RUTHFOOD BLOG by Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RD

If you’re fortunate to have received a harvest of squash from your garden or the local farmer’s market, here’s a tasty soup recipe that can be made with any variety. Butternut is a favorite, with its light creamy tan exterior color, characteristic hourglass shape and rich golden-orange interior. Another variety to enjoy is the decorative sweet dumpling squash which looks like a mini multi-colored pumpkin.

Consider prepping the squash by cutting into eight chunks, remove the seeds and roast the pieces at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes with a sprinkle of salt & pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Another option is to pierce the whole squash in a few places with a knife and bake whole until a fork is easily inserted. Cut and remove the seeds after it is cooled. Leftover pieces can be refrigerated and used another day in this tasty soup:

Super Squash Soup

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 ½ t. fresh minced garlic
¾ c onion, chopped
¼ c. red pepper, chopped
¼ c. green pepper, chopped
2 tsp cumin (more if you like it)
¼ t. white pepper
2 (14 oz .) cans low sodium chicken broth (or homemade – if you have it)
2 c. cooked or frozen/thawed squash (butternut, sweet dumpling, or other variety)
¼ c. half & half (optional) – could substitute milk.
Hot pepper sauce to taste.

Heat stock pan; add olive oil and lightly saute garlic, onion, red and green pepper. Add remaining ingredients (except half and half) and heat. You’re the cook – adjust seasonings as needed. Just before serving add the optional half & half and heat to serving temperature (do not boil.) Sprinkle the desired amount of hot pepper sauce.

Serve with sliced seasonal fresh local apples.

To your health,

Ruth

RUTHFOOD BLOG By Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RD

As Valentine ’s Day approaches, consider making this delicious granola for your sweetheart that provides heart health benefits and incredible ginger-infused flavor. Pair it with yogurt and fresh fruit for a tasty breakfast; add to parfaits and use as a topping on ice cream or frozen yogurt. My mom (Grandma) has perfected this tropical pina colada granola recipe over the years to maximize taste and minimize added fat and sugar.

Method: Turn oven to 400 degrees. In a large pan, melt the butter (in oven). Add the oil, coconut, orange and pineapple extracts. Add the oats, almonds, coconut, honey/brown sugar. Bake until slightly brown on top, stir, bake again until slightly brown, 2 or 3 times until as crisp as you want it. Take out, allow to cool, then add the dried fruit and ginger. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy for breakfast and as a topping on ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Good Taste, Good Health!

By Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RD

RUTHFOOD BLOG

Black eyed peas are a traditional food served on New Year’s Day in Southern States. Eating black eyed peas on January 1^st is thought to bring good luck and a prosperous future. You may have also heard of the hip hop band, The Black Eyed Peas, who will entertain during the upcoming Super Bowl XIV halftime show, as well as the New Years Eve Celebration in Times Square.

When it comes to edible black eyed peas, they are a legume which works well in many dishes, especially soups. They provide protein and soluble fiber (helpful with cholesterol reduction). Black eyed peas are one of many legumes considered a foundation of the Mediterranean Diet – a heart healthy eating approach.

Here’s to a Happy New Year with Black Eyed Peas & Cilantro Soup!

Black Eyed Peas & Cilantro Soup

Ingredients:

Method:

If using dried beans, rinse beans and place in a pan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil; Cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 2 hrs. Drain the beans, return to the pan, cover with fresh cold water, then simmer for 35-40 minutes or until the beans are tender. Drain and set aside. Heat the oil in a pan, add onions, garlic and jalapenos and cook for 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Add the cumin, cardamom, tomatoes, and stock plus half of the cilantro. Add the beans and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice plus remaining cilantro. Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve with pita bread.

Have a happy, healthy and bountiful new year!

Ruth

Incorporating a vegetable into holiday cookies is an innovative way to eat more vegies. These cookies are a personal favorite and a family tradition. Thanks, Mom for the recipe!

