Veggie Packed Butternut Squash Soup

A favorite fall soup gets a tasty vegetarian & vegan friendly update in this creamy Veggie Packed Butternut Squash Soup...

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

If you have been following along with me for a little while now, then you probably already know that fall is by far my favorite time of the year. I love it when the air gets a little crisper, the leaves on the trees start to turn vibrant shades of red, orange, & yellow, and I get to break out my favorite flannels & fall boots. 

But perhaps my most favorite thing about fall is the seasonal flavors that it brings with it- pumpkin spice, apples, autumn squash, chai tea, & warm, cozy bowls of creamy soup.

One of my favorite fall soups happens to be a good homemade butternut squash soup. I decided to take the traditional butternut squash soup recipe & give it a veggie packed, dairy-free update with a little help from some of my favorite Silk products that I picked up at my local Target the other week...

Creamy Mushroom & Lentil Soup

Packed full of fiber rich lentils & meaty mushrooms, this vegetarian and vegan friendly Creamy Mushroom & Lentil Soup is comforting and filling without the extra fat and calories...

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kroger. The opinions and text are all mine.

Just like many of you all may have also done, I made goals to eat healthier at the start of the new year. I have really been trying to make strides to rotate in at least two new healthy recipes into my meal plan each week to keep things fresh. 

And like many of you all, I often find my inspiration for new recipes to try from Pinterest. In fact, I created an entire board to dedicated to just Healthy & Tasty Recipes.

One of my favorite sites to browse for new recipes is Kroger's Inspired Gathering site. Recently, I was searching for some hearty and healthy soup recipes and came across the recipe for this Creamy Mushroom & Lentil Soup on their site. 

Packed full of fiber rich lentils & meaty mushrooms, this vegetarian and vegan-friendly soup is comforting and filling without the extra fat and calories.

All Hail the Reigning Spiked! Recipe Challenge Queen, Rosie!

Good morning all!  Rosie from Craftbotic is taking over my blog this morning & sharing her  current Foodie Heaven and Hell (love this idea by the way!).  Rosie is the our first ever Spiked! Recipe Challenge winner from January's bubbly champagne inspired recipe competition!  (Psssstttt... the ingredient for the March Spiked! Recipe Challenge will be announced on the blog this coming Tuesday!)

Hi! I'm Rosie, the face, mind and writer behind Craftbotic. You might not have visited me in this grand ol' blogosphere yet, but you may have heard of my Craft Challenge or Blog Angels, a scheme for creating community in Blog Land.

Please don't be fooled by the name of my blog, you'll find more there than your regular crafts. I believe that all creative pursuits from writing, blogging, creating, designing and (of course) cooking are essentially crafts and you can find me writing about any number of topics.

That was why I was thrilled to take part in Carrie and Julie's Spiked Challenge and to write this guest post.

Click here for Rosie's winning recipe!

 You can find out more about me here, but for now, why don't you grab a nice 'cuppa' tea (I'm English) and explore my Food Heaven and Food Hell.

I've always had a rocky relationship with food. As a child I was never really forced to eat anything other than what I wanted, resulting in a narrow diet and a mountain of separate cooking for my mum. I genuinely never ate pasta until I was 20 and didn't like it until I visited Italy at the age of 21. I had also never sampled Chinese, Indian or Mexican cuisine.

While I did eat some salad items and most fruits, my vegetable diet extended to peas and potatoes. I know....potatoes don't really count as vegetables, do they?

I now eat many of the foods that I didn't have access to as a child. So what made me change my attitude to food? What tickled my culinary taste buds?

Well cooking, of course! At University and then later as I moved into my own flat, I started to try new foods. How I coped without vegetables before now, I have no idea. So with that background out of the way, here are my current foodie dreams and nightmares.

