Acorn Squash and Mango Soup

ACORN SQUASH and MANGO SOUP
Serves: 7
Ingredients:
1 Tbs Organic Coconut Oil (may add more if needed)
2 Acorn Squash
2 Mangos peeled and cut in strips and then smaller pieces
1/2 organic onion (or whole onion)
5 organic celery stocks
5 organic carrots
4 cups organic vegetable broth
1/4 - 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 cloves of garlic
Season to taste with:
     celtic sea salt (light gray) can be purchased at a health food store
     pepper
     chili powder
     garlic powder
     paprika
     cinnamon

Cut acorn squash in half and set seeds aside.  Place on a baking sheet flesh side down and cook for 30 minutes on 375.  Melt 1 Tbs organic coconut oil in soup pot.  Place chopped: onion, celery, carrots & mangos in pot until onion is translucent.  While veggies are sauteing put spices in according to taste except for cinnamon.  Pour vegetable broth over veggies and let simmer for 20 minutes after coming to a boil.

Remove squash from oven and scrape out of shell.  Place in pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon remove contents a little at a time from pot and place in blender until smooth & poor back into pot. (This will take 4 - 5 times)  It's ok to have some pieces that did not get ground up.  Pour in 1/2 cup of filtered water in mixture if too thick.  Add cinnamon to taste.  If you desire creaminess, pour 1/4 cup + almond milk into soup gradually.

To roast the seeds:  Rinse the seeds and allow them to dry. You can pat them dry but I find that allowing them to dry naturally makes the roasting better. On a parchment-lined baking pan, spread the seeds out. Sprinkle with celtic sea salt and drizzle with coconut oil or butter.  Bake at 350° for 10 min or until they begin to brown or become fragrant.

To serve, pour soup into bowl.  I put 2 small scoops of heated organic black beans for extra protein in the middle of the bowl and garnished with the roasted seeds and sliced pear.  Most people may not want to eat the shells but it doesn't bother me.

A nice wine pairing would be Pinot Grigio to bring out the crispness of the pear and mango.

Enjoy!

Note:  I choose to cook with organic coconut oil because when heated it does not oxidize and turn into free radicals which can damage your body.  I love organic extra virgin olive oil but only use it for salads and dipping bread because it will oxidize when heated.

HAPPY FALL
Much Love,
Robin

With FALL comes Change

Fall is my favorite season of the year although it never really last very long in CO as the snow comes early.  What does Fall represent to you?  I like the warmth of vibrant colors of  leaves and the crispness in the air.  Time to pull out your favorite sweater, go on walks on trails with fallen leaves, eat apple crisp and watch football!

Fall has also been a time of change for me.  In October of 1999 I left OK pulling a u-haul trailer behind my Mercury Cougar and headed to CO excited to what was ahead of me.  I grew up going to the mountains of CO for one week every August with my church youth group and it was called 'Youth Quake'.  It started in 1978 and they are still going every year.  Youth Quake and CO really made an impact on me and I felt more alive in the trees and the mountains than anywhere else.  For those of you that know me understand that I love cruises for the fun, food, adventure and the beauty of the ocean but my heart remains true to CO.

On Nov. 4th I left CO and moved back to OK into my parents home due to not being able to find full time work.  12 years is a long time to live in a place where I always wanted to be but didn't get to for various reasons until I was 31.  I finally got there!  To come back was not a part of the plan except for visits to see my family.  So it's rather obvious to everyone around me that I'm facing this with much resistance.

I am the only one that can change my outlook on my situation.  What can I create from this?  I'm not quite sure yet... BUT I do know that I first have to start with the attitude of gratitude.  I am thankful that I have parents that love me and took me back into their home as an adult.  I'm also thankful that I get to spend more time with them and my extended family.  Although not all of my experiences in CO were great I am thankful for the people that I met that impacted my life and for the opportunities I had.  How many people get to live in a ski town for 10 years at over 8,000 feet? 

If you've read/watched my previous blogs you'll see me in the garden in Fort Collins.  I got to garden for the first time in my adult life!  I was introduced to Klemmer and Associates via a Bible study in which I met so many amazing people!  I was in a wonderful neighborhood in Fort Collins that really made me feel welcomed.  (I miss you guys!)  I got great care at Big Toe Pilate's Studio and Spine Correction Center of the Rockies while in Fort Collins, Dr. Joel Berenbeim, D.O. in Denver over the last 9 years, David Siegfried @ Moutainland Physical Therapy in Granby & Kami Filiatrault for massage and Pilates in Winter Park.  I had a great team and I am so thankful for your care!

We go through different seasons in life sometimes not understanding why they have to end and new ones begin.  I am asking for your prayers during this transition.  I am excited about my future and a little scared at the same time.  I'm still looking for jobs in the FC and Denver areas and have started looking in the Tulsa area since I'm living in Owasso now.

I've attached some pictures from my fall harvest!  Tomorrow I will post a recipe for Acorn Squash and Mango soup.  It turned out great!

Much Love,
Robin