Happy Monday!
I hope you all had a marvelous weekend.
This weekend was filled with the usual shenanigans. Workouts, resting, cocktails, friends, family and sleep. The sleep was needed.
First things first, some weekend pictures.
How gorgeous is the sunrise.
I love coming out of the gym and being in the presence of this beauty.
Clearly, I am super cool and needed to snap a picture.
This weekend I picked up some more Kabocha Squash.
Yum! 
Did I ever tell you how I bake this beauty?
I simply put tinfoil over a baking pan, cut the kabocha and sprinkle with cinnamon, broil for 10 minutes and then bake at 425 for another 30-40 minutes until crisp.
Amazing stuff.
As always, I eat this with my favorite coconut butter.
I also made several trips to Starbucks.
I enjoy the fact that I barely even have to order, since they always know my order as soon as they see me come in. 
Typical.
Oh yah, I also owe you guys a hair post. Hopefully I’ll get that done sometime during this week! Stay tuned.
On Saturday night, I went out with friends and tried putting vodka into my pumpkin chai tea…
In attempt to get some things crossed off my Fall Bucket List, I tried my hands at a Fall cocktail.
It’s definitely interesting to have a warm cocktail! I’m unsure whether I loved it or not..At least it kept me warm!
I thought I was being super clever, like a Hot Toddy with vodka.
I used this recipe from Shutterbean, but I made some swaps.
Maple Chai Toddy
- 1 cup of pumpkin chai tea (or just chai tea)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1-2 shots vodka (I used 2)
- a cinnamon stick (steeped with the loose leaf tea)
See the original recipe for proper directions!
As I was scanning the internet, I saw this on Foodbeast.
That’s like two of my favorite things in one.
Hopefully this works out well, as I have high hopes!
Look at these combinations and try and tell me they don’t look delicious. Well, unless you hate coffee.
Did some Insanity this weekend, thanks Shaun T. You killed me with your plyo workout. I always forget about these workouts, but they are super awesome and intense.
I love you and hate you all in one Mr. T.
On an insanity note, I really want to try out his newest workout series, Asylum. I wonder how that one is. Has anyone tried it?
I made pumpkin spice muffins. Verdict = They’e delicious!!
Thank you Laury for this fabulous recipe.
I’ve been eating them with cashew butter and freshly picked honeycrisp apples. Can’t beat that!
I made a few changes to Laury’s original recipe. Simply replacing oat flour for buckwheat and millet flour with amaranth and omitting the raisins, since I’m not a fan. And made big muffins, instead of mini muffins.
I also remembered how much I like quinoa in my baked goods. Quinoa flour is awesome stuff.
Make sure to check out some more Marvelous Monday happenings!
Have you ever tried a Hot Toddy?
What’s your favorite squash?If you haven’t tried Kabocha, we can’t be friends.
Ever done Insanity workouts?
Have a marvelous Monday all!
About Lisa
Haha. I have never tried a kabocha, but seriously, I have looked!
Love the how-to recipe and can’t wait to your hair post- it always looks perfect!
Ha ha. I know that most people find it hard to find! I wish that wasn’t the case since its so darn delicious.
Warm cocktail?!! Interesting! Shaun T is cray.. love to hate him haha
Same here Brittany;)
I always wondered how your squash always came out looking so crispy and perfect! Now I know! I love quinoa but have yet to try it in baking! I think I’m going to have to pick up some quinoa flour now though! I love the extra protein it adds!
Oh yes, you’ll definitely have to pick some up! I’m pretty sure you’d come up with some fab recipes using it!
Kabocha is my favourite squash, hands down! Although I seriously love all squash. I actually have to tell myself NOT to eat it so often so that I don’t turn orange haha.
Me too! I’m pretty much a sucker for any kind of squash ha ha. I know I’m totally in the same boat, I’m always worried I’ll turn a little orange coloured.
Maple Chai Toddy – what a great idea? Thanks for sharing that link. Perfect for the halloween parties coming up this weekend!
