Go NUTS for Brain Health - Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe

Have you ever look at your food and realized how it resembles part of our own human organs?

One of the most apparent resemblances between food and the human body can be seen in walnuts. The shape of a walnut, along with its many folds and wrinkles, looks uncanny to the human brain structure. If you look at the walnut you can see where the neurons would fire sending us a clear message that this food helps with our own neurotransmitters. It is the most beneficial nut for brain health, so feel free to go nuts for walnuts!

JUST A REMINDER, we are not nutritionists! We are wellness advocates on a mission to bring you the best high quality food and recipes to support you along your journey. Before changing your diet, speak with your physician. Okay, back to our regularly scheduled brain health recipe!

Having trouble concentrating or struggling with memory lately? Walnuts contain Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. These fatty acids have been proven to enhance memory and cognitive function. Walnuts also contain selenium and iodine. Both of these nutrients help to ensure optimal function of the brain. There are so many foods that show us what they connect to in our bodies for vitality, longevity, and a fulfilled healthy life! Walnuts are one of the many.

Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm your cells and lead to many health issues. Your brain being one of the major organs affected by free radicals. Scroll past the recipe for more information on what’s in this delicious, warm, and soothing dish that is loaded with antioxidant rich foods that remove free-radicals in the body, and check out the pictures on how it came out for us!

Ingredients:

• 2 acorn squash, halved and seeds removed

• 1 red onion, diced

• 4 large garlic cloves, minced

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil or ghee

• 1/2 cup plain dried cranberries

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2-3/4 cup walnuts roughly broken up

• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

• 2 teaspoons coconut sugar or brown sugar

• 1-2 cup baby spinach

• 1/2 coconut oil or ghee to sauté spinach (Can use water on a ceramic pan instead of oil)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Fill a baking tray with ½ inch of water and place the squash in the tray, cut side down. Bake for 22 to 33 minutes until tender when pressed. (Time depends on the size of pan and the type of pan you’re using. Ceramic cooks faster, more even, and clean.)

3. In a medium pan, sauté the onion and garlic in coconut oil over medium high heat until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-5 minutes.

4. Add the cranberries, sea salt, and black pepper. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries are soft and plump up a bit.

5. Add the walnuts and honey, stirring frequently until walnuts turn golden brown, 2-3 mins. Remove from heat.

6. When the squash are cooked through, remove them from the oven and drain any remaining water from the pan. Flip the squash halves right side up and fill the centers with the cranberry filling.

7. Sprinkle the edges of the squash lightly with coconut or brown sugar and return to the oven for 3-5 minutes or more until the sugar has browned.

8. Optional - drizzle a small amount honey or maple over acorn squash before serving

9. To pair with spinach - Sauté spinach in the pan using leftover oil, adding a little more if necessary. Add the spinach to the pan. Keep the spinach moving until tender. Sprinkle sea salt over the spinach and serve.

Acorn Squash is rich in antioxidants, which can neutralize potentially harmful molecules called free radicals.

Onions - Onions resemble the cells in our body and provide benefits at the cellular level! They help clear waste material from the body cells, and did you know, the tears caused by chopping onions help wash the epithelial layers of the eyes? There is a purpose for that after all!

Coconut oil - The MCTs in coconut oil break down into ketones, which can be used by brain cells for fuel. The idea is that supplying the brain with some extra fuel might make it run better.

Ghee - According to Ayurveda (the sister science of yoga), ghee helps to improve memory and strengthen the brain and nervous system.

Maple Syrup - Pure maple syrup is not only high in antioxidants, but every spoonful offers nutrients like riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. It’s low in glucose. In addition to having a lower Glycemic Index rating, maple syrup also contains antioxidant polyphenols and a plant hormone called abscisic acid. These two compounds work together to regulate your body's sensitivity to insulin, which controls your blood sugar level and the absorption of your blood sugar in your cells. The health benefits of maple syrup may include a healthy heart and a healthier immune system. It has antioxidant properties that can protect the body from free radicals.

Cinnamon - Nothing says fall like the smell of cinnamon. Adding this mood-boosting spice to any food or beverage may help stimulate your brain. It also helps regulate blood sugar, which contributes to an overall steady mood.

Walnuts - These nuts help in developing over three dozen neurotransmitters within the brain, enhancing the signaling and encouraging new messaging links between the brain cells.

Spinach - Baby spinach is a good source of folate (vitamin B9), which is essential for normal brain function and protects our brains from degeneration. Our absorption of folate is enhanced by vitamin C, so mix baby spinach with vitamin C rich foods (like dried cranberries).

Dried cranberries - Dried cranberries have the following antioxidants: anthocyanin (which gives cranberries the rich red pigment), flavonoids, and more. These antioxidants help slow down or prevent the damage that free radicals do to your cells. This means its a memory enhancing food!

With this information our hope is you get in the kitchen and explore the medicine you have in your pantry or fridge. Mother Earth is generous and provides us with all we need for health, wellness, and vitality. Whip up the recipe and come back and comment to let us know how it goes. Also! Don’t be afraid to drop a photo! We love to celebrate in wellness, together.