1. Italian Antipasti - give me olives, prosciutto, roasted peppers, aubergines, zucchini mozzarella and some lightly toasted ciabatta drizzled in olive oil, balsamic vinegar or basil and I will be your friend for life. When I lived in Italy, I used to go to a small wine bar because they used to shave off chunks of Parma ham as a bar snack. You'll be pleased to know I didn't jump over and chew it straight off of the leg.

2. Indian 'vegetarian' style - Indians know how to make seriously amazing vegetarian food...none more so than in Southern India. I have now been a rice eater for a whole 6 months and cannot believe I missed out on a gorgeous feast of vegetarian curry, tarka dhal, chutneys and naan bread. Absolute perfection. The lentil classic of tarka dhal is so quick to make and delicious. Find a great recipe for it here.

3. I adore smoked salmon. There is nothing that screams luxurious treat more than smoked salmon, cream cheese, black pepper, a squeeze of lemon and a lightly toasted bagel, hot pancake or gnocchi. The best bit - if your supermarket sells the 'trimmings', you can get quality smoked salmon at a third of the price - a frugal win all around.

1. I cannot stand mushrooms. Whether it's the slimy texture, woody taste or brownish colour, I don't seem to be able to swallow the little devils. Ironically I accidentally ordered a mushroom soup at a really fancy restaurant recently. I managed about three mouthfuls....luckily my boyfriend loves the gross little things.

2. I'm also not good with onions....unless pulped or juiced, the texture sends me running for the sink. The good news is that most dishes work just as well with leek, which I love.....so no baked onions, French onion soup or onion rings for me I'm afraid.

3. I would rather eat a pile of raw onions and mushrooms the size of my car than put a mussel anyway near my mouth. You can keep your oysters, whelks, winkles and clams too. I had a bad experience in Belgium involving grit, mini crabs and what appeared to be mussel hair that put me off for life. They also look a bit cheeky - but that's another story!

So there you have it folks - my foodie heaven and hell. What are your favourite foods? Why don't you hop over and let me know. I'd love to hear from you.

How Being a Veghead (Even Just Part-Time) Can Cut Down On Your Grocery Bill

I am happy to be hosting a guest post today from the lovely Christa of Crisduh, where she blogs about everything from food to fashion to vespas. (Yes, you heard me right.  Vespas. ;) ) It is not a big secret that I am not a vegetarian, but we do eat meat free at least two times a week (but not always on Mondays ;) ).  Pssssst... Christa is letting us all in on a little secret.  Eating vegetarian at least a few times a week can really cut down on your grocery bill.  
I will let Christa take it away....

People always ask me if it's terribly challenging to not eat meat, which is surprising to me because I find my diet particularly easy and on top of that, it's affordable. We probably spend $50-$70 per week on groceries for the two of us, which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Here are my 3 favorite vegetarian-friendly recipes that are incredibly easy to make, affordable, and delicious: 

1. Chickpea Tacos I use chickpeas a lot when I cook and when I came across this recipe, I was thrilled to find one more way to use them. Courtesy of the Happy Herbivore website, this recipe is quick, tasty, and easy to multiply if you have company or if you're just super hungry. Ingredients:

• 15 ounces chickpeas ($0.99)
• 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce (have on hand)
• 2 tsp lemon juice ($0.30/lemon)
• 1 recipe taco seasoning($1.19)
• 8 whole taco shells ($3.50)

Total cost = $8.98 Serves 3 - 4 ($2.20/person) Click here for the full recipe

2. Tofu Tikka Masala Tofu is great in Indian dishes because they are so full of flavor to be absorbed by the tofu. This is by far one of my favorite dishes of all time. There was a while there when we ate it more than once a week.

