keeping it.  Besides as fall rolls around, why would I want a summer dress?  This is a no, Claire.  Sorry but this will have to go back.  No debating.

The last item was an accessory.  Please see below.

Bay to Baubles Nessa Love Birds on a Branch Necklace - $32.00

I thought this necklace was absolutely adorable.  This is definitely a debatable item on whether to keep it or return it.  While I love the sweetness of the necklace, I am not sure if I can justify having it -- although it would look cute with my everyday dresses to work.  Hmmmm, Claire, you have made it tough again.

One more thing for you all to ponder.  With stitch fix, if you love ALL the items they sent you and decide to purchase it, you would get an additional 25% off.  That is a great deal if you ask me.  Unfortunately, with that dress, there would be no way I will get all five items.  The two blouses I most likely will keep and those jeans.... ugh, I love those jeans.  I will have to think about it.

In about two days time I will package the items I do not want in the prepaid envelope they sent me and ship it back to Stitch Fix.  During this time, I will also make detail reviews of my thoughts on each clothing on my Stitch Fix account.  When I decide to order again, they will have a record of my items and get better at picking out my likes or dislikes.

So have any of you tried Stitch Fix yet?

The running addiction

A few months ago I completed my first (and most likely last) half marathon.  With an injured hip, a chiropractor who advised me that running is not good for me and a few months of physical therapy, I crossed that finishing line vowing that would be my last timed run ever!  I made it to 13.1 miles!  I, the girl who absolutely hated running in the Air Force and dreaded that part of the PT test ran a race for enjoyment?  What was I thinking?  Why put myself through the strain and pain of training for a race? Would I do it again?

Hmmmm, does this picture give you any hints?  That's right, I'm signed up for the MCM10K.  Although it isn't a 13.1 race, it is still a great motivating race.  I am running next to the wounded, next to my brothers and sisters at arms, and next to my family.  Yep, little brother Mike and I are running the race together (he'll beat me this time since I am taking it easy).

More to follow on my training... even if they are pictures of what I see on the trail, which is my favorite part of my runs :-)

Two words to live by

No matter how tough life gets, remember to always:

Have a great week!

The Endorphin Rush

Life in DC can be pretty stressful.  It is always go, go, go and there isn't always a chance to stop and smell the roses.  With all these stressors, happy hour becomes very popular in this area.  Martinis, Washington Apples, Gin and Tonic... you name it.  Now grant it, I had my fill of happy hours followed by the buzz and the crash but it gets old.  So what is the alternative?  Well it is the endorphin rush from biking, running, walking, and anything that requires fresh air and sunlight.

Lately my new thing is biking to and from work.  While it is 2 miles each way (a short measure of pedaling that doesn't give me the full cardio rush that running does), the refreshing air wakes me up in the morning and gets me geared for the day.  I can make a list of what to do in my head, look at the scenery around me (in a safe matter) and get a chance to smell those roses but not run into them, of course.

I have seen so much on my bike rides, been able to smell the fresh air, and had me time so I can't complain at all.  It raises my endorphins and releases the stressors from my daily duties.  It is my wake me up and decompression time and I love every minute of it.

So what is the take away?  Not much except to say that having the endorphin rush from biking in the morning and evening is a great and healthy way to raise the happiness level and de stress after a long day.

Blackberry pie

After a holiday filled with yummy cookies, cakes, and expanding waistlines, I decided that I should kick off 2013 with a light and refreshing dessert. Meandering around the kitchen, I noticed a graham cracker pie crust, untouched and purchased only a few weeks prior for another holiday dessert that I probably opted not to make.  Instead of filling it with pudding or cheesecake, I decided to make something sweet and tart to brighten up my holiday and created Blackberry Pie!

It may look like a creamy dessert but it was all juice and gelatin.  Trying to be nutritious.

Ingredients

1 graham cracker crust

2 pints of blackberries

1 packet of unflavored gelatin

1 cup of cranberry or blueberry juice or both :-)
1/4 cup of sugar.  Please adjust depending on the sweetness of the juice.

Directions

• Rinse berries and dry throughly
• Place dried berries in the graham cracker crust
• Heat up gelatin with the juice and sugar according to the instructions on the box.  
• Let it cool ever so slightly and pour over berries.
• Refrigerate for a few hours and then enjoy with a dollop of whipped cream

I hope you all enjoy this very simple berry pie.  A great refreshing dessert for the summer or anytime you want something light.

Mexican Stuff Bell Pepper

Wow, it's been a while since I posted anything.  Guess I got tied up with the holidays and then that whole thing called "work."  There are tons of recipes I want to share but writing all day (that whole "work" thing) has me too exhausted to get on the computer and type at night.  I am starting to get situated and made a 2013 promise to blog more although I may have busted that one already.  Perhaps I can catch up since it is only February, right?  Here goes.

Mexican Stuffed Bell Pepper

Mexican Stuffed Bell Pepper -- A make it up as you go along recipe.

Ingredients
1lb ground beef or turkey
1 can undrained diced tomatoes with jalapenos (you don't have to do that but I like spice)
1 packet taco or fajita seasoning mix
3 - 4 large bell peppers
1 onion
Shredded mexican cheese

Recipe

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Dice up the onions and saute in a pot or fry pan over medium-low heat (I have been obsessed with using my dutch oven pot since it is so versatile)
• While the onions are softening cut the tops off of the bell peppers.  Pull out the seed and pulp but make sure the bell pepper are whole because they are the bowls
• Dice up the edible parts of the top of the bell pepper and add to the onions.  It shouldn't be much but it is great to toss in with the rest of the ingredients
• Add the ground beef and cook until well brown and the onions are softened
• Add the seasoning mix but not the water as the direction says because that is where the tomatoes come in
• Add the undrained tomatoes
• Cook until well incorporated
• Add salt for flavoring if needed
• Once everything is mixed, start layering the bell peppers with the ground beef mixture followed by mexican cheese.  It should be about two layers of each in one bell pepper and the top layer should be cheese.
• Place the bell peppers in a baking pan and cover with aluminum foil
• Bake for 20 minutes or until the peppers are tender but not too soft
• Serve with some sour cream, guacamole and chips... or anything you like

This was one of the "make it up as you go" recipe and my first try at it.  I hope to improve it as time goes on and will adjust the recipe as needed on this blog.  Until then, I hope you enjoy it and I would love to hear from you on what adjustments should be made.