BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND COCONUT SOUP WITH SHRIMP

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

2 teaspoons canola oil 1 small yellow onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger 1 teaspoon red curry paste, more to taste 2 teaspoons light brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces, about 4 cups 2 cups low-sodium gluten-free chicken broth 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1/4 cup shredded coconut, toasted (optional) Lime wedges

Method

Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in curry paste, sugar and salt and cook 1 minute longer. Stir in squash, broth and coconut milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until squash is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in shrimp and simmer just until cooked through, about 2 minutes. Stir in cilantro, sprinkle with coconut and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Nutrition

Per serving (About 17oz/476g-wt.): 250 calories (60 from fat), 7g total fat, 3.5g saturated fat, 23g protein, 26g total carbohydrate (6g dietary fiber, 7g sugar), 175mg cholesterol, 480mg sodium

grape tomatoes and avocado salad

I thought I would also use this blog to post some yummy recipes that my friends and family might like!

Serves 3

This delectable salad proves that fresh, high quality ingredients taste superb with little adornment. Halved grape tomatoes and avocados join onions, parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt in this perfect side dish or simple appetizer with tortilla chips. Can be prepared up to four hours ahead of serving, making it convenient for those summer days when you're constantly on the go.

Ingredients

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley or cilantro, or mixture of both
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 white onion, chopped
2 avocados, chopped
High quality sea salt, such as Fleur de Sal

Method

In a non-reactive glass bowl toss together tomatoes, parsley, oil, lemon juice, and onions. Add avocados and salt and toss gently. Chill if not serving immediately.

Nutrition

Per serving (212g-wt.): 190 calories (140 from fat), 16g total fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 3g protein, 13g total carbohydrate (7g dietary fiber, 4g sugar), 0mg cholesterol, 210mg sodium

Child like Faith

Ok I'm going to try this blog thing one more time. I have 3 boys so I should have something to write about right?!? Here it goes...

Keagan has had a rough few days. We have been to the ER with him twice since last Wednesday. Praise God we seem to have found out all thats going on and he seems to be on the mend. We are praying that the Lord will protect the other two from all thats going on.

Logan has really been wrapped up in helping Michael paint his and Keagans room this past weekend! He LOVES spending time with his daddy and with Keagan being sick he's gotten a little more alone time. He's so much like Michael it makes me smile!!

Jordan is on the move. I don't think I have seen him crawl all week! He is Michaels shadow and while this as cute as can be, wanting to be just like daddy can be some what dangerous. I was in the living room today when I heard Michael call me. I walked into our boys room where Michael was on a ladder doing some touch up work on the new paint job only to find that Jordan had followed him right up the ladder and Michael couldn't get down. Dangerous I think so!! He has no fear.

As for me the Lord has been using my boys to teach me so many things. I hear people say "have child like faith" and I always thought "ohh yah I do that" until a few days ago. Like I wrote before Keagan has been having a rough time. He woke up from a nap obviously still feeling very under the weather and came and sat in my lap and we started to sing a song. "My God is so great so strong and so mighty there's nothing that my God can't do. Child like faith.... sick,tired but still singing of how great his God is! Granted Keagan has the flu no real life threating illnesses but to a 4 year old the flu feels like being hit by a bus. How many times do I let the smallest things get me down and question God. No one likes to admit that they question God but we all do it. I am challenging myself to watch my children and learn from them. God is using the smallest of Olivers to teach me so much!

PS- A special thanks to my wonderful sister in law Michelle for finding this cute background and designing my page. I am blessed to have such a talented lady to call sister! I love you dearly.