Butternut Squash + Recipe

It seems that as soon as October rolls around, everyone is hit with pumpkin fever.  Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy pumpkin pie, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin ice cream and everything else pumpkin as much as the next person, but I prefer a different seasonal squash: the butternut.  Simply put, I adore butternut squash! 

 

Butternut squash is so versatile.  You can roast it, puree it for soups, or use it in breads and casseroles. It's also extremely healthy for you given its jammed packed with nutrients.  Butternut squash is one of the best sources for antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C and E.  Actually, just one serving (1 cup) of butternut squash has close to 3 times the recommended daily intake of Vitamin A!  It's also a good source of minerals like magnesium and potassium.  And let's not forget about that "F" word - fiber!  Butternut squash contains about 10% of the recommended daily intake in each serving, which helps keep you feeling full!  

To be honest, there is one thing about butternut squash that I do not like and that is prepping it!  The thick hard skin and its odd shape make it a pain in the you-know-what to handle! Here are a few tips I've acquired to help you stay safe (and sane) when preparing any winter squash:

1) To prevent slips, make sure your surface area is stable.  An easy trick is to place a damp cloth underneath your cutting board.

2) Trim away the ends first.  This gives you flat sides to prevent the squash from rolling on the cutting board.

3) Use a big, sharp knife to both cut and peel the squash.  A chef's knife with at least an 8in blade is best.  Peeling with a knife instead of a peeler is actually more efficient and safer - just be sure to tuck those fingers!

4) If all else fails, you can bake the squash first at 375 degrees with the peel on for about 10 minutes to soften it.

My favorite way to enjoy butternut squash?  Roasted, by far!  The roasting process creates a carmelization affect that makes the squash even sweeter!  After peeling and cutting the squash into bite sized cubes, toss them in a large bowl with 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar.  Season with a couple of pinches of kosher salt.  Place in a foil-lined baking pan and put it in the oven at 425 degrees.  Cook for 30-40 minutes tossing half-way through.  Serve it just like that or if you want to jazz it up a little, toss it with some blue cheese! Ridiculously good!

Looking to make butternut squash part of the main course and not just a side dish?  Try this butternut squash stew recipe!  I made it the other day in the slow cooker  and it turned out awesome!  Super hearty and loaded with nutrition!

 

Butternut Squash and Beef Stew

slightly adapted from http://paleoleap.com

(serves 4)

Ingredients: 

1lb beef cubes for stewing;

1 butternut squash, peeled, de-seeded and diced
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 carrots, diced
6 oz mushrooms, sliced
6 oz spinach, chopped
1 cup chicken stock (I used vegetable stock, because that's what I had)
14 oz can diced tomatoes (I would recommend draining the can for a thicker stew)
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste 

Instructions:

1. Add all the ingredients, except for the spinach and the mushrooms, into the slow cooker.

2. Mix together.  Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 5-7 hours until the meat is cooked fully and the squash is tender.  (It only took about 5 hours in my slow cooker.)
3. Add in the mushrooms about 45 minutes before the stew is done.
4. Add the spinach just before serving.

Do you have a favorite butternut squash recipe?  I'd love to hear it!

Healthfully Yours,

Meghan

 

Crockpot Steak Chili

I love when recipes just come together out of necessity, don't you?  The other day, I had pulled some skirt steaks out of the freezer to thaw, but thanks to a whirlwind of a weekend, didn't get to them for a few days. By Monday I knew I needed to do something with them or they would go bad. Problem is, the hubby was out of town and I knew I sure as heck couldn't put away 1.5lbs of steak by myself. What to do, what to do?

Well, cue the cool, damp, fall weather and my craving for chili kicked in. I scavenged through the fridge and pantry and realized I had everything I needed. Score! Steak chili it was! And being home alone with a 3 month old, I figured why not make it easy on myself and do this one in the crockpot? Slow and low is the best way to develop chili flavors anyways.

