The Health Benefits of Butternut Squash

Tags

, ,

Posted by Jennifer (the student) on November 9, 2012

Source: youbeauty.com via Jennifers on Pinterest

Butternut Squash is a popular seasonal vegetable that is loaded with nutrients and many health benefits. This squash is part of the gourd family like pumpkins, melons and cucumbers. It is technically a fruit because it contains seeds.

Butternut Squash is rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants. The tangerine hue of its flesh signals an abundance of nutrients. This squash is low in fat and calories and is high in fiber.

Benefits:

  • One of the best sources of four carotenoids: Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene, Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which offer a multitude of benefits from cancer prevention and protection from heart disease.
  • Promotes healthy skin and eyes with Vitamin A.
  • Protects the body from free radicals and prevents damage to healthy cells with Antioxidants.
  • Helps to regulate the digestive tract and lowers cholesterol with Fiber.
  • Improves bone health with a significant amount of Potassium and Calcium.
  • Boosts the immune system with Vitamin C and Zinc.
  • Helps to reduce depression with Folate.
  • Promotes proper function of nervous and immune systems with Vitamin B6.
  • Promotes vision health with Lutein.

Butternut Squash can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Since it is loaded with nutrients and has so many health benefits it is worth trying to work it into your diet this fall and winter. Butternut Squash can be used to replace pumpkin and sweet potatoes in any recipe. An added benefit of roasting the squash, your house will be filled with its nutty, buttery smell, making your house smell like fall.

♥ ♥

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Persimmon Drop Cookies

Tags

, ,

Posted by Jennifer (the RD) on October 7, 2012

This is really the best persimmon cookie recipe I’ve tasted so far.  Trust me, I’ve tried a lot because my parents have a persimmon tree.  My mom ended up finding this recipe at a fruit stand she stumbled upon on the way to San Diego.

INGREDIENTS:

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup persimmon puree

2 ¼ cups flour

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. nutmeg

½ tsp. salt

¼ lb. butter or margarine

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup chopped nuts

1 cup raisins or semisweet chocolate pieces

Stir baking soda into persimmon puree and let stand for 5 minutes.  In a bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.  In a large bowl or an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar.  Beat in egg, then stir in persimmon mixture.  Stir in flour mixture to form a soft dough, then stir in nuts and raisins.

Drop batter by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until edges are lightly browned and centers spring back when lightly touched (12-15 minutes).  Transfer to racks and let cool. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

 ♥ ♥

Whipperberry What's cooking, love? SixSistersStuff.com Addicted Button 2, Addicted to Recipes Butoon, v@ 52 Mantels Chef In Training Pamela's Heavenly Treats

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

WIAW #30

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Posted by Jennifer (the student) on November 6, 2012 


 Hello, Everyone. Happy What I Ate Wednesday!!  I am sharing my meals from last Saturday, this was a busy day with most of my meals eaten out. I can’t believe how busy this time of year is getting so fast. Last week was Halloween, Tuesday was election day and in two weeks Thanksgiving will be here.  Thank you to Jenn a Peas and Crayons for hosting the WIAW!

 
This is what I ate:
Breakfast (7:30am)
I started the day with coffee and some of the best pancakes I have ever had at the Early Bird.

Lunch (11:30am)

A chicken panini at Rae G Cafe.

Dinner (5:30pm)

A half curry chicken salad with mushroom soup at the Gypsy Den. All so tasty!

Dessert (7:00pm)

Melon. Yum!

Thank you for stopping by. I hope your day was full of healthy meals! 

