Roasted Butternut Squash with Shallots and Garlic

I have been a little MIA lately, and I apologize! I also really appreciate those of you who keep checking the site and posting on older recipes! This is still very much a passion of mine... the cooking, creating, eating Paleo and blogging about it! However... life has thrown us a curve ball. (Which it does to us all from time-to-time). Personal issues and illness within our family have drawn immediate attention and priority! I know we ALL have experienced times in our lives when "life" simply overwhelms us.... Pain, suffering, bad luck, sadness, unfortunate circumstances, injuries, heartache... the list goes on! It's times like these when our foundations for good health come to test and really kick in! All of a sudden a great recipe, creative cooking or simply eating for that matter, do not seem important! But... we have the foundations and the experience to make good choices in non-desirable situations. This is who we are now: CrossFitters, Paleo enthusiasts, health aficionados! It is also times like these when we realize what "good health" actually means (visually & internally)!

People: Do not take for granted your health! Get out there and move! Eat well! Enjoy the pleasure (and luxury) of pushing your limits! Live well. Stay challenged. Eat well. Live smart. Eat smart. Stay active within your means. and...CrossFit!

I've heard this quote a lot lately from various sources, and it keeps playing in my mind: "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans" - John Lennon

Recipe:

20 oz. chopped butternut squash or 1 butternut squash peeled and diced

4 large shallots, peeled and halved

10 cloves garlic, peeled

1 C olive oil

1 heaping T red wine vinegar

1 large tsp. dried thyme

pinch sea salt & pepper

dash allspice & cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine olive oil and spices. Put butternut squash, shallots and garlic in a baking dish. Add olive oil and spices and toss all ingredients well. Bake for 30-40 minutes... until butternut squash is tender and shallots start to caramelize. That's it!

Hope you enjoy this simple (delicious) side! :-)

Steamed Brussels with Bacon and Shallots

You don't hear this often, but the BEST part of tonight's dinner was the BRUSSELS SPROUTS!

No joke! These were delicious. I highly recommend! This will make even the doubterest of doubters a believer in the magic of brussels sprouts. I could have macked on these all night! THANK YOU ANNIE for this delicious recipe. (You don't always go to the gym just to get a great workout, sometimes you get a great recipe, too)! Brussels sprouts are in season right now and will make an excellent side dish to any recipe! Enjoy! ... The kids will like 'em too, 'cause we all know: "bacon makes everything better".

Recipe:

about 15-20 brussels sprouts, cut in half

2 shallots, sliced

3 slices bacon, chopped

1/4 C chicken broth (or water)

sea salt and pepper to taste

Saute chopped bacon in a skillet. When bacon starts to crisp, remove bacon pieces, reserving bacon fat. On medium heat, saute the shallots in the bacon fat until they start to caramelize. Add the sliced brussels with the shallots. Cook together for a couple minutes. Add the bacon pieces back to the skillet along with the chicken broth. Toss all ingredients together well and cover with a lid for about 5-7 minutes (until brussels are tender).

A tasty side for just about any dish! :-)