This could not have turned out more perfectly! It was hearty and warm and full of rich flavors which is just what you want on a cool autumn evening. Well, that and a nice glass of red!

Crockpot Steak Chili

Ingredients:
1.5lbs of skirt steak, cut into bite size pieces (flank steak would also work)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 small white onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 T chili powder (more if you like extra spice)
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp cumin

Directions:
1. Combine all the ingredients in the crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or until steak is nice and tender. Keep in mind cooking times may vary.
3. Garnish with extra chopped tomatoes, onion, cheese or sour cream. I added extra chopped onion and some avocado on mine!

 

Healthfully Yours,

Meghan

My Whole30 Wrap Up

When my sister asked me late in August if I would want to do a Whole30 challenge with her starting in September, I immediately said yes, but asked if we could wait until after labor day so I could get my grub on at a cookout.  No need to sabotage yourself with a holiday, right?
 

A typical breakfast of eggs scrambled in ghee with a protein and tons of vegetables. Some roasted potatoes on the side.

 She was actually surprised by the fact that I said yes.  See, being a dietitian I tend to not trust most "fad" diets, especially ones that eliminate whole food groups, but I was at a point of desperation.  I was 2 months post-partum and not feeling good about what I was eating, the way I felt, or the way I looked.  I was not sleeping well, had little energy and my body ached. 

Now, I fully understand that these are all normal feelings after having a baby and we moms don't give ourselves enough slack when it comes to getting back to our pre-pregnancy selves.  But, I knew I was not eating as healthy as I should be and I wanted to try something new.  I also figured from a professional standpoint, it was a good idea to see what all the rage was about and to form my own opinion, so that I could share it when asked.

Balsamic chicken and sausage with roasted butternut squash and steamed broccoli.

First thing I did was buy the Whole30 book It Starts With Food and scour their website.  Like any normal food-loving person, I immediately needed to know what can and can't I eat on this plan?  Well, here's the answer:

IN:  Meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables, fruit, nuts, natural fats (coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, ghee)

OUT: All sugar (yes, even honey), alcohol, grains, legumes, dairy and three preservatives: sulfites, carageenan and MSG

You know what my first thought was...great, I can have coffee!  Wait! What am I going to put in my coffee?? (see below)

BBQ meatballs with roasted spaghetti squash.

By now you're probably asking "Okay so what exactly is the point of the Whole30 challenge?"  The point is that many of the foods we eat trigger hormonal responses in our body that are negative.  I love this quote from the book: "The food that you eat either makes you more healthy or less healthy. Those are your options. There is no neutral."  I have always believed that the food we eat makes us feel a certain way, so this was making sense to me.  This was in fact, why I became a dietitian.  Because, I believe we can heal ourselves (or make ourselves sick) with food. 

So, here are some of the developments and discoveries that happened during my Whole30 challenge:

I lost a total of 10 pounds...I felt less bloated...I had more energy...I tried new foods...I began to enjoy cooking again...I was eating more vegetables...I noticed a lot of my cravings subsided...I could recognize when I was full and when I was hungry....I could drink black coffee and enjoy it...I would not die without cheese...I started running again...I fell in love with homemade mayo

Amazing homemade mayo.

I'm sure what everyone is dying to know is did I cheat?  The answer? Yes, I did cheat a couple of times.  I had 3 glasses of wine over the course of the 30 days.  On day 29 I had a bite of some delicious bread and after dinner on day 30 I had a few spoonfuls of ice cream!  I know, I know, I'm going to hell! No, but seriously, it is kind of sad that I couldn't go 30 days without cheating.  But, I don't dwell on it, because I really feel great!

Turkey burger topped with homemade mayo and garden tomato with tomato and avocado salad
 and a side of sautéed spinach and bacon.

So, there you have it: my Whole30 wrap-up!  Would I do it again? Absolutely!  Is there anything I am going to continue to eliminate from my diet? I don't think so, but I do want to keep grains, dairy and sugar to a minimum.

