Acorn Squash and Mango Soup

ACORN SQUASH and MANGO SOUP
Serves: 7
Ingredients:
1 Tbs Organic Coconut Oil (may add more if needed)
2 Acorn Squash
2 Mangos peeled and cut in strips and then smaller pieces
1/2 organic onion (or whole onion)
5 organic celery stocks
5 organic carrots
4 cups organic vegetable broth
1/4 - 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 cloves of garlic
Season to taste with:
     celtic sea salt (light gray) can be purchased at a health food store
     pepper
     chili powder
     garlic powder
     paprika
     cinnamon

Cut acorn squash in half and set seeds aside.  Place on a baking sheet flesh side down and cook for 30 minutes on 375.  Melt 1 Tbs organic coconut oil in soup pot.  Place chopped: onion, celery, carrots & mangos in pot until onion is translucent.  While veggies are sauteing put spices in according to taste except for cinnamon.  Pour vegetable broth over veggies and let simmer for 20 minutes after coming to a boil.

Remove squash from oven and scrape out of shell.  Place in pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon remove contents a little at a time from pot and place in blender until smooth & poor back into pot. (This will take 4 - 5 times)  It's ok to have some pieces that did not get ground up.  Pour in 1/2 cup of filtered water in mixture if too thick.  Add cinnamon to taste.  If you desire creaminess, pour 1/4 cup + almond milk into soup gradually.

To roast the seeds:  Rinse the seeds and allow them to dry. You can pat them dry but I find that allowing them to dry naturally makes the roasting better. On a parchment-lined baking pan, spread the seeds out. Sprinkle with celtic sea salt and drizzle with coconut oil or butter.  Bake at 350° for 10 min or until they begin to brown or become fragrant.

To serve, pour soup into bowl.  I put 2 small scoops of heated organic black beans for extra protein in the middle of the bowl and garnished with the roasted seeds and sliced pear.  Most people may not want to eat the shells but it doesn't bother me.

A nice wine pairing would be Pinot Grigio to bring out the crispness of the pear and mango.

Enjoy!

Note:  I choose to cook with organic coconut oil because when heated it does not oxidize and turn into free radicals which can damage your body.  I love organic extra virgin olive oil but only use it for salads and dipping bread because it will oxidize when heated.

HAPPY FALL
Much Love,
Robin

With FALL comes Change

Fall is my favorite season of the year although it never really last very long in CO as the snow comes early.  What does Fall represent to you?  I like the warmth of vibrant colors of  leaves and the crispness in the air.  Time to pull out your favorite sweater, go on walks on trails with fallen leaves, eat apple crisp and watch football!

Fall has also been a time of change for me.  In October of 1999 I left OK pulling a u-haul trailer behind my Mercury Cougar and headed to CO excited to what was ahead of me.  I grew up going to the mountains of CO for one week every August with my church youth group and it was called 'Youth Quake'.  It started in 1978 and they are still going every year.  Youth Quake and CO really made an impact on me and I felt more alive in the trees and the mountains than anywhere else.  For those of you that know me understand that I love cruises for the fun, food, adventure and the beauty of the ocean but my heart remains true to CO.

On Nov. 4th I left CO and moved back to OK into my parents home due to not being able to find full time work.  12 years is a long time to live in a place where I always wanted to be but didn't get to for various reasons until I was 31.  I finally got there!  To come back was not a part of the plan except for visits to see my family.  So it's rather obvious to everyone around me that I'm facing this with much resistance.

I am the only one that can change my outlook on my situation.  What can I create from this?  I'm not quite sure yet... BUT I do know that I first have to start with the attitude of gratitude.  I am thankful that I have parents that love me and took me back into their home as an adult.  I'm also thankful that I get to spend more time with them and my extended family.  Although not all of my experiences in CO were great I am thankful for the people that I met that impacted my life and for the opportunities I had.  How many people get to live in a ski town for 10 years at over 8,000 feet? 

If you've read/watched my previous blogs you'll see me in the garden in Fort Collins.  I got to garden for the first time in my adult life!  I was introduced to Klemmer and Associates via a Bible study in which I met so many amazing people!  I was in a wonderful neighborhood in Fort Collins that really made me feel welcomed.  (I miss you guys!)  I got great care at Big Toe Pilate's Studio and Spine Correction Center of the Rockies while in Fort Collins, Dr. Joel Berenbeim, D.O. in Denver over the last 9 years, David Siegfried @ Moutainland Physical Therapy in Granby & Kami Filiatrault for massage and Pilates in Winter Park.  I had a great team and I am so thankful for your care!

We go through different seasons in life sometimes not understanding why they have to end and new ones begin.  I am asking for your prayers during this transition.  I am excited about my future and a little scared at the same time.  I'm still looking for jobs in the FC and Denver areas and have started looking in the Tulsa area since I'm living in Owasso now.

I've attached some pictures from my fall harvest!  Tomorrow I will post a recipe for Acorn Squash and Mango soup.  It turned out great!

Much Love,
Robin

Where's my TOYS??

If you own a dog then you'll understand how crazy we can be about our four legged friends! They are family. They are pure joy and offer unconditional love...  So, I have to admit that I talk kind of different to Cheyenne at times but it's all in fun.  According to Caeser they're not supposed to be like children but if you've never had a child, well...

