The feature root vegetable in this soup is butternut.  But you can use acorn squash, sweet potato, or even carrot to create your own version of this soup.  Just as many nutrients and vitamins with the same additional ingredients used in preparation.

Warm healing spice notes from the turmeric, cumin, and nutmeg in this recipe make this Maple Butternut Squash Soup actually a Super Food Soup!   Oh, and did I mention this rich delicious bowl of goodness and mercy is VEGAN!  *Insert warm and fuzzies here*

The combination of sweet-tart cherries and the savory creaminess of this fresh cheese make for a phenomenal appetizer in my super simple Goat Cheese Spread & Cherry Compote Crostini.  

Last weekend I decided to bring the retro 'dinner party' term to life in 2018.  What started off as a make-up for a missed birthday event for a friend, turned into a beautiful opportunity to celebrate a good friend, along with good food!  

The key to an enjoyable evening of cooking for friends is to not over-complicate the process.  Deliciously simple is the way to win!  And what's easier than bread, cheese, and fruit?  Now, I'm known to put a mean cheese platter together loaded with wonderful fresh and aged cheese varieties, salty dried meats, nuts, sweet dried and fresh fruit, and various gourmet crackers.  However, I decided I wanted a more 'Autumn' feel.  While my infamous cheese platters are all the rave when it's warmer out, I wanted to take a different approach for the cooler time of the year.  Warm crusty bread, creamy herb cheese spread, and deep earthy sweetness of stewed-like stone fruit just speaks 'Fall is here'! 

My initial dried fruit of choice was cranberries.  However, right next to the package was an equally tasty looking bag of dried cherries!  Needless to say, either one would work magically, but my love for cherries during the summertime spoke a little louder given that I could bring them to life in the Fall.  Not to mention the awesome health benefits cherries have such as melatonin(sleep aid), cardiovascular health, anti-aging properties, as well as having the power to lower hypertension.  

For the cheese spread, cream cheese is added to create a more smooth consistency when spreading as opposed to the goat cheese alone having the tendency to crumble when applied.  But no worries, the tangy goat cheese flavor still reigns supreme!

The baguette in this assembly presents a heartier vehicle for this delicious foodie topping combo that brings its own delicious identity when drizzled with fresh extra virgin olive oil.  The sprinkle is simply added flavor.  Remember, in cooking you must season each layer for maximum flavor!  

So enjoy this recipe and feel free to substitute dried cranberries or even dried berries, to toast the season! (yep, pun intended!)

My trainer instructed me to forego carbs after breakfast for the remainder of the day to achieve one of my health goals.  This is not a problem with these fresh and crisp Green Goodness Curry Taco Boats.  I generally try to leave carbs alone in the evening anyway and this recipe makes it so much easier to do so!  This is essentially why I created such a delicious twist on the usual 'Taco Tuesday'.  

Even though the shell has been replaced with a cool and refreshing crisp lettuce leaf, the warm vibrant and rustic flavors of the curry spice balance this one-handed masterpiece perfectly.  With Abstract Spice​ as the all natural seasoning base for flavor, the added rich fall spices of curry and paprika are heightened for a more distinguished tasting taco.  Taking this flavor to an additional level is the arugula.  Usually I have fresh cilantro as a garnish for my tacos that packs bright flavor, however, the 'peppery' bite of arugula deepens the warm spice tones to pair even more harmoniously with these tacos.  Finishing with a squeeze of lime adding  delicious zing to the layers of flavor and freshness, these tacos are a force to be reckoned with!

Like with many of my newer recipes, my Green Goodness Curry Taco Boats also include simple ingredients and preparation making it an ideal recipe to prepare during the week.  You can even prepare the curry seasoned filling ahead of time and just heat and serve when you like.  These are also super convenient for packing for lunch! 

I don't know about your time, but my time seems to get shorter and shorter when the work week begins.  With all the daunting tasks that consume our days, dinner, and a healthy one at that should be easy.  Allow me to introduce you to my delicious super Simple Abstract Spice Grilled Salmon!  

Not only is this omega rich fish uber good for you, but it's really simple to make.  If you have any reservations about preparing salmon, let my recipe be your new rule of thumb for making it perfectly!  Because there are only 3 essential ingredients to the recipe, the ease of preparing this during the week will allow you time to breathe AND eat well for your healthy lifestyle. 

What's more is that once made, this recipe is so versatile.  Enjoy it with a side salad and roasted veggies and/or potatoes, on top of your favorite salad, or even as the delicious filler in your Tuesday Tacos!  The possibilities are endless and so tasty!