Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

There’s something so comforting about a bowl of butternut squash soup. It’s creamy, naturally sweet, and full of nutrients that help keep you grounded and energized through the cooler months.

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 4 cups of Butternut Squash peeled and chopped

• 2 lg carrots diced

• 2 celery stalks

• 1-2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• Small white onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

• 32 ounces of low-sodium vegetable stock/broth OR use half vegetable stock and half water (about 15 ounces each)

• 2 teaspoons fresh chopped thyme (or more to taste-use dried if you don’t have fresh available)

• 1 tablespoon dried basil ( optional)

• 1/4 can of coconut milk

• 1/2 teaspoon sea-salt (more or less, to taste)

• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper (more or less, to taste)

• 1 tsp toasted pumpkin seeds

To Prepare

• Heat olive oil in a large, heavy bottomed soup pan on medium heat.

• Add onion, garlic, and sauté until translucent. (About 3-5 minutes, make sure not to “burn” onions.)

• Add carrots, squash, and veggie stock.

• Bring to a gentle boil then lower to a simmer.

• Stir occasionally for about 30 minutes.

• Cook until tender

• Add cooked soup carefully in portions to a high speed blender and blend until smooth.

• Add a little water or broth if needed.

• Return to pot and whisk in coconut milk.

• Heat again slowly if needed

• Top with fresh toasted Pumpkin seeds, chopped basil, parsley, or cilantro

Zesty Spinach Soup with Miso

Ingredients

• 4 cups loose baby spinach

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

• 1.5 cups unsweetened nut milk or coconut milk

• 1/2 cup veggie broth

• 1.5 tablespoons white miso paste

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• Pepper and salt to taste

• Avocado ( optional)

• Black sesame (optional)

Instructions:

Heat olive oil on medium heat. Add onions and sauté until soften. Add garlic and stir.

Add in broth and miso. Stir until miso has incorporated. Add coconut milk.

Add in spinach, lemon and zest. Stir on low heat until cooked through ( approximately 10 min)

Let cool for a moment. Carefully put batches into a blender and blend until you reach a consistency that you like. ( be careful it is hot)

Pour soup Into glass jars to cool and store for later in the fridge or eat while hot.

Garnish with black sesame seeds and avocado.

Cucumber Avocado Salad

Ingredients

• 2 Avocados cubed (toss with a bit of lemon juice right away to keep from browning)

• Juice from 1/ 2 lemon

• 2 Tbsp. chopped red onion

• 1 seedless English cucumber diced

• ¼ cup of chopped fresh dill (or parsley)

Dressing

• 3 Tbsp. of Olive oil

• 1 Tbsp. of red wine vinegar

• pinch of salt and pepper

• Whisk them together.

• (If you choose an oil free dressing, my Oil Free Dijon is delicious)

To Prepare

• Toss Avocado gently with lemon and then add remaining ingredient.

• Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.