Nutrition

 Photo by Mike Lang - AnotherPintPlease.com

Here is another way to honor the glorious pumpkin!

I combined a few of my favorite veggie chili recipes to come up with this one.
This hearty chili freezes well and tastes even better the second day.  You can thicken it up with a little tomato paste or pumpkin puree if desired. Add a jalapeno if you prefer it a litte hotter. I love this served over a hunk of warm homemade cornbread with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of roasted pumpkin seeds. Enjoy!
 
 
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 lbs cubed fresh pumpkin
2 ears sweet corn, shucked
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, divided
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
2 sm bell peppers, chopped (I used red and yellow)
2 large carrots, peeled and shredded
4 ripe tomatoes, diced
3 cups cooked beans: Black or pinto.
2 tablespoons chili powder (less if yours is hot)
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or to taste (optional)
Pinch of cayenne or chipotle salt to taste
Chopped cilantro for serving
 
Preheat oven to 400'. Coat the diced pumpkin, fresh corn and garlic cloves with olive oil and a pinch of  salt. Spread on baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes. Check for tenderness. Broil for a couple minutes if  you like a browned flavor. Let cool slightly and dice the garlic.

While vegetables are roasting: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and saute until it begins to brown. Add ginger, bell pepper, and carrots. Cook for five minutes, stirring often, or until vegetables begin to soften. Add chili powder, cumin, cayenne and cinnamon; cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until all vegetables are softened. Stir in roasted pumpkin, corn and garlic; warm through. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro, if desired. Serve it up!

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If you have not yet made the switch from regular to organic foods, here is one more reason to do so: Protecting your fertility.

According to a 2008 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, women exposed to pesticides at either work or home took longer to get pregnant than women without pesticide exposure. Many studies show links between pesticides and reduced male testosterone levels, but this is one of the few to study pesticide effects on women. Of the pesticides used today, atrazine, a weed-killer used on sugar cane farms and golf courses particularly in the South, is one that has been found to leech into tap water. Atrazine is connected to an increase in both miscarriage and infertility.

Prevent unintentional consumption of pesticides by choosing organic produce, especially when it comes to apples, grapes, strawberries, and plums, which are some of the most-often contaminated fruit. As an added benefit to your fertility, consider Fertility Massage from the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing. Fertility Massage blends massage, reflexology, deep abdominal work, castor oil, essential oils and energy medicine for clients who are looking to help naturally increase fertility and to support the body, mind and psyche in preparation for pregnancy.

Sources:

7 Crazy Things Pesticides Are Doing to Your Body

Working with pesticides impacts women’s fertility

The Worst Summer Fruits

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I’ve seen many a patient walking in the door of late with dark, puffy circles under their eyes and an appearance of general stuffiness and tickly, itchy misery. Sneezing, clearing of the throat or coughing accompanies this lovely picture. They may not even be coming in for help in this area, but I know that they are suffering from seasonal allergies. With all the wet weather we’ve had lately, mold is posing to be the problem for many.

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I recently discovered this fabulous website, www.thecarrot.com. They provide a service that helps you track your progress in areas of health including diet, exercise, sleep, energy level, blood pressure, weight, medications, and many more. You are provided with a calendar to enter the data of your choice. Over time, you can look back and compare the data you have entered to see if any patterns emerge that can help you better understand what works and doesn't work for you. You can create graphs that will compare any two pieces of data you have entered.

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Are you looking for a healthier, happier, body and mind?  Would you like to lose weight and have more energy?

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