Today Miss Cheyenne got a bath. All of her bedding and toys got washed as well. She always watches me with such intent as I'm gathering them all up. She sees them going in the washer and into the dryer. Today she stood outside the door for awhile as if she was keeping watch. I told her to go on downstairs.

No kidding. As soon as the dryer stopped she ran upstairs and stood by the door again. I normally don't pay attention but today she got me so I decided to have a little fun with her.  Check out the pics below and I've also attached a short video as well.  I hope she brings a smile to your face!!!  She is such a good girl!

Much Love,

Robin & Cheyenne

http://youtu.be/zmk0pLNfKeI

1st SNOW of the season!

Just wanted to share with you the first snow of the season!  The forecast originally said 4 - 8 inches total for the storm that started last night.  Now they are saying 8 - 16 inches total.  It's supposed to be in the 60's and sunny this w/end!  I'll be posting in the next few days some Fall harvest pictures.

Enjoy the day and the snow!!

Much Love,
Robin

The Power of Kindness

I hope that you were able to watch some of the memorial ceremonies for 9/11.  I watched the Shankville, PA memorial over the Internet on Saturday.  It was wonderful...  I got up early to watch the program with Brian Williams on Sunday morning in NY, the Pentagon and PA.  All were very moving. 

Do you remember 10 years ago how people were towards each other after 9/11?  They wanted to help more, be a better neighbor, daughter, son, brother, sister, husband, wife and friend.  People pulled together to help one another.  None of us have forgotten about that horrific day but I do believe that once a tragedy passes that over time everyone gets back into their normal way of life.  Which is good; however, the simple kindnesses should still be present.  The way you express your love to your family and friends should still be prevalent and having a loving and giving heart to those in need. 

The people of the US pull together when hurricanes, tornadoes and other tragedies strike as a whole.  Do not forget the simple acts of kindness right in your own home, office, neighborhood, church etc.  You may have no idea of how your smile or kind word may change someone else's life.  You may ask yourself how can I make a difference?  Well, simple acts of kindness that are sincere & from the heart without expecting anything else in return.  Here's great video that sums it all up.

http://www.powerofkindnessmovie.com/?cm_mmc=CheetahMail-_-MO-_-09.12.11-_-TPOKmovie&utm_source=CheetahMail&utm_campaign=TPOKmovie

Much Love,

Robin

Cost, Benefits, What about a BONUS?!

Yesterday I shared about 10 very important traits to living an abundant life.  Today in my You tube video I share about how everything has a cost and a benefit but wouldn't it be great to get a bonus as well?!  This is a wonderful vehicle to creating financial abundance in your life that you can pass down from generation to generation.

http://youtu.be/P8SlInKc5uQ


This is a short video about why Shaklee is different!

http://images.shaklee.com/video/show.php?video=RogerShakleeDifference

The Shaklee Opportunity!
http://connect.shakleeuniversity.com/p49709217/

Vitalizer!
http://images.shaklee.com/video/show.php?video=Vitalizer


I wanted to stress that one of the points I made about Vitalizer wasn't correct.   I meant to say that it's the best nutritional supplement base to start with rather than saying 'it's all the nutrients you need for the day'.  Obviously you need the proper food nutrients and fluids to balance your diet.  Unfortunately, most of our foods are lacking the vital nutrients that we need.  That's why we have Vitalizer!  Please watch the Vitalizer video above to learn all the wonderful benefits it has to offer and it's patented delivery system so that the right nutrients get to the right place at the right time. 

Secondly, in regards to the member referral program.  You may earn as many credits as possible throughout the month.  Let's say you earn 300.  You may redeem 250 per month as I mentioned and the other 50 just stays in your bank until you are ready to use it.  Your credits can continue to accumulate.

Let me know if you can join me this Saturday night the 27th for 'Super Saturday' at 7PM here in Fort Collins.  I'm ready to get this party started!  Come join me!  Also if you have a favorite non-profit (5013C) I can help you raise funds for them as well.

Much Love,

Robin
http://www.robinjonesreflexology.com/
http://robinjones.myshaklee.com/
www.beyoungeo.com/robinjones

Traits for a Life of Abundance!

Wow!  It’s late!  Have you ever made a commitment with a deadline and then thought oh, it can wait until tomorrow?  Tomorrow comes, and then something else comes up… but this, but that, but, but, but…  What about with your children, husband or friends?  It may be something simple as telling your child you’ll read to them at bedtime but something else comes up and it doesn’t happen.  Do you make the choice to stop what you are doing to keep your commitment?  We need to show our family and friends that we say what we mean and mean what we say!

Well, I made a commitment to share about having a Life of Abundance on Robin’s Reality to be posted yesterday or today.  All the ‘buts’ came up today; however, I kept my commitment!  This is a ‘READING’ from one of my favorite books titled ‘The Compassionate Samurai – Being Extraordinary in an Ordinary World’ by Brian Klemmer.  I encourage you to buy the book because you will gain so much from it and want to share it with everyone!

Klemmer and Associates have several seminars and if you happen to be in the Colorado Springs area this weekend they are having a Personal Mastery starting on Friday night and ending on Sunday night.  They are AWESOME!  Don’t you want to figure out from within yourself what is keeping you from the life you always wanted?  Go to www.klemmer.com for more information and other cities where you can attend a workshop.

I am a continual work in progress.  Grab a cup of coffee or tea with breakfast and sit back and enjoy the reading.

http://youtu.be/FRu5X_w8Ro8

Much Love,

Robin