Nourishing Pumpkin Soup

When cleaning out the freezer this weekend, I noticed that I had a few bags of frozen pumpkin puree. I had just finished making a fresh batch of BONE SOUP, so it seemed like the perfect time for making the bone soup into pumpkin soup.

The way I make Pumpkin Soup is quite simple and quite delicious. Unlike most recipes for pumpkin soup, my version has no dairy, no brown sugar, and is full of nutrients.

My recipe below is very basic. You can adjust quantities of spices and maple syrup to your own taste.  Sometime I add no maple syrup, as the pumpkin can have its own sweetness.  You can also substitute pureed squash for the pumpkin to give the soup a whole new flavor.

Nourishing Pumpkin Soup –Base recipe

1 TBSP olive oil

1 medium onion chopped

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Cloves

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

1/4 tsp Ginger

2 cloves garlic chopped

1 quart of bone soup or chicken broth

4 cups of pumpkin puree (or two 15 oz cans)

1-2 TBSP Maple syrup (optional)

Chopped cilantro or walnuts for garnish (optional)

 

Directions

1. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil.

2. Add the spices and sauté a bit to bring out their flavors.  

3. Stir in the bone broth.

4. Blend in the puree.

5. Bring to a low simmer.  

6.  Keep stirring to make it a smooth creamy consistency.

7.  Serve warm. Garnish with chopped cilantro or walnuts if desired.

The amounts of spice listed are not exact. It really depends on your taste buds. You might want to start with half the amounts listed and add more as you do a taste test. For me, I add a lot more ginger for that additional kick in flavor. But some people do not like the taste of ginger, so you might start with just a pinch. You could also use Pumpkin Pie Spice instead of the individual spices listed.

I hope this recipe warms your soul as well as your stomach.  You no longer have to eat heavily sweetened and cream laden pumpkin soup anymore. This version is so much healthier. 

Bon Appetit!

Granola – A Healthy Alternative Cereal

As many of you may know, I love to cook. Give me any recipe, and I will find a way to make it healthier.  So when a patient asked what to feed her 5 year old child who loves conventional cereal, the first thing that came   to mind was Granola. Sure it’s not the healthiest food out there, but it’s a lot better than Fruit Loops and Coco Pebbles.

Conventional cereals made with white flour, white sugar and lots of preservatives and artificial flavors and colors, can’t be healthy for anyone. And especially if the ingredients are GMO’ed.

So I told my patient Lorie that I would share a simple Granola recipe that I have used for years. You only need one bowl and some basic baking ingredients.

 

This delicious healthy granola recipe is naturally sweetened with maple syrup (or honey). It’s made with oats, coconut oil and your favorite nuts and fruit. Always best to use organic ingredients if possible.

        Basic Ingredients                   Finished Product                 

        


Healthy Granola

INGREDIENTS

·         4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (instant or quick, not steel cut)

·         1 ½ cup raw nuts and/or seeds (I have used walnuts, pecans, almond slivers or raw cashews or shelled pumpkin seeds)

·         1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt (I use Himalayan)

·         1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon is healthiest)

·         ½ cup melted coconut oil

·         ½ cup maple syrup or honey

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use 2 teaspoons if you want)

·         Optional: coconut chips (unsweetened) or 1 tsp ground ginger or 2 TBSP of ground orange peel. Depends on what flavor you are looking for. Just use your imagination!

After fully baked and cooled, mix in:

·         For fruity granola: ½  cup any chopped dried fruit (like figs or apricots) or just  use raisins or dried cranberries

·         For chocolate granola: ½ cup chocolate chips (look for brands sweetened with monk fruit instead of sugar)

INSTRUCTIONS

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Do not use wax paper as it may melt at this temperature.

2.     In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.

3.     Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.

4.     Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.

5.     Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (or optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don’t want extra-clumpy granola.

6.     Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature or in a sealed freezer bag in the refrigerator.

Yields about 8 cups granola, enough for about 16 half-cup servings.

             Enjoy!

Once you try fresh home baked granola, you won’t go back to the store-bought variety. This tastes so much better and is far healthier than anything you can get in the supermarket.  Plus it is so easy to make.  Bon appetit!

 

The Fallout from The Shot

 Hi all!

The time is right and we are back. Our blog has been silent for over two years and now is the time to speak.

There are certain things concerning dentistry that I have observed during this time that deserve mentioning:

1. Postings about mercury and fluoride are no longer being censored on social networks.

2. Postings about “the shot” or politics are constantly being removed or censored.

3. Everyone is concerned about long-term effects of the C jab or the actual illness.

4. People are losing their jobs/income/dental insurance and not coming in for routine dental care.

5. Dental health has deteriorated. Either due to prolonged mask wearing, poor dental home care (people are emotionally depressed due to world events and less focused on cleaning their teeth).

This list is concerning since your dental health is a reflection of your entire body health. If the teeth and gums go downhill, it is just a matter of time before your systemic health will follow.

For those who have not yet returned to our office since 2020, let me assure you that we are alive and well. Our staff is smaller but we know exactly what we are doing and still get the job done. Personalized care is still our highest priority.

 

The only thing that has changed is You. Many of you have had to deal with the shot, the illness, or the aftereffects of having either. Some have had to figure out how to keep their job with the endless jab demands required. Others have had to deal with the loss of friends and family from this entire situation.

So whether you got the shot or not, we hold no judgment. Your entire health is important to us. As a Naturopath, acupuncturist, nutritionist as well as a dentist, I can help you keep your teeth and health as long as possible.

The time for “waiting until the world gets better” is over. Your dental and body health need attention now. Call for an appointment (212 947-0073) and we will be happy to help you as best we can.