• 1 pound extra firm tofu ($2.00)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (have on hand)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (have on hand)
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger ($0.50)
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced ($0.50)
• 1 cinnamon stick (have on hand)
• Spices: 1/2 teaspoon chile powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala powder, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder (have on hand)
• 1 (15-ounce) can organic tomato sauce ($0.99)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (have on hand)
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (have on hand)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen peas ($1.99)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened light coconut milk ($2.50)

Total cost = $8.48 Serves 6 ($1.41/person) Click here for the full recipe 

3. Spiced Black Bean Burger I wasn't always a fan of black bean burgers, but this one was an instant hit. I love cumin, so I think that is what makes me dig it the most. I add whatever veggies I have around the house to this, like corn. You can definitely modify this to your taste and I usually double it so that I have leftovers for lunch or to put on top of a salad.

• 1 15- to 16-ounce can black beans ($0.99)
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion ($1.00)
• 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs ($2.50)
• 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup bottled chunky salsa ($3.00)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (have on hand)
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (have on hand)
• hamburger buns or salad

Total cost = $7.49 Serves 2-3 ($2.50/person) Click here for the full recipe So there's the proof! A meatless diet can be affordable, easy, and yummy. For more of my favorite recipes and food ideas, click here. Note: I am technically a "pescetarian," which means that fish is a part of my diet, but I love sharing these plant-based recipes with people because they are the most affordable and easiest to make. Bon appetit!

Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussel Sprouts Quinoa Salad

Inspired by the flavors of fall, this Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussel Sprouts Quinoa Salad makes the perfect side dish for a holiday dinner. It also happens to be hearty enough to serve as a vegetarian-friendly main dish...

Over the last year and a half or so, I have become obsessed with all things quinoa. In fact, I usually have some type of quinoa salad for lunch most days of the week now. 

My obsession with this super grain started when I decided that I was ready to make some healthier lifestyle choices and drop some of the weight I had been carrying around for a few years. A major part of what I changed about my diet was making green smoothies for breakfast and then having variations on quinoa salad for lunch at least 4-5 days a week. 

If we are going to be technical about it, quinoa really isn't a grain at all. It is actually what they call a super seed. 

Just one cup of cooked quinoa contains 9 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber (keeps you full for longer!). And if you happen to be following a gluten-free diet, quinoa could definitely become your new best friend. 

I decided to take my love for this super seed past the lunch table and right onto my holiday dinner table this year (even though leftovers of this quinoa salad would definitely make an amazing lunch option the next day). 

Inspired by the flavors of fall, this Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussel Sprouts Quinoa Salad makes the perfect side dish for a holiday dinner. It also happens to be hearty enough to serve as a vegetarian-friendly main dish.

Parmesan & Veggie Quinoa Skillet

This one pot Parmesan & Veggie Quinoa Skillet combines fresh veggies with Parmesan cheese & hearty quinoa. This vegetarian-friendly recipe is the perfect dish to whip up when you are craving a little healthy comfort food...

 

As many of you know, I donated a kidney to my fiance in October of 2021. If you follow me on Instagram, then you may also know that we have had our struggles and setbacks since our surgeries a little over 1 year and 3 months ago. 

While his kidney function and numbers are better than they have been in over 15 years, the reality of life post-transplant was not exactly something that we felt we had really been made aware of or had been sufficiently prepared for. Over the course of the past 15 months, Colin has experienced emergency surgery, hospitalizations, 2 mild rejection episodes, more ER visits than I can remember, and numerous medication changes to try to find the right combination for him.

And while we are thankful that the surgeries, hospitalizations, and rejection episodes seem to now be a part of our past (knock on wood), we are still struggling with the latter two- particularly the medications. Colin takes quite a few medications to help prevent rejection and keep his blood pressure in check. They all can have significant side effects, and some of the meds and dosages are worse than others.

While we are leaving it to his team of docs to try to find the right combo and dosages of his much needed medications, we are doing what we can as a couple to lead healthier lives together. That includes eating healthier, going to the gym more each week, and cooking at home more often.

10 Must-Do's in Pittsburgh Before Summer's End

Looking to plan a little end of summer getaway to the Steel City soon? Then you definitely need to check out my 10 Must-Do's in Pittsburgh Before Summer's End...

