Stuffed Acorn Squash With Quinoa & Pistachios

My father-in-law served this super tasty and nutritious side dish at Sunday supper this past weekend. He  has been experimenting with different "gluten free" options for me recently, and this one was particularly good, so I thought I'd share it with you.  The recipe was in this months Whole Living magazine under "Thanksgiving Sides" but honestly this dish could be a meal in and of itself. Quinoa is a complete protein and very filling, especially with the pistachio and and feta. If you are vegan you could easily swap the feta for some nutritional yeast, which has a mild cheesy flavor. Choose firm, smooth-skinned dark green acorn squash with some yellow-orange coloring that feels heavy for its size.

Stuffed Acorn Squash With Quinoa & Pistachios 

Serves 8

• 4 small acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
• 4 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup feta, crumbled
• 1/2 cup roasted, salted pistachios, chopped
• 2 tsp red-wine vinegar
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Heat oven to 425. Brush squash with 2 tbs oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast cut-side down on two baking sheets until tender and caramelized (15-20 min). Meanwhile, bring quinoa and 2 cups water to a boil in a small pot. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender and water is absorbed  (about 15 min). Let cool, then fluff with a fork. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, parsley, feta, pistachios, remaining 2 tbs olive oil, and vinegar. Season with salt and red pepper flake. Divide filling among squash and enjoy!

Hudak Holistic Health Introduces Monthly Coaching Packages!

At the heart of everything I do is the belief that anything is possible and your life is a choice. Your health and wellness should not be defined by the absence of disease, but by the presence of vitality, energy, alertness and contentment. I developed "Your Balanced Life" to guide you towards creating the life of your dreams by making upgrades in all the important areas of your life. You will learn to visualize the life you desire and begin to set clear, achievable goals, setting yourself up for success! 

The new month to month Balanced Life option is ideal for those individuals who want to improve their health, but may not be able to commit to a three or six-month program. It is also a a good option for individuals who are highly motivated to improve their health and nutrition and may not need as much support integrating lifestyle changes into their lives for long-lasting results.

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Could It Be Your Adrenals?

The hectic pace of modern living can be a major source of stress, wreaking havoc on the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are the triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys. They are chiefly responsible for regulating the stress response through the synthesis of corticosteroids and catecholamine, including cortisol and adrenaline. When the adrenals are tired, the body may experience a number of different symptoms. The most common symptoms caused by tired or worn-out adrenal glands are:

• Excessive sweating or perspiration from little activity
• Lower back pain and/or knee weakness or pain, especially on the side
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Dizziness
• Muscle twitches
• Low blood sugar
• Heart palpitations
• Sensitivity to light, or difficulty seeing at night
• A craving for salt
• Low stamina for stress, and easily irritated
• Excessive mood responses after eating carbohydrates such as pasta, breads and sugar
• Chronic infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast)
• Low blood pressure
• Light-headedness on standing up
• Tired but wired feeling, poor sleep
• Cravings for sweets and carbs, intolerance to alcohol
• Premature aging
• Dry, unhealthy skin with excess pigmentation
• Lack of libido
• Cystic breasts
• Tendency to startle easily
• Negative response to thyroid hormone

If you suspect you might have tired adrenals, address it right away. Adrenal glands are extremely important to a healthy immune system and proper thyroid function. Take these steps to support your adrenals: 

• Your adrenals need their beauty sleep. Aim for 8-10 hrs each night. Make this a priority and stick with it!
• Eliminate sugar and processed carbs. Sugar and simple carbs put stress on the adrenals.  Adrenal glands help to regulate blood sugar levels.
• Eat clean animal protein foods, organic vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, beans and grains. 
• Kick the coffee habit and drink plenty of fresh filtered water every day.