The first official day of winter is December 21. That means we still have over 3 weeks left of fall! Sure, the need to scrape your car off in the morning or bundle-up in a warm set of hat and gloves may be telling us otherwise, but I’m going to hang onto one of my favorite times of year for as long as possible.
Over the summer, I created a Summer Bucket List. This was a fun way for me to go beyond my comfort zone to try new things and simply create more awareness of what the season has to offer! If you’re wondering about a Summer Bucket List update: Yes! I completed a DIY project that I continue to enjoy! No, I never went camping. 
After reflecting and reviewing last season’s Bucket List, I decided to make another one for fall. Here’s an update on what my Fall Bucket List includes:
Go apple pickingRun in my first Turkey Trot! (I have had my PR!)Read a good book(I’m in the middle of one now that I’ll tell you about soon!)- Bake a “fall” bread
Get a “fall” coffee drink(I can really only handle about one of these a year, but that Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha was pretty tasty
)- Make a lot of soup
Wear books and scarves as often as possible Sign-up for a class to learn something new!- Finally take advantage of the free personal training session when I join the gym
Okay, see that last one there? Maybe you can help me out. I know that several of the blogs I read are written by personal trainers (and I can just tell y’all are soooo nice!) and many more are written by gym-goers and serious athletes. But I don’t know you in person and am needing a little extra motivation.
Can I tell you something really strange? I am (usually) fine going places alone, meeting new people and heck, even traveling overseas and living abroad without knowing anyone else.
Yet, when it comes to my local gym, I get intimidated for this one personal session, even though I am craving to learn more effective ways to use my time spent working out. I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m completely a “seasonal gym-goer.” It has nothing to do with resolutions, and everything to do with my love of running outdoors and trying to save money. So, I am thrilled that my local gym offers a monthly gym membership with no sign-up fees. This means, when it gets too frigid to run outside, I sign-up for the gym to get me through these cold months. And every time I re-activate my membership, I am offered a free training session…that I dismiss.
Yes, I am that person who sticks to the same small rotation of cardio machines and weights in the areas of the gym I feel most comfortable in. So, will you help me stretch my comfort zone? Tell me how much I will benefit from this session and how I have nothing to be scared of?!
Thanks, I knew I could count on you. 
Oh yeah, and even though I’ve completed my Bucket List goal already of making multiple soups to warm us on a chilly fall day, this one definitely is a keeper. It’s creamy and cozy, and actually made without a trace of cream or butter! So you can eat it while sticking to your health goals!
Creamy Potato Soup
Keywords: soup/stew entree side appetizer vegetarian potatoes fall winter
Ingredients (3 bowls)
- 2 tbs. olive oil
- 3 Idaho potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 small onions, diced
- 2-3 garlic cloves, diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp. herbs de provence (or other seasonings of choice)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken (or vegetable) broth
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 3 scallions, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I used Celtic cheddar cheese from Trader Joe’s which I highly recommend)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and onions and cook, stirring frequently, 3-5 minutes or until onions are tender. Add garlic and cook additional minute. Stir in salt, pepper and herbs. Add broth and bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 25-30 minutes, until potatoes are tender and cooked through.
2. Remove soup from heat. Using an immersion blender or transferring soup to stand blender, blend until creamy and smooth. Return to heat. Add up to 1 cup water if soup is too thick. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Ladle warm soup into bowls and top with scallions and cheese. Serve and enjoy!
~Have you ever met with a personal trainer?
