Saturday, October 24, 2015

Falling for...food and family #hemphearts #sweatpink

My oldest son is clearly enjoying all the fall things! Yes, he carved this.
I have to admit that it feels so weird to not be training for anything. Since race season is over for me, I just updated the pictures on the blog header as well as my Facebook page cover photo. My friend Karen commented what great memories I have from this year! And she is right! I ran 3 halfs, a 10 miler, a 10k, and a full marathon, and had friends at every race! I had some PRs and AG awards as well. I'm most happy about no injures this year! Following my final race, the Chicago Marathon, I took a week off to recover and continue to ease back into running. I'm still nursing my plantar fasciitis (who isn't these days?), but other than that, I couldn't be more thrilled with how the year is coming to a close. Now to keep myself out of trouble aka signing up for another race to fill the void. Looking at the big picture is easier said than done. But with the ever-present threat of burpees from my coach, I think I'll behave.

My wingman!
Thankfully, between work and family I seem to be keeping really busy. This past weekend, I enjoyed watching my youngest play rugby! I have been working almost every Saturday since September, and this was only the second game I've seen this fall. His team lost, but these boys continue to inspire me with their heart and hard playing, right up to the bitter end. The team they played today was really good, and Matthew and one of his teammates joked that it was as if the opponents weren't quite human. Matthew said if they tackled them, he thought their skin might come off and there would just be wires underneath there. Kind of like running with the Kenyans, right?

Anyways, I've been busy in the kitchen, making some delicious fall recipes. My family is always happy to eat whatever I put in front of them. Manitoba Harvest sent me a package of their Hemp Hearts to try, and I've been experimenting with them. Since my boys are allergic to tree nuts, the Hemp Hearts are a great substitute for nuts in recipes. My oldest son Tom went pumpkin shopping a few weeks ago and came home with not only pumpkins but also squash. There was a butternut squash sitting on the kitchen counter, and I made a pasta sauce with it. I like to make a brown butter with fresh sage to spoon on top of the pasta, and instead of the pine nuts that the recipe called for, I substituted Hemp Hearts. It was a hit!


Here's the recipe:

Butternut Squash Pasta sauce
recipe adapted from Cooking Light 2006
Serves 4

Ingredients:
1# butternut squash peeled, seeded, and shredded
1 garlic clove, minced
1-2 tbsp olive oil
2 1/2 cups of water
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 cup/4 oz. shredded parmesan (I use SarVecchio, a cheese made in Wisconsin (it's got a nutty kind of flavor), but you can use your favorite)

12 ounces uncooked penne

2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts
1 tbsp fresh sage

Directions: 
1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 c pasta water.
2. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add squash and 1 cup of water to the pain. Cook until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Gradually add the rest of the water, 1/2c at a time, waiting until the water is absorbed before adding more. Stir occasionally.
3. Once all the water is absorbed, stir in the sugar, salt, and pepper.
4. While the squash is cooking, melt 2 tbsp. butter in a small saucepan. Allow it to lightly brown. Remove from heat and stir in the Hemp Hearts and sage.
5. Combine pasta and sauce, tossing well to mix. If the sauce is too thick, add pasta water until mixture reaches desired consistency. Toss with 3/4c shredded parmesan.
6. Spoon pasta and sauce onto plates; top with remaining cheese and buttered sage sauce.
7. Serve and enjoy!

With a salad and a chardonnay...it's the perfect fall meal!

And yes, here's a running photo from the weekend:


What are you cooking up for fall? Don't you just love fall meals? I can't wait to see what else I can do with my Hemp Hearts! There are a ton of recipes on the website. If you want to try Hemp Hearts, I'm giving away one package below!

disclosure: As a SweatPink ambassador, I was given one package of Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts to try and review here on the blog. Of course, all opinions and recipes and photos are mine!

I'm linking this post up with Holly at HoHoRuns and Tricia at MissSippiPiddlin and their Weekly Wrap! I'm expecting some race reports...and all kinds of fall fun! Check it out!













I'm also linking up with Debbie at Confessions of Mother Runner And Tina Muir at Fuel Your Future with Tina Muir for Meatless Monday! Yum!












a Rafflecopter giveaway

90 comments :

  1. Enjoy the running for fun! and all the fall activities! The pumpkin came out super cool! They don't last long here- I was thinking of doing a little pumpkin carving contest at the house this week and see what the kids come up with, I will have to throw in some pizza to seal the deal I am sure! Your dish looks yummy! I love fall squash but I have not thought of using it as the sauce, I will try it! and of course adding the Chardonnay is spot on! Happy Sunday!

