Apple and Bacon Stuffed Acorn Squash

I woke up this morning wanting something savory and warm. This is what I came up with!

Ingridients:

1 acorn squash

1 granny smith apple

2-3 slices bacon

1/4 C diced sweet onions

coconut oil

cinnamon

nutmeg

optional: maple agave syrup

Cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds and then coat the squash with some coconut oil. Place in preheated oven at 400 degrees, skin side down. Bake for about 40 minutes, until you can pierce easily with a fork. Dice onion, Cut apple and bacon into small cubes. Sauté onions until soft, then add bacon and apples. Add nutmeg and cinnamon. Sauté on medium high until cooked. When squash is cooked, scoop apple/bacon mixture into the squash. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup!

This is something that I would eat for breakfast on cold mornings, but it would also be a great side dish for a salad or soup! Also, I didn’t add salt to mine, but a sprinkle or two could make the flavors pop a bit more!

Namaste

Cassandra

16 Ways to Kick the Winter Blues

Here in the Pacific Northwest Seasonal Depression is common grounds. When the rainy, dark winter months come along it is normal to feel sluggish and just generally bad. However, after 4 years I have learned some tricks to kick the winter blues!

1. Know the signs of SAD
2. Get outside early and often
3. Exercise everyday- bonus points for aerobic exercise!
4. Watch caffeine intake
5. Eat more healthy fats and green veggies
6. Use positive affirmations first thing in the morning
7. Meditate
8. Do yoga- especially inversions
9. Find a goal that fires you up
10. Light Therapy
11. Get up as soon as your alarm goes off
12. Vitamin D
13. Avoid Alcohol
14. Avoid gluten-if your sensitive to it
15. B Vitamins
16. Drink more water

Ultimately, the habits that make you physically healthy, will make you feel mentally well too. Pay extra attention to the mind/body connection through the winter months. A little extra time outside as well as Vitamin D is all you need if you already live a healthy lifestyle. What I have discovered is that cold, dark days make it easy to ditch your healthy habits. So it isn’t that the winter is making you blue, it is the lack of healthy habits that is hurting you! At the end of the day if you want to feel good- eat veggies, drink water, sleep well, feel gratitude and manage stress- and everyday will be a good day!