Hey y’all, it’s fall! I, Divine, daughter of Sakinah am BACK because it is OFFICIALLY time for all lovers of crisp, cold air and all things fall to unite!!! Pumpkin Spiced Lattes are back – are we not supposed to say that here? – boots are coming out, Target has grown its cardigan and candle inventory, and we can enjoy bug-free bonfires, camping trips, crunchy, colorful leaves, soups, and desserts! Yes, bugs were even plaguing our food. The entitlement has been unbelievable. 

While my mom is not on board with the whole “fall season” thing, I can hardly contain my excitement! That said, I am popping in to share in the joyous spirit with you. 

A lot of us in the HCSB community have experienced growth and transformation, from the 90 Day Reset to the Sugar Detox, or maybe just following her socials. Whether you were a part of these programs or not, you have goals. Your health is important to you. You want to partake in the fall festivities without damaging your progress. We’re in the same boat, my friends. Trendy fall foods are actually some of the best seasonal foods for you. Pumpkins, apples, dates, kale, pears, peas, beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes, you name it! 

Whether you’re apple picking, pumpkin patching, trunk or treating, or simply curling up on a rainy day with your favorite fuzzy blanket and Apple Crisp candle, I am here to share some of the best foods for the season – and some delicious recipes you will autumn-atically fall in LOVE with!

Nuts

These tiny heroes are packed with healthy fats and proteins. Most nuts contain serotonin as well, which boosts your mood, thwarting the cold-weather blues. 

Sweet Potatoes

One of my favorite air fryer wonders is just as beautifully versatile as its cousin – the white potato. From fries to casseroles to au naturale, sweet potatoes are loaded with fiber, manganese, vitamin A, and a plethora of other vitamins and minerals. I’m going to throw in a free tip to save some of you from Thanksgiving throwdowns: Yams and sweet potatoes are not the same! Yams come with a totally different nutrition label and today, it’s not in my job description to provide it. 

Butternut Squash – Featured on WHAS TV 

There should be no shortage of vitamin A during this season because butternut squash is full of it! Right in time for flu season, the most underrated VeggieTales characters – the squash – effortlessly boost your immune system and fight the inflammation in which disease would feel right at home. You’re also going to enjoy vitamins C, E, and b6, manganese, potassium, folate, thiamin, and niacin. That all sounds good, but what does it mean?? 

It means you should be expecting a healthy increase in energy levels, reduced PMS symptoms, better bone health, and increased chances of weight loss, baby! This skinny pumpkin is the whole package! It may not be a key character in fall festivities, but it’s the star of our show – literally. Watch my mom whip up the Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup on WHAS.

Apples

One of the most important foods of the season – one star of the show! They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but really, any hard fruit can keep anyone away if you throw it hard enough. The magic of apples is that even though they have a considerable amount of sugar, God designed their skin to break those sugars down in your body, keeping them in check. The hydrating fruit reduces inflammation and provides pectin, fiber, antioxidants, and a basket-load of other nutrients.

Pumpkin

Last, but most definitely not least, the co-star of the show! The royalty of squash is rich in vitamin A and fiber. It serves as an excellent cancer fighter, sleep aid, blood sugar stabilizer, and heart-healthy dish. Canned pumpkin can be questionable, but if you reach for organic brands with no extra ingredients, it may still be worthy to join your festivities.

If you’re scrolling with slight aggression, pining for the coveted fall recipes, this is the moment you have been waiting for! Let the angels sing fallelujahhhh! 

1. Pumpkin Soup

I had to fight like Tyson to get this rethhhipe – I mean recipe – in here. Can you believe my mother hates pumpkin?! I am not the expert chef by any means, so the measurements are up to you and your ancestors on this one. I believe in you!

You will need:

● Canned or blended pumpkin guts (they sound gross, but they’re delicious

● Canned coconut milk

● A few taps of allspice

● Garlic 

● Shredded broccoli

● A little bit of honey (maybe a tablespoon or two)

● Cooked, shredded chicken (dark meat is superior, but do what you wish, here) **optional

● Pumpkin Seeds **optional

Directions:

1. Steam your broccoli and shred.

2. Cook your chicken with full seasoning. (If you have an InstantPot, this is the BEST way to make it.)

3. Shred your cooked chicken.

4. Combine your pumpkin, coconut milk, garlic, and allspice in a pot. Let them simmer in medium heat for a few minutes, and become friends. 

5. Once they’re used to the status quo, thrust your shredded ingredients into the mix to make waves, then stir.

6. Allow them to simmer on medium for another 5 minutes.

7. Bowl your soup with pumpkin seeds if you wish.

8. ENJOY! 

2. Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup

This recipe is made possible by the dynamic duo of “beautifully different.” As aforementioned, sweet potato is just as amazing as its cousin potatoes, and butternut squash is the overlooked skinny pumpkin. Great things come in small sizes – we have that in common. 

You will need:

● 1 butternut squash peeled and chopped

● 1 large sweet potato (Japanese sweet potatoes are best) 

● 2 garlic cloves finely diced

● 1 small onion

● Salt and pepper to taste

● 3 cups bone broth

● 1 can coconut cream

● 1 green apple diced

● ¼ tsp cinnamon (extra for topping)

● ¼ tsp turmeric

● ⅛ nutmeg

● ½ tsp curry optional

● Coconut oil for sauteing

● Sliced almonds

Directions:

● Sautee coconut oil, garlic, and onions in a pan

● Add all other ingredients (keep the skin on the potato) bring to boil, then simmer until squash is tender

● Place them all in a blender

● Top with cinnamon and sliced almonds

3. Apple Crisp

A little crisp, a little crunch, and a little glazing of the fruit will surely lead to a cozy post-meal nap. Let’s do it!

You will need:

● 3 gala or fuji apples cored and sliced (remember to keep that skin for fiber)

● 2 handful cranberries (naturally sweetened)

● 3 Tbsp maple syrup

● ¾ cup coconut oil or unsalted grass-fed butter

● 1 cup chopped cashews

● 2 -3 pinches of salt

● ½ tsp allspice

● 1 tsp vanilla extract

● ½ teaspoon ground orange peel (optional)

Directions:

● Melt butter or oil in a skillet on medium-high.

● Add apples, vanilla, salt, allspice, and orange peel. Sautee on medium until apples have softened.

● Once softened, add cranberries 2 tbsp of maple syrup sautee for 1 minute.

● Mix in cashews and remove from heat.

● Plate and enjoy! 

Are you a pumpkin or an apple type of fall person? Let me know in the comments!

The non-cook at the table,

Divine Bunch

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