Healthfully Yours,

Meghan

 

 

Java Jive

Mmmmm coffee! Java. Cup of joe. No matter what you call it, you've got to love it!  And no matter how you take it: black or con leche, it just doesn't seem right to start your day off without it.  Or for some of us, to have a cup constantly by your side like a loyal companion.  Yes, I love coffee first thing in the morning with breakfast or on my commute into work (before I worked from home).  I love coffee in the middle of the afternoon whether working, reading a book or just stalking people on facebook.  And I love coffee at night after a satisfying meal, along with a little something sweet of course. 

You can call me an addict, but I'm fine with that, because coffee is good for you!  Yes, there are those pesky haters that say coffee is a bad for your health, but to them I say: psshhht!  Here are three reasons why coffee drinking is all-good.

1. Improved Cognitive Function: Many human studies have shown that caffeine helps to improve aspects of cognition such as memory and reactions times. How? Caffeine causes the amounts of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine to increase, leading to enhanced firing of neurons.

2. Natural Laxative: Okay, sorry if this is TMI, but it's true!  Coffee makes you poop and therefore can help keep your digestive system regular.  That's the reason why it is traditionally always offered after a meal (you learn something new every day).

3. Contains Antioxidants: Antioxidants are protective of things like cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.  In the Western diet, coffee is the main source of antioxidants!  Studies have shown that people get more antioxidants from coffee than from fruits and veggies combined.  Sad, but true!  

So there you have it! Straight from the dietitian's mouth, go grab yourself a cup of joe!  Just do me a favor and skip all the whipped cream, syrups and sprinkles that will negate all its healthy properties!

Healthfully Yours,

Meghan 

O'Mazing Omega-3's

People are constantly being told by doctors and yes, dietitians, “Limit this food or avoid that food because they're bad for you.”  Well, I for one, would rather spend time focusing on the things we should be eating more of!  Have you heard of omega-3's and their health benefits?  In honor of American Heart Month, let's explore these healthy fats: what exactly are they and how can we eat more of them?

More and more research is supporting the important role that omega- 3's play in reducing the risk of heart disease including heart attack and stroke. In fact, the American Heart Association's Dietary Guidelines suggest that increasing our consumption of these fats can help prevent cardiovascular disease, specifically by lowering serum triglyceride and blood pressure levels.  Plain and simple, omega-3's are good for the heart!
Omega-3's are a type of essential polyunsaturated fat.  Essential means that the body needs them for basic functions, but cannot make them, and therefore must be consumed in the diet. There are three types of omega-3's:

1. ALA (alpha-linolenic acid)
2. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
3. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)

There are two main dietary sources of omega-3's: fish and seeds and nuts.  Fatty fish such as salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel and sardines contain high levels of EPA and DHA.  Walnuts, chia seeds and ground flaxseed are excellent sources of ALA.  ALA can also be obtained from canola, walnut, soybean and flaxseed oils.  Additionally, there are now many products being fortified with omega-3's such as eggs and yogurt.  And for those who don't care for fish or are vegetarian, there are always supplements available.

To reduce the risk of heart disease, the American Heart Association recommends consuming 2 serving of fatty fish (8 oz total) per week or 1 gram of omega-3's per day.  As a reference, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flaxseed has about 2 grams, 1 ounce of salmon has about 0.75 grams, and 1 teaspoon of canola oil has about 0.5 grams.
Unsure of how to add more omega-3's to your diet?  Try adding a handful of walnuts to your oatmeal or a tablespoon of ground flaxseed to your smoothie in the morning.  Replace two of your usual meat dinners with salmon or another fatty fish.  You could also make your own salad dressing using walnut oil!  Keep in mind that both flaxseed oil and walnut oil are heat sensitive and not meant to be
cooked with.

For more information on the benefits of omega-3's check out www.eatright.org or www.heart.org.

Healthfully Yours,

Meghan

November is National Diabetes Month

November is National Diabetes Month, a public health campaign that works to bring awareness to diabetes and to encourage action towards its prevention and management. According to the American Diabetes Association nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States alone currently have diabetes and another 79 million Americans have pre-diabetes or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. To put it another way, one in every four Americans either currently has or is at risk for diabetes!