Haha I’m so jealous that you’re a regular at Starbucks. I’d love to get to the point where they know me and my order, but I just don’t go enough! Can’t get myself to spend that much $
What’s your go-to order?
No problem! Ha ha, I know I probably spend way too much money there. I just have yet to be able to properly use my espresso maker. I should probably learn that soon though! My go to is always a grande no room americano!
p.s. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to spend $ at Starbucks! I think it’s so much fun! It’s just not something I can do right now.. Just wanted to clarify!
Have a great Monday, Lisa!!
Tasty tasty drinks! so I need some advice, how do you cut your squash? I seriously almost slice my finger off, they are tough to cut!
Oh boy! Yes, they are SUPER tough to cut! I’m pretty used to it now. I usually cut it in half and then into quarters so its easier to get the “guts” out that way, and then I can cut off the skin too much more easily. I think the key is to have a good cutting knife! Maybe I’ll do a vlog on how to cut it, in case that wasn’t clear at all!
I used to LOVE insanity, but I haven’t been doing it since I’m trying to do more low intensity stuff. I do miss it though! Shaun T is killer.
Shaun T is slightly insane himself I think;) Yah, this is the first time in a while I’ve done it and it almost killed me.
Very creative on your hot cocktail! I love hot toddy’s during the winter but our favorite winter beverage is hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps. Yum!
Oh no! We can’t be friends, I’ve never tried kabocha squash but I keep “almost” buying it. I’m a huge fan of acorn and butternut squash so I think I’d like it.
I love to hate Shaun T! Insanity kicks your butt and I too always forget about those workouts. Great cardio and strenght in one. I’m interested about the Asylum… with Shaun T I’m sure it’s a good one!
I love peppermint schnapps and hot chocolate! So good! I totally forgot about that actually! You should definitely just try it out! I think people are intimidated by it, but its so darn amazing once you finally try it! Yeah, I’m pretty sure anything Shaun T would do would be a killer actually!
I really need to try Kabocha Squash, I don’t think I”ve ever even seen it at the store lol
I can usually find it at Asian supermarkets, since its technically a Japanese Pumpkin!
Hehe the people at Starbucks always know my order too. Sometimes I think I should mess with them and just order something different to keep them on their toes
But then I love my cappuccinos too much so I guess I’ll just stick to being predictable. And I’m very much a squash lover, although I have to limit how much I eat or my stomach gives me tonnes of grief afterwards. I really love kabocha, though, and you’re absolutely right that it tastes amazing with coconut butter.
Happy Monday, love!
Ha ha. I always feel like I should mess with them a little, but I think I’d be mad at myself if I didn’t get the usual after ha. I think my tummy is used to the squash now, however I have to seriously limit broccoli, cauliflower, and all those guys or else my tummy will not be happy. at. all;) Happy Monday to you too!
Mmm, honey crisps. So yummy! And insanity kills me. I used to do it in the mornings before school. Definitely insane!
At least it wakes you up in the morning!:)
I have a confession. I’ve never tried your beloved squash. I’m getting it this weekend – promise! What kind of coconut butter do you use?
I’ve never had a hot cocktail but my friends were talking about hot cider, spiced rum, and a cinnamon stick. Sounds amazing!
I hope you do pick some up! I use the raw version from artisana! Its pretty expensive, but its so amazing! Okay, that hot cider cocktail sounds amazing! I must try it sometime.
PLEASE make an exception for amazing me. I haven’t tried Kabocha but I can’t live without Lisa in my life so please can we still be friends? Does that MAD HUGE butternut squash I bought Sat morning make up for it? BTW what is the easiest way to roast that sucker? I know you know!
This week my parents are both leaving and I totally thought of you. WHAT WILL I DO WITHOUT THEM?! Haha us and our parent love. Hmm maybe that makes this the perfect week for our first Skype date?!
My spin class room at the gym has these really nice big windows and whenever I take an early morning class I can see the sun starting to peek in towards the end. Really makes me appreciate the beauty of the world we live in as the light shines into the room onto me! Makes me ready to end the workout and greet the new day with a smile!
