Blargh.  That is the only word that can describe the happenings of the last few days.  Let’s revisit, shall we?

First, I woke up to find that since we reset the clock on our coffeemaker, we did the whole classic AM/PM switcheroo and therefore my coffee was set to brew at 7pm that night.  Which of course means a steaming hot pot of freshly brewed caffeinated nectar was not waiting for me as I rushed out the door.

PS- there’s 2 Seinfeld references that apply in that picture. Bonus points if you can name them. 

So instead of waiting 10 minutes, I took those first brewed cups of bottom sludge (which I believe contains ALL THE CAFFEINE) and vibrated off to work.

For the third day in a row I’ve stepped on the scale to find that I still have not lost a single pound on the Live Fit program, and I’m really starting to resent these 90 minute gym sessions.  Upon further inspection, I realize part of the problem is I’m eating like a carnivorous Tyranosaurus Rex on its period.

Also this happened…

Which is weird, because believe me when I say, I’m not normally a “sweets” girl. I  will take down a bag of chips or a serving of french fries like it’s my job, but rarely do I go out of my way to produce chocolaty peanut buttery goodness such as you see here.  They lasted 3 days.  And my husband claims he didn’t have any.  Weird how that scales not budging, huh.

And the coup de grace occurred last night when I finally made it out of my office around 5:40 and headed to the gym for a shoulder workout and 30 minutes of cardio.  I was completely changed into my gym clothes when I realized I made the colossal mistake of forgetting my sneakers.  So I walked out in my black stretch pants and pumps with a bow on them, greeted by jeers and puzzled looks.  The last guy that gave me the side eye caught a mouthful, but come on.  A girl can only take so many condescending glances.

All I can say is thank God for my Biff.  She recently got an elliptical machine, and since she just so happens to live approximately 47 seconds away, I did her a solid and tested it out.  (Obviously, she really did me the solid.  As did her husband who allowed me to workout while he played Madden up in the computer room.  Bless those two.)

So by the time I got home, all I wanted to do was eat (see statement re: ravenous dinosaur creature), and praise baby Jesus, I had something waiting for me.  This.

It’s delicious.   You should make it.  Or don’t.  (But seriously, do.)  It’s a crockpot soup (clear winner) and the flavor is pretty amazing.  I’ve eaten it like 4 days in a row now, and I’m not even a little bit sick of it.  But then I think all the hate in my heart has been exercised by 7pm all week, so it’s hard to tell.

Squash and Chickpea Curry Soup
Cook Time: 6 hours
Serves: 6-8
You’ll Need:
1 bag frozen chopped butternut squash
15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed & drained
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
15 oz can lite coconut milk
4 cups chicken stock (or vegetable)
3 T curry paste (or 4, depending on your preference)
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. allspice
Salt & pepper
1 oz goat cheese + extra for garnish

Directions:  Place frozen squash, chickpeas and onions in the crockpot, and pour in coconut milk and chicken broth.  Stir in curry paste, ginger and allspice.  Cook on high for 6 hours.  Once done cooking, puree half of the soup with a handheld blender or food processor.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Stir in goat cheese and sprinkle another tsp. or so on top for garnish.

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Soup… you complete me.

What?  No, I didn’t just sing the Golden Girls theme song to it… whatever… you’re crazy…