Mind-readers scare me.
No, I didn’t go to a psychic to find out of the world would really end.
My friend a bi-weekly guest blogger (Kat), sent me her post last night and it appears we have been miles apart but on the same wavelength.
In the past, Kat has blogged about yoga, running + nutrition, and even homemade peppermint mochas! I really excited that today she’s sharing her first entree recipe. This girls loves food just as much as I do.
I’m at the gym working off my cookies, complete with a new top thanks to my mom Santa…
Top by Lucy
…and with a new toy! A fitbit one to replace my old ultra:
I hope you enjoy Kat’s first recipe today – while I haven’t had the pleasure of eating this dish (yet), I can tell from the pics and ingredient list that it’s a great, clean way to bring us into the New Year!
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Who relaxes during the holidays?!?!
Yeah, I didn’t either. I think I raced through the holidays!
Recap. I flew into Orlando for a party on Friday (my mom had an end of the world party – she is such a hippie), worked all day Saturday, traveled over an hour to Dad’s on Sunday, Dad’s parents Monday night (for the first time in almost a decade), Tuesday with Mom and then later to her mom’s, and later to my sister’s boyfriend’s family. Talk about a holiday marathon (many of you know the drill)… but I have so much to be grateful for and it really felt like Christmas for me this year. Nevertheless, glad to be home!
This had my whole family laughing…even my dad.
It can be hard to keep up, but it’s also nice to catch up with family, have some sister love, and enjoy the holiday spirit with old and new friends. I managed to keep up my runs, and get plenty of quality time.
Honestly, none of the time would have been quality because I would have been completely mentally unbalanced without my runs. It just gets my head in the right place. Man, Laura and I have a similar philosophy… she recently wrote about having no excuses NOT to work out recently! (Editor’s note: You can click here to check that out). I even got to run through my old neighborhood – yeah, the one I grew up in. It’s crazy that what felt like a long run when I was 15 (about 3 miles) felt like such a short run to me today!
Holiday Run Time – Getting your head in order! No excuses!
Keeping with Laura’s theme from her past few blogs about cleaning up your kitchen and the winter weigh in about letting yourself indulge in your favorites (without going overboard), I managed to keep a pretty healthy diet too!
It’s totally okay to let your family and friends know what you do and do not eat. (Editor’s note: Yes! And you’d be surprised how often they feel the same way!) My mom, sister, and I told my Grammy we wanted to eat light and healthy, and that’s exactly what she did for Christmas lunch/brunch! She put up a wonderful spread of super healthy food. I also made it through without any dreaded gluten mistakes!
Christmas Brunch at Grammy’s
Needless to say, I have also been having meals at home that feel like winter indulgences but are also SUPER healthy! My first – real – recipe to share. Firstly, I LOVE squash, all squash, so it was hard to decide which “recipe” to share. But, I have been into stuffing my squashes lately, and acorn squash is a great size for stuffing – with almost anything, I would argue!
I always think of quinoa as a summer-y light and healthy meal, but made the right way, it can be comforting and winter-y too! I made this for a friend last week, and it was satisfying and comforting, but keeping with the kitchen workout. (Editor’s note: Where’s MY quinoa?!)
Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash
- 1 medium acorn squash
- ½ cup of quinoa
- 1 cup of water or vegetable stock
- ½ cup of mushrooms
- ¼ red onion
- ¼ cup frozen peas
- Some chopped kale and/or arugula
- Touch of cayenne
- Maybes: thyme, basil, rosemary
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Parmesan to top, and your pasta sauce of choice (I like Whole Foods’ 365 brand)
Disclaimer: I don’t actually measure anything when I cook so please take all of these as amazingly close guestimates as to what actually happens in the kitchen
There are two ways to roast the squash, depending on how you want to present. You can either chop the top off, scoop out the seeds, put the top back on and throw it in the oven… or just cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and throw it in the oven at about 375 (prettier presentation for two people).
Roast the squash first, and roast the squash about 20-30 minutes. While this is happening, cook your quinoa (boil water, add quinoa, 10 minutes pass, turn of the stove, leave the lid on until totally absorbed – basically follow the instructions on the box), and then sauté your onions, then add your mushrooms and frozen peas (and any other fresh veggies you have in your fridge), as well as your kale/arugula.
Combine all of your quinoa with the veggies, and add your spices and potentially herbs (I like thyme and rosemary for this one). Mix.
Remove the squash form the oven, stuff the mixture into the squash, top with a ton of Parmesan cheese and put it back in the oven at 375 for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese browns.