Combine and blend sugar and butter. Add carrots and eggs. Combine dry ingredients and add to batter. Add vanilla. Place spoonfuls on parchment paper covered cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for approx. 8 minutes. Only bake until they are no longer shiny and slightly brown on edges (tops do not get brown.) Test with a toothpick. Cool on racks. Mix icing ingredients and spread on cooled cookies. These are soft and luscious – the orange and carrots are perfect partners. Freezes well. Enjoy!

Healthy Holidays,

Ruth

RUTH FOOD BLOG

By Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RD

Tis the season for tasty indulgences. Here are a few of my favorite food gifts. Enjoy and share with family & friends:

Browned Butter Cardamom Frosting:

Bars/Cookies Method: Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Mix dry ingredients and add slowly. Add cranberries, walnuts and dried cranberries. Do not over mix. For bars, spread on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 min. or until slightly browned on top. For thinner bars, use two cookie sheets. Do not over-bake. Can also bake as cookies.

Browned Butter Cardamom Frosting: In saucepan, heat butter until it lightly browns. Pour into a bowl and add other ingredients. Whisk with hand whisk or mixer. After cookies have cooled, spread on top.

About the Ingredients: Cranberries have long been touted as a health food and they contain antioxidants, which may play a role in reducing risk for heart disease and other conditions. For more information, visit the Cranberry Institute. Cardamom is a unique spice commonly used in Indian cooking. It’s from the ginger family and originates from a small seed pod. Cardamom can be purchased ground as well dried pods, which are excellent sprinkled into whole coffee beans before grinding.

Cranberry Orange Vinegar: Wash fresh cranberries and allow to dry. Boil empty glass containers in water for 5 minutes. Pack the cranberries into containers – fill ¼ of the way. Heat vinegar (white or apple cider) to boiling point and and pour over the packed cranberries. Add a few pieces of fresh orange rind. Add more cranberries if desired, otherwise add the lid. Put the vinegar into a sunny place and let it infuse. Leave for 1-2 weeks, then taste. If you like the flavor, it is ready to use. If not, strain out the vinegar, add more cranberries to the container (pack down well) and pour the strained vinegar back in. Add to dressings for salads, including meat-based salads (great for leftover turkey).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread almonds on a baking sheet to form a single later. Allow to slightly brown for about 5-8 minutes (stir once). Do not over-cook. Remove and allow to cool. Set aside. Melt chocolate in the microwave or double boiler. Stir in other ingredients and spread in single layer on parchment lined baking sheet. Allow to cool. When chocolate is hardened, break into chunks and seal in plastic bags. Makes a lovely gift.

RUTH FOOD BLOG – By Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RD

According to a report by the American Psychological Society, stress levels are at an all time high, with financial concerns at the top of the list. As stress escalates, eating habits tend to go awry – with an increase in convenience foods that can be high in calories and fat.

An apple a day: How about crunching on apples for stress management? We’ve heard the adage about apples, but how many of us abide by it? The US Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends we eat more fruits and veggies than any other food group — for adults, that’s 3½ to 6½ cups per day (7 to 13 servings). Sadly, most Americans fall short of this goal, with an average intake of 3 fruits/vegetables per day.

Apples are one tasty way to boost daily fruit intake and they’re easy to incorporate into a healthy eating pattern. Apples provide cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber (pectin) and a variety of nutrients. Studies have connected apples with the prevention of disease, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, type II diabetes and asthma.

Apple on the go: Use an apple slicer/corer and toss into a zippered bag with a couple teaspoons of lemon juice to maintain color and freshness.  Another idea is to bake an apple with cinnamon and a sweetener.

Pair tart green apples with butternut squash available at the year-round farmers markets. Enjoy this recipe for the holidays:

Butternut Squash & Green Apple Bake – Delicious as a side dish with chicken, pork or pasta.

