Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Tuesday/Wednesday, Butternut Squash Chocolate Chip Bread

Hello! I apologize for going MIA yesterday. Below is a recap on my Tuesday/Wednesday (so far) and a great link for a Butternut Squash Bread recipe. Enjoy ;)

Tuesday: Work was pure craziness and my laptop got a major virus in the middle of it all(it is currently in IT surgery)! After working late, I ran out to teach Body Attack(which was fabulous) and came home to do more work and to eat a quick dinner. Salad:


Chobani +I later mixed in tons of pumpkin+some nut butter (YUM!):

I ran to the airport at 11:30 pm to pick Josh up from a business trip. We came home and passed out around 12:30.

Wednesday: I didn't want to miss my pump class this morning (despite the late bedtime), so I some how rocked out of bed at 5 am for 10 minutes on the elliptical followed by pump. As a result, my day has been run by Starbucks ;) (non fat misto with pumpkin spice syrup):

Work has been crazy/busy again. Since my laptop is in for surgery, I am working from home. During my lunch break, I threw together a Butternut Squash Chocolate Chip bread using this recipe (and chocolate chips instead of walnuts). I used some organic butternut squash puree that I picked up from WFs:
The result:


I had a nibble and it tastes great! I may try to use applesauce instead of oil next time around. I will let you know what my official taste tester (Josh) thinks later.

Tonight, we're doing some more grilling (bbq chicken for Josh, squash and peaches for both). I am also going to try something new to me....tempeh!With all of the controversy surrounding soy, I have been trying to avoid it as much as possible. However, since I do not eat meat most days (I eat seafood on occasion and no land based meats), it felt like it was time to give this protein option a try. Research (which always seems to flip flop) shows that fermented soy products are the best option. So tonight, I will give Tempeh a try! I will let you know what I think tomorrow. What are your thoughts on the great soy debate?

45 comments:

Alison said...

I've been cutting soy out of my diet too, especially after reading more about it in Thrive and The Raw Foods Detox Diet - we just don't need LOADS of it. I'll still eat tofu occasionally. Miso (also fermented) too.

That bread looks totally delicious, suddenly I've realized I'm hungry now!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

That sweetbread is similar to the one I just posted on my blog, haha - I'll be sharing the recipe on Friday ;)


I'm allergic to soy.

Anonymous said...

That bread looks delicious!!! I need to check out the recipe, can't wait to see what your man thought of it too :) Good luck w/ your computer issues, I always seem to be having those as well (got totally locked out of mine the other day and our land admin had to come and fix it :/)

janetha said...

that bread looks awesome! i keep seeing more and more fall inspired recipes, i need to whip one up. sorry about the laptop virus! yucko!

Leah @ L4L said...

MUST purchase canned butternut squash puree. MUST.

About soy, I am on the fence about it. There is research that supports it and research that shows that it has harmful effects. I say: everything in moderation. I am lactose intolerant so I drink soymilk, but only b/c it is way cheaper to get in bulk than the almond milk at WF. I think you have to pick and choose your battles and my pocketbook won that one. We eat tofu/tempeh a couple times a month. But soy is in everything pretty much anyway. That's the main thing I have an issue with. Like corn. And sugar. And wheat. (*ahem* government subsidies *ahem*)

Leianna said...

Bread looks interesting and I love chocolate so I'm sure it was good!
I want to try that temptations stuff but can't find it anywhere near where I live!

vanillasugarblog said...

soy is not my friend. I have to eat small amounts as it really messes up my hormones. some people it does that too and others not so much. but thankfully we live in a society where soy is not the only meat substitute, thank goodness. I have wanted to try that tempeh for a while now.

Anonymous said...

I did some research on soy and I think as long as it's not highly processed, like tofu burger, hotdogs and fake meat, it's okay to consume. I personally like homemade soy milk, tofu and miso. :)

That bread looks delicious to me, I'm sure Josh will agree.

K from ksgoodeats said...

I don't really pay attention to my soy intake to be honest! I don't eat THAT much soy as far as I can tell so I'm not too worried.