Remove and top with warm pasta sauce.
This is delicious, packed with protein from the quinoa, but low calorie and super filling!
I need to work on taking pictures of my food, and writing recipes (so feedback please!!!). But, I guarantee this will be a great way to switch up what you’re eating while bringing in some healthy New Year’s habits!
Did you make a point tell anyone what you needed to eat/not eat for the holidays?
What is your favorite squash?
59 comments
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STUFT Mama
December 27, 2012 at 1:43 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Friend, that just looks so stinking delicious. You’d think I’d be into the acorn squash. I haven’t dabbled in that one yet. He he. Love the new shirt BTW.
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:40 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
December 27, 2012 at 6:21 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Stuffing an acorn squash has been a weekly staple at our house. In fact just had it last night! Great tips!
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:41 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That is awesome!! What else are you stuffing yours with?
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf
December 27, 2012 at 7:34 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yum!! I love quinoa and acorn squash but I haven’t made them together in a dish before. Will definitely have to try this! Thanks for sharing.
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:43 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks for the comment!
I hope you try it!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen
December 27, 2012 at 7:53 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yummy!! Your quinoa stuffed acorn squash looks absolutely delicious…you may see that pop up on my menu sometime in the near future
Have a good day!
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:32 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yay!! Glad you liked the idea!!
Fran@BCDC
December 27, 2012 at 8:09 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love quinoa but I’ve never tried acorn squash. I saw it at the produce market but didn’t get it because I had too many “regular” veggies I need to stock up on. Next week! Great post, Kat!
Laura
December 28, 2012 at 8:47 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Fran, you would love it! It’s a fairly neutral taste so you can do a LOT with it.
Lee
December 27, 2012 at 8:20 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I need more squash in my life. That looks really good.
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:38 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Kierston
December 27, 2012 at 8:40 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have never made squash!!! I’m serious! I do enjoy eating it though!
Laura
December 28, 2012 at 8:52 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Really?! Not even spaghetti squash? You have to try it!
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:33 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
ALL squash should be a winter staple. Try it!!!
Danielle
December 27, 2012 at 8:46 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This looks awesome! I’ve been loving quinoa lately so I will definitely have to try this!
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:34 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It’s nice to switch it up with a staple! (I have a hard time getting outside the box sometimes)
Nadiya
December 27, 2012 at 8:55 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Aww sounds like an amazing recipe. I’ve tried making stuffed acorn squash and failed. Got to give this one a try
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:38 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You can do it! The key is getting the acorn squash like 75% cooked before you stuff it!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean
December 27, 2012 at 9:29 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
oooh enjoy the new fitbit! we got my MIL the fitbit zip for xmas!
Alicia
December 27, 2012 at 9:32 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Ooh! Can you write a post about comparing the FitBit Ultra to the One? Fitbit is sending me a ONE to replace my Ultra and I’m so stoked to get it. Hope you love yours!!
LOVE the acorn squash recipe. Squash is literally my favorite vegetable so I savor any way to cook it – it’s always delish!
Laura
December 28, 2012 at 8:58 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Sure! Yesterday was my first day with it, so it may take a week or so. Initially I don’t see a lot of difference in functionality, but the design is better.
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:44 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks!! I can’t get enough squash either!
Linz @ Itz Linz
December 27, 2012 at 9:39 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve only made acorn squash once (i know i know!) so i’ll need to try this new recipe!!
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:37 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hey, I think it can be a forgotten squash next to butternut and spaghetti! Definitely give the acorn squash some love!
Carol @ Lucky Zucca
December 27, 2012 at 10:05 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yummy!!! I’ve had an acorn squash since Thanksgiving (wait… do they go bad?) and I need to use it. This sounds like the PERFECT recipe!! Thanks for sharing! Love all the components too!
Laura
December 28, 2012 at 9:02 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
They can dry out or mold… but if it looks ok, then you’re fine!
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:37 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Definitely. I’ve used one at least 3 weeks old because there was no sign of mold! Cut it open and find out!
Elena
December 27, 2012 at 10:10 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Sounds delicious!!! Yum…. And yay for a fitbit! I had one but just got the Nike Fuelband so am excited to give it a go.
Laura
December 28, 2012 at 9:30 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’d love to hear about how you like the Fuelband!
Allie
December 27, 2012 at 11:17 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Mmmm… I love me some acorn squash! Stuffed with quinoa?! Even better!
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:36 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yes!!!!! do try it!
