Recipe: Butter Nut Squash Soup…. :)

Post Date: September 25 2012:

From the Editor:

 

Butter Nut Squash Soup… :)

I have two men in my house, both of whom wish to eat healthy foods… add me into the mix and you have 3 people who like some of the same foods, but who also have their own individual tastes… 

Cooking for all of us can be a challenge sometimes, so I look for recipes which may please all of us… and which are relatively easy to prepare, economical, healthy and with ingredients that are easily available… 

Fall has just arrived and with it the beginning of cooler, shorter days and longer nights….

What else says Fall like Soup… Yummy healthy soup, that warms up your tummy on the inside and just makes you feel safe and secure.. While eating our soup, we somehow feel better about life… Soup you could say is like a bowl full of love… :) 

So on my visit to the local grocery store this morning, I picked up a Butter nut squash, thanks to my dear friend Kal who had cooked us butter nut squash soup for our ladies night one year… I too thought, hey I can cook this… :) 

The internet is a wonderful place at times, and on it,  I found a simple basic recipe for the soup…

Butter Nut Squash soup is  now made sitting in the pot waiting for the men at dinner time… :) I had some for lunch and it was pretty tasty if I do say so myself…

What I used in my Butter-nut squash soup recipe: 

1 Butter-nut Squash: Washed, peeled and cut up into squares: 

1/2  Carrot: Washed, peeled and cut up into squares: 

Handful of Baby Carrots washed and cut: 

I small Onion: Chopped: 

Small amount of light tasting olive oil… 

2 Small Garlic cloves: (or one larger one)

A handful of baby spinach: Washed and Chopped: 

A dash of Turmeric: (Optional: I try to use this as much as possible in cooking as it helps to reduce inflammation)

Chicken Stock: (or vegetable) I used Bovril Brand Two Packs and about 4 cups of water: 

Pepper to taste: 

What to Do: 

In a large pot: (with a lid)

Place Oil and Chopped Onion and Cook: 

Add Chopped Butter Nut Squash, Chopped Baby Spinach, Carrots, Garlic and Chicken Stock: Add Pepper: 

Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer, put the lid on the pot and let it simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes: 

In batches put the soup into a blender and blend until smooth. Let the smooth soup simmer in the pot until ready to use. 

Some people like to put cream in, if you would like to add cream do so after you have done the blending…

Enjoy… :)

Below is the link where I got the original recipe from, there are some nice variations listed here… :) 

 

http://localfoods.about.com/od/soups/r/squashsoup.htm

August 31 2012: Blue Moon…Full Moon.. Meditation/Cleansing/Deleting

Ah…. A Blue Moon, it sounds so romantic, so magical….  :) 

illustration of a night scene. Stock Photo - 8717197

Graphics: http://www.123rf.com

The term Blue Moon relates to a 2nd full moon in the same month, and they usually happen every 2.5 years and 2012’s ‘blue moon’ occurs in the sign of Pisces: Compassion and Deception…

This may indicate a pull towards more compassionate subjects, situations or people. 

You are advised to be careful when making commitments of a seemingly compassionate nature, research into the subject is recommended.

You are also advised to be aware of people/situations who may seem “too good to be true” as it may be easy to deceive and be deceived during this time. 

It is said that a Full Moon is a good time to end projects, to put away things no longer needed… to let go, so as to allow room for growth… personal growth, spiritual growth, financial growth, relationship growth and physical growth. 

It sounds really good, and it would be fabulous if we could just say poof and all our worries, misfortunes etc could be taken away…. However, it’s easier said then done…. but it doesn’t hurt to try and make things better, it doesn’t hurt to help ourselves believe that things can get better, it doesn’t hurt to allow ourselves to get in touch with nature and our inner selves all the while consciously understanding the need to eliminate, to let go and trying our best to do so… 

I am not an expert on rituals by any means, but I have read some stuff, and I have listened to others and at times I have been honoured to witness and take part in such…. With this in mind I would like to share with you a “ritual” (a way to connect) relating to the Full Moon and letting go…. I sense that any intention given out this night will be stronger because of the “Blue Moon” :) 

Before the evening begins, write down all the Things/people/emotions you would like to have removed from you and your mind….

This could be Things such as the old chair, not no longer can serve”: People such as a teacher, boss, neighbour etc who no longer helps you to grow, but instead may hinder you: And Emotions such as Jealousy, Envy, Anger, Hate, Selfishness: 

Be honest with yourself, and write with Good Intentions Only... this means that nothing you wish to rid yourself of will have a negative effect on someone or something else. You cannot wish someone harm or bad will just to please yourself or to fill your own agenda… 

Get comfy for the evening, have a shower or a bath if needed and find comfy clothes to wear…

As the evening draws near, find a place outside you are comfortable with, get yourself a lighter or a match and an ash tray or other heat safe holder.

Grab a drink and your list and relax until darkness falls and the moon appears,  if you can see the Moon look towards it…. Appreciate her, she is beautiful and represents all of our emotions….welcome the positive traits of the Pisces moon inward, feel compassion for all living things…

Breath in for a count of four.. hold for a count of four and then breath out for a count of four… do this several times, until you feel you body relaxing, beginning at your toes and moving all the way up to the top of your head…. breath... relax... feel the compassion.breathrelax... feel the compassion….

When you are ready, take the paper on which you have written down what you want to get rid of…. take your lighter or match and hold both over the ashtray or heat-resistant surface…..

Pray or “speak with spirit”ask for guidance, say thank you, and something like… “

“Spirit, I ask that you help me in getting rid of those things, people or emotions that can no longer assist me with my growth. I wish no harm to come to anyone connected to cleaning..”

Then light the paper and let it fall into the ashtray to burn out….

You have now informed the Universe of what it is you don’t want….

It may be wise to end your “ritual” by saying…

” I wish to practice Gratitude, and I ask that any space now opened for growth be filled with love and light also”

:) Then just relax and let Spirit and Universe take care of the rest…

It is likely some stuff/people will remain, and if they do remember it is also likely that either you or they have either 1) a Karmic Debt to repay or 2) A lesson is still needed to be learnt…  :) 

Enjoy your evening everyone… no matter what you believe… as it’s sure to be a beautiful one…. Peace…. 

Greta McKenzie: Editor: 

Contest…. :) Our local paper wants to see your “wacky” vegetables..

Nature is amazing… most of the time she helps the plants including vegetables to grow big and strong and virtually perfect…. :) But on the odd occasion she decides to have some fun and creates some fabulously huge and wacky looking produce… :) 

harvest of vegetables and fresh produce garden Stock Photo - 12062216

Photo: http://www.123rf.com

As the growing season comes to a close and the harvesting begins…. Whitby This Week invites you to send in your photos of your larger than usual or odd-shaped vegetables…. :) It’s a contest, and the most votes on photo wins the prize…. :) Approximate prize value of each prize is $100:00

Contest Begins: September 4 2012 @ 9 am 

Contest Ends:    October 1 2012 @ 5 pm

To send in your entry or to find out more…. :) 

Go to: www.durhamregion.com/topic/contestdr 

Or

www.facebook.com/newsdurham 

Good Luck Everyone…. 

Source: Whitby This Week August 23 2012

New Product from the Magical Blend Montreal

From the Editor: From our Inbox to You… 

The Magical Blend Newsletter announces new products… please Click Here to visit their website… or to contact them directly about any of their products, classes or to be added to their contact list. 

 Magic potion,  illustration  Stock Photo - 7637848

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