Soothing Butternut Squash Soup to Support your Menstrual Cycle
There is nothing my body craves more than a cozy bowl of warm soup on a cool day. AND there is nothing my mind craves more than a new recipe made in the kitchen on a cool day.
But this isn't just your everyday squash soup. It also includes blood sugar balancing, anti-inflammatory ingredients that are extremely important for that first half of your menstrual cycle.
Incase you don't already know, your menstrual cycle is MORE than just the 5-7 days when you have a period.
It actually consists of FOUR different phases. Each of these phases has changing hormonal levels, energy levels, and physical/ emotional needs. ALL of that happens within 28-30 days- beginning at day 1 of your period. (I know our female bodies truly are amazing). This also means that there are ways we can nourish, move, and care for our bodies during EACH of these four phases. (I will talk more about each of these four phases in a future post).
For now, lets focus specifically on phases 1 and 2- The Menstruation phase and Follicular phase. This if the first half of your cycle each month - Day 1 of your period until ovulation (usually around day 14). During this time we need to support INFLAMMATION & DIGESTION.
What's the best way to support inflammation? ANTI-INFLAMMATORY REAL FOOD NUTRIENTS.
This delicious, soothing soup recipe includes both ginger and cinnamon doTERRA Essential Oils- ingredients that provide anti-inflammatory properties (plus they make it taste extra warming and delicious!)
But before you get started on this delicious soup recipe, here's a little note on cooking with essential oils.
Despite what you have been told, it IS safe to ingest essential oils. BUT ONLY IF THEY ARE PURE GRADE THERAPUTIC OILS FROM A TRUSTED COMPANY. When essential oils aren’t pure they CAN harm you whether you take them internally or simply diffuse them. Now don’t worry, when using pure dōTERRA essential oils and using them safely, you can actually receive their outstanding health changing benefits- just like I have.
Personally, I take doTERRA essential oils internally every day to supplement my health & nutrition in a natural way. I add a few drops to my water, take under my tongue, make my own veggie capsules, and my favorite way of all - USE THEM IN MY COOKING/BAKING to add extra health benefitting properties to my already nutrient dense recipes!
This Butternut Squash Soup is the perfect example of how I do this (and how YOU can too!)
Soul Soothing Butternut Squash Soup
6 cups Butternut Squash
1 drop doTERRA cinnamon
3 tbsp Olive Oil
3 Apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
1 onion diced
2 drops doTERRA ginger
6 cups Vegetable Broth
1 tbsp Sea Salt
Preheat oven to 425. Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Place on a baking sheet with the flesh side up. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until tender.
Remove squash from oven and let cool. Use a spoon to carve out the flesh and set aside.
Place a large pot over medium heat and add half of your olive oil. Add the apples, onion and ginger, cinnamon, and sauté for about 5 minutes.
Add in the vegetable broth, cooked squash and half of the sea salt. Reduce heat to a simmer about 20 minutes.
Transfer soup to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until the soup reaches a smooth, thick consistency. It might take a bit of blending to reach a creamy consistency!
Divide soup between bowls and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Serve with kale chips for dipping.
ENJOY!
If you want to learn more about how to support your health, hormones, and happiness using a real food, holistic approach, you can apply for my private coaching here: https://unbridledholistichealth.typeform.com/to/noXjvu6B
If you are curious to learn more about using doTERRA products as a natural health supplemental tool- book a free discovery call: https://unbridledholistichealth.typeform.com/to/dKOCk7qj