CHP Magazines Winter 2019 #15 | Page 70

Wild About Pumpkins & Sweet Potatos by Susan Gianevsky B.Ed, Dip Hom, ITF ‘86 I have always loved eating pumpkin and sweet potato This was accelerated when I landed in Canada during their pumpkin festival…I have so many photos of me holding and standing near pumpkins that I felt right at home…I was even dressed in orange that day… As a young girl my grandmother used to bake pumpkin pie and my mum loved baking sweet potato that it became part of my weekly food intake. So, every time I cook anything with pumpkin or sweet potato I am reminded of my childhood. It wasn’t until I studied health over 25 years ago that I realized the health benefits associated with this dynamic duo? These have become my go to veggies whenever I am making a healthy pie or nourishing soup. Every week I have a few pieces of pumpkin and sweet potato as part of my lunch or dinner. Baking pumpkin and sweet potato is the key even when preparing a soup. I find that baking vegetables adds so much flavour to the soup than simply boiling vegetables. Did you know that pumpkin: 1. Is packed with fibre, potassium and vitamin C. Potassium rich assists bones from losing muscle mass. I even now use pumpkin oil and this keeps my healthy cholesterol nurtured. 2. Helps maintain blood sugar – great for supporting weight loss regimes and regulating type 2 Diabetes 3. Increases dietary fibre – keeping you feeling fuller for longer 4. Aids weight loss – try mixing pumpkin with your oatmeal – a delicious way to stay full until lunchtime 70 Complete Health 5. Supports prostate health 6. seeds are very high in magnesium I love blending these 2 naturally sweet vegetables for their nourishment but just looking at them at the Farmer’s market or on my kitchen bench makes me happy. It’s like I can’t eat one without the other…it has become a habit now that I must add these 2 vegetables whenever I am preparing a soup or a roasted vegetable salad. Sweet potato, the root vegetable once used to feed the poor in the early 20th century is now one of the world’s best superfoods and contains so much more nutrients than a potato – by the way they are not related. Sweet potatoes are part o the Convolvulaceae family…they are a natural anti-inflammatory, very high in potassium which is needed by the nerves and muscles so they can communicate to each other effectively helping to transport nutrient into the cells and waste products out of them. High in Vit C found naturally in sweet potato which protects against free radicals. Vitamin A & E is also found in this orange vegetable that is often not included in meals and I highly recommend trying to eat some every week for a month…enjoy the boosted nourishment it provides. It’s good to point out that sweet potatoes are low on the glycaemic index which helps control diabetes and sugar cravings. Here is my favourite sweet potato & pumpkin recipe: • • • • • 1 large onion finely chopped 1-2 tablespoons finally grate fresh ginger 1kg butternut pumpkin peeled, deseeded, coarsely chopped 500g sweet potato peeled and coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon ground cumin • • • • 4 cups Massel vegetable liquid 1 cup water 1 long fresh red chill 2 tablespoons shredded coconut Bake the pumpkin & sweet potato for 30 minutes in an oven – 200C While the vegetables are baking dice onion and add all ingredients in a large pot over except for the stock. Once vegetables are cooked add them to pot over heat and blend all the ingredients then add the 4 cups of vegetable stock and 1 cup water and cook for another 20 minutes. I choose to eat my soup chunky but this can all be blended up. I hope you can find time to make my favourite soup recipe and add a dollop of yoghurt when serving with freshly cut coriander…yum! Susan Gianevsky is an award winning Homeopath, health educator & author specializing in Women’s Health. Susan holds qualifications in both education & natural medicine and has been involved in the health industry for over 25 years. Susan travels nationally and internationally inspiring people on the importance of creating a health regime to support inner and outer wellness. Susan has formulated and continues to endorse a number of Martin & Pleasance products she believes are the key to staying healthy throughout the chapters of your life.