Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

The Secret

Squash008.jpg

 

I will admit, I was one of the millions of people who jumped on "The Secret" bandwagon after Oprah had featured the author and other life coach professionals on her show. I watched her original show and the follow up show afterwards and was immediately hooked. I wanted to learn more. Next, I bought the book and the DVD. I read the book 3 times, trying to absorb all of the information and I watched the DVD twice. It all made sense to me…think positively and positive things will come to you. Put your energy into what you want to happen in your life and the "universe" will answer you, granting your wishes. I am all about the power of positive thinking and I truly believe that attitude is everything.

Well, it was several months ago that I read "The Secret" and watched the DVD. I believed in the concept and mentally put myself in that place, but I was not really doing any of the things they said to apply to your life. One thing the author of "The Secret" says to do is to create a vision board. A vision board is exactly what you probably imagine it to be… a board with all of the things on it that you want to happen in your life. Specific "wishes" that you would like granted.  Things that you want to focus on and bring to fruition. I knew that I wanted to do a Vision Board and I had even purchased the board. I decided 2 weeks ago to finally sit down and do my vision board. I completed it, hung it up in my closet where I would see it every day and I really started to focus on those things. Within two days…only two days…things were really starting to come together for me. Within a week, I had three fantastic job opportunities…opportunities that followed what I had on my vision board. 1) I began working for Moms In Law Consulting doing recruiting for one of their clients. The great thing about this is the recruiting is 100% internet based… no cold calling or sourcing via phone. 2) A paid opportunity fell in my lap to start writing restaurant reviews for local Kansas City restaurants. I am writing reviews for a restaurant review website, which has been a lot of fun so far. 3) And the best, I can’t believe it thing that has happened, is I am going to start writing for a new women’s magazine that is being published once a month called "Her Life Magazine". I will be writing their parenting articles as well as some dining / entertaining articles. This opportunity completely fell in my lap as well because of my blog writing and the writing I do for The Well Fed Network.

I would get in to some of the other things that have happened in the past two weeks, but it is really starting to get a bit unbelievable! I have been very blessed (and extremely busy!) and I am so excited to be working from home doing something that I am passionate about all the while being able to raise my kids.

Speaking of secrets, do you have any recipes that you sneak ingredients in to that your family would normally not eat? I have heard of people sneaking extra veggies into their spaghetti sauce, putting purreed veggies in their muffins, or making desserts with secret veggies in it. If you like to get extra veggies in your diet, but would rather have them sneaked in, try this recipe for Squash Bread. Your family will not have a clue that one of the main ingredients is squash, and you will be pleased to know that your secret is safe.  

Butternut Squash Bread

Makes 3 loaves

2 packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1 1/4 cups mashed cooked butternut squash
1 cup warm milk (110 to 115 degrees)
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
7-7 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  1. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water; let stand 5 minutes.
  2. Add squash, milk, eggs, butter, sugar and salt; mix well.
  3. Gradually add 3 ½ cups flour; beat until smooth.
  4. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
  5. Turn onto a floured board; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes (5 mins in the mixer).
  6. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.
  7. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  8. Punch dough down.
  9. Shape into three loaves; place in greased 8 x 4 x 2 inch loaf pans.
  10. Cover and let rise until doubled about 30 minutes.
  11. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until tops are golden.
  12. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Deborah says

    I’m so glad things are working out for you! My mom bought the DVD and I have been wanting to watch it, but it is making the rounds through my siblings right now….

    I have never heard of butternut squash bread – zucchini bread, but never butternut squash! It has me curious, though!

  2. ashley says

    Congratulations on all the wonderful things happening in your life right now! I’ve never heard of butternut squash being used in a bread before. Sounds like something I want to try. 🙂

  3. veron says

    Oh that is so wonderful Kristen. congratulations. I have never heard of "the secret" , now I’m curious about it too.

  4. Asha says

    Congrats Kristen! Butternut squash cake sounds and looks wonderful! I will make it,thanks.