Boo to late night and computer troubles! Hope your laptop recovers well :)

Oh, that bread! YUM!!

Lizzy said...

I don't eat soy all that often, but i do have my share of Boca burgers, i love em so much! :) But i do find that they don't love my stomach all that much, so i try to only have them once in a while!

Holly said...

That bread look sooo yummy! I didn't know they made/sold pureed squash? Oh, the things I learn... ;-)

I was sad to hear that soy might be bad - JUST after I started to loooove tofu! But I don't eat soy ALL that often - maybe 2-3 times a week? So I have at it with no guilt. And it treats my tum tum well!

Pam said...

I try to stay away from soy! Nice looking bread....delish!

Have a great evening!

The Purple Carrot said...

I'm with you on the soy thing ... I've never quite known what to think about it either so I've stayed away too. I'm curious to know what you think of it!

I've been in the squash/pumpkin mood lately but I haven't had any yet! (Soon though, and very soon ; ) especially after seeing that bread!)

Maria said...

You've been busy! I don't eat a ton of soy so I don't think it is a big deal in small amounts. I sometimes have a little soy milk on my oatmeal or eat edamamme, tofu, etc. I don't eat it very often so I am not worried.

Jenna said...

What a great use for squash! I can't wait to hear what the official taste tester thinks :)

I guess I am not aware of all the controversy surrounding soy, so this will have to be my first 'research topic' for my blog :)

Anonymous said...

That bread looks sooo amazing Erica!!!

And ugh, I wish I could have Chobani back in my life. Why is it so expensive?!

Dawn Dishes It Out said...

Think soy is great in moderation and in a fermented form (how it was originally meant to be eaten). I am not sure how healthy it is to eat overly processed soy milk, soy dogs, soy cheese, soy ice cream etc. Everything in moderation, right?!

BTW, the butternut squash bread looked fantastic.

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

I've been avoiding soy myself because I have hormone issues and I've read rumors about the correlation between soy and hormones. Call me paranoid though because I really can't find any good literature on the subject.

Julie said...

Sounds like we were both up at the same time this morning :) props to you girl!

mmmm I'm thiiinking that bread sounds like a great thing to make for thanksgiving!

rest up girl!

Erin Helgerson said...

I have some suspicions I might be allergic to soy. It certainly seems to contribute to my tummy trouble. I'm going for testing in a week, so we'll see! But I do love Almond Breeze almond milk. It's so good! And only 40 calories per cup!

Allie (Live Laugh Eat) said...

HOLY MOLY!! I want to make that bread immediately!! I love pumpkin+chocolate bread so I know for sure this will satisfy my taste buds. Let me know how the applesauce method turns out if and when you try it.

I'm not sure about soy. I try not to eat too many not-natural soy-based products i.e. soy burgers but I'll happily eat edamame and tofu. I don't eat soy THAT much so I'm not too too concerned.

Then again it's used in so many bars/packaged foods!

Anonymous said...

Busy lady! Hope next week lets up a little.

YUMMY BREAD! I made butternut banana today with canned purée, too... so yummy!

Deva (Voracious Vorilee) said...

I think soy, like everything, is okay in moderation. I love eating tofu, tempeh, edamame, and occasionally soymilk, but I think that soy is in so many things now, whether it's soy protein concentrate or soybean oil, that it's too easy to overdo it.

Esi said...

You are a rockstar! I have been getting up at 6 for the gym and it's difficult, even going to bed at 10 (it takes me a long time to fall asleep)

BroccoliHut said...

Those are my favorite tempeh strips! I did a review of all three varieties a few weeks ago, and sesame garlic was the clear winner.
I love soy, and there is no way I could ever give it up--tofu is my favorite food! So, I just eat it in moderation (1-2 svgs./day) and hope for the best:)

Whole Body Love said...

After speaking with a few RD's and reading A LOT about soy. I just stick with a mantra of moderation ;)

Anonymous said...

The only soy I eat is in veggie burgers so I think I do fine with a small amount. Don't u love the new Starbucks cups!?? Ha another good excuse to feed our addiction :D

Krista said...

