What makes you smile? Laugh? Go giddy with glee?

For some, it’s a walk through the park to enjoy the fall colors. For another, it’s a spin on a roller coaster, a solo movie date, or a perfectly ripe fall squash.

So… when was the last time you did something that makes you happy?

If it’s been awhile, consider this: happiness lowers stress levels, increases immune system function, and lowers your risk of disease. It also makes life easier.

The Magic Formula for Daily Pleasure

Doing one pleasurable thing per day (or more!) is the most powerful antidote for gray, boring, or stressful days.

Try this:

• Make an “I love” list. List everything that you enjoy – nothing is too small or too large. If you enjoy it, get it on the list.
• Take a look at how you spend your days. When could you fit in a little pleasure? Perhaps you could leave the office at lunch to walk in the park? Maybe you could play your favorite music while doing the dishes? Book yourself a massage this weekend? Spend a morning making a hearty fall soup?
• Repeat daily, or more often, as needed.

To get you started down the road of pleasure, give this luscious recipe a try (especially delicious for those of you who like a good, ripe squash.

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 Roasted Squash Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 large butternut squash (peeled, seeded & cut into 2″ cubes)
• 1 sweet potato (cut into 2″ cubes)
• 1 small onion
• ½ head of cauliflower, chopped
• 1 parsnips (peeled & cut into 2″ cubes)
• 8 cups of low salt vegetable (or chicken) stock
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground thyme
• 1 tsp ground thyme
• pinch of sea salt
• pinch of cinnamon
• Maple syrup to taste (a little swirl of sweetness)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Place squash, parsnip and potato in baking dish and baste with olive oil, salt, and cinnamon (pre-mixed). Roast in oven for about 20-25 minutes, turn slices over and continue cooking for about 20 more minutes until soft. (You could serve these just like this if you wanted too.)

Sauté onions, cauliflower and sea salt in oil on medium heat until soft. Add vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Add roasted butternut squash and sweet potato. Cook at medium heat for 10 minutes then lower heat and simmer for 10 more minutes.

Puree soup with immersion blender (hand held stick blender) to your desired ‘chunkiness’. Add sea salt, and cinnamon to taste. Swirl maple syrup into puree and stir.

Get Even Healthier!

Are you curious about how happy good health can make you feel? 

Don’t be scared your weight loss or health goals! Fall is the perfect time to take control of your cravings instead of your cravings taking control of you (especially with Halloween around the corner)!

If you would like to look & feel better, be lighter, have more energy, and reduce your “symptoms”,  sign up for the LEAN & CLEAN Eating Cleanse. Ditch the junk, regain your health and vitality. No products or pills to buy, just real + whole foods that you and your family can eat for life. Check out a preview video of the Fall Cleanse and see what everyone is talking about.

It is time to FALL in love with you!

To read more and to pin this recipe so you have it for later when you want to make it, click here