  6. Mandy says

    hey Kristen,
    Congrats! All the opportunities sound interesting and exciting. All the best in your new venture. When I saw the title, I thought you are sharing "some secrets".;p I never watch or read "The secret" yet. I shall get myself a copy ofthe book!

  8. Charlotte says

    I thought you were going to say "My secret is not The Secret at all but really good bread". Congratulations on the jobs! How wonderful. I also work as a freelance writer from home while raising my kids and it’s a great way to do both.

    I have also just started using visualization and am finding it a wonderful tool.

  10. Jenifer says

    Congrats to you! Your opportunities look to be fantastic. If "Her Life Magazine" needs a older 20/younger 30 perspective, let me know! 🙂

  11. Kate says

    I sneak TONS of stuff into my food….come on, we’re talking about a 13 year old boy here! Lately I have been shredding zucchini into a lot of our meals.

    I have a friend who puts pureed spinach into her fudge brownies because her youngest daughter will not eat green vegetables.

    Congrats on all the new opportunities. They are very well deserved!

  12. katiez says

    Congrats on wll the wonderful things!
    I’m afraid to admit I’ve never heard of ‘the Secret’… sounds interesting!
    Thanks for the butternut squash recipe – I planted some this year so chances are I’ll make this..

  13. Jerry says

    I once tried putting tabasco in cookie batter, I think that was the only time I was scared for my life by my dad.

  14. Cheryl says

    Beautiful bread. The only thing I sneak in is when I make regular food. Sometimes I use skim milk or low fat butter when my hubby isn’t looking. But for baking, I go for full fat only.

  15. Nora says

    Congratulations on your new job(s)! As for secret ingredients, I usually try to throw in some chillies hoping to build up my partner’s resilience to it. Of course he will notice the slight "heat" but usually he says, "it’s good with the chillies". If I asked him whether or not I can put it in, he will usually say no. I’m so sneaky… 🙂

  16. Lynn says

    Yeah! Congratulations on all the doors opening up for you. It’s awesome that you get to do what you enjoy and still be with your kids!

  19. Karen Beth says

    LOVE how you combined The Secret with a recipe. You are such a talented writer and deserve all the wonderful things that have come your way. Wahoo!

  20. Lydia says

    Congratulations on all of your good news! I made something like a vision board about 5 years ago…way ahead of my time, I guess. They really do help you keep focused.

  23. Domestic Diva says

    congratulations. Sounds as if things are really going your way!!!

    I sneak foods into my families meals all the time. To this day they have no idea.

  24. Kat says

    Wow…I knew about the magazine, but not about all the other wonderful things. Congratulations! You amaze me! You go girl!!

    Hugs!
    Kat

  29. Kirsten says

    Congrats!! That is so exciting. There is so much to life that involves getting out there, trusting in yourself and more.

    Great news – and a great recipe! 🙂

  30. Christine says

    Congratulations Kristin! I have not read The Secret but I have read a lot of other books about the Universe and the power of positive thinking and how it can change your life. It is something I truly believe in.

  33. Pam says

    Just wanted to wish you congrats on your success and blessings you’ve received.
    I remember Oprah talking about that book but missed the show.

  35. kate says

    haha you wont believe I’ve just finished writing my next article( saved as a draft for now) titled "secret" ! and of course the same one that you’re talking about.My brother in law just gave me a copy of the book and have not even reached pg29 and I’m already a different person.I wasn’t even aware of this book until i got it.I guess this book has touched millions of lives.And talking about sneaking in things into recipes, i do that all the time, with my hubby, adding things he doesnt like to his dishes and then after he finishes, telling him that see it was’nt that bad at all, u ate it !

  37. My Kitchen in Half Cups says

    Fabulous Kristen!! I’m delighted to hear all the positive and am looking forward to trying this bread.
    It started out as a secret but now is a trademark everybody asks for at Thanksgiving: I use lots of spinach in my Turkey dressing but no animal in it for my vegetarian.

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