Category: Fall

Tea Drinkers Live Healthier Lives

Colorful leaves everywhere, morning fog and frost early in the morning, whistling gusts and often wet and cold weather – everything points to the face that fall is in full swing. In these months, we love to sit at home on the couch with a nice book or show, enjoying delicious, hot tea.

There is a wide range of tea varieties – the classic teas such as black, green or herbal tea are increasingly replaced by teas with promising names such as wellness, good mood, sleep well or stress relief tea. Moreover, green, white or herbal teas offer more than just relaxation and a taste sensation: they can cheer you up, calm you down, make you beautiful and, above all, their health benefits cannot be denied. It is the polyphenols, the so-called catechins, which are most important here and are abundantly contained in green and white tea. With 3-4 cups a day, you can combine enjoyment with health, because catechins do not only supply antioxidants, but also boost lipid metabolism.  

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a winter squash native to North America and is one of the oldest domestic plants. This type of squash is popular in the fall and winter especially around Halloween and Thanksgiving. Pumpkin is packed full of vitamins and minerals and has many health benefits. It is rich in beta-carotene which the body uses to produce Vitamin A, as well as Vitamin C. Both vitamins are important for fighting infections and supporting the immune system. Pumpkins are also rich in carotenoids which are important antioxidants. In the kitchen, pumpkins are a really versatile ingredient great in both sweet and savory applications. They are great roasted, in soups, in pasta dishes, or casseroles. In sweet applications pumpkin is great in oatmeal, smoothies, and desserts. What is your favorite way to use pumpkin?

Photo: Unsplash

Parsnips

The parsnip is a common root vegetable closely related to carrots. It is a long taproot that has a soft, pale white color. Although parsnips can be used in similar ways as carrots, parsnips are sweeter in flavor when cooked and are perfect roasted, in soups or stews, or casseroles. Not only are parsnips sweeter than carrots but they also contain more potassium and vitamin C than carrots. Now as we are approaching the winter months, when the days are getting shorter and colder again, consider incorporating this vegetable into the weekly meal rotation.

Parsnip Yogurt Soup

One of the most comforting foods during the fall and winter months is a rich, creamy soup! Today we have a recipe perfect for this.

Ingredients:
1 serving of yogurt 
1 serving of vegetables (parsnip, leek)
Fresh ginger 
1 cup (300 ml) vegetable stock 
Paprika powder
Oil
Salt and pepper 

Preparation:
Wash and clean the vegetables, and cut them into large pieces. Cook the leeks and chopped ginger in oil and add the parsnips. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, deglaze with broth and simmer for 10 minutes. Then season to taste and puree until smooth. Put aside approx. 2 tablespoons of yogurt and stir the rest into the soup. Finally, season to taste and, before serving, season the remaining yogurt with paprika and add it to the soup as a garnish.

Parsnips

The parsnip is by no means a boring root vegetable and is full of important vitamins and minerals such as calcium and magnesium. What many people may not know is that parsnips contain more potassium and vitamin C than carrots. Now as we are approaching the winter months, when the days are getting shorter and colder again, you should provide your body with enough healthy food – in this case parsnips! Is parsnip on your nutrition plan or have you ever tried it? Like for yes!

Fall Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin soup is a fall classic. This simple recipe is not only delicious but can be modified using many different spices to add variety to your meal plan.

Ingredients:
1 serving pumpkin
1 Tbsp. chopped onions
1 chopped garlic clove
300 ml vegetable stock
Rapeseed oil
Salt and pepper

Preparation:
Brown the onions and garlic in oil, then add the peeled, seeded and chopped pumpkin. Cook for about 5 minutes and season with salt and pepper. Add the vegetable stock and gently simmer for 20 minutes. Puree the entire mixture and season to taste. The soup can be refined with some coconut milk.

Depending on your taste, you can add different combinations of ginger, lemongrass, rosemary, curry powder or other delicious herbs and spices.

Pumpkin

Every year the pumpkin is THE star among the autumn vegetables. In terms of health, the pumpkin flesh is a true jack-of-all-trades. Pumpkins contain a lot of water and fiber which help the digestive system. Additionally, it is packed full of vitamin A and minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium and potassium. In folk medicine, fresh pumpkin juice is said to help with constipation.
Not just the flesh of the pumpkin is great for your health. Pumpkin seeds are not only delicious but also contain valuable fatty acids, minerals and trace elements such as manganese, zinc, copper and selenium.

Use this opportunity to try out a new pumpkin recipe and know that you are doing something good for your body!