♥ ♥

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

11/04/12 – Exercise Log

Tags

, , , ,

Posted by Jennifer (the student) on November 4, 2012

 

11/04/12            Walk/Hike 6 miles √

11/05/12            Yoga 1 hr class, Weight Train 20 min

11/06/12            Piyo 1 hr class , Cross Trainer 20 min

11/07/12            Yoga 1 hr class, Weight Train 20 min

11/08/12            Yoga 1 hr class , Cross Trainer 20 min

11/09/12            Off

11/10/12            Tennis 1 ½ hr class

♥ ♥

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

My Favorite Uses for Edamame

Posted by Jennifer (the RD) on November 3, 2012

I teach a vegetarian class and was recently discussing how versatile soy protein is.  One of the easiest soy foods to incorporate into your menus is edamame, especially since it is not only inexpensive, but now comes unshelled. Here are some of my favorite uses for edamame:

  • in salads
  • in soups
  • blended up into a cracker spread
  • in fried rice (one of my favorite uses)
  • in casseroles
  • in sandwich wraps

Does anyone else want to share some of their creative ideas?

 ♥ ♥

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Savory Pumpkin Pinwheels

Tags

, , , , ,

Posted by Jennifer (the student) on October 31, 2012

Ingredients:

  • 6 lasagna noodles
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 15 oz can of unsweetened pumpkin
  • 1 tsp curry
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp chili powder
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • 15 oz can coconut milk
  • 2 TBSP butter
  • 2 TBSP flour
  • ¼ tsp fresh ground nutmeg
  • ¼ cup pecorino Romano cheese, grated (any hard cheese that has a salty taste should work)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking pan (8” square will work).
  2. Cook lasagna noodles according directions on package.
  3. Set noodles aside to cool, keep separate because they will stick together.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, curry, salt, chili powder and cumin and set aside.
  5. In a saucepan, melt butter. Once butter is melted, add flour and combine and cook for a few minutes. Then whisk in coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Cook for 7-8 minutes until thickened. Add nutmeg, combine and set aside.
  6. Assemble pinwheels by laying noodles on a cutting board. First spread a layer of the pumpkin mixture and stop 1 inch from the end of the noodle. In the middle of pumpkin, spoon a line of ricotta cheese. Gently roll the noodle away from you and place seam side down in the baking pan. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
  7. Pour coconut milk sauce over prepared noodles and sprinkle with grated cheese.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  9. Enjoy!

♥ ♥

What's cooking, love? HookingupwithHoH HungryLittleGirl Foodie Friends Friday Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms Chef In Training Whipperberry

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

WIAW # 29

Tags

, , , , ,

Posted by Jennifer (the student) on October 31, 2012

Spooky Snacks and Healthy Halloween Treats
 

Hello, Everyone. Happy What I Ate Wednesday and Happy Halloween!!  I am sharing my meals from Tuesday. I am very busy with school right now, so my meal are quick and simple. Thank you to Jenn a Peas and Crayons for hosting the WIAW!

Hope you have more treats than tricks today! Have a Spooky Halloween. 🙂

This is what I ate:

Breakfast (7:30am)

I started the day with coffee and my sweet husband made me a cheese omelette with avocado.

Lunch (11:30am)

A green salad topped with egg salad, tuna salad and chicken salad at the Orange Tree Deli. This was my first visit to this deli and I know it will not be my last.

PM Snacks (2:00pm)

Peanut Butter Puffins.

Dinner (5:30pm)

A homemade steak salad. YUM!

Dessert (7:00pm)

Baked apple slices with honey, cinnamon and nutmeg topped with fat free ricotta cheese. Very Tasty! 🙂

Thank you for stopping by. I hope your day was full of healthy meals! 

♥ ♥

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Exercise DVD Recommendation for Someone Who is New to Exercise

Tags

 

Source: amazon.com via Kerri on Pinterest

 

Posted by Jennifer (The RD) on October 29, 2012

This is an exercise DVD I bought for my mom.  It is a really great DVD for those who may not be used to really intense activity, or even senior citizens.  The difficulty level is fairly low, but it is still great aerobic exercise.  My mom has recommended it to her friends.  I also recommend it to patients and people I know that may benefit from it.

Although it is a walking video, it requires little space so it can even be done in a small apartment.  The DVD also  incorporates some upper body exercise too.  I like to take long walks with my mom, but she always uses this DVD when we are unable to walk or when the weather is bad and we can’t go out.  I highly recommend it.  If there is someone out there that you think may benefit from it, it might make a good Christmas gift!  🙂

 ♥ ♥

Print Friendly, PDF & Email