This week we'll explore ways to use delicata squash and how to make ginger wellness shots. We'll also delve into an author you'll want to check out and tips for ensuring you can always create a healthy meal from your pantry.

Eat Colorfully

Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight: DELICATA SQUASH

Want to know a secret? If you love squash but you think it's a pain (peeling, long cooking times, etc.), then delicata squash is for you. Delicata are adorable, delicious, and by far the easiest winter squash to prepare. These winter squash are long, narrow, and have a beautiful mottled white, yellow, and green color. Look for them at your local farmers market or artisan grocery stores.

There are two fabulous things about delicata that make them easy: (1) you can eat the skin, and (2) they cook quickly. Although I love to hollow them out and stuff them (like this beautiful Wild Rice Stuffed Delicata Squash, which is a stunning holiday centerpiece), you can also just cut them into half-moon shaped slices and prepare them quickly. They work great in the air fryer (400 degrees for 10-12 minutes) or roasted in the oven (425 degrees for 20-25 minutes). You can even cook them in a skillet on the stovetop; just use a lid to help them cook all the way through and stay moist.

If you're looking for some fast and easy delicata recipes, check out this Orange and Cinnamon Roasted Delicata Squash; it's holiday-appropriate but also works great on a weeknight or even as a finger food. And speaking of finger food, you'll definitely want to check out these air fryer delicata squash "fries", which I shared in a newsletter issue last fall.

Try This Week: GINGER WELLNESS SHOTS

Want to give your digestive system a helping hand? How about trying some ginger wellness shots!

There are many health benefits associated with ginger, in particular digestive benefits. I make a big batch of these ginger shots every weekend, then I enjoy one each day in the early evening, right before dinner. I prefer doing them on an empty stomach, since I feel like the ginger juice warms up my whole digestive system.

Homemade ginger shots are easy to make if you have a juicer. Just juice a huge piece of ginger and two peeled lemons, then add a generous sprinkle of cinnamon afterward. If you find the ginger too assertive, you can also stir in a dollop of maple syrup or honey to mellow the flavor.

If you’re looking to get yourself a fabulous wellness gift, I recommend the Nama J2 juicer so highly. It’s the one we have in our kitchen at home and use numerous times a week. It’s powerful and has absolutely no trouble with fibrous fruits and veggies like ginger. If you use the code BRUSSELSPROUT10, you’ll save 10% on the J2 as well as any of the accessories (like the sorbet attachment or the citrus attachment).

Live Colorfully

Books to Explore: ANN PATCHETT

This week, instead of focusing on a specific book, I thought it might be fun to focus on a specific author. I've read a lot of Ann Patchett lately and just got my husband hooked on her writing, so I wanted to pass the recommendation on to you all as well.

Ann Patchett writes novels that explore people. They're less plot driven and more focused on peoples' relationships, secrets, weaknesses, and evolution. Her character development is always intricate and complex, and she tends to explore topics that blur the lines between right and wrong.

Looking to get started with some Ann Patchett books? My personal favorite is "Bel Canto". I also loved her most recent, "Tom Lake" (as an added benefit, Meryl Streep reads the audiobook version and is wonderful). Another favorite is "Patron Saint of Liars". I've also read "The Dutch House" (audiobook read by Tom Hanks), "Commonwealth", and "The Magician's Assistant". Although I don't generally love nonfiction, I listened to "This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage" (a collection of essays from the course of her career) a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it.

Remember that you can always browse my list of favorite books if you want some additional ideas.

Self-Care Pick: HEALTHY PANTRY TIPS

Having a well-stocked pantry is hugely important for taking care of yourself. If you have good ingredients on hand, you'll easily be able to make healthy meals even if you don't have much left in the fridge. Additionally, having delicious options at home might make you less tempted by take-out or pre-made meals. To share some of my favorites, I've put together a healthy pantry list that I hope will be helpful.

Some of my favorite pantry items that I always have on-hand:

• Alternative pastas. There are wonderful bean-based pastas available now that are high in protein and fiber. There are also some great, lighter noodles made from hearts of palm. There's nothing better when you need a fast but nourishing meal.
• Whole grains. Quinoa, farro, wild rice, and whole oats are staples that you can use in a myriad of ways.
• Nuts and seeds. These are a fabulous source of protein and healthy fats, especially on a plant-based diet. Hint: keep them in the freezer after they're opened for maximum freshness.
• Shelf-stable tofu. There are a few different types of silken tofu that come in shelf-stable boxes; keep a few stashed away for times when you've been traveling and get home late at night to an empty fridge.
• Beans. Although it's great to cook beans from scratch, canned beans are convenient, especially when you're short on time. I always have at least chickpeas and black beans. Because you don't need to cook them, they're a great add-in to virtually any meal.
• Nut butters. Opt for natural nut butters with just two ingredients: nuts and salt. Pay attention to the ingredient lists, since most mainstream brands add sneaky oils and sugars.
• Alternative flours. Almond flour, coconut flour, and chickpea flour are all so much more nutrient-dense than refined flour and they have great flavors and textures too. There are many recipes on my blog using alternative flours that you can explore.
• Alternative sweeteners. Coconut sugar and date sugar are my favorites, and I really like date syrup for a liquid sweetener. All are less processed, more nutrient-dense, and more flavorful than white sugar.

Do you have any lingering pantry questions? Want recommendations for any specific categories or individual items? Feel free to drop me an email or an Instagram DM any time. I'm happy to keep adding items to this pantry list if it's useful. Cheers and happy pantry-stocking!

Thanks for joining me for this issue of Eat Colorfully, Live Colorfully! I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to reply with questions, thoughts, or requests. If you missed a previous issue, you can view all my newsletters here. Have a great week!