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Maple Soy Glazed Butternut Squash

9/30/2018

Last week I bought 2 amazing butternut squashes at Aldi's because they were on sale for $0.29/lb. Say what? I didn't have them in my weekly plan...but I couldn't pass up the price. Right? I also ended up not using the brussel sprouts I purchased last week either.

So this morning, I was laying in bed scrolling Facebook like I normally do on Sunday mornings...and BOOM! It's like HE knew I was going to look for a recipe to use both things today. BONUS...it was super easy. And...it only used 4 ingredients. Ones I already had in my kitchen anyway - bonus score.

The hardest part was cutting the butternut squash. It takes and extra step and some time to make it easier - but so worth it.

TIP: Heat the squash in the microwave for about 3 minutes before trying to cut into it. SO MUCH EASIER!

INGREDIENTS:

Cooking spray
1 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into cubes
1 Tbsp of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 lb. brussel sprouts, trimmed and quartered
2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Peel squash, slice in half, scoop out the seeds, and you're ready to cut into 1/2 inch pieces.
Chop the end of the brussel sprouts off and cut them into 1/4 inch pieces.
Drizzle with some olive oil, salt and pepper.
Roast in oven for about 25 minutes.
Toss veggies - roast about 10 more minutes.

Meanwhile...

Combine syrup and soy sauce.
Simmer over medium low heat about 5 minutes or until sauce starts to thicken a bit. Set aside.
When veggies are done roasting, transfer to a serving dish and pour maple soy sauce on top. Toss to coat.

Boom! Super yummy veggies that help you stay on track and taste awesome!

The recipe I was looking at called for bacon as well. That sounds great, but this week I was just looking for a veggie side.

Options to add protein are definitely there. Enjoy!

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New Me or Better Me?

9/27/2018

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I've been doing alot of reflecting lately. I think that's what personal development does to you. I also think that when something big and life altering is nearing...we tend to think about things a bit deeper than what we usually do.

We all know that I've been on what they call the "entrepreneurial roller coaster" for a few years. I will agree...there are ups and downs, peaks and valleys, thrilling times and slow times. But for the most part...it's been an AWESOME ride that I never knew I wanted to be on.

What I know now...is that my life has 100% changed during these last few years. I used to think...well...this is just the "new me". I have a chance to start all over. I can be who I want to be and be NEW!

But, the more and more I think about...I'm not a NEW ME...the same girl that loves Mexican food, drinks on the weekends, watching corny high school drama shows on Netflix, and everything competitive in nature...is STILL THERE!

I'm not NEW...but I like to think that over the last few years...I've grown into a BETTER ME! Someone that wants to do more in the community. Someone that wants to utilize skills and traits that she never knew she had. I like to think that the way I handle myself with my family and closest friends...is one that is more in tune to THEIR needs rather that just my own.

I don't let small stuff get me down - because honestly - who has time for that? I know my new marriage is solid because I have matured in what I think marriage and love is all about.

I'm not NEW...I'm just BETTER. I'm a better step-mom. I'm a better wife. I'm a better co-worker. I'm a better daughter. I'm a better sister. I'm a better friend.

Why? How?
This crazy coaching opportunity did all that?

You may call me crazy, but YES...it did. I helped me realize that I want more out of life. I want more for my friends and family. I want to help others know that YES...they can do something GREAT. This opportunity is so much more than workouts and shakes. It's truly life altering - for the BETTER!

And maybe just maybe...I think my abs might look a bit BETTER than they did 5 years ago, too. :)

I can't even begin to think about my life without my team, my tribe, my vision, and my mission to be BETTER than I was yesterday.

5 years ago...I was stuck in a unhappy classroom - thinking that I didn't have a chance in making more for myself.

Fast forward a few years...and I THANK GOD that my coach continued to reach out to me and say - "I think you'd be awesome at this. I think you should join our team." My life is so much BETTER now by being on this ride.

I wonder what yours would be like if you got on the ride, too?

I Want To Get On The Ride

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Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls

9/23/2018

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I love making my Shakeology bites so much that I knew I had to make these when I finally received my Pumpkin Spice supply. I love that these are another way to get all the healthy ingredeints included in Shakeology that I don't have to "drink" in shake form. Plus...it keeps my family happy—and healthy!

After reading the original post on the Shakeology page from celebrity trainer Autumn Calabrese, she used Vanilla Shakeology to make some delicious looking Cookie Dough Bites - you'll see how I got my inspiration for these heavenly Pumpkin Spice bites that I made today.

Let’s be honest, when all of us make chocolate chip cookie dough...we use raw eggs...and we all lick the spoon or eat some plain, right? Of course we know THAT isn’t the healthiest choice considering the raw egg — so THIS is an alternative...and it's packed with the good stuff all at the same time. #winning

Fortunately, with this recipe, you'll get the taste of cookie dough but without the danger of a tummy ache…unless, of course you get caught eating one too many! And...you'll enjoy the PUMPKIN SPICE since it is that time of year!

SEND ME SOME PUMPKIN SPICE SHAKEOLOGY!

The best part about this recipe is that all of the ingredients are things that I typically eat and I had most of them in my pantry already. These vitamin-packed cookie dough bites have me trying to decide whether or not I like the Pumpkin Spice Shakeology balls or the original Vanilla bites better.

So...let's get to it...how do you make these AWESOME things?

3 packets/scoops of Pumpkin Spice Shakeology
1/2 cup of All Natural Peanut Butter (or any nut butter)
1/2 cup of honey
1/2 cup of granola
1/2 cup of chocolate morsels of coacoa nibs (I forgot to add my morsels in the pic).

Mix all of the ingredients into a bowl.
Stir together and put in the fridge - just makes your "ball-rolling" a bit less messy.
Roll dough into balls about the size of when you touch your index finger to your thumb.
Store "energy bites" in the refrigerator in ziploc baggies or your favorite food storage container.

My favorite thing about these is that when the girls, Tony or myself are going to reach for a sweet treat, I know we’re grabbing something that’s made with healthier ingredients!

Are you ready to make your own? When you do, snap a pic of them and share about is using the hashtag #karensenergybites. I can't wait to see what other creations you come up with.

If you want more than just a few samples - so you can eat/drink Shakeology daily, tap the button below!

Get Shakeology Now

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Maple Soy Glazed Butternut Squash

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