Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I heard a cute one this morning - "An Irishman is never drunk as long as he can hold onto a blade of grass to keep from falling off the Earth."  LOL!

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut squash, which is also known as butternut pumpkin in Australia and New Zealand, is a type of winter squash that has a sweet, nutty taste similar to that of a pumpkin.  Butternut squash is good for the heart because it is low in fat and high in fiber.  This soup is quick and easy to make, as well as being very nutritious.  For more information on butternut squash, see here.

I've made this soup a number of times and had it last weekend with a pork chop and fresh baked bread.

• 4 pounds whole butternut squash (about 2 medium), halved lengthwise and seeds removed
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 stick)
• 2 medium Granny Smith apples
• 1/2 medium yellow onion
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (vegetable broth may be used)
• 2 1/2 cups water
• salt and pepper
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for garnish (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 F.  Line a baking pan with aluminum foil.  Place the four halves of butternut squash cut side up on the baking pan, brush with butter, and season generously with salt and pepper.  Roast until the squash is knife-tender, about one hour.

While the squash is roasting, peel, core, and cut the two apples into medium dice.  Cut the onion into medium dice.  Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the apple, onion, and sage, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.

When the squash is ready, set the baking sheet on a wire rack until the squash is cool enough to handle. Using a large spoon, scoop the flesh into the saucepan with the sautéed apples and onions; discard the skins.  Add broth, water, salt, and pepper.  Stir to combine, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally while breaking up any large pieces of squash, until the flavors meld, about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cream.

Using a blender, purée the soup in batches until smooth.  (Remove the small cap (the pour lid) from the blender lid and covering the space with a kitchen towel (this allows steam to escape and prevents the blender lid from popping off). Alternatively, use an immersion blender. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve garnished with the pumpkin seeds, if using.

Beauty Products Compliments of L'Oreal

The UPS guy dropped off a nice little surprise a while back.  L'Oreal sent me these beauty products free of charge.  I've had the opportunity to try some of them and so far I'm impressed.  They sent eleven full-size products worth a total retail value of $244.97. 

This is a photo of all of the products that were sent to me.  They are: 

Lancome Paris Hydra Fraichelle Invigorating Body Moisturizer -$37.00
Lancome Mousse Radiance Clarifying Self-Foaming Cleanser - $32.00
Lancome Paris Juicy Tubes Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss - $18.00
L'Oreal EverCreme Sulfate-Free Moisture System Nourishing Shampoo - $6.99
L'Oreal EverCreme Sulfate-Free Moisture System Nourishing Conditioner - $6.99
Vichy Laboratories LiftActiv Eyes Eye Care - $45.50
L'Oreal Paris Visible Lift Color Lift Blush (Rose) - $11.49
Maybelline New York Shadow Trio (Chocolate Mousse) - $5.50
Lancome Paris Liner Design Long Wear Caligraphy Gel Eye Liner (Uptown Brun - Dark Brown) $25.00
Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara - $27.50
Lancome Round Angled Shadow Brush #23 - $29.00

This is the Lancome Paris Hydra Fraichelle Invigorating Body Moisturizer (6.8 oz).  I tried this and it seems it will be a good moisturizer once the triple digits hit here in Arizona.  It's always a challenge finding lightweight lotions that are also moisturizing and comfortable to use when the temperatures are in the triple digits with no end in sight.  This lotion absorbed quickly, didn't feel greasy, and is lightweight.  Perfect for Arizona summer days and nights.  Regarding the scent - mileage definitely varies on this one.  Some feel it has a floral, fresh scent and some feel it has somewhat of a masculine scent.  I don't feel strongly one way or the other, but I can't help but love this lotion due to the way it feels on my skin and the fact that it's so lightweight. 

This is the Lancome Mousse Radiance Clarifying Self-Foaming Cleanser (6.8 oz).  There isn't anything I don't like about this cleanser.  Like the Hydra Fraichelle, I'll likely stick this away for the warmer months.  As the name suggests, it's a lightweight mousse cleanser that left my skin feeling very clean, soft, and refreshed.  Unlike a lot of facial cleansers, it didn't leave my skin feeling at all dry.  This is going to feel nice during the warm summer months.

This is the Lancome Paris Juicy Tubes Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss and is yet another beautiful product from Lancome.  It's not a color I would wear, but it feels nice on my lips and has a really nice chocolate/cocoa taste and smell to it (not at all artificial) so I'll be wearing it around the house.  This is a moisturizing gloss that leaves a beautiful shine on my lips.  

These are the L'Oreal EverCreme Sulfate-Free Moisture System Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner, which I have yet to try and I haven't had a chance yet to research whether sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are any more beneficial than those containing sulfates.  I'm looking forward to trying them as L'Oreal shampoos and conditioners tend to be nice. 

Pictured here are the Vichy Laboratories LiftActiv Eyes Eye Care, L'Oreal Paris Visible Lift Color Lift Blush (Rose), and Lancome Paris Liner Design Long Wear Caligraphy Gel Eye Liner (Uptown Brun - Dark Brown).  Regarding the eye cream, I haven't tried it yet, but I have to admit that when I saw the price of it I fell into the "it's expensive so it must be good" way of thinking.  And that may very well be true.  It's really difficult to determine if an eye cream is effective.  Right now I'm finishing up a Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream and an eye cream from Origins, both of which I love due to the way they feel both when applying and when on my skin.  I'm looking forward to trying the Vichy brand.  While I think quality eye creams are important (as well as facial cleansers and moisturizers) I've always thought the key to nice skin and warding off wrinkles and fine lines is a combination of proper nutrition and protection from the sun.  I'm hanging in there regarding fine lines and wrinkles and I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I'm careful about protecting my skin from the sun, and there isn't a vegetable grown that I won't eat.  (Eat your vegetables!)

The Color Lift Blush is nice and has a consistency unlike anything I've ever seen in a blush.  It's described as a "hybrid cream to powder" formula.  Less is more when it comes to makeup and aging, and the nice thing about this blush is that it goes on sheer and I was able to apply it easily using my fingertips.  It's also described as having a "silky, lightweight texture" and I would agree with that description.  

I don't typically use eye-liner (again, less is more!) so I haven't yet tried the gel eye liner.  

Pictured above are the Maybelline New York Shadow Trio (Chocolate Mousse), Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara, and the Lancome Round Angled Shadow Brush #23.  The shadow trio is something I'll use as the shadows are in the neutral colors I tend to wear on my eyes, and trying a high-end mascara is always fun as I have to admit I would never spend $27.50 on mascara.  The shadow brush is also much appreciated as it's a very soft, natural-bristled brush and feels nice around the eye area.

These products that were sent to me are very much appreciated as, like most women, I never tire of trying new beauty products, and so far I've been impressed with all of these products.