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  2. Wow that jack o lantern looks great, super amazed. I love fall squash roasted.. We carved pumpkins finally, had candy, and wine in that order. You look great in your fall running picture. I have never had hemp hearts.
    bakingrunner.blogspot.com

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  3. Ooooh I love butternut squash, can't wait to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. The Butternut squash pasta looks so yummy and creamy!

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    Replies
    1. Even for someone who doesn't love squash (me!), this is fabulous!

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  5. Yum!!!! I have to try this recipe!!

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  6. I love squash and sage- I have never used hemp hearts, so am surprised they substitute for pine nuts- I will have to try soon!

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    1. They don't have the same flavor as pine nuts, but the Hemp Hearts add a nutty flavor to the buttered sage...

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  7. What a cool pumpkin! He is very talented! We haven't carved any yet. I should probably get on that! You remind me I've been promising to make Butternut Squash Bisque for my husband. I'm sure your pasta sauce would be a huge hit too. It looks delicious. I'm so jealous of your pretty fall leaves. We don't peak until usually the week of Thanksgiving. By then, I hope I'm running at least a few miles and can enjoy them. Fingers crossed. I appreciate you linking up with us!

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    1. I hope you're back on the road before Thanksgiving!!! Sending healing thoughts...

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  8. Hello! I'm a new reader and found you through the linkup. :) That is a lot of races and a lot of successes! Enjoy your off-season. It's such a great time for one too. I love butternut squash and can't wait to cook with it this fall.

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    1. Thanks for commenting! I'm going to head over to check out your blog too!

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  9. That pasta recipe looks fabulous! You have had an amazing season. Can't wait to hear your 2016 goals. I am super impressed at your son's pumpkin carving capabilities. Mine are generally triangles in various configurations for the facial features, lol.

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    1. I'm a triangle carver myself...he's super patient. I don't know where he gets it from...

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  10. That is a fantastic pumpkin! I played Rugby in highschool - but probably not as rough as your son. I love hemp hearts - I sprinkle them on my toast and in my oatmeal.

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  11. Oh wow, my pumpkins never come out good! I do enjoy trying, though! How long did it take him to do this? I am so pinning this butternut pasta recipe for later. It looks so good and I am loving butternut squash soup right now. I tried some in the steamer and that was good too. I love the pictures on the blog too! Enjoy your time you have deserved it! I bet you are having withdrawals from a training plan huh?

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    1. I am having a little bit of withdrawls! But I've been running and that keeps me happy.

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  12. Your son's pumpkin carving looks awesome! My husband and I love to carve pumpkins. His always turn out better than mine! I love your new pictures on your header. Nice update! That pasta dish looks delicious! I haven't tried the Hemp Hearts, but I've seen a lot of other SPA's posting about them lately.

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    1. I don't know where he got his talent from. Certainly not his mother!

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  13. Love Hemp Hearts! I usually put it in my greek yogurt. You have ran a lot of races! It feels weird to me not training for anything too but time to enjoy it, right?

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    1. That's a good idea, putting them in the yogurt. I'll have to try that!

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  14. i am all about butternut squash lately too and sauce looks great! Thanks for linking up with us today for MM. Impressive pumpkin carving btw :)

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  15. No injuries from your race season is definitely worth celebrating! You had a great set of races this year, and I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store for you!

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    1. This was really a fun year for me! It was nice to see the old legs still have some steam left in them!

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  16. I love hemp hearts (I have some in my cupboard right now!) and I think this is such a great way to use them. Real runners still eat pasta, thank goodness. :-)

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  17. You have had a great year! Love the new banner!

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  18. When I go to kids' events lately (football, swimming, skating of course) I can't help but think what a powder-keg of potential these kids are sitting on. How a world of opportunity is theirs to seize, yet their brains are not yet developed sufficiently to realize it, and of course wisdom comes with age. I am deep this morning, haha!
    You've had a fabulous year!

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    1. You are so right! If only they had the ability to make good decisions (poor frontal lobe development)....