Method: Peel and slice squash and apples. In a 2 qt. casserole dish, melt butter and brown sugar; stir in flour, salt and mace. Add squash and apples to mixture. Bake at 350 for approx. 1 hour or until soft. Stir halfway through cooking process to distribute ingredients. Sprinkle slivered almond on top at end of baking process.

Read More: Stress Management

Log On is a wonderful book written by colleague Dr. Amit Sood, of Mayo Clinic. It explores tangible methods to re-train your brain and combat stress. Read more about it here.

Healthy Living!

Ruth

RUTH FOOD BLOG

By Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RD

As the burnt orange oak leaves float to the ground, I’m reminded of how the passing seasons also bring about change in our eating regimens: The crock pot re-appears and 12-bean soup is on the menu; hot cinnamon oatmeal offers comfort on cool mornings and rich, colorful butternut squash spiked with cardamom nurtures our souls. One habit that’s universally important is having a morning meal—“breaking-the-fast”—as the name implies. Research has shown that children perform better in school and adults striving for a healthy weight are more successful if they regularly consume a healthy, balanced breakfast.

This summer we had a most enjoyable morning meal which included an array of local foods at Haven on the Bay Bed & Breakfast in Red Bay, Ontario. Innkeepers Ruth & Gord Henrich served us whole grain muffins, local berries, scrambled eggs and fresh harvested mushrooms. The amazing coffee was made from “green” beans roasted minutes before grinding and brewing. The nourishing breakfast provided excellent fuel for the breathtaking hike we took on the Bruce Trail. (See photo).

Another fantastic breakfast was at Melwel Lodge on Big Basswood Lake, Ontario. Our host served up a hearty traditional breakfast that kept us humming all day. The old-fashioned oatmeal was stick-to-your ribs good– Thanks Don!  Melwel is an incredible place–it feels as if you’ve stepped back in time at this historic lodge with comfy cabins and an incredible view of the lake.

Yes, fall has arrived but our memories of summer and satisfying meals in the morning are still with us… every day.

What was your morning meal today?

Be well,

Ruth

RUTH FOOD BLOG

Today’s post is dedicated to my Mom – Jeanette. She’s an incredible cook and even published her own cookbook. Here is a favorite recipe from her book:

Mom’s Vegetable Beef Soup

2 t. olive oil

3/4 to 1 lb. stew beef

1 lg. soup bone

2 (14 oz.) cans of beef broth

1 quart (4 c.) tomatoes

2 c. each  – diced potatoes, chopped carrots,  corn & green beans

4 bay leaves

2 t. dry parsley

2 t. dry marjoram

2 t. dry savory

2 t. dry thyme

4 beef bouillon cubes or 2 Tbsp. granules

salt and pepper to taste

Method: Brown beef and bones in small amount of olive oil; cook until tender. Remove meat and bones. Add tomatoes and vegetables; cook until tender/crisp – you may need to add more water for the right thickness. Add bouillon cubes and herbs. Cut meat into bite-sized pieces and return to pot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Allow to cook until vegetables and meat are tender – about 20 minutes. You can use any combination of vegetables that appeal to you. We often have soup with bread and fruit for dessert for a low fat, delicious healthy lunch.

10 servings. Approx. 161 calories, 5g fat, 0g trans fat, 17g Carb., 4g Fiber, 14g Protein, 274mg sodium

Note from Jeanette: “My daughter, Ruth loved this soup and wanted it for a birthday party when she was 6 years old. The guests were not happy, but she was. This recipe is dedicated to my daughter, Ruth.”

Recipe from cookbook: Fifty Years of Love, Recipes and Memories by Jeanette & Al Lahmayer. If you’d like to find out about how to get a copy, email me at ruth@lahmayer.com.

RUTH FOOD BLOG

I’m a smoothie-lover and there’s no better way to enjoy fresh or frozen fruit than when it’s been whipped with fermented milk!  Yes, that may sound unappetizing, but think again. Fermented milk is considered to be a longevity food–filled with “healthy” bacteria that act as gut protectors setting up a defensive army of good guys that fight off the invaders. These little critters are amazing microscopic friends that are partners in healthy eating.  Yogurt and kefir are common names for milk that has been allowed to experience life extension.  Yogurt is typically thick and custard-like and contains specific cultures such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus.

