The squash is in the oven now, macadamia nuts for the sauce are soaking. This one is new for me…I’ll be back to lyk how it is! 👩🏼‍🍳🥘🍽️

One thing I’ve learned on this journey is to not only share my wins along the way but also share those times I mess up and have to use it as a learning opportunity. Since I joined this group I’ve done great on vacations and didn’t gain any weight but not this year, I knew what to do, how to choose healthy options, or good choices if I knew I’d not eat like I’m used to. But did I implement any of it last week, no I did not. I let my family tell me to enjoy myself, to not take it so seriously and I’d be just fine because I was very active. So I listened to their voice and not my inner voice of knowing better. I now have gained 10 pounds and to me that’s crazy bc I’ve not weighed this much in a long time. I am now starting to loose those pounds but what it’s done mentally to me is really not worth it Next year I will not listen to anyone but myself, I’ve worked so hard to get here and i honestly have felt like I failed myself. So I still struggle with things. I wanted y’all to know that we do mess up, but use it as a learning opportunity love y’all

Out here getting some steps since I was on the floor with my grandson most of the day. Sad. Winters coming. I walked outside, it's windy and cold 59 degrees, brrr. And getting dark.

- 8 oz glass bottle/jar - 6–8 whole vanilla beans (about 1 oz by weight) - 8 oz (1 cup) 80-proof vodka or bourbon — enough to fully submerge the beans Split each vanilla bean lengthwise to expose the seeds, place them in the bottle, and cover completely with vodka. Seal tightly and store in a cool, dark place, giving it a shake every week or two. You can begin using it after about 8 weeks, but 6–12 months gives you a much richer vanilla extract. You can leave the beans in indefinitely and top it off with vodka as you use it. 🤩 Fun Fact: Beaver Anal secretions are used to make artificial vanilla flavoring and it can legally be called “natural flavoring.” 🦫 🤯 The more you know…

TAKING ACTION: ✅Who out there is a pumpkin fan? What’s your favorite way to eat it? What about pumpkin seeds? We can’t talk about Fall produce without talking about pumpkins! 🍁 Pumpkins are considered a fruit and are heart-healthy! They’re full of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. And get this—just 1 ounce of roasted pumpkin seeds provides nearly 8 grams of protein! 🙌 If you’re interested in our seasonal eating topic this month, don’t leave pumpkin out of the mix. Start by making these no-bake pumpkin protein balls! This delicious recipe calls for pumpkin puree, which still offers significant nutritional benefits even after cooking and is considered one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. These no-bake pumpkin protein balls just may be a good choice for a healthier treat-day dessert. Just sayin’...😍 No Bake Pumpkin Protein Balls (Healthy Energy Bites) - Mallory the Dietitian Fall Recipes __________________________________________________ The recording to last nights zoom call here: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/9vsYGk35CNEmQD2J_4Z1cFvB4VwHIByz7oCIm6yooLedpnBsRxSSchfYHt-lESGZ.xVtt3BdHKc6xLnXr