Are you sick of butternut squash yet? I hope not because I still have about 5 left from our garden! It was Krista's idea, from Krista's Kravings, to make butternut squash fries. I thought it was brilliant. Fries get a really bad rap because, well, they're typically made with white potatoes, loaded with salt and then smothered with ketchup (aka: more salt, and some sugar). I personally don't think there is anything wrong with a white potato, and in fact they have some really great health benefits, but if you have the choice between a white potato and an orange potato (sweet potato) or a butternut squash, I say...choose the later two (just a tip, typically the more color, the more nutrients!).
Butternut Squash Fries
Ingredients
One butternut squash
~ 2 tsp. olive oil
Some cayenne
Some nutmeg
Some salt
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
2. Cut your butternut squash into fries of equal thickness (do this to your best ability)
3. Toss the fries into a plastic bag and pour the olive oil and as much or as little cayenne, nutmeg and salt as you'd like. SHAKE!
4. Spray a baking sheet with some cooking spray, then spread the fries evenly on the pan.
Ingredients
One butternut squash
~ 2 tsp. olive oil
Some cayenne
Some nutmeg
Some salt
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
2. Cut your butternut squash into fries of equal thickness (do this to your best ability)
3. Toss the fries into a plastic bag and pour the olive oil and as much or as little cayenne, nutmeg and salt as you'd like. SHAKE!
4. Spray a baking sheet with some cooking spray, then spread the fries evenly on the pan.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes, then check on the fries and move them around for even cooking (if needed).6. Bake for another 20 minutes, until nice and crispy.
7. Enjoy!
If you have leftovers these freeze really well. Just put them in a freezer bag and then when you want them later, take them out and pop them in a toaster oven!
QUESTION: If you had to choose a "last meal", what would it be? I know this is totally random, but Nick and I were talking about it the other night, and I'm curious to hear yours! Nick and I both agreed on some really elaborate hot fudge sundaes (and then Nick also threw in a large pizza or cheeseburger, or both. Yikes)
And last but not least, here are the nutrition and health highlights from the week (I'm not sure why the font is all different sizes, this happens to my posts sometimes. BlogSpot apparently doesn't like me today);
Salt Industry Calls for Repeal of Sodium Guidelines
(I would expect nothing less from the salt industry, after the new guidelines pretty much said that more than half of all Americans should cut their sodium intake to 1500 mg, but are they mad because of greed or do they really not believe in the recommendations? I'm skeptical. That being said, I'm also skeptical that it's at all realistic to tell people to cut their sodium to 1500 mg.)
US Promotes Fruits and Vegetables While Subsidizing Animals That Become Meat
(This article made me angry. Did you know that farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts receive no regular direct subsidies for their products? Yet, our new guidelines say to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables. Ugh. But, like the end of the article stated, pricing of fruits and vegetables have more to do with whether they are actually being purchased.)
Radical Thinking On Antioxidants
(This article made me very happy. I've always thought many of the popular antioxidant products and supplements were a waste of money, and this article pretty much backs that up. The best source of antioxidants are fruits and veggies, period. In fact, did you know that you can get too many antioxidants, and they can act as pro-oxidants??)
(I would expect nothing less from the salt industry, after the new guidelines pretty much said that more than half of all Americans should cut their sodium intake to 1500 mg, but are they mad because of greed or do they really not believe in the recommendations? I'm skeptical. That being said, I'm also skeptical that it's at all realistic to tell people to cut their sodium to 1500 mg.)
US Promotes Fruits and Vegetables While Subsidizing Animals That Become Meat
(This article made me angry. Did you know that farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts receive no regular direct subsidies for their products? Yet, our new guidelines say to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables. Ugh. But, like the end of the article stated, pricing of fruits and vegetables have more to do with whether they are actually being purchased.)
Radical Thinking On Antioxidants
(This article made me very happy. I've always thought many of the popular antioxidant products and supplements were a waste of money, and this article pretty much backs that up. The best source of antioxidants are fruits and veggies, period. In fact, did you know that you can get too many antioxidants, and they can act as pro-oxidants??)
QUESTION: What are your thoughts on taking antioxidants in the form of a supplement or in the form of all these "antioxidant-loaded" food products?
