Yesterday the last bit of snow in our yard had finally melted. Today, I woke up to this…
Mother nature has decided to prolong our winter a bit longer around here and we are faced with some more snow. Instead of getting upset about it, I am trying my darndest to embrace it. I had forewarning that it was coming so I was at least able to “prepare” myself for it, but it still hurts a little bit to see the ground covered in white.
But, there is absolutely NOTHING I can do about it. So I’m trying not to let it ruin my day.
It’s kind of like life. Sometimes life throws you a few inches of snow in April. We are all faced with ups and downs and curveballs along the way. We can choose to sulk and get dragged down by the downfalls, or we can choose a positive attitude and make the most of the situation.
To embrace the weather we decided to make a fire in the fireplace. I honestly didn’t think we would be having any more of these this spring but last night I figured, why not, it’s cold enough outside and it would make for a cozy evening.
Yup, this is a real scene of an April evening.
What else do you think of when you think of a perfect cozy evening? Homemade soup of course! I had a package of frozen butternut squash that I roasted in the oven with onion and garlic.
Once it was roasted I added it to a soup pot, added bone broth, and some spices, and let it simmer for 20 minutes or so. I then used my immersion blender to puree the soup. I ladled the soup into a couple of bowls, topped them with fresh cilantro, and that was it. This soup is so incredibly easy.
| Butternut Squash Soup | Print |
- 2 lbs butternut squash, cubed
- 1 large white onion, chopped
- 5 small garlic cloves (or 3 large ones)
- 4 cups chicken broth (I used homemade bone broth)
- 2 tsp salt
- black pepper
- 2 Tbsp coconut aminos (you can substitute with soy sauce)
- ¼ tsp cumin
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder *optional
- a sprinkle of nutmeg
- fresh cilantro
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. If you have a roasting option, select roast.
- Spray one large baking pan with olive oil. Place squash, onion, and garlic on the pan and spread into one layer. Spritz top with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Roast for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and transfer to soup pot.
- Turn stove top to low. Add remaining ingredients except cilantro. Stir, bring to a simmer and cover.
- Simmer for 20 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Use an immersion blender to puree soup. Ladle into bowls and top with fresh cilantro.
An outdoor workout is not in the cards today. I’m going to continue to “embrace” the snow situation as best as I can and lace up my shoes and hit the treadmill downstairs. Spring WILL make its appearance again and it WILL stick around soon. I am not losing hope.
Life WILL have its ups and downs but I refuse to let the lows keep me low. Keep your head up, be thankful for a new day, and make the most of a less than perfect situation.
Question: How do you stay positive?
There should not be snow in April, it’s spring not winter. At least you were able to embrace it with a wonderful fire and yummy soup. I love butternut squash soup and there’s nothing better than warm soup on a cold night.
Nicole @ Fruit’N’Fitness recently posted…WIAW # 13
It was definitely a cozy night!
Melanie I just love how you are always so positive! I made the most of my morning and left extra early to leave time for bad roads, and enough time to stop for a latte at Caribou! That is helping my positive outlook this morning. And looking forward to an awesome aerobics class that I am teaching tonight. Super excited about the workout I put together!!!
Katie @ running4cupcakes recently posted…Laugh of the day
Caribou always makes the day better doesn’t it?
Your living room is so cute! And seriously, how wrong is it that you had a fire going in April?! It makes me a little sad :(.
cleaneatingveggiegirl recently posted…Mushroom, Vegetable, and Hummus Stuffed Wraps
Ha ha I know. What can you do?! 🙂
boo snow! At least the soup probably tasted amazing! Looks amazing 🙂
sara @ fitcupcaker recently posted…WIAW- Skinny Broccoli and Cheese Casserole & Grilled Cod
Yea, it’s not too pretty in April. In November, sure, but not in April!
I am LOVING your blog!!! That soup looks amazing and easy!!! I love that you make your own homemade broth too, soooo much nutrition and a great source of calcium, do you add a little vinegar when boiling the bones? Someone just told me the vinegar draws out even more calcium out of the bones so I just started doing that, but just a little, and you can’t taste it…it doesn’t change the taste of the broth 🙂
Thank you, Emily! I do add the vinegar as well because I read that it helps leech more calcium out of the bones! You go girl! I love amping up the nutritional value anywhere I can!