 

What is Diabetes?

A lot of people know that diabetes has to do with sugar but they don't fully understand the disease. Diabetes occurs when your body is unable to convert the sugar (glucose) you consume into energy and so it builds up in your blood. This is known as high blood sugar or hyperglycemia. The chart below shows normal blood glucose levels for those with and without diabetes. Hyperglycemia is when your blood sugar is higher than these guidelines.
 

High blood sugar or hyperglycemia happens for a couple of reasons that have to do with insulin production. Insulin is a hormone that the pancreas produces and is a necessary tool for your cells to use the glucose you consume for energy. When you are insulin resistant, the cells do not “recognize” the insulin your body is making and so the glucose stays in your bloodstream. Another reason for hyperglycemia is that your pancreas can't produce insulin at all. This is the case with type 1 diabetics, although most type 2 diabetics eventually stop producing insulin as well.

 

How is Diabetes Managed?

For those who have diabetes, managing the disease means taking measures to control your blood glucose levels so that they stay in a healthy range. This is extremely important as complications of poorly-managed diabetes can include blindness, kidney failure, poor wound healing and even stroke or heart attack.

 

The three most important elements of diabetes management include self blood glucose monitoring (i.e. checking your blood sugars), diet and medications. Diabetics are encouraged to check their blood sugars several times a day in order to know if they are in the healthy range. Since the glucose in our blood comes from the food we eat, diet is a pivotal part of managing diabetes. Carbohydrates which include grains, fruit and sweets should be limited in the diet in order to keep blood glucose levels from spiking. And finally, medications including pills and insulin injections, work in different capacities to help keep blood glucose levels within a healthy range.

How Can I Prevent Diabetes?

Being overweight and having a family history are two strong risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. If you think you may be at risk, talk with your doctor, a registered dietitian, a certified diabetes educator or any health care professional about prevention. You can also check out these great resources for more information:

http://www.diabetes.org/

http://ndep.nih.gov/index.aspx

http://www.eatright.org/Public/

Healthfully Yours,

Meghan

Pumpkin-Honey Beer Quick Bread

I don't really consider myself a baker, but I do enjoy making quick breads. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but the idea of yeast and proofing and punching and kneading really intimidates me!  Quick breads allow you to skip all that; just a little mixing and you're ready for the oven!

Now, I've made banana breads, Irish soda breads and zucchini breads many times before, but never a pumpkin bread. And in case you didn't notice, pumpkin is the hot seasonal item right now! It's a great source of fiber and beta-carotene, an antioxidant, and provides moisture to baked goods. So when I came across this gem of a recipe for a Pumpkin-Honey Beer Quick Bread, I was super excited!

I knew that this bread was going to be awesome when the house filled with the warmth of pumpkin and honey while it was baking...I mean, the house smelled like autumn! And I was not disappointed - this bread was AMAZING! It is a delicious little fall treat and would be perfect paired with a pumpkin spice latte!

Pumpkin-Honey Beer Quick Bread

adapted from Cooking Light Magazine

makes 1 loaf

 

Ingredients

• 7.3 ounces 100% whole-wheat flour (about 1 2/3 cups)
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoons baking soda  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/6 ground flaxseed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/3 cup organic unrefined coconut oil (see my post on oils)
• 1/3 cup room-temperature honey beer (I used Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 (8-ounce) can pumpkin

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, salt, and next 4 ingredients (through pumpkin pie spice) in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk.
3. Combine 1/4 cup water and flaxseed. Set aside to let thicken.
4. Place sugar and next 4 ingredients (through eggs) in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium-high speed until well blended. Add flaxseed mixture and pumpkin; beat at low speed just until blended. Add flour mixture; beat just until combined.
5. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350° for about 50-60 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.
6. Enjoy!

Healthfully Yours,

Meghan