11/05/2021
//WINTER VIBES// Who was missing a good kale salad with winter squash and pomegranate seeds??? 🙋♀️I sure did but fortunately Tis The Season so let’s get working! /Recipe and nutrition info below/♥️
💥You’ll need!
Salad:
2 delicata squash halved, deseeded, cut into ¼ inch slices
2 bunches of kale, washed, cored and chopped or 16 oz bag of chopped kale
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
¼ cup toasted pepitas
1 tbsp avocado oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp honey
½ tsp of cayenne pepper (optional)
Zest & juice of one lemon
Salt pepper to taste
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. Toss delicata squash with avocado oil, salt and pepper on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the pieces out evenly and bake for 20 minutes or until squash is fork tender and just beginning to brown.
3. While squash is cooking, place kale in a salad bowl, add olive oil and salt and massage until the leaves are wilted (this trick removes any bitterness in the kale leaves and makes them moist).
4. In a small bowl whisk together all other ingredients and toss with the massaged kale.
5. Transfer salad onto a platter top with delicata squash pieces, pomegranate seeds and pepitas.
•6-8 side salad or 4 main portions
Enjoy!
During this time of the year our bodies need every nutrient that deep colored winter produce can offer. Butternut squash, beets, kale, chard, cabbage, brussels sprouts, pomegranate, apples and persimmons are rich in vitamins and minerals needed to boost our immune system, but did you know that these micronutrients are also crucial for fertility health?
Yup! Adequate micronutrient levels are strongly associated with female and male reproductive health, the ability to ovulate, produce s***m, conceive and support healthy pregnancy and birth. Additionally, fall and winter vegetables are a great source of fiber which has an important role in gut health, hormone balance- particularly estrogen metabolism and prolonging the Luteal Phase (post ovulation/conception phase). Excess estrogen binds to fiber and becomes eliminated with stool instead of reabsorbing and causing hormone imbalances.
So chew away friends! ♥️
