Healthy Heart with Robust Butternut Squash Soup;

Health is on its way and here to stay, along with another tasty recipe. Be it that you want a nice hot soup for cool weather, or have it room temperature on another day; this soup will tickle your taste buds and fill your tummy, clear down to your toes.

The wonderful news along the way is while we enjoy the delights of our simple kitchen expertise, our bodies also benefit from the nutrition and natural healthful and even healing or preventive qualities for good health our foods have to offer us.

Before jumping directly into our recipe of the day, let's take a quick look at some of the great components it has to offer and what we will benefit from them.

The primary ingredient is Butternut Squash, which can boost the body's immunity to fight diseases; is an excellent source of fiber to support the digestive system; and is low in fat so it lowers the risk of diseases like heart disease and diabetes. When not overly processed and eaten naturally, it contains enough potassium to help reduce blood pressure, and benefit the health of the cardiovascular and nervous system. It can also help reduce pain in arthritis; prevent strokes and heart attacks and lower the risk of cancer, and high cholesterol. (1)

Next is an Anaheim pepper, which in the member of the pepper family which contains capsaicin, though in a milder form. Studies show that capsaicin can prevent cancer; relieve pain; has antibacterial properties that can fight and prevent chronic sinus infections; it is a potent anti-inflammatory agent; and it helps kill intestinal bacteria which can prevent stomach ulcers. It may also help protect the heart by lowering triglycerides, cholesterol, and platelet aggregation. It may also support the burning of fat and calories by increasing metabolic activity. (2)

Another ingredient is garlic, which is most known for treating colds by improving the immune system. Research is indicating it can block cancer causing compounds and can reduce the size of tumors. It supports heart health by lowering cholesterol; raises HDL (good) cholesterol and prevents LDL (bad) cholesterol from building up. It reduces risk of hypertension and heart disease; and is known for its anti-bacterial properties. (3)

The last item for review is nutmeg, which is an herb that isn't often given much attention for the qualities it has other than its flavoring. Nutmeg actually has the ability to be a brain booster; providing stress relief, fuel mental activity and even boosts concentration, as it improves blood circulation to the brain. It also is an excellent tonic for the cardiovascular system, increasing the blood circulation and stimulating the heart function. It is helpful in dissolving kidney stones; treating kidney infections; inducing relaxation and supporting sleep; helpful for toothaches and gum problems; can get rid of flatulence, diarrhea, and improve appetite. (4)

Now that we see how healing our meal can be, let's move forward in preparation, so we can enjoy it. All ingredients are best when they are natural and/or organic where available.

I am introducing Robust Butternut Squash Soup:

Ingredients -

1 medium Butternut Squash, chopped & seeded (after cooked -see below)

1 medium Anaheim pepper, chopped & seeded

¼ medium Red Onion, diced, lightly sautéed in 1 tsp olive oil

¼ tsp ground Thyme (preferably fresh)

1 Tbls ground Marjoram (preferably fresh)

½- 1 Tbls ground Nutmeg (preferably fresh)

2 cups Unsweetened Soy Milk

1 cup Vegetable broth

2-3 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped

¼ tsp Onion powder

½- 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper

1 Tbls extra virgin Olive Oil (optional)

1 Tbls natural Hickory Liquid Smoke

Place your Butternut squash in the microwave, for quick preparation, for 6-8 minutes, removing it with hot pads, allow it a few minutes to cool and then cut it in half, remove the seeds, dice it, removing the outer skin. Place all above ingredients except for 1 cup of vegetable broth in your high powered blender. Note that this recipe will bring your blender to full capacity, and is the reason for leaving the broth for space. If your blender is large enough, than add the broth now -otherwise, after all contents are well blended, you will need to add the broth by hand in an extra large mixing bowl. Examples of a high powered blender are an emulsifier, such as Blendtec or VitaMix.

In an additional notation, for those whom have the time, you may also bake your squash in the oven for about 1- 1 ½ hrs at about 325 degrees (temperature may vary pending location and type of oven) and also have this as a side dish to a primary entree and/or include a nice large green salad.

Otherwise, it is a hardy meal and may be eaten at room temperature or once prepared, just heat and serve. This recipe may serve 4-5.

Note: the ingredients in this meal are also lactose intolerant friendly and vegetarian. The soy milk provides a high source of protein in this meal.

Here's to eating smart, a healthy heart, body and lifestyle and tasteful foods! See you next time.

(1) http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-butternut-squash/

(2) http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/06/03/29/capsaicin-7-powerful-health-benefits-of-the-stuff-that-makes-peppers-hot-004.htm

(3) http://www.essortment.com/all/healthbenefits_rntv.htm

(4) http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/health-benefits-of-nutmeg-5042.html