Autumn Acorn Squash

So, I've been crazy busy trying to get back on track lately. Homeschooling, cleaning, ordering herbs to prep for the colder weather.. it feels like I'll never catch up. I apologize for being gone for a while! I'm slowly catching up, getting back into my groove.

Tonight, I ended up just throwing dinner together with what I had on hand. The end result was AMAZING. I'll be the first to admit that I was nervous when I was cooking. I mean, what if it tasted absolutely horrible?! Thank goodness that it didn't. 

This is my first time posting through the app so, if it looks terrible, tell me.. I'll have to fix it.

Ingredients:

2 acorn squash, sliced through the stem
2 tbsp butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Filling:
3 links of spicy Italian sausage
1 bell pepper, diced
2 celery hearts, diced
2 cups of croutons, seasoned to taste
1 cup of water
2 apples, diced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/8 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp sage
1 cup cheddar, grated

Directions:
Slice the squash, scoop out the seeds, rub with butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast at 400° for 40-45 minutes. Once it's down, allow it to cool until you can handle it. Scoop out the inside leaving about 1/4" around the sides so it doesn't lose it's shape.

Bring the cup of water to a boil, turn off the heat and drop your croutons in. Mix until moist.

Open the links of sausage, crumble into a pan, and brown until they start to render fat. Add your veggies, apples, and seasonings. Fry those together until the sausage is no longer pink and the veggies are soft. Combine that mixture with the crouton mixture in a mixing bowl. Add cranberries and cheddar, mix to combine.

Now fill the acorn squash with the mixture and bake until the cheese is melted and the top is starting to brown, about 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Easily made vegan by swapping the butter for coconut oil, omitting the sausage, and omitting the cheddar!  Don't forget to make your croutons from my vegan bread!

Let's Talk About Babywearing: SSCs

A huge thank you to the lovely Heather Johnson for writing this for us! She's an awesome babywearing mama. 

Babywearing is AMAZING! Let me shout it from the roof tops, I love it. Wearing your baby, or even your toddler, will make your life so much easier! My daughter loves to be held, so wearing her lets me have the wonderful snuggles while still having my hands free. 

The benefits for both parent and baby that come with baby wearing are countless. Studies show that babies who are worn cry less and are less likely to suffer from reflux. Babywearing is good for baby's physical and mental development. Babywearing allows parents to form a strong bond with baby. It's a great way for dads to form a strong relationship with breastfed babies. 

I do not know where this meme originated. If you do, please let me know so I can give credit!

Wraps, mei tais, soft structured carriers (SSCs)... All the options out there can be overwhelming when you are getting started. I'm going to highlight SSCs since I'm that is my favorite way to babywear. SSCs are sometimes called buckle carriers and are a great way to get started babywearing. This style of carriers buckles so they are pretty easy for anyone to figure out. There are many types and they can typically be found in most box stores. Bjorns, Ergos, and Infantino are a few well known brands. When looking for a long lasting SSC, you should look for an ergonomic style carrier. These are wide based carriers that support baby's legs from knee to knee. This support means baby will be comfortable and no pressure is on baby's hips. 


What to buy? A great bargain carrier is the Infantino Union. At around $25, it will allow comfortable wearing into early toddlerhood. More expensive brands include Ergo and Tula. I have a Tula and love it! At around $150, it is a major investment but the width and height of the body panel ensures they are long lasting. I have comfortably used the same Tula with my daughter from 3 months on and with my 2 year old niece.

Mmm.. babywearing Dad!

DIY wraps from mahogany table cloths or osnaburg fabric, the Infantino mei tai, and linen ring slings are other budget friendly carriers. Regardless of how you wear your baby, you won't regret giving it a try. After all, it will leave you hands free to do other crunchy things like wash your cloth diapers, make your own cleaning products, or weed your organic garden.
 
I'll have a tutorial for homemade carriers soon!