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  19. WOW! Your son is talented! That is impressive!!! Thanks for sharing the recipe, hearty and healthy (and hemp-y hehe) love it!

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  20. That pumpkin is awesome! I'm still challenged with the triangles and a smile pumpkin, lol

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  21. Hooray for all thins fall! I love the running picture, that pumpkin is pretty sweet, and that recipe sounds delicious! Let's keep fall forever and just skip winter, huh?

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  22. Glad things are going well for you these days! I really do love this time of year, and try to stretch it out as long as possible! I've heard of the Hemp Hearts but haven't tried them yet - your recipe looks tasty, I love squash!

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  23. You have had quite the successful and productive year. You should be so very proud of yourself!

    I am trying to get in the fall spirit, but it's hard when the temperatures are still in the high 80s. I am making soup tonight, come hell or high water, because one should eat soup in October, dang it!

    That butternut squash sauce looks rather delicious.

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  24. It's so weird not having any races on the calendar! I feel the same way!! I'm not sure what do to with myself. You had a great year! Looking forward to being a part of your 2016 from Minnesota! :)

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  25. I love anything with butternut squash but did not think to make a sauce. I always cube it and roast it. Will need to try your idea.

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  26. You meal looks amazing!!!! An important safety tip tho, never eat raw sage...it will leave the NASTIEST taste in your mouth. It's one of the few herbs that really needs to be cooked. So glad I got to be at one of your races!!!!! <3

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    1. That was just a garnish...the sage was chopped and cooked in the butter!

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  27. You had an awesome running season this year! The Butternut Squash Pasta sauce recipe sounds yummy! I'll have to try it out! Thanks for sharing!

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  28. I use hemp hearts almost daily. Nutrition boost.

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  29. Hey there! Love the new header!! It's hard to not have anything on the schedule isn't it? I'm battling that right now and I"m only day 1 post marathon, lol. That pasta dish looks amazing. I'm a HUGE fan of hemp hearts sprinkled on just about everything!!

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    1. I was ok immediately post marathon but now, 2 weeks out, I'm battling the need to run a race again...I need to keep my head on straight!

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  30. OOo great suggestion to substitute them for nut allergies. Congrats on finishing your season strong and without injuries!

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  31. He surprised us as well...he's always been creative but who knew?

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  32. those hemp hearts look yummy!!!! I have another half next weekend (Nov. 7th), then I'll be officially in my off-season. I'll do a few small events here & there, though. I want to try to do at least one 10-mile run each month until the spring season begins. WE shall see. I'm going to focus on flexibility (and strength training) a lot more this winter. There, I said it...so feel free to remind me of that ;-)

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  33. I am right there with ya easing back into running- definitely feels weird not to be training! LOVE that you added hemp hearts to butternut squash sauce- GENIUS!

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  34. I love hemp hearts! I would make some protein bites with them. BTW the pumpkin your son carved looks awesome!

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    1. I have hemp hearts left...maybe I will try to make some protein bars!

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  35. My last race of the year is Nov 7, my marathon. I'm going to have a hard time not signing up for anymore this year, when that's over! I love to make butternut squash soup, it's perfect this time of year!

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    1. I think that's next on my list! I still have some squash left!

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  36. I'd love to make some oatmeal with this!

    - Judith

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  37. I would use them in yogurt.
    heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com

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  38. I'd love to use the hemp hearts to make protein squares!

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  39. I have only used hemp hearts in smoothies so I would love to explore other recipes.

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    1. I need to keep experimenting. There are a lot of recipes on the Manitoba Harvest website.

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  40. I would like to make the Raw Hemp Chia Seed Bars!

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  41. I would love to add these to Greek yogurt.

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  42. Did you say butternut squash sauce?! That sounds heavenly...reminds me of these amazing butternut squash raviolis I had once mmmm

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    1. That's what this tastes like, with the sage butter...it's so yummy!

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  43. I would love to use them in homemade energy bars!

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  44. Wow your son is really good at pumpkin carving! That recipe sounds really yummy, too. I recently made a butternut squash with rosemary chicken crockpot dinner that turned out pretty good. I love making things in the crock pot this time of year. Nothing like coming home from work, when it's chilly and dark outside, and smelling that soup or whatever just waiting for you.

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    1. I need to fire up the crock pot! It's been pretty nice here this fall, and I haven't felt the need for some cold weather foods yet.

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