Does anyone else out there miss Seinfeld? Gosh, I do. My friend Lynn and I quote lines and act out little skits from our favorite episodes that are prevalent in our life. We are quite funny, at least we think we are and really, that’s all that matters! My all-time favorite character is the Soup Nazi (based on the real Al Yeganeh of Manhattan) for obvious reasons, but do you remember all the soup that man cooked up? Jambalaya, Mulligatawny, and Lobster Bisque! Yum!
The weather here is saying summer but of course it’s almost October so I figured it was okay to bust out my slow-cooker for some homemade pumpkin soup. I created this recipe this morning after a quick yoga practice, spin class and then a circuit workout with my four friends in one of their garages. We miss our trainer Amy who is on maternity leave right now, but she inspires up to keep-on, keeping-on! My soups are healthy and dairy-free, no heavy creams, no butter! Since the mornings and afternoons feel like summer here, I made a lighter, chilled soup to use for lunches and a heartier pumpkin soup for dinner that I’ll serve tonight for us.
That’s us shaping it up in Nancy’s garage!
Coconut Cucumber and Avocado Chilled Soup- serves 4
Ingredients:
-2 large cucumbers
-Juice of one lemon and one lime
-2 ripe avocados
-1/2 red onion, minced
-fresh basil for garnish
–1 T olive oil
-1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
-salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Cut up the cucumbers, one avocado and onion. Add everything into the blender.
2. Puree until you have a thick, creamy like texture. Chill until ready to serve.
3. Garnish with sprigs of basil and remaining avocado slices. Easy peesy!
Getting back to pumpkins, I can’t wait for Charlie Brown’s “The Great Pumpkin” to air on TV. It’s a fall ritual I’ve enjoyed watching since I was a little little. Makes me think of Halloween, trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins. Oh! I’m saving the stems from these Sugar Pumpkins in the recipe below to use as ears on my decorative pumpkin come end of October!
Did you know I’m crafty? Oh just you wait until the holidays! I make homemade gifts for everyone and of course, I’ll share all those ideas come time. For now, it’s time to get your slow-cooker out….
The Great Pumpkin Soup- makes one large crock-pot full that you can freeze for later use
Ingredients:
-2 small sugar pumpkins
-3 cloves garlic
-1/2 tsp ginger
-1/2 tsp nutmeg
-1 1/2 cups organic chicken broth
-1/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk
-3 stalks of celery
-2 small apples (I used Macintosh)
-1/2 red onion
-salt and pepper to taste
-mint for garnish
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Cut the pumpkins in half and scoop out the seeds. Save them for pepitas later on!
2. Put the pumpkins cut-side down on a baking sheet and bake for one hour or until brown and soft.
3. Chop up the onion, celery, apples, and add to slow-cooker with all the spices, chicken broth and coconut milk.
4. When the pumpkin is cooked, scoop out the insides and add to the slow-cooker.
5. Cook on low for 4 hours or until it is bubbling and soupy like.
5. Puree the pumpkin soup mixture in your blender and add a sprig of mint on top. Enjoy!
Now for your pepitas, “little seed of squash” in Spanish, you’ll need the seeds from your pumpkin without all the gunk so wash them first! I also had leftover Spaghetti Squash seeds from dinner last week so I threw those in too. Lightly spray a cookie sheet and place the seeds on. Sprinkle cinnamon, salt and garlic salt on top, and anything else your little heart desires. Cook for 15 minutes on 350 until seeds are brown and crispy. You may hear them popping!
These make a great lo-cal snack option!
I’m headed to Harmony House to teach an Ashtanga Half Primary and then to Kennedy Clubs for a Vinyasa 1-2. Today is my easy day, as I call it. Yesterday, on the other hand, I had a packed house at the Yoga Centre for my Full Primary Series class. 18 students! Most of them are tall, big guys who like and need strong adjustments. It’s an amazing workout for me, especially those Marichyasana C and D’s, if you get my drift! Did you know you can take this class anytime, anywhere? Check it out here! Namaste ya’ll…
