Acorn Squash and Sweet Potato Soup (Vegan)

As far as I'm concerned, you can never get enough sweet vegetables. Not only are they perfectly delicious and in season this time of year, they're also great for satisfying sugar cravings and soothing your internal organs. This acorn squash and sweet potato soup is warm, nutritious, and a great addition to any Thanksgiving day feast.

Ingredients:

3 small sweet potatoes or 2 1/2 medium sweet potatoes

2-3lb acorn squash

3 tbsp grapeseed or coconut oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 tsp garam masala

3/4 tsp ground ginger

3 1/2 cups vegetable broth

2/3 cup light coconut milk

salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F

2. Slice acorn squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds & guts

3. Slice sweet potatoes lengthwise

4. Place sweet vegetables cut side up on baking sheet and coat with 1-2 tbsp of oil

5. Season lightly with salt and pepper

6. Place vegetables cut side down on baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes to an hour, or until very soft.

7. When cool enough to handle, remove squash from skin and set aside. Discard skin.

8. Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pot

9. Add onion and saute over low heat until soft and translucent

10. Add garam masala and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

11. Add vegetable broth, roasted squash and sweet potato to your pot.

12. Bring soup to a low simmer, cook 10-15 minutes.

13. Puree in a blender (I did mine in two batches)

14. Return soup to heat and add the coconut milk. Combine well.

15. Season with salt and pepper to taste (or a dash more ground ginger or garam masala)

16. Drizzle a spoonful of coconut milk and a touch of extra virgin olive oil over top. Serve hot.

Enjoy!

-Rebecca

Three Bean Chili with Kale and Quinoa

I love to experiment with vegetarian/vegan chili recipes, and this is my favorite so far. It's hearty, healthy, and a little spicy. What more could you possibly ask for? Here you have it, my three bean chili recipe with kale and quinoa..

Ingredients:

3 tbsp grapeseed oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 jalepeno, diced

8 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp ground cumin

3 tbsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

2+ cups water (or vegetable stock)

2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tbsp brown sugar

4 cups beans, drained and rinsed (use whatever variety you prefer - I used kidney beans, small white beans, and black beans)

1 small bunch kale (stemmed and chopped)

1 1/4 cups cooked quinoa

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large dutch oven over med-high heat

2. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes

3. Add red pepper and jalepeno, cook until soft and onions begin to brown around the edges, about 3 minutes

4. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute

5. Push vegetables to side of the pot leaving the center clear

6. Sprinkle ground cumin in the center of the pot and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly

7. Stir cumin and vegetables together and cook for an additional minute or so

8. Add chili powder and cayenne and stir into vegetables, cook for another minute

9. Add 2 cups of water and stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot for any stuck on spices

10. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until it begins to thicken, about 5 minutes

11. Stir in the diced tomatoes, oregano, and brown sugar

12. Add one tomato can of water

13. Bring back to a boil, then simmer about 20 minutes, until slightly thickened

14. Add kale and allow it some time to begin to wilt.

15. Add the beans and quinoa, gently combining all ingredients

16. Top with whatever fun ingredients you choose -- green onions, cilantro, tomato, etc.

Enjoy!

-Rebecca

10 Natural Ways To Kick The Common Cold

I have all kinds of problems with taking over-the-counter medicine when there are so many amazing natural ways to kick the common cold. We've been doing this for ages, people.. stop looking for the quick fix. This is your body we're talking about here! Your home! Here are my 10 favorite NATURAL ways to survive cold and flu season. Tried and True!

1. Echinacea Tea - Echinacea Tea can be found right in your grocery store, and should be had as soon as cold symptoms arise. Echinacea has a long history of effectiveness in the treatment of colds, flus and viruses. It has immunostimulant properties with no recognized side effects, even in large doses. The tea is warm and delicious, but only good for short-term relief, not long-term prevention. Using the tea on a regular basis can actually weaken the immune system. I try to drink 2-3 cups/day for the duration of my cold.

2. Garlic Soup - If you're sick, this is the soup for you (Recipe Here)! Jumpstart your immune system and rid your body of harmful toxins & microorganisms naturally with garlic. When you crush the cloves a natural compound is released called allicin. Allicin is what gives garlic it's flavor and aroma, but it also acts like an antibiotic. The brown rice in the recipe contains selenium which is part of an antioxidant that helps your body fight off infections. Deficiencies of nutrients like selenium may lead to mutations in flu bugs and other viruses, creating more harmful germs. This is the perfect vegan alternative to chicken noodle soup.. except so much better for you.

3. Peppermint Steam Inhalation - This is really wonderful when you wake up feeling like you can't breathe. Steam inhalation therapy works by thinning the mucus in the sinuses, relieving congestion and increasing circulation due to the hot moist steam (that's what she said?). I recommend using quality essential oils always (Young Living or doTERRA - I use the latter). The way this works is you boil a pot of water, remove it from the stove and add 4-5 drops peppermint essential oil to the water (rosemary and eucalyptus work, too). Close your eyes, hold your head over the water, and place a towel over your head. Inhale for about 15 minutes. Peppermint is a good analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. The peppermint is pretty intense and might burn a little, but you'll instantly feel it working!

4. Neti Pot - This is another great option when you feel like you can't breathe. The Neti pot is an Ayurvedic nasal irrigation technique that helps the body get rid of the irritating and infectious agents that you can't seem to get out of your nose otherwise. The user will pour a mixture of salt and water (distilled or boiled properly - do your research!) into the nostril, which flows through the nasal cavity and out the other nostril. You'll definitely feel a great deal of relief after using the Neti pot, as awkward as it may be.