Kefir has a more liquid texture and generally contains a wider array of healthy bacteria. Look for products with “live, active cultures” on the food label to maximize the probiotic effects on the intestinal flora. New pourable yogurts are also available which contain healthful cultures as well as prebiotics–a type of dietary fiber that helps to feed the healthy bacteria (called probiotics).

Fermenting milk is a practice that has been used for centuries–likely a method of preserving milk when refrigeration didn’t exist. This necessity turned out to be a health-promoter and plays a role in enhancing the immune system and digestive tract. It may offer a host of other health benefits such as reducing inflammation and infection and other possible roles now being studied.

Beyond the health benefits, I enjoy the tart taste that fermented milk provides—it offers that perfect balance with the sweetness of fruit in a blended smoothie. In our household, we toss in all kinds of fruits and spices. Invent your own smoothie every day. Here is one basic recipe to build upon.

LONGEVITY SMOOTHIE

1 c. vanilla flavored pourable yogurt or fermented milk (kefir)

1 medium frozen banana (peel the over-ripe ones and toss in the freezer with other fruits)

½ c. other frozen fruit such as purple grapes, mango or pineapple (or a combination)

2 Tbsp. ground flax seed

2 dried plums

Blend on low or pulse until frozen fruit is softened, then blend on high to smooth the mixture.

Enjoy!

Disclosure: I do not currently represent any fermented milk products.

RUTH FOOD BLOG

By Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RD

Never before has a book had more potential to promote a national movement towards mindful living. Friend and colleague Dr. Amit Sood has written “THE” guide for the mind-body connection. A physician and integrative medicine expert, Dr. Sood is the Director of Research for Mayo Clinic’s Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program and has been called an “intelligent optimist.” His new book is truly a guide for an optimistic future for healthy living.

I asked him about his goals for the book called “Log-On – Two Steps Toward Mindful Awareness” and he shared the following mission of the book:

-To share knowledge about the workings of human mind and brain;

-To use this knowledge to teach a two step journey toward peace, happiness, resilience, and healing;

-To help cultivate among each learner on this journey, a sincere love in heart, kindness in actions, charity in thoughts, wisdom in mind, and selflessness in self;

-To transform human consciousness.

His writing and inspirational presentations, which I have attended, have truly transformed my own consciousness. Practical techniques and gentle reminders throughout the book helped me realize greater meaning in life. Log On truly has the potential to soften the hard edges of people and positively impact health and longevity. We know of the dangerous effects that stress has on the body and Dr. Sood’s strategies help people move out of the “stress syndrome” to realize a better, healthier way of approaching life—one that is peaceful and joyful. The book is so captivating and easy to read that even my 82 year old parents are both reading the book and gaining amazing insight from it!

Here’s the excerpt from Amazon – where the book is available for purchase
(Incidentally, Dr. Sood is donating profits from the book to help children of the world.)

(Amazon.com) Log-On. A practical, hands-on approach to developing and nurturing mindfulness, that here-and-now state of total attention and being that determines so much about how we live our lives. In two simple steps, Dr. Sood takes us on a journey to help us engage and empower our brain’s higher centers. By training our attention and refining interpretation by nurturing forgiveness, acceptance, compassion, and true meaning and purpose we can cultivate the level of objectivity required to successfully cope with daily obstacles like stress and illness. The simple to follow exercises further our training with results both immediate and recognizable. Log On will help us train our mind to cultivate peace, joy and resilience, decrease anxiety and attention deficit, and ‘rightwire’ our brain to live fuller and more purposeful lives.

Here is the link to Dr. Sood’s marvelous book Log On: Amazon.com

Healthy, mindful reading!

–Ruth