Thanks for all the well-wishes about my Achilles!

 

I’m taking it easy. *le sigh*

It still hurts, but the pain isn’t as sharp anymore.  Well, it wasn’t so bad until I tried for a new max set of push-ups (are you doing yours?!).  And then I did this tricep workout (minus the sprints).  I suppose those activities use the Achilles for stability purposes… lame.

 

Back to resting… and entertaining myself by making soup!  I could hardly wait for WIAW to share it.

 _______________________________________________________________________________________

Breakfast

I  had to do a repeat!  It’s rare, but the oh-so-good Zucchini Oatmeal lured me in 2x in as many days.

 

 

Lunch

Did you know one sweet potato packs more fiber than a serving of oatmeal?!

 

Brussels, sweet potato with my homemade spiced almond butter, and coconut curry tempeh.

 

Aren’t those brussels pretty like flowers?!  #bigdork

There was also going to be a pile of kale chips… but I burned the you-know-what out of them.  Whoops.

 

Snacks

Avocado Protein Shake with chocolate protein powder (don’t knock it til you try it!)

The last bit of the orange blob deliciousness – i.e. Butternut Rosemary Hummus:

Dinner

Have you ever heard of a Delicata Squash?  I had not until a recent trip to the farmer’s market.

 

Further research revealed that it is an heirloom squash.  It is, indeed, delicate.  Small-ish and probably less and 1/2 a pound in weight.  I’d compare it to a butternut squash, as it is on the sweeter side of the squash family.

Like other winter squash, it contains a ton of Vitamin A, carotenoids, and can act as an anti-inflammatory.

I read that you can eat the skin (it’s much more thin that that of a butternut), but I opted to peel mine since it was being used for a soup.

Did you think I’d repeat the entire day?  *Gasp*

 

I made a Spinach Squash Soup!  It was filled with all sorts of vitamins, a little heat, and some fantastic flavors like…

Roasted garlic. The other day I posted about roasted garlic and the secret to always having it on-hand (I roast several heads at once and freeze it).  Today was a perfect example of that idea paying off.  Regular garlic would certainly work here (though I’d cut back to 2-3 cloves), but the depth roasted garlic adds was a perfect accent in this soup.

Served with more socca.  I’m an addict.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Spinach Squash Soup

(Inspired by this recipe from 101 Cookbooks)

• 1 T habanero-infused extra virgin olive oil (I use Sweetwater Growers’ version)
  
• 4 cloves roasted garlic, chopped
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1.5 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• 1 Delicata squash (~1.5 C), cut into 1 in cubes
• 1 medium zucchini (~ 1C), roughly chopped
• 1 C chicken or vegetable stock
• 2.5 C fresh spinach leaves, loosely packed
• Juice of 1/3 lemon
• S+P, to taste

 

In a large, thick-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil.  Add the garlic and onions and saute 1-2 mins, just until soft.  Add in both squash, stock, and water.  Stir to combine, also adding salt, cumin, and coriander.  Bring to a simmer and cook ~15 mins until squash are soft.

Stir in the spinach, allowing it to just begin to wilt.  Stir in the fresh lemon juice.  Remove from heat and puree with a hand blender until smooth.  Taste, adjusting seasonings as desired.  Ladle into bowls, top as desired (I used tomatoes, pepper, and nutritional yeast), and serve.

Note:  If you don’t have habanero olive oil, don’t skip the heat – this soup would definitely be too bland without it.  Add a couple of diced jalapenos (or pepper of your choosing) when you toss in the onion and garlic.

Makes 2.5 cups.  (I wish I’d doubled it to make 5!)

***

What are you eating for WIAW?

Are you a good “patient” when it comes to resting after an injury?