5. Essential Oil Gargle - You might notice me start to mention essential oils quite a bit. I'm a huge fan. I'm a daily user, and can't imagine my medicine cabinet without them. This is a quick easy gargle consisting of 2oz water, 1 drop oregano essential oil, and 2 drops of lemon essential oil. Clears out the throat when you have that annoying drip.

6. Turmeric "Milk"- (Recipe Here) This drink will change your life, I swear! This remedy is based on an ancient Ayurvedic recipe for coughs, colds and sore throat. Turmeric has super potent anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antioxidant properties.. It's known to reduce nasal congestion, soothe a sore throat, and reduce the length and severity of a common cold. Turmeric Milk is super easy to make, and tastes like some sort of spiced latte that would cost way too much at starbucks. I can't get enough.

7. Cut Out Sugar - It's highly recommended that for the duration of your cold you should limit sugar consumption (including fruit sugars) to less than 50g/day. Concentrated sources of sugars like glucose, fructose, sucrose, honey or orange juice greatly reduces the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria. Drinking concentrated orange juice or other sweet juice during a cold could probably do more harm than good.

8. Liquids - So, what should you drink? Water and herbal teas. When membranes that line the respiratory tract get dehydrated, they provide a more hospitable environment for pesky cold viruses. Drinking water might just rid them of a home. It will also improve the function of white blood cells by decreasing the concentration of solutes in the blood. Drink up, your body needs it!

9. OnGuard! - I cannot say enough about doTERRA's certified pure theraputic grade OnGuard essential oil blend. This baby is so powerful it has been found effective in killing MRSA. When I feel a cold coming on, or to simply boost the immune system, I apply it topically to the bottom of my feet. I told you I use a lot of essential oils!

10. Sweat Baby, Sweat - Some of my favorite warming stimulants are cayenne pepper, garlic and ginger. I've given you recipes with all three. A shot of raw unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with cayenne is also incredibly effective. After warming yourself up, throw on some socks and sweatpants, cover yourself in blankets, and allow yourself to sweat for awhile (but not to exhaustion). Follow this with a real quick cool water sponge bath (if on hand, you can add lavender essential oil to the cloth for it's calming, cooling and anti-inflammatory properties). Go back to bed and REST! Sleep is crucial in fighting any cold.. but you already knew that!

I hope these little tips help! If your cold lasts longer than it should or your symptoms worsen, definitely take whatever medical precautions are necessary. But otherwise, happy holistic healing all!

-Rebecca

Turmeric Milk

Turmeric milk, where have you been all my life? This tastes like some sort of spiced latte, and quite frankly I'm hooked. It's warm, soothing, and incredibly nutritious with it's anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antioxidant properties.

Ingredients:

2 cups organic almond milk

1 tsp ground turmeric

2-3 whole black peppercorns or a pinch of black pepper

1/8 tsp ground ginger or a bit of fresh ginger

1 tsp cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick

1 tbsp honey

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to sauce pan

2. Bring to light boil

3. Reduce heat

4. Strain peppercorns, ginger, and cinnamon stick if using whole

5. Drink warm.

Note: any milk will do, though I prefer almond or coconut varieties.

Seriously, try this. You'll thank me, I promise.

- Rebecca

Cold Fighting Garlic Soup

I'll be completely honest in telling you that I wasn't expecting this soup to be nearly as delicious as it was. When coming down with a cold, garlic is your best friend. Here's my super simple recipe for an incredibly healing garlic soup.

Ingredients:

2 heads garlic
2 teaspoons olive oil
5 cups vegetable stock
1 bunch kale (stems removed, chopped)
1 cup cooked brown rice


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. Slice off the top of each head of garlic, exposing the top of each clove.
3. Pour a teaspoon of oil on each head.
4. Place in a casserole dish with a lid or wrap in foil.
5. Roast for 45 minutes or until cloves are completely soft.
6. Let the garlic cool for a few minutes and squeeze cloves into a pot.
7. Add stock and stir to break up the garlic and combine.
8. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
9. Add kale and simmer an additional 5 minutes.
10. Add rice, stir well, and serve right away.

I also recommend adding cayenne to taste, as it helps open the sinuses and soothes irritated tissue in the throat. Careful though, a little goes a long way.

-Rebecca

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

'Tis the season for Pumpkin everything. Instead of overindulging on pumpkin beer and Halloween candy, I chose a different approach with these vegan and gluten-free pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup all purpose gluten-free flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger powder

1/4 tsp allspice

1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp hot water)

2 tbsp coconut oil

1/2 cup organic pumpkin

1/3 cup brown rice syrup

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup gluten-free rolled oats

1/3 cup chocolate/carob chips of choice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Make flax egg by combining ground flax with hot water. Allow to sit while you combine dry ingredients. I made the flax egg in a large mixing bowl, as to not dirty an extra dish.

3. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together dry ingredients (with the exception of the oats and chocolate chips)

4. In the large mixing bowl, beat together the coconut oil with the flax egg. I did not melt the coconut oil.

5. Mix in wet ingredients.

6. Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the larger bowl. beat until smooth.

7. Fold in oats and chocolate chips.

8. Spoon dough onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper. It should make at least 12-15 cookies.

9. Bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

10. Enjoy with friends over coffee and a game of chess.

Happy Halloween!

-Rebecca