Butternut and Balsamic

Spring and summer are upon us, so time for all those summer fruits and veggies.  Hold your horses!  I still like to eat winter squash, namely butternut squash.   I don’t like to prepare it from the skin and roast it because I don’t want to run my oven in the summer.  Thankfully, you can buy it already skinned and cut up in a bag.  Butternut squash, a superfood, is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.  It is also a good source of Vitamin E, Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium and Magnesium, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium and Manganese.  It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  It is proven to help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the body, which helps maintain proper levels of cholesterol and reduce the possibility of heart attacks or strokes.  The fiber in this vegetable may be a benefit in reducing the risk of colon cancer.  Wow-za!  Who is not eating this stuff?

**You can stove top steam the butternut squash cubes or microwave in the bag.  I’ve discovered that it is so delish with Balsamic vinegar drizzled on top.  I buy a really good Organic Balsamic and keep it in my fridge for just such occasions!  No salt or butter is needed for this flavor explosion!  A party in your mouth baby.  Give it a try.

Yams on my Salad

Why are we only eating Yams in November?  You can buy them year-round.  Sweet potatoes are good too, but I'm referring to the orange ones.  Yams are a superfood, and I'll tell you why.  Aside from containing Vitamin C, potassium, iron, folate, fiber and calcium, they contain B vitamins; particularly B6, which helps in the breakdown of a chemical substance in your blood called homocysteine (an amino acid) Google it.  We need lots of B6 to break down this amino acid which can increase the risk of heart disease.  B6 can also improve the symptoms of PMS.  Way cool.  Did I forget to mention Yams are very low in saturated fat, salt, cholesterol? Sorry.  Recipe below.

**Did you know your brain and palate love hot and cold together?  Just the same as we love sweet and salty together.  It's a match made in heaven.  Next time you are at the supermarket, pick up a few yams and serve them warm on a green salad.  Ditch the boxed mac & cheese and try this delightful salad as your side dish. Yum yum!

In my salad:
Chopped green leaf lettuce or romaine
Chopped kale (yes kale, for calcium, yay!)
Dried cranberries
Slivered almonds
Warm, cubed yam
Throw in some Edamame for protein, you bet! 
Any other veggies you want to add, go for it!
Light balsamic vinagrette