So, it’s cold y’all. Temps have dropped around here and I’m thinking some hearty soups are in order. Today, I had 10 minutes between calls to throw together my lunch...and this is what I created.

I’m a fan of fast and cheap, but not a fan of fake or fluff. Thanks to The Wahls Cookbook motivation, I was able to improvise and concoct a fast and super filling, nutrient dense soup that will surely keep me full until the kiddos roll in around 3...at which time I’ll go for a few pieces of my organic dark chocolate and some green tea to hold me over to dinner. 😉

So, here’s my quick 5 step and 5 ingredient recipe:

Ingredients: onion, butternut squash, coconut milk, bone broth, orange or orange essential oil. On hand: ghee (or butter/coconut oil), pink salt, pepper, pumpkin seeds (or any seed, optional).

1. Sauté half an onion in ghee on medium heat for about 5 minutes.
2. While that’s sautéing, spoon out the (already roasted, last night with my dinner veggies) butternut squash and mash it with a fork in a bowl.
3. Add it and about 1 cup of broth (any type will work, this is chicken and in my fridge from the last batch of bone broth I made). Use wisk to mix together well.
4. Add in half a can of full fat coconut milk and a drop of orange essential oil (or a few wedges of fresh orange juice, plus the zest). Wisk well until blended and let sit in heat another 5 minutes. No need to fully boil, just long enough to blend.
5. Pour into oversized bowl and top with seeds. Enjoy!

Side note: this would be really easy to prep the night before and throw in a bowl to heat up at work.

LOCAL, need I say more?  I could also mention they won Retailer of the Year in 2014 too!  They offer a great amount of benefits to Louisville and I love having them here.  When my 10 year old gets sick, I know I can pop in and talk to someone about my options for her.  When I am looking for local products like honey, eggs or meat - yep, this is the place.

You also MUST check out their events schedule (I post them to my calendar for you, you are welcome) - they offer such an abundance of cheap and free health knowledge, you are truly missing out if you've never gone to one of their classes.

Shop here please, when you can, we want them to stick around for a LONG time!

I LOVE Whole Foods!  But, and a big but (no pun intended), you must be a somewhat of a bargain shopper or you will spend double what you plan...guaranteed.  They have such great options compared to the conventional market, sorry Kroger but kudos for even being a player, you will easily get sucked in to getting much more than you need.  Also, like anywhere, you must read labels.  Just because something sits on the shelf in a natural market does not mean it'd good for you.

Bulk bins are key, use these for as much as you can...great way to save money!  There's always great sales going on, and most of the products in there really are great (non-gmo, no preservatives or chemicals).  Their staff are literally eager to help you (far cry from the ghost-town Walmart).  Personal Care and Supplements Dept are very knowledgeable with natural healing and protocols.  If I am in the area, I always stop in and pick up a few items and learn a few things.

You must check out their sale items too, they post them online.  Here is the link: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/sales-flyer?store=6608

Hands down, Havana Rumba is my favorite Cuban Restaurant around.  They have food for the whole family, that is both healthy and affordable.  They have lots of vegetarian options and the kids meals are even great (not PB&J or mac-n-cheese, which I do not categorize as a real food option).

This is a great meeting spot for those downtown and those not wanting to go all the way into downtown.  The food is phenomenal.  I ordered a gluten-free option, which once submitted to the kitchen they actually came out to double check an ingredient with me.  The food was clearly made fresh to order, but it did take a little longer than normal to actually get the food.  I will be visiting this place again!

This is Farmer's Market meats conventional grocery.  Lucky's has great prices on conventional produce.  I personally, buy mostly organic, which they are competitive on, but not nearly as cheap.  So, when I am buying off the clean 15, they are a true money saver.  Plus, stop in on Wednesdays and you'll get the prior and upcoming week's sales.  Definitely makes a case for mid-week shopping.