Heavenly Hibernating Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato, Spinach Curried Soup #nomnom

Hey Kids,

As you know I'm trying to get my life together by working out and eating right. I've gained a workout buddy/Beach Body coach (Shanee) and we meet at her house to do Turbo Fire (at 6am!). We've also been hitting the gym for the Total Body X, TRX (Shanee also blog's. Click the link to see her latest post), Zumba, and Spinning classes (I LOVE Spinning!). I even tried out P90x (not a huge fan) and Insanity <--- iDIED!

Shanee and I have motivating each other and made a goal to burn 1000 calories. I've hit that 1000 several times, which is super exciting. I'm in my 4th week of consistently working out (6 days a week) and on Sunday I'll be re-measuring myself. Hopefully I lost some inches. I don't think I lost any pounds. My husband notices a difference but that might just be him encouraging me. He also tries to bribe me with CHIPS! (smh)

Spinning & TRX

So today we did a Turbo Fire HIIT 25 session, and only burned 192 calories. I didn't push hard, like at all. I need to work on getting my legs off the ground. Darn you thighs! grrr! I've only had a tablespoon of peanut butter since I've been up (545am), and I want a burger... chicken wings... french fries... brownies.. reeces cup, steak... sigh I need to get my life!

I keep saying I'll make a green smoothie: kale, baby spinach, frozen strawberries, and celery. <-- hasn't happened yet!

But the thought keeps annoying me! For some reason I have lasagna in my fridge!!! Darn you hubby. I don't even want pasta but I keep glancing at it. lol

Trying to motive myself to eat healthy and workout, is getting harder. It's colder. I want to snuggle & cuddle. Watch K-Drama's. I have my final class for this semester, something about literacy and I'm determined to ignore it.

Go away school, papers, discussion classes! 

I'm pretty sure I should be hibernating right now! 

To get my mind off school work, that annoying pile of laundry I've created without a recipe my very own Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato, Baby Spinach Curried soup! #yum .. I think I'll make this soup for Thanksgiving! <--deets coming soon :)

1 butternut squash
1 medium size sweet potato
2 tbsp purple onion chopped
2 tbsp purple onion blended *
1/2 bag of baby spinach 
5 baby carrots

almond milk** as needed. I used maybe 3 cups for this soup.**

Culinary Broth Thai Coconut Curry** as needed. I used over half of the container for this soup.**

ground ginger
1 tsp Thai Kitchen Red Curry Paste **I added in maybe 3 tsp**
2 tsp cayenne pepper

olive oil

1 garlic clove blended*

1 garlic clove chopped

Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste

1. Roast: Butternut Squash & Sweet potato on 400 F for 1 hour. I sprayed Pam's olive oil spray on both veggies, placed them on a tin foiled cookie sheet.
2. Once the veggies are done. Put them in a bowl, with a top. Pop in the fridge for the rest of the day.
3. Use a pot: heat the olive oil over medium heat and stir in the chopped garlic & onion 
4. Blend the sweet potato (skin included), pour almond milk & the culinary broth in the container. Once blended add to the sizzling oil, garlic, and onion. Don't forget to stir!
5. Pour in 1 cup of almond milk
6. Blend the butternut squash, garlic clove, onion, baby carrots, culinary broth, almond milk (skin included, discard the seeds and the stringy stuff) --don't forget to chop off the root. Add to the pot. STIR! 



NOTE! Make sure you check your blended items. You don't want chunks in the soup. That'd be rude! :)

7. Between adding the squash, et, al- to the pot, throw in some baby spinach leaves. Stir it in the pot. Add in the curry paste as well.

If your soup is sitting low, add in more culinary broth. We want the broth to be a bit higher than the veggies. I'm aiming for a creamy soup. If you want it thicker add flour.

1. Add in the rest of the baby spinach. Remember I used half a bag. 
2. STIR!
3. Please note I did not add in spices yet! Taste the soup. It should be sweet. 
4. Now turn the soup low, give a few shakes of cayenne pepper (I like spicy food), several shakes of the ground ginger, and a healthy shake of black pepper. 
5. As of now I have not added in salt. I'm aiming to reduce the sodium in my life. :)  I also let it sit for awhile and than added in 1 tsp of butter, just for a bit of richness.
   

   

   Bon Appetite.

   ps. omg I love Korean dramas!!! Currently watching The Princess's Man via Hulu. Also check out Moon Embracing the Sun via Hulu. I can sit on hours and just watch K-Dramas!
   
   
   pss. I'm also annoyed because I've noticed the water is drying out my skin & hair. I'm super itchy and now I'm on the hunt for a water filter or water softner. Any suggestions? 

3 Thanksgivings

Hey Friends

While I don't celebrate the commercial aspects of Thanksgiving, nor do I turn a blind eye to the historic happenings of the "holiday"... I do want to say what I am thankful for.

Traveling. That's the basis for this blog. To document my adventures, post memorable videos, and unforgettable pictures. I officialy became a Gypsy in the year 2009.

So let's recap:

Nov 24, 2009: I spent Thanksgiving touring Italy, with fellow intern/friend Linda. There we visted an acquaitance in Milan (who let us crash on her floor), the next day we met up with Linda's cousin in Venice, where we spent the night at a hotel located near The Grand Canal. The next day we day-tripped to Verona, to follow the footsteps of Romeo and Juliet. It was there that I laid my hand upon Juliet's breast and wished for Luck in Love.

Linda, M, Me in Milan

A, Linda, Me in Venice on a gondola on the Canal

In Verona, Wishing for Luck In Love

Nov 24, 2010: I spent Thanksgiving touring Barcelona, by myself. After missing my first plane, I was lucky enough to have left-over monies to buy a plane ticket, same day to BCN. There I experienced the wonders and beauty of the Famed city. I drank with natives, socialized with other Hostel guests, and wandered the streets by my lonesome. I didn't get a chance to dance the flamenco, but I did see the famous works of Güell, Gaudí, and Picasso. Now I can say with an educated statement. I am not a fan of Picasso. As I left the city of BCN, I again wished feverently that true love and not lust would find me.

in front of the La Sagrada Família in Barcelona

Other travelers

Wandering the streets alone

Nov 24, 2011: I spent Thanksgiving in Jihaeng, South Korea; amongst co-workers, friends, and acquatiances. I got to dress up like a panda, see my friend Justin (who was visiting from Germany/Afghanistan loosen up), play Kings Cup (Ring of Fire), and have a really chill time! It was a wonderful time but I was missing someone special. MY newlywedded husband. Unfortunately, the love of my life had to work, and so it wasn't until later that night, that we spent time together. Unfortunately, we spent the majority of the time with yelling (i.e. me) and stoiac silences (i.e. husband). Our fight lasted about 1.5 hours, afterwards we made up. :)

Panda Ritual in S. Korea

Kings Cup/Ring of Fire

My co-worker V

The end of the Night. I had left already. But looks fun!

The Hubby and I. We're thankful for each other.

 Thanks Juliet! lol :)