Happy October! This used to be my most favorite month, I would get all giddy about the Fall and halloween and cooler weather and my birthday. Now I get excited about everything EXCEPT my birthday! 31.... yikes. Where did my 20s go :( Can I re-live them please?! My little brother is turning 20, two days after me. Lucky dude. Little does he know, these will be the most exhilarating years of his life! But I guess there is soooo much for me to look forward to as I move into another chapter in my life. Growing up doesn't have to be depressing does it?! I will always be young at heart. In keeping with the Fall mood and my awesome hemp products, I created this butternut squash bisque to warm us up as the weather begins to drop. [I live in Florida so by temperature drop I mean 80 degrees versus 90 degrees LOL!]

Gazpacho is the new salad! After trying my hands at this amazing Spanish recipe, I realized I am a silly woman for not making this before. Packed with veggies and what surprised me is that there is no cream in this! Yet, it tastes like the creamiest soup mmmm. The recipe is SO easy that I beg you to make this just once. You will be hooked. In Spain they make big batches and keep it around for a snack. Some even drink it out of a glass! 

The other day I was reminiscing about New Orleans and its wonderful flavors... I decided to make a healthier version of their incredible gumbo! This came out so good, I really don't think you'll be missing the extra oil and fat! 

It got cold again today! [yea... thanks Captain Obvious] I went to work to finish off the week and the boyfriend went to play a golf tournament. Since I had a half day at work I thought it would be a nice surprise for Matt to come home to a hot comforty soup after being outside in this gloom all morning. I have made faux mashed potatoes many times and LOVED it so why not a hearty loaded soup, minus the crazy restaurant calories. This past week of getting bikini ready was intense. I have been really kicking it up a notch in the gym. I have been doing boot camp, strength training, runing and yoga. I am just yearning for my yoga class on Sunday, I need to stretch! And to breathe. And to recharge. I love it though, I love getting crazy at the gym and then having that sore, "can't sit down or move" feeling. I feel like it's so motivating to feel that feeling cus you are constantly reminded to make healthy food choices. -leg cramp-"PUT DOWN THAT COOKIE!" *single tear*      ......Don't forget to follow me on twitter and Instagram @tinytaster407 and Facebook http://Facebook.com/tinytaster......

Happy Monday! Unfortunately its a not-so-happy one for my honey, he is home sick with some kind of fever/flu from hell... I thought he had slipped away clean after I had mine a couple of weeks ago, but I guess whatever this evil possession is, is going around and its not letting anyone get away! The funny thing is, when I was having my episode, Matt thought I was being a little over dramatic and exaggerating about the constant alternation of chills and sweats. Last night he poked his head out from under his covers and with a sad face said "you were right...." Oh how that made me glow! I tried hiding it of course... but inside I was doing a dance and singing the "I told you so" song :) hehehehe I promise I am not evil, but c'mon ladies, has your man ever made you feel like a wimp over having some pain and then when they have the same pain its like "alert the media, the end is near!!!"? Either way, I felt bad, because I do know exactly how much pain he was in... so I decided to make him one of my favorite healing soups :)

I wanted to make a hearty yet light soup. I didn't want to feel like I was in a food coma after, but I did want that comfort food feel in my tummy and in my soul. This is my version of minestrone soup, it is a very Fall/Winter version of the soup as I used zucchini and squash instead of carrots and celery. Let me tell you how delicious it turned out! At first I was going to use spicy Italian sausage but then saw the Greenwise spicy chicken sausage and went with that, lighter yet full of flavor. Make this on a cold day and serve with some toasted baguette!

I have made this a couple of times after testing out the vegan waters. Even though I didn’t stick to that lifestyle, I did stick to this soup! It is one of the easiest and most flavorful comfort foods you will ever have, I promise! Everyone that tries it can't get enough :P I have always loved foods that are full of flavor and Thai foods are all about it!  The curry in this soup really tastes wonderful. Its so amazing that just a simple curry powder can create such a kick-ass soup. Serving this soup over jasmine rice, with some avocado slices and warm naan are is like a warm blanket on a cold winter day... how can you hold back the smile? 

St. Patty’s Day is this Sunday and I thought, why not get festive with some dinner?! Poking around Pinterest I discovered this blogger Kevin, his blog is called Closet Cooking because he has the tiniest kitchen but still manages to make the most incredible dishes! I couldn’t believe all of the amazing recipes this guy had, I will be trying more for sure. As soon as I saw the pictures of his Irish Lamb Stew, I knew I had to make it.. I also made some Irish Soda Bread for dipping in the glorious thick gravy that is born after two hours of braising the lamb.