Butternut squash and pear two ways

Attentive kitchen helpers

Can you believe the attentiveness of my two helpers in the kitchen? I used to teach elementary school and had to pull out all my bag of tricks to get this kind of attentiveness. Now, I head to the kitchen and my canine assistants will jump through hoops just for a piece of kale.

Misha and Nika do a tandem dance of joy.

Yes, they love veggies but only kale will make them dance for joy. These dogs do love to dance. I'm wondering if I should take up ballroom dancing with my canines. Yes, there really is such a thing. You and your doggie partner get dressed to the nines and go out for a night of dancing on the town.

Here are my two helpers after they've lost hope of any food being dropped. Can you say canine kitchen obstacle course?

I was on a chocolate and raspberry kick for at least two weeks but finally have gotten my fill. My newest food passion is a combo of butternut squash, pear and sunbutter. This yummy combination, rich in nutrition, can be used in smoothies, soups, collard wraps and even ice cream.

Butternut Squash-Pear Smoothie

I love following my morning workout with one of these babies for breakfast: Butternut Squash-Pear Smoothie topped with toasted pumpkin seeds and a dab of sunbutter.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butternut squash, cooked
• 1/2 pear, diced, skin on
• 1/2-3/4 cup hemp milk
• 1 T. rice protein powder
• 1 T. chia seeds
• 1 T. sunbutter
• 1/2 cup ice
• Optional toppings: more sunbutter, toasted pumpkin seeds, cinnamon and nutmeg

Directions:

• Put all ingredients except for toppings in a high-powered blender and pulse until smooth and creamy.
• Pour into a glass or mug and top with a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds, dollop of sunbutter and spices.

Fastforward to mid-afternoon and I'm looking for the ingredients to make a Butternut Squash-Pear-Sunbutter collard wrap.

Ingredients:

• One large collard leaf
• 2-3 slices of pear
• 1-2 tsp. sunbutter
• 2-3 pieces of diced, roasted butternut squash
• Optional: 1 T. toasted pumpkin seeds

Directions:

• Prepare the collard leaf by removing the stem up to where it thins out.
• Smear sunbutter on the leaf
• Put the pear, butternut squash on one end.
• Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds as an option.
• Roll up your collard wrap and enjoy!

I'm contributing these recipes to:
http://www.dietdessertndogs.com/2012/02/02/wellness-weekend-february-2-6-2012/