As the cold weather starts to emerge this year, it’s a great idea to stay fortified with bright foods that will boost your mood, skin health and immunity. My Cinnamon Butternut Squash Recipe is PERFECT for this time of year!
Let’s see how…
Beauty Squash: Butternut
One of my all time favorite squashes is butternut—it’s a gorgeous color, and is packed with fiber, antioxidants, skin-brightening beta-carotene, vitamin C, and beautifying minerals, like iron.
Even though these guys are low in fat, carbs, and calories, they are still quite filling, easy to digest, and taste delicious.
Butternut squash also helps in maintaining a high fiber diet which helps to prevent bloating and constipation—promoting a healthier gut, as well as decreasing inflammation and improving immune function.
One cup of butternut squash provides a whopping 437% percent of your vitamin A needs for the day, and 52% of vitamin C. There is also the 10% or more of vitamin E, plus vitamin B-6, folate, thiamin, magnesium and manganese.
This squash is also high in Vitamin A content—needed for sebum production—keeping our hair soft and shiny. This vitamin also aids in the growth of all bodily tissues, including our skin. Now you can understand why I’m so crazy about this orange Beaut and why I eat it so often! ;)
Sacral or Second Chakra: Svadhisthana
Now that we’re talking about the color orange, what does it have to do with this beauty food? The color orange is actually in harmony with what is called the Svadhisthana (or, our second chakra), with water being the element. Chakras are believed in Eastern philosophy to energy wheels located up and down our spine.
This chakra governs self-worth and desire (to name a few). Physically, this chakra is centered just below your navel (lower abdomen), and includes your reproductive organs.
When this chakra is imbalanced, we may find that we’re having difficulty expressing ourselves, avoid others because of fear, feeling powerless and/or extreme guilt, and feeling blocked in your creativity. Explains why we sometimes feel uneasy in our gut, when we know a situation, conversation or relationship is not quite right.
On the other hand, when balanced, we feel empowered, express creativity, have a strong sense of self, tune into our dreams, and feel liberated and fluid as we move through life. So which do you choose? My guess is…the later!!
So how does this relate to food? Well, because the specific foods associated with this chakra include water, these help to hydrate the body—key to keeping movement at an optimal level. Fluids are essential for flushing out old waste and toxins through your kidneys and bowels—juicy fruits being particularly helpful in this department.
When it comes to the rich color, orange is the color vibration of this chakra. Some of the foods that may come to mind are carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, orange bell peppers, oranges, papaya, apricots, peaches, and yes, butternut squash.
This orange color is present in part because of the beta-carotene and other plant carotenoids, which help in protecting your cells and keep you at your vibrant self and ultimately, fluid (which we ALL need!).
And don’t forget, you can read more about how to feel empowered by reviewing this chakra and others, in my The Beauty Detox Power book!
Let’s Not Forget the Cinnamon!
Adding cinnamon to this easy dish will boost your metabolism (helping you achieve your weight loss goals), cure sugar cravings in-between meals, and control blood sugar levels—valuable for those with a sluggish metabolism caused by insulin resistance. It’s an important spice to add into our spice rotation for recipes!
Let’s get you nourished, and start prepping…
Prepare ingredients.
Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl add the coconut oil.
Add the cinnamon.
Add the sage or oregano.
Add the diced butternut squash and mix until the squash is fully coated with oil and seasonings.
Place cut squash on a sheet pan. You can simply grease with coconut oil, which is what I usually so. Cook in oven for 30 minutes, turning around 15 mins.
Serve warm, Enjoy!
Check out the full recipe below…
Cinnamon Butternut Squash Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds butternut squash peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes (8 cups)
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil + enough for greasing baking sheet
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- dash of sage or oregano
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add the diced butternut squash and mix until the squash is fully coated with oil and seasonings.
- Place cut squash on the oiled sheet pan. Cook in oven for 30 minutes, turning around 15 mins.
- Serve warm.
- Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was on Instagram!
Note: The sacral chakra holds the energy of your creativity, which comes in many different forms, including thinking creatively and finding new, innovative approaches for any undertaking. This includes in the kitchen Beauties. So get inspired and be inspiring!
Add this recipe to your Dinner Recipes Pinterest Board and keep it handy for those times you need a quick, yummy Beauty Detox meal!!
Sending you love,
Kimberly
Travel is such a great way to get inspired out in the world! Sending you love, you lovely soul you! xo
Will try in the winter months very good for a dominant pitta vata type
????
Wonderful….let us know how you do. Lots of love! ;)