Winter brings cooler nights, and this causes the brain to crave sweet and salty tastes and hearty foods that will help insulate the body and calm the nervous system.
Foods that help bring balance in the winter contain higher protein and higher fat like grains, nuts, seeds, meats, and sweet & starchy root vegetables in the form of soups and stews. These foods require a stronger digestive fire, which naturally occurs in winter when the Sun is less intense and causes our internal heat to move to our core where our digestive organs sit.
Here is a tasty and super easy stew chock-full of protein, fiber, root vegetables, and the sweet taste that will satisfy a winter's craving.
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp ghee or olive oil
Meat version: 1 lb raw boneless, skinless chicken breast / Vegetarian version: 2 cups cooked garbanzo beans
3 cups raw butternut squash, cubed
3.5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
2/3 cup quinoa
4-5 fresh garlic cloves, smashed
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp minced fresh sage
2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
Directions:
Place all ingredients in your crockpot. Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours (Cook times vary between crockpots, just make sure veggies are soft and chicken falls apart easily)
Once cooked, remove the chicken and shred it with 2 forks (if you're making a meat version). Add chicken back to the crockpot and stir.
Add additional salt or garlic powder if desired for taste. Enjoy warm and top with avocado, fresh sage, and parsley.
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