October 2013 - Page 3 of 3 - Healing and Eating

I adapted this recipe from a Bon Appetit on Epicurous. I made this recipe vegan because I wanted to save my last bit of bone broth for later tonight. I also changed up some ingredients based on what I had in the fridge and pantry. I’m very happy with the way it came out, it’s very sweet, savory, and a little bit spicy with all my favorite fall flavors.

Fall Butternut Squash Cinnamon and Ginger Soup

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

30 mins

Author: Lauren Bolanos

Ingredients

3 cups of chopped butternut squash (this is rough estimate as I used what was left in the fridge. Costco and Trader Joes has them pre-chopped)
1 tsp of saigon cinnamon (saigon cinnamon is strong tasting, so up amount if desired or using a different variety of cinnamon)
3 slices of fresh ginger
1 tbsp of coconut sugar
2 cloves of garlic
2 small red onions (I got these from a farmer's market, 1 red onion from a supermarket would be close in amount)
a sprinkle of chives
2 cups of water (or bone both if paleo)
sea salt to taste

Instructions

Let ingredients boil until soft, after ten minutes garlic should be read to add to pot.
Use an immersion blender or vitamix to blend ingredients. Add sea salt to taste.
Garnish with fresh chives

My nerve pain doesn’t change very much, but my skin is extremely sensitive to what I eat and put on my face. When I was growing up, I never put face wash or creams on my face, and I played soccer all the time, which gave me great skin in my teenage years. As an adult, I’ve started using moisturizer and makeup, along with gong on and coming off birth control, all of which did a number on my skin. So, I oftentimes adjust my diet based on how my skin looks, as bad skin can be a indication of bad internal health. My stress hormones (cortisol) are high from being in pain, and I don’t take birth control to regulate hormones. So I started taking Chaste Tree Berry Extract (aka Vitex), an adrenal health herbal supplement, and Vitamin D3, which is actually not a vitamin but a hormone to regulate my hormones. I’ve only been on these for a few weeks, but so far I’ve had a lot less deep cystic pimples showing up around my chin and mouth. The Chaste Tree Berry Extract was recommended to my at the blog The Love Vitamin by Tracy Raftl.

I just finished Tracy’s book Ultimate Secrets to Acne, and her information of fixing your internal and external health to clear up acne is something that even non acne sufferers should read. I’ve read a lot of health books, and oftentimes disagree which something they write, but had no issues with her food recommendations. I also started making a manuka honey and hemp oil face wash that she mentioned in her book. (Her book recommended using jojoba oil, but links to her website which has some great information about different oils including hemp oil) I’m also reading Clear for Life by Seppo Puusa, which I also received in the ebook bundle Harvest Your Health. He goes into depth on supplements and dosage which I really liked, and like Tracy, he talks about how soaps (which are mostly alkaline) damage the natural acid barrier of the skin creating sensitivity and a better environment for bacteria. Plus, they have harmful chemicals that can contribute or even cause hormonal health problems.

On October 7th, I will be offering the ebook bundle Harvest Your Health for a discount for one week, which includes several skincare books including Ultimate Secrects to Acne, Clear Skin for Life, The Holistic Mama’s Guide to Homemade Skin Care, and Homemade Health and Beauty. In the name of full disclosure, I am an affiliate and will get a small percentage if you link from my site. I personally love the ebooks I received, and would not endorse this event if I didn’t already plan to buy Tracy’s ebook. The bundle also includes some amazing gluten-free, vegan, and paleo cookbooks. If you don’t wish to spend money, Chris Kessler has a great article series on Skin Health on his blog that I highly recommend you check out.