You are a machine getting up so early after a late night to hit the gym! :)

Thanks for the link to the recipe! I've got 4 more b-nut squash in my garden to deal with!!

Michelle @ Find Your Balance said...

Fermented soy is the way to go, but most importantly I always buy organic. Over 90% of soybeans grown in the US are genetically modified to be pesticide resistant. Buy organic and avoid GMOs!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

I have never seen canned butternut squash puree like that! I will have to look for it around here, I could use it for many diff things!

As for the soy debate, I use soy alot, and I think there's always dangers will all foods unless they're natural/unproccesed. So for now, I am going to continue my soy consumption :-)

Rose said...

Oooh my, that bread.

I treat soy the way I try to treat most foods. Everything in moderation is OK.

Emily said...

I drink soy milk and eat soy burgers, edamame, and tofu and tempeh.
I ingest more soy than the average american and I'm fine with that, I still believe my diet has less than the average asian (and their diets in general are enviable).
Maybe I just have my tinfoil hat on today, but I attribute a lot of the controversy to the American Dairy Association.

Therese said...

You can buy canned butternut squash??? Fascinating!

Ick I have been battling a virus on my laptop for a while. No fun. Do you use Internet Expolorer or Firefox? I found when I started using Firefox a lot of the issues went away...

Holly said...

ahhh i saw that can of butternut squash at the store and almost bought it - they had sweet potato which i found fabulous.

i just limit my soy - i don't think its bad but i don't want to overdo it either.

have a good day!

Julie said...

I try to stay away from soy based products like tofu as much as I can. I do have it on occasion though. I used to drink soy milk and eat boca burgers like it was my job, but stopped after reading about the sangers of soy. Tempeh is my choice for a meat alternative. It's so good! And now I drink almond milk and make my own veggie burgers!

teresa said...

oh that bread looks heavenly. i didn't know there was a soy debate. let us know how you like it!

Anna said...

All of these new revelations are definitely disconcerting, especially since I LOVE soy (tofu and soy milk especially). I would like to give tempeh I try, but first I have to find a way to cook it in a microwave, as thats all we have in the dorm :). I was wondering if anyone could tell me though if Edamame is still safe to eat? Thanks!

PS: that chobani/pumpkin combo sounds awesome!

The Blonde Duck said...

I've never done soy, b/c of the high breast cancer risk I've got.

Sweetie Pie said...

I hope your laptop has an easy recovery!

That bread looks so good and so perfect for autumn. Thanks for linking to the recipe. I think the chocolate chips sound like an awesome switch!

Jessica said...

That bread looks really yummy! And moist!

Yum Yucky said...

B-nut comes in a can too! OH, I gotta find that!

Farmer's Daughter said...

Oh, I like that variation on my recipe!

If you like butternut squash, you should try my soup or pie recipe :)

Meghann said...

I'm not a big believer in the soy debate. As far I can tell all the big experts say soy is good in moderation. I wouldn't eat tofu every day, but I think once a week or so in fine. I can't help it, I LOVE tofu! :)

Anonymous said...

I am wary of soy. But from what I understand after talking to nutritionists, there is no need to avoid it completely. The problem is with processed soy- like the stuff in Clif bars, veggie burgers, etc. But according to some people, they are okay in moderation- a few servings a week. Still, I tread carefully and definitely pay attention to where my protein is coming from. I love tempeh though :D

Lori said...

Love that butternut squash bread! Can't go wrong with combining veggies and chocolate in bread. :)

I started reducing my soy intake when research came out about its link to breast cancer. Now, I'm in the camp that it isn't good for us except fermented soy. It is one of those products that fell into the hands of the government and food processors. They started feeding us the info and we started buying.

I've been doing my own research for a post. What I've found is that we like to attribute all our soy products to Asian cultures and vegetarian living, but the truth is the kinds of soy we eat don't even exist in those cultures. They only eat the fermented varieties.

Anyway, everyone has to make choices for themselves. Personally, I restrict it in my diet just like I would any other processed food. Hope you had a good weekend! :)