Skin-Boosting Stuffed Butternut Squash

One thing about me is I am lazy. I’m lazier than you might think. In fact, I only work hard in an effort to optimize my life so I can lay back.

For example, I regulate my nervous system so that I don’t have to try to regulate my emotions, it just comes naturally. Or, I will spend 2 days reorganizing my kitchen so that everything is ordered in a way that’s easily accessible to me, so my day to day is easier.

And I spend time creating dishes that give me clear, bright, glowy skin…because I can’t be bothered to put on makeup.

This stuffed butternut squash dish is a prime example of that. It’s stuffed with a homemade tofu-cashew cream cheese, brown lentils, chickweed, chives, and pomegranate seeds. Not only is it super yum & nice to look at, but it also supports your gut health & liver health; both of which give you a natural glowwww, plus it has other micronutrients that support your skin health.

The Benefits

Here's a breakdown of how the nutrients in this dish work synergistically to give you clear, bright, and glowing skin:

1. Gut Microbiome Support:

   • The combination of fiber-rich foods like chickweed and brown lentils with probiotic-rich miso helps promote a diverse and balanced gut microbiome.

   • A healthy gut microbiome is associated with reduced inflammation, improved nutrient absorption, and better skin health overall.

2. Liver Detoxification:

   • Ingredients like miso, apple cider vinegar, and fiber-rich foods support liver detoxification processes.

   • A healthy liver efficiently removes toxins from the body, reducing the burden on the skin and promoting a clearer complexion.

3. Fiber and Regularity:

   • The fiber content from chickweed, brown lentils, and other ingredients supports regular bowel movements and prevents constipation.

   • Proper elimination pathways are crucial for detoxification and maintaining clear, glowing skin.

4. Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs):

   • Fiber from chickweed and brown lentils is fermented by gut bacteria, producing SCFAs like butyrate.

   • SCFAs have anti-inflammatory properties and help maintain gut barrier function, supporting gut health and reducing systemic inflammation, which can impact skin health positively.

5. Antioxidant Protection:

   • The combination of antioxidant-rich foods like butternut squash, cashews, and pomegranate seeds helps protect skin cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

   • Antioxidants support skin health by reducing inflammation and preventing premature aging.

6. Nutrient Absorption:

   • Healthy fats from cashews aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A from butternut squash.

   • Vitamin A supports skin cell turnover and regeneration, promoting clear and radiant skin.

7. Nervous System Regulation:

   • The gut-brain axis connects the gut and the nervous system, influencing skin health.

   • Ingredients like miso, chickweed, and fiber-rich foods support gut health, which can positively impact nervous system function and skin health.

8. Collagen Production:

   • Protein from tofu supports collagen production, which helps maintain skin elasticity and firmness.

   • Collagen is essential for preventing sagging and promoting a youthful appearance.

That’s how the nutrients provided by these ingredients work synergistically to support skin health from multiple angles.

The Recipe

This dish is actually super easy to make.

Ingredients

• 2 small butternut squash

• 2 cups fresh chickweed (can sub other greens if you can’t find chickweed)

• 1 can brown lentils, drained & rinsed

• a handful of chives, chopped

Tofu-Cashew Cream Cheese Ingredients (note: you will have extra)

• 1 block extra firm tofu, drained

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked (either soak overnight in room temp water, or for 10 min in boiling water)

• 3 tbsp nutritional yeast

• 4 tbsp chickpea miso

• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 cup water

• optional: add 1 tbsp onion powder & 1 clove garlic for extra flavor

Instructions

1. preheat oven to 400 F

2. slice butternut squash in half, scoop out the seeds

3. cover squash in a bit of avocado oil & roast, skin side down, until cooked through (roughly 45 min, but depends on your oven & squash size, so keep an eye on it!)

4. drain & rinse soaked cashews

5. blend all of tofu-cashew cream cheese ingredients together until super super smooth

6. chop up your chives, and combine with chickweed, lentils, and pomegranate seeds

7. when the squash is done roasting, smear tofu cream cheese, add the lentil-chickweed-pomegranate mixture, and top with more pomegranate seeds

That’s it. It’s so easy to make, it’s an impressive looking spotlight dish, anddddd it supports your gut health, liver, and your SKIN.

If you make this dish, please tag me @hiwaaaaaaaa so I can see!