Um woman. Cocktails. You know I love you. Oo during our Skype date we should drink wine?! #sorrynotsorry
Obviously I’ll have to make an exception for you! I think buying that butternut squash makes up for it;) Ha ha. I always cut it up into cubes, but I cut the skin off because I find it kind of tastes like dirt and roast it the same way I do with the kabocha! Oh yes, sounds like the perfect week for a skype date then! I’m am all for that!! I have the same thing with spin class and the windows. I love watching the sun rise outside and appreciating the beauty outside! I think we should definitely have some cocktails on out skype date. Sounds like a darn good idea to me!
Whoa, those muffins look incredible, I can’t wait to make them! They’re filled with so many awesome ingredients, what with all the seeds & flours & stuff.
Iv never tried Insanity but have heard many great things about it. Do you have to buy the DVD’s, or can you get the workouts online? I’m cheap:p.
Kabocha is the best. Period. But I also really looove Crown Prince & Red Onion squash, basically because they ones iv tasted taste exactly the same as Kabocha,( they could actually just be different names for the same squash, ha).
Xxx
I know, right! The ingredients are so awesome I couldn’t resist making them! I got the workouts online ha ha. Shhh. I’m cheap as well;) Oooh, now I want to find some red onion squash! I’ve never heard of it before shockingly enough!
I need to buy quinoa flour! That sounds super awesome.
And yes, pumpkin muffins are the bomb.
Its really good stuff! When are pumpkin muffins never not good;)
Hmmm not sure how I feel about hot alcoholic drinks. I have had coffee alchy drinks and they ROCK but they weren’t warm so I guess that doesn’t even count haha. Or wait, does hot wine count? I had that last year at Christkindlmarket in Chicago – it’s a German Christmas market and it is my absolute favorite because I love Germany. I’ll do a post once the season rolls around. Glad to hear you had a great weekend, love.
I think its kind of a hit or miss with the warmer cocktails! It was just a complete change up so it was hard to decide if I really liked them. Oh man, that wine sounds amazing!!!
I love me a cocktail – don’t know if I’ve ever tried a warm one though, I like the sounds of your combo!
And I love Insanity – it definitely leaves me feel like I’m dying a little bit. I’m curious to try Asylum – just to see if it’s even more intense then Insanity.
Thanks Sam! It kind of leaves me feeling the same ha ha. I know, that’s why I want to try it as well! I actually haven’t heard of anyone trying it yet though!
I love you and I love your love for shot glasses full of coconut butter! <3 I need to stop being boring and start finding more creative ways to serve my healthy fats!
Hehe
I've never tried a warm cocktail, but I have tried (and love) hot mulled wine. My mom always makes it at Christmas, and it creates the most deliciously spicy aroma in the house. Think hot apple cider but even better. Mmm. I've seen coffee cocktails on menus, but have never been adventurous enough to try one. That needs to change! I'm sure I'd love them…possibly even more than I love coffee, if that's possible.
Shaun T scares the daylights out of me and I've never even done one of his programs! I think I'll stick with the weights and cardio machines. :-p
LOVE YOU! <3 xoxo
Haha;) I just love using my shot glasses for things other than shots clearly! I’ve never tried hot wine. That sounds lovely though! Oh man, on a cold Winter’s night it pretty much sounds like the perfect treat!
Hi love!!
Glad you had a marvelous weekend!
Shaun T , oh he is evil but does know how to kick your ass! I do not miss insanity, haha! I have not heard reviews on asylum!
Hot Toddy, never had but always love the name
Happy week to you beauty! <3
I only do insanity once in a blue moon. I can’t imagine doing the whole program!;) I think I’d hate him by the end, and no one wants that! Happy Friday!xo
Yey!!!! I’m so glad you liked the muffins
I need to try with buckwheat flour, what an excellent adaption!!!
I love how much you love fall foods. Aren’t they wonderful??? My favorite squash is definitely red kuri. We can’t get enough!! Xoxo
They were SO delicious! Even my sister and her friends who are super picky eaters and love fast food basically everyday loved them!! Fall foods are just the best and I just picked up red kuri, I’m pretty excited to cut into it!!