Alex @ therunwithin
December 27, 2012 at 11:30 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
gosh I feel you on those dreaded gluten mistakes, I am glad you were able to have a family accommodate you and really be awesome about it.
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:34 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Parita @ myinnershakti
December 27, 2012 at 11:31 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I LOVE acorn squash. My new (to me) favorite way to eat it is with an egg baked in the middle. YUM! Glad y’all had a nice holiday!
Laura
December 28, 2012 at 9:30 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love doing the egg thing too!!
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:35 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have GOT to try that.
janetha
December 27, 2012 at 12:10 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
marshall got me a fitbit for christmas! i can’t wait to try it out.
Laura
December 28, 2012 at 9:34 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
We should be “friends” on fitbit when you set it up!
Elle
December 27, 2012 at 12:13 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Looks delicious – I love all kinds of squashes, too.
Kat
December 28, 2012 at 10:39 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Can’t go wrong with squash. Spaghetti is summer and fall for me… then i get into acorn and butternut! YUM
Ali @ WHOLEistically Fit
December 27, 2012 at 1:51 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Love the new top, Laura! Apparently Santa has a better fashion sense than I do.
I am loving all of the winter squashes right now and am excited to have a new recipe to try out with them!
Laura
December 28, 2012 at 9:35 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Same here – thank god for mom… errr… Santa.
Julie
December 27, 2012 at 2:01 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I bought two of those Lucy tops for myself and my mom. We got orange and turquoise.
Laura
December 28, 2012 at 9:39 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Cute! My sisters each got one too. And matching PJs. Maybe my mom secretly wanted triplets?
GiGi Eats Celebrities
December 27, 2012 at 3:09 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I got my sister a FITBIT for XMAS. Never played with one before in my life but I kept reading such positive reviews about it that I just had to (we are a very active family)… I hope she likes it… She hasn’t said anything to me about it, lol!! Then again that girl got so many gifts, she probably LOST IT!
Ohh and I am going to be roasting Acorn Squash for New Years Eve dinner
I am excited only because I always resort to Butternut Squash… Don’t get me WRONG – I LOVEEEE butternut but… It’s always nice to change it up!
Laura
December 28, 2012 at 9:43 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Haha – I think my sister is the same way. AND she knew what all of them were beforehand!
karina
December 27, 2012 at 8:56 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
i got a fitbit for christmas too! I wore it for the first time today. i’d love to hear about your experiences with it!
Laura
December 28, 2012 at 9:45 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
How are you liking it? I don’t see a big difference between this one and the older model, but it has certainly helped me be less sedentary! I have a desk job, so that’s not an easy thing.
karina
December 28, 2012 at 7:34 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This is only my second day using it so I’m still getting used to it. I think it’s pretty accurate with your steps if you’re walking but I’m a little disappointed because it didn’t track my running accurately (It didn’t think I went as far as the treadmill said I did). So basically I feel like its an over priced pedometer that supposedly tracks your sleep haha Oh well I still enjoy it…..it’s fun to see everything charted out on their website. Have you tried the sleep feature? I wore it last night and it said I woke up like 7 times but had a “97% sleep efficiency” haha
Laura
December 29, 2012 at 8:51 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That’s pretty much my assessment. I don’t use the sleep feature because I have the Sleep cycle app that is more accurate. I do like the stair tracking though!
Heather @ Better With Veggies
December 28, 2012 at 1:43 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh yum – I’m so glad I’m reading all the blogs I missed, because this recipe is right up my alley!!
Kat
December 30, 2012 at 4:45 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
yay! this comment made me smile!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen
December 28, 2012 at 5:07 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yum! This reminds me of my favorite (coincidentally the only vegan) dish at one of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville…they cook the squash perfectly every time, and until I had tried theirs, I never thought to pair acorn squash with marinara.
Also, my family is now so used to me just needing to make my own food they hardly bother checking in with me any more…I just raid the pantry and bring along whatever I ‘need’ and they usually end up jealous of my creations.
Laura
December 29, 2012 at 8:52 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Haha – my family is the same way. Except they just let me create for everyone. I did all of the cooking this year!
Kat
December 30, 2012 at 4:47 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
being able to raid the kitchen = huge plus!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
December 29, 2012 at 3:56 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have two untapped acorn squashes in my kitchen, so this recipe is perfect. Guess I’ll have to tap that (I sent dirty joke here).
Laura
December 29, 2012 at 4:00 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Bhahahaha! Made my day.
Kat
December 30, 2012 at 4:46 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
ah-mazing! made my day too!