My family & I traveled to Pittsburgh as part of a Kidsburgh press tour with Visit Pittsburgh. All opinions and thoughts-as always- are 100% my own.

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

A couple of weeks ago, my family and I had the pleasure of joining five other travel bloggers and their families for three fun filled days in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Any of you all that have been following me now for a while probably already know of my family and I's love for the Steel City. We make the 2 hour drive to the city several times throughout the year, so when I received the invitation to attend the Pittsburgh is Kidsburgh press tour I knew that we would all be there with bells on. :) 

The wonderful thing about Pittsburgh is that no matter how many times my family and I have visited there we always seem to discover something new and exciting to do there, and our most recent trip there was definitely no exception. 

For many of us, the summer is winding down and the first day of school is just around the corner or maybe it has already arrived for you and your kiddos. But that doesn't mean we should throw in the towel and declare summer over! Not when there are plenty of warm weekends left until the chill of fall arrives. 

Looking to plan a little end of summer getaway to the Steel City soon? Then you definitely need to check out my 10 Must-Do's in Pittsburgh Before Summer's End...

Slow Cooker Chicken & Veggie Soup

Enjoy your favorite flavors of late summer in this comforting & nourishing soup that is perfect for fall...

As you all may recall from the recipe I shared for my Italian Steak Sandwiches with Roasted Vegetable Tapenade last month, I am on a mission this outdoor farmers market season to show you all how you can create a delicious recipe purchasing only locally grown & raised produce and meats at your local farmers market this summer. Each month I will be sharing a recipe here to the blog inspired by and featuring some of my own personal favorite fresh & local finds from my local market. 

For the month of September, I am sharing the recipe for this comforting & nourishing Slow Cooker Chicken & Veggie Soup with you all. This soup is the perfect dinner idea for making the transition from late summer to early fall with. 

It fully takes advantage of the late summer veggies that are still in season like sweet corn, okra, & fresh basil. But this soup is so cozy and satisfying that it will have you wishing for crisp fall days.

Farmers Market Breakfast Pizza

Brimming with bacon, pork sausage, & farm fresh eggs, this hearty Farmers Market Breakfast Pizza is sure to be a crowd-pleaser...

This recipe first appeared on the Bridgeport Farmers Market Let's Get Fresh site.

I am on a mission once again this outdoor farmers market season to show you all how you can create a delicious recipe purchasing mostly locally grown & raised produce and meats at your local farmers market. I started this locally inspired recipe series last summer, and I am thrilled to be continuing the series this year as well. Each month I will be sharing a recipe here to the blog inspired by and featuring some of my own personal favorite fresh & local finds from my local market. 

For the month of July, I am sharing the recipe for this hearty & tasty Farmers Market Breakfast Pizza. Yes, I did say a breakfast pizza! I mean, why should just lunch & dinner get to have all the pizza fun? ;)

Summer Veggie Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Put all of those fresh garden & farmers market veggies to tasty use with this recipe for Summer Veggie Stuffed Poblano Peppers...

This recipe first appeared on the Bridgeport Farmers Market Let's Get Fresh site.

I am on a mission once again this outdoor farmers market season to show you all how you can create a delicious recipe purchasing mostly locally grown & raised produce and meats at your local farmers market. I started this locally inspired recipe series last summer, and I am thrilled to be continuing the series this year as well. Each month I will be sharing a recipe here to the blog inspired by and featuring some of my own personal favorite fresh & local finds from my local market. 

For the month of August, I am sharing the recipe for these Summer Veggie Stuffed Poblano Peppers. I spotted some gorgeous poblano peppers at the market, and I knew I had use them in my next farmers market inspired recipe for you all. 

Poblanos happen to be perfect for stuffing, & what better to stuff them with than a bunch of fresh veggies from the other farmers at the market? ;)

Slow Cooker Vodka Pasta Sauce

I am kicking off Slow Cooking Through Summer Week by sharing this super simple & delicious Slow Cooker Vodka Pasta Sauce recipe with you all.

