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Okay, you guys are amazing. Every time I check the comments on the Erin McDermott giveaway and read about thing things you feel grateful for right now, it makes me smile and feel so happy. Seriously, if you need a pick me up…bookmark this post and remember that life is good and we have so much to be grateful for. Some of the responses brought tears to my eyes. Thank you all for being so open and honest.

One of the things that I am most passionate about is uplifting and empowering others (especially other women) and helping them feel connected to a community of support. This is a big reason why I love teaching yoga so much. I’m personally grateful for all of you that read silently on a daily basis but when you open up and share in this space it makes me over the moon happy. I know this is the Internet and just a blog but I want it to feel like a place where you can share experiences with me and others. We all grow through it.

I know this is a lot to share but your responses to that post were the perfect end to a week that was full of so much good energy and love in both real life and the blog world. I appreciate every single person who reads this blog more than I can ever tell you.

It’s been over a week since I’ve shared recent eats, so here are a few highlights.

Breakfast

11.8oatmeal

Apple cinnamon oatmeal. The mornings have been so cold!

11.8smoothie

And smoothies. Always smoothies. And I definitely stood outside shivering in 30 degree temperatures while I shot this before heading back in to drink it next to a space heater with a cup of coffee. This week’s smoothie mix has been super delicious.

1 frozen banana
2 cups spinach
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
4-5 frozen strawberries
1-2 tablespoons almond butter
Sprinkle of cinnamon
1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
1/2 cup plain almond milk
1-2 dates

Lunch

11.8wf

Whole Foods hot bar randomness.

11.8soupsand

Deli chicken, avocado, mayo and cheddar on sourdough with a bowl of tomato soup and grapes.

11.8lunchbowl

Fall in a bowl. Brown rice topped with roasted mushrooms, brussels sprouts, butternut squash and cranberries topped with honey goat cheese and aged balsamic.

Dinner

11.8porkchop

A big pan of roasted brussels, mushrooms, parsnips and sweet potatoes with a marinated, cubed pork chop from a local meat butcher. So good!

11.8salad

Girl’s night. We made dinner out of salad, cheese and wine. Perfect. You have to try this salad combo.

Baby spinach
Sauteed portobello mushrooms
Avocado
Goat cheese
Bacon
Tomatoes

The bacon and warm mushrooms just put it over the edge.

11.8cheese

Here’s the wine and cheese portion of our dinner.

11.8chili

And last but not least, I made a big pot of chicken and winter squash chili today. It was a loose variation of this recipe for my butternut and bean chili but with the addition of chicken and less beans and no peppers or jalepenos. I just used what I had on hand. I made some cheddar cornbread muffins to go along. Nice little cozy Saturday night dinner in.

What kind of fall foods have you been cooking? 

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