Connect the Dots Ginger | Becky Allen

Monday, September 25, 2017

Healthy Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

The other day while I was at Target, my heart about skipped a beat! LOOK WHAT I FOUND! Panera Bread's Autumn Squash Soup! I love this stuff. And I look forward to it every year. And I have already had a bowl of it this month, now this stuff! YAY! It is a little $$ at $3.99 per container *prices may vary. Meaning that it will still only be something that I can get occasionally. Oh and There were many other flavors too! But, I have wanted to make my own at home. Meaning I can control what ingredients I have in it and sodium content too.
I first had butternut squash soup about 6 years ago. A Bakery in my old town had it and it was amazing! I asked the owner how she made it and it seemed sooooo easy, with the secret being apples! Yep, so here we go! Easy, healthy butter nut squash soup!

Ingredients: 

3 cups roasted butternut squash, halved vertically, seeds removed
4-6 cups veggie or chicken broth (I like to have a thicker soup so I use about 4 cups, use more to thin it out. Plus I like to use chicken bone broth so that it adds some protein to my soup.)
1 tbsp Oil, plus more for drizzle
1 cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup apple, peeled and diced (or apple sauce!)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 pinch nutmeg

Directions:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the butternut squash on the pan and drizzle each half with just enough olive oil to lightly coat the squash on the inside (about 1 teaspoon each). Rub the oil over the inside of the squash and sprinkle it with salt and pepper.
  • Turn the squash face down and roast until it is tender and completely cooked through, about 45 to 50 minutes. Set the squash aside until it’s cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Then use a large spoon to scoop the butternut squash flesh into a bowl and discard the tough skin.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium skillet (or large soup pot, if you’ll be serving soup from that pot), warm 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chopped onion. Cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened and is starting to turn golden on the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
  • Add the butternut squash, veggie or chicken broth, apple, salt, pepper and nutmeg
  • Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Using an immersion blender or blend in your blender to puree the soup. (if using a blender, you will have to blend it in batches, return it to the original pot to stir together after it is all purred. 
  • Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary
  • Enjoy! 
Do you have a favorite seasonal soup??? Comment below! 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Babies On BOD: Pre and Post Natal Fitness Section on Beachbody On Demand


This past summer, at the annual conference for coaches with Beachbody, moms with babies were not able to participate in the group workout sessions. They were actually being turned away. But depending on the age of the baby and nursing or not, we just can't leave the baby with our spouse. They have to come with us EVERYWHERE!

Autumn Calabrese, the creator of 21 Day Fix, got wind of what was happening and put out a message to all moms to join her exclusively for a mom and babies only workout session! YEP! She saw a problem, and fixed it. Since then, Beachbody has listened. THERE ARE A LOT OF WOMEN PREGNANT or WITH YOUNG KIDS LOOKING FOR MORE WORKOUTS! So what did they do? They created a whole section on Beachbody On Demand unlimited online streaming just for Moms! They have added new workouts, because there was already an Active Maternity workout available, also by Autumn Calabrese, and included the workout from this summer in the section.
There are 10 workouts and 1 informational video on the station, Pre and Post Natal Fitness. I am pretty sure that they will be adding more to it too! Want a FREE 14 Day Trial? CLICK HERE or the image below---Scroll down the page to the 3 month option which has a FREE 14 Day Trial!
Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Monday, September 18, 2017

Best Tip To Fight Back To School Sickness

We are going on 4 weeks into the new school year right now, and I FINALLY found the way to keep my family from getting the dreaded "back to school cold!" I have one kid in Kindergarten and 2 here at home with me. And last year by the end of week 2, we were all suffering from the cold.

BEST TIP TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SICK FREE:

HAVE YOUR CHILDREN WASH THEIR HANDS RIGHT WHEN THEY GET HOME!

Mason now knows that once he walks into the door, he goes right into the bathroom and scrubs his hands. And this might seem like an obvious thing but you guys, I didn't start this until about 7 months into the school year last year. Just didn't even cross my mind. So...I'm paying it forward. If your family is getting sick, have your kids wash up right when they walk in the door!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Friday, September 15, 2017

Healthy Quinoa Breakfast Ideas

No oatmeal? NO PROBLEM! This week I ran out of oatmeal! Yep, considering the fact that I haven't really done a real grocery run since before my emergency appendectomy surgery 3 weeks ago it was bound to happen. But as I was going through my cupboards I realized I do have a TON of quinoa.

Quinoa is a GREAT protein packed seed, not a grain! Quinoa is gluten free and also has 9 essential amino acids that our bodies need. Plus it is high in fiber, magnesium, B- vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and antioxidants. Coming in with a whopping 8 grams of protein per 1 cup. And it also can take on any flavor you give it. I haven't been utilizing quinoa as much as I should. Most people eat it as a side or on top of salads, and I can't stand it that way. But as an oatmeal alternative, I can do that! NEW GOAL: Alternate Quinoa and Oatmeal in my mornings so that I am getting the good stuff my body needs and to use up the quinoa that I have! ENTER, healthy recipes that I can do!

Check out these recipe ideas for a healthy quinoa breakfast!

PUMPKIN SPICED BREAKFAST QUINOA
Pumpkin Spiced Breakfast Quinoa by Once Upon A Cutting Board

5 INGREDIENT QUINOA SUPERFOOD BREAKFAST BOWL
5 Ingredient Quinoa Superfood Breakfast Bowl by: Two Raspberries
BREAKFAST QUINOA RICE PUDDING
Breakfast Quinoa Rice Pudding by: Catching Seeds
VANILLA BEAN BREAKFAST QUINOA
Vanilla Bean Breakfast Quinoa by: Fit Foodie Finds
QUINOA CEAREAL WITH CARAMELIZED BANANAS
Warm Quinoa Cereal with Caramelized Bananas by: Running To The Kitchen
APPLE PIE QUINOA
Apple Pie Quinoa by: Food Babbles
Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Thursday, September 14, 2017

6 Day Morning Makeover Challenge


Starting the week of the 25th my team is hosting a 6 day Morning Makeover Challenge! To help you lose weight, increase your energy, have more mental focus, regulate your digestion, decrease sugar cravings, get extra servings of veggies, replace your coffee addiction, get some chocolate every day and even some recipes to help you stay on track!

What you get: 

  • 6 servings of the same superfood meal replacement powder in chocolate, vanilla and Cafe Latté flavors. (You get 2 packets of each flavor!
  • Access to my private Facebook group for support and fun all week
  • Daily recipes to swap out your current breakfast (or any meal or snack) 
  • Daily workouts to help get your sweat on and increase those endorphins
All for only $36.50 (shipping included!) US shipping only.

*These challenges will be held monthly! Next challenge week begins September 25. MUST ORDER by August 15 to be included in the group for this month! Limited availability to join each month. Don't wait. Order Today!


Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!
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