If you are a fan of the jarred vodka pasta sauce, then this homemade, slow cooked version is going to knock your socks off! 

And you really cannot get much easier than this for a weeknight meal- the sauce is pretty much ready when you walk in the door. Just boil your favorite pasta and add a fresh salad to make the meal complete.  Easy, peasy! :)

I left the sauce chunky because I love the bits of tomatoes in this, but if you prefer a smoother sauce you can hit the sauce with your immersion blender while it is still in the slow cooker crock...

Farmers Market Frittata

This hearty Farmers Market Frittata is brimming with locally raised pork sausage, bell pepper, & fresh rainbow chard...

This recipe first appeared on Bridgeport Farmers Market's Let's Get Fresh blog.

One of my favorite times of the year is the outdoor farmers market season here in my hometown. From the end of May through mid-fall, I can visit the local market each Sunday and stock up on freshly picked vegetables and pasture raised eggs & meats. 

And I just so happen to be on a mission this outdoor farmers market season to show you all how you can create a delicious meal purchasing only locally grown & raised produce and meats at your local farmers market this summer. Each month I will be sharing a recipe here to the blog inspired by and featuring some of my own personal favorite fresh & local finds from my local market. 

Red Wine Marinated Grilled Chicken & Veggies

You and your family will love this healthier & flavorful Red Wine Marinated Grilled Chicken & Veggies...

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and NatureRaised Farms, but all my opinions are my own.

While I am not one to read every label in the grocery store aisles and I may not always buy organic, I do try to make a conscience effort to know what I am really feeding family and to make healthier choices for them and myself.  Some choices are not always so clear. But others definitely are. 

Like the fresh veggies and fruit I purchase from my local farmers market. The just laid eggs I try to pick up from my aunt's chicken coop a couple of times a month. And now with the frozen chicken that I buy for my family thanks to Sam's Club and NatureRaised Farms® Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Portions. :)

I can feel good about preparing and feeding my family NatureRaised Farms chicken because it is 100% natural*- meaning no added steroids or hormones** are used. The chickens are raised in large, open modern barns and are fed a 100% vegetarian diet.

Swapping the usual frozen chicken breasts that I buy for NatureRaised Farms chicken is an easy no-brainer for me.

With the warmer weather here and more and more fresh vegetables becoming available, my mind naturally turns to grilling season. We are a family that loves to grill.

Armed with my new favorite frozen chicken, some healthy fresh vegetables, and a simple & flavorful marinade recipe, I grilled up this Red Wine Marinated Grilled Chicken & Veggies for my family earlier this week. The marinade is light and healthy, but is full on rich flavor...

Easy Chile Relleno Empanadas

These Easy Chile Relleno Empanadas are filled with chiles, black beans, brown rice, cheese, & diced tomatoes and take just 4 ingredients & 30 minutes to make...

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

As a mama to a teenager and a toddler, I am always on the look out for and coming up with new dinner recipe ideas that are not only delicious, but are also healthier and easy to make to boot.  At least once a week, I try to sneak in a completely meatless dinner into my meal plan (although that vegetarian dinner doesn't always happen to fall on a Monday evening ;) ). 

Looking to change it up from the usual pancakes for dinner or mac & cheese for that meatless dinner option, I was thrilled to have discovered Boca Essentials in three new bold flavors- 

• Breakfast Scramble with potatoes, scrambled eggs and vegetables
• Roasted Vegetables and Red Quinoa with brown rice
• Chile Relleno with green chile peppers, black beans and brown rice

I knew right away that I had to come up with a tasty dinner recipe using the Chile Relleno burgers! We are a family that just loves Mexican food, and chile rellenos happens to be a favorite with all of us. Turning them into stuffed, perfectly flaky empanadas seemed like the natural way to go. These Easy Chile Relleno Empanadas take just 4 ingredients and around 30 minutes to make...