SPICY BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

I hope all of your holidays were rejuvenating and full of joy! In the spirit of New Years goals and resolutions, I wanted to share more with all of you about the transformational practice of Adding In.

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The culture of weight loss and dieting in our country is quite prevalent (you may have noticed ;)). Each of us have different reasons for wanting to loose weight or eat healthier.  

Unwanted weight gain is almost always a sign that something is just not right in your physical body.  This weight gain could be caused by a myriad of reasons, here are a few:

  • Increased stress - which keeps your body from digesting food.

  • Unbalanced hormones - which keeps your cells from expelling waste.

  • Lack of nutrients - which causes your body to hang on to sugar and fat.

  • Lack of self care - which inevitably leads to poor eating choices, greater stress, and less joy.

  • Poor understanding about what foods are best for YOU to eat - there is no one-diet-fits-all solution. You are unique, the way you could eat should be too.

I have talked about this before - the health and nutrition industry is now very aware that weight loss is not just a calories in, calories out equation.  Armed with a more freeing approach to food - nourishing our bodies - you can simultaneously reach your weight loss goals and invest in your own self care.  We need to give ourselves MORE of what our bodies need, not less.

Adding In is a freeing approach to food that can help you reach your health goals this year.

Add in greens to your breakfast, paired with plant protein so you stay full (or in a nutrient-rich smoothie)!

Add in plant protein to your lunch and dinner, so you feel full an clean!

Add in superfoods to your morning, for greater energy!

Add in more flavor to your lunches, so you can really enjoy them, instead of rushing through!

Add in more spice to help promote gut health and better digestion!

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Now, some of you might be thinking: this concept is kinda obvious...

YES.

It really is!  Adding in more nutritious food into your life should be intuitive!  What if this was a concept that you lived by, instead of just recognized?? Adopting this as your mindset towards food could be transformational.

There is no need to view health as depriving ourselves. Instead, lets add more nutritious food to our days so our enjoyment, contentment, and satisfaction increases!

The majority of my clients have weight loss goals.  And they reach them - by giving their body more, not less. As you discover how easy it is to add nutritious food into your meals, you experience how incredible it feels to feel full (not stuffed), comforted and clean.

This is often the first step for people who join my 6 Month Program: Enjoy Healthy Food. Contact me for a FREE Health History consultation! I would love to help you discover the best way to eat for you body, and to give you the support you need to reach your health goals.

Here is my Spicy Butternut Squash Soup recipe to get you started.

***Add jalapenos for spice, garlic for flavor, and chili-roasted pumpkin seeds for plant protein.  (Did you know that pumpkin seeds have more protein per pound than lentils, beans, or nuts? It's true!)

  • 3 C chopped butternut squash

  • 2 large, 3 small jalapenos - de-seeded and chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic

  • 12 oz chicken stock

  • 1 tbsp + 1/2 tsp EVOO, divided

  • salt and pepper

  • 1/3 C pumpkin seeds

  • 1/2 tsp chili powder

  • bunch of ciliantro

Chop butternut squash into 1/2 inch cubes.  Heat EVOO in a heavy bottomed pot on medium high heat, add butternut squash and stir.  Remove seeds and veins from jalapenos, keeping just a little for more heat (and keeping a lot for LOTS of heat - you decide :)), chop into large pieces and add to pot.  Chop garlic and add, stirring until fragrant.  Season with salt and pepper. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Simmer on medium-low for 15 minutes, vegetables are soft.  Transfer to blender and blend until smooth.  

Heat a separate skillet on medium high heat, add 1/2 tsp EVOO and toast pumpkin seeds for 1 minute.  Add chili powder and toast for another minute, until fragrant.  Roughly chop cilantro leaves.

Pour soup into a large bowl and top with a spoonful of the chili toasted pumpkin seeds and cilantro.

***I hope that you enjoy this soup - that you feel warm and comforted, full, satisfied, and nourished!  And that this practice of Adding In helps you to reach your health goals this year!!

 
Source: https://www.healthanddiscovery.com/blog-1/...