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It's soup season! Nothing is more soul-satisfying and comforting than a hot bowl of soup, and soup can quell your appetite faster than most foods, for fewer calories, because of its high liquid content. This creamy (but low-calorie) cauliflower soup is a great make-ahead idea for a Sunday afternoon, to provide you with figure-friendly lunches all week. It's also easy to make-ahead and serve as a rich but not too filling appetizer for a dinner party. A garnish of finely chopped crispy bacon & parsely would put it over the top. A drizzle of cream in a pretty shape (channel your inner barista) would be great in a pinch, too!
Soup is great for cleaning out the fridge, isn't it? Cauliflower tends to be one of those veggies that languishes in my veggie drawer, and one recent head met its fate as the primary ingredient in this super yummy (and pretty jam-packed with goodness) roasted garlic and cauliflower soup. That week I believe I made three different types of soup. I finally stopped when I heard "soup again, huh?..." one time too many.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut the top off the head of garlic but leave the head together and top with 1 T oil. Place garlic, oil side up, in a baking dish and bake 30 minutes.
Remove baking dish from oven and add cauliflower florets and 2 T oil, toss and return to oven for 30 more minutes (stir partway through to avoid burning/drying out cauliflower).
Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 T oil in a large pot over medium heat; saute onion and celery until softened, about 10 minutes.
Once garlic has cooled, combine everything in the pot and simmer together on low heat for 5-10 minutes.
Use immersion blender to puree.
If using cream, stir into hot soup.
Season with salt and pepper.
** Confession time: I did have cream in the house because I drink my coffee with cream, so I used half-and-half to make the soup more appetizing for my little ones as well as to cool down the soup so I could serve it immediately. You may add the cream to the bowls individually and keep it out of the communal pot if some diners (probably you...) prefer dairy-free or lighter fare.
Thanksgiving. A statutory holiday for belts. Dig out your stretchiest waistband and most flattering top. It's turkey time.
I've always been a bit of a runner. Well, since adulthood, anyway. As a child I didn't participate in any track and field or running-heavy sports, so running came later in life as a fitness-oriented activity. I've run varying amounts for 15 years and I really enjoy it.
Once in a while a client expresses her frustration with never having been able to find joy in running. To which I say, "Then don't run." Running is not necessary for fitness. It's a great skill and a cheap, healthy hobby. It's not for everyone.
If you like to run, you want to share your passion for running with your children. My daughter, Sweaty Kid #1, turned 6 this spring. For a couple of years she's been expressing interest in joining me on runs and I've started to test her out, asking her if she wants to start running with me soon. She is proud of her running and knows she is fast and fit. Naturally, she wants to pursue what she is good at.
Last weekend, we at YMC ran a lovely 5K in midtown Toronto with RBC in support of Sunnybrook Foundation's Family Navigation Project. I was joined by a couple of the Belly Bootcamp mommies (and little ones), and by Sweaty Hubby and both Sweaty Kids, 6 and almost 4 years old. We ran and walked in the pouring rain and had one of the best family outings we've had so far this year!
Sweaty Hubby pulled up the rear with our littlest, who — at not quite 4 years old — is running short spurts as little children do. My eldest and I ran ahead, taking walk breaks as needed. I am proud to say Sweaty Kid #1 ran almost 2.5 km with just short walk breaks and tons of confidence and gusto. People turned their heads to see a child so small racing through the crowd. Maybe some thought I was forcing her. Probably most just admired her energy.
That was all the proof I needed. She is ready to run. And, more importantly, she wants to run.
Here are my tips for spreading the running bug to your littles, without the drill sergeant attitude that creates a stigma of punishment instead of shared hobby.
Now here is the most important part of pulling the whole starting-to-run thing together and managing your expectations:
It's okay to challenge your little one to improve her skills. Coming up to a hill? Ask her if she wants to race you to the top! Scared of declines? Hold hands and lightly jog together. Gradually, her endurance and skill will improve.
Don't expect to get the same level of workout or cover the same miles you would without an ankle biter by your side. When your little one can't run anymore, walk another kilometre or two together. Or, throw her on your back and burn extra calories trekking around with your very own 50 pound weight vest hugging you tight.
Sounds like the best workout ever, to me.