Klutch Box goodies!!!

Hello all in blogger land. I recently received a rather awesome coupon from Klutch Box (again). This time they'd send me their New Year's Resolution box for $2 plus shipping ($8)! It had previously sold for $25. I really enjoyed the first box, so I said, what the hell! It arrived yesterday and I was totally stoked when I opened it. Check out the photo...

As you can see, a wide variety of food stuffs for being healthy and getting in shape in the New Year. Some of the samples were rather large, so I was VERY pleasantly surprised. I absolutely feel like I got my money's worth with this purchase.

I received:

1. The Jaali bean lentil and rice. I got one of these in the last one. That one was coconut rice. I love that they include these. I haven't had one yet, but I will be cooking one up shortly. 
2. Core Power Protein drink. Strawberry banana flavor. This thing has 20 grams of protein in it. Bam! Protein. It's labeled *light*, but I was pleased to see that it was sweetened with Stevia and not some other wretched sugar substitute.
3. FRS Healthy Slim appetite control and natural sustained energy chews. Strawberry Melon flavor. They sent a bag of 28 chews! I'll really be able to get a sense if they're working or not. They taste pretty good. It's supposed to help you feel fuller faster and give you more energy. I've been trying them. I'm not sure if they're doing anything. I'll report back.
4. Agro Labs wheatgrass shot. I'm so excited to try this. All organic and made with banana and pear juice. Full of B Vitamins and green tea extract. 
5. Power Bar performance energy blends in banana blueberry.I guess you're supposed to eat this before you go to the gym to give "fast energy to muscles". Again, no artificial ingredients. We like that here. The taste is...a little odd, but not bad.
6. KICK BUTT amped energy balls. I'm always tired from work and school, so I was excited to see these. They say they're grape flavored, but there's chocolate, honey and caramel in them. Hrrmmm...there's caffeine, creatine and ginseng in them. 
7. The next thing was a bottle of 30 capsules of raspberry ketones. I had to look up why I wanted to take that. I guess they're supposed to rev up your metabolism and aid in weight loss. I was stoked that they sent such a big bottle. I've been taking them the last two days. I'll let you know if anything happens.
8. IPS egg white chips! Aged white cheddar flavor! I'm saving these for a school day. Gluten free, all natural. 130 calories in the bag. I hope they're tasty.
9. Think Thin chunky peanut butter bar. It's sugar free and gluten free and has 20 grams of protein in it. Basically a protein snack, so you don't fall of the proverbial diet wagon when you're on the go.
10. Think Thin Crunch coconut chocolate and mixed nuts bar. NOM. Also heavy on the protein.
11. OMG! Antioxidant drink. It was....not good. All I could taste was weird berry-ish flavor and artificial sweetener. I hate artificial sweeteners. 

I also got a few coupons for some of the products in the box. I'm so happy with these boxes. I get to try all kinds of tasty (mostly) new products. I would have a hard time paying full price, but I certainly will take them up on any and all discount codes they'd like to send me. Anyone else ever try one? 

Butternut Squash Soup

Hello. Two posts in two days. You lucky people.
SO! Today I am under the weather, so I'll be making my favorite soup to warm me up. I forget where I got this recipe. I think it might have been Epicurious. Either way, this is a great soup, free of cream and still incredibly rich and filling. I bought these frozen garlic and ginger pods from Whole Foods and that cuts down on prep time without having to use dried ingredients. I HIGHLY recommend picking them up.

Butternut Squash Soup
2 medium large butternut squash, cut in half lengthwise
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
2-4 cloves garlic depending on your preference
2 tbs fresh grated ginger
2 tbs brown sugar
2 tbs olive oil
1 cinnamon stick
5-6 cups broth. I use low sodium chicken stock, but veggie works just as well
salt and pepper to taste

line a baking sheet with foil and place the squash face down on the sheet. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and cook squash for 50-55 minutes until soft. They will be hot squashy napalm. Take them out and let them cool. While they're cooling add the onion and olive oil to a heavy stock pot and cook the onion over medium heat until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and cook another 5 minutes or so until the garlic becomes fragrant. Using a metal spoon, scoop out the insides of the squash and add them to the pot. Add broth until everything is submerged. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. The next part is easier if you have an immersion blender. If you only have a regular blender or a food processor, you'll have to work in batches to puree the soup. Remember to REMOVE YOUR CINNAMON STICK. I forgot once. Cinnamon bark EVERYWHERE. Puree soup and return to stove top. Add salt and pepper to your liking. Add more broth until you reach your desired consistency. I prefer a thicker soup. Cook on medium for another 10-15 minutes, Serve hot.

This is so yummy. AND as a bonus, incredibly healthy. I also like to cook up some chicken sausage and serve that on the side. NOM. Enjoy.