Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

This is an easy to prepare, delicious healthy soup that everyone will love! ~

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

Summer Corn Salad

Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn

• ½ small red onion, diced

• ½ green bell pepper, chopped

• ½ red bell pepper, chopped

• ½ bunch cilantro, minced

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Boil corn in a large pot for 5-10 minutes.

2. Remove from pot and cool by running under cold water.

3. Cut kernels from the cobs and place in a large mixing bowl.

4. Finely dice the onion and peppers, mince the cilantro and add to the bowl with the corn.

5. Add oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Lisa’s Super Salad

Makes 2 servings

Salads, and what yo u dress them with, are full of wonderful, nutritional ingredients that are vital to a healthy body. This recipe is a guide, but think about using up the odds and ends in the fridge. If you don’t have exactly what’s on the list, improvise! You could add some dinner leftovers, a can of chick peas, cooked lentils, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, or beans for a protein punch.

These ingredients are basically the majority of my daily salad base. It is one of the ways you can get in most of your healthy, energizing whole foods daily. The toppings and protein choices may change but it will give you a consistent start to your lunch or dinner planning.

Make extra (keep avocados, onions, tomato’s, and dressing to the side and add in when ready to eat). Leave it in a covered storage bowl for another lunch or meal prep

 Ingredients: 

• 4-6 cups fresh salad greens like romaine, butter lettuce, red-leaf lettuce, arugula, spinach, kale etc …chop it and mix it up! 

• 1/2 avocado, peeled and diced (or use the whole avocado if you like!) 

• 1/2 (or more) tomato, diced OR hand full chopped cherry tomatoes

• 1/2 medium cucumber, chopped into bite-size pieces

• Handful or two of shredded red and green cabbage (about ½-1 cup) 

• 1/2 carrot, chopped or grated

• 3-4 chopped fresh basil sprigs

• 1-2 celery stalks chopped

• 4-5 chopped fresh cilantro sprigs

• ¼-1/2 cup chopped red onion or scallions

• Micro greens and or sprouts of your choice ( I love crunchy pea sprouts) 

• 1 teaspoon hemp seeds (optional) 

• 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds or almonds (spread on a baking sheet and roast at 300 for just a few minutes, they toast fast so keep an eye on them!) OR use them raw.

To Prepare:

• Get a big salad bowl with lots of room. Add the lettuce, arugula, kale, tomato, and cucumber, celery, and whatever other veggies you’re playing with.

• Top with the micro greens, sprouts, avocado, carrot shavings, and herbs.

• Sprinkle with the seeds and nuts.

• Lightly salt & pepper if you like.

• Add in all your goodies (Plant Protein source, grains or other veg) Drizzle the dressing directly onto the salad and toss. Your super salad is ready for you!