I’m all about comfort foods lately. Probably because the cold winter weather is upon us…and I just want all the warm and cozy things.
And my Hearty Butternut Squash Pasta – totally fits the comfort food bill.
How to Pick a Gluten-Free Pasta
Growing up in an Italian household, pasta was a staple in our weekly meals – including my Nonna’s Lasanga every Sunday.
Unfortunately, in my early 20s, I discovered I was Celiac. At the time, most of my diet was bread, pasta and crackers. Not so great when gluten is causing mayhem in your gut.
Fortunately, I’ve found healthy and delicious gluten-free alternatives for all of my favourites – including pasta. I always ensure the pasta I buy is corn-free as it’s a common grain for gluten cross-reactivity.
Cassava pasta – completely grain-free this option is made with the starchy tuberous root from the cassava plant. Try: Jovial.
Organic brown rice pasta – one of the most readily available gluten-free options. Try: Jovial, Tinkyada or PC Organics.
Quinoa pasta – often made from a combination of quinoa and rice. Try: GoGo Quinoa.
Chickpea pasta – made from chickpea flour this option is high in protein and fibre. Try: Banza or Chickapea.
Ingredient Benefits for Acne Sufferers
Whenever I’m developing a new recipe I’m always trying to max out nutritional benefits and flavour. For main dishes, like my Hearty Butternut Squash Pasta, I also make sure there’s protein, fibre and healthy fats to help keep blood sugar stable.
While there are a ton of benefits to each individual ingredient, I’m going to highlight just a few below that are specific to acne sufferers.
Butternut Squash: high in the antioxidants vitamin A & C that help speed up the healing of breakouts, reduce inflammation and boost the immune system.
Garlic: acts as a prebiotic which feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut – thus helping promote a more balanced microbiome.
Thyme: strong natural antimicrobial that helps fight opportunistic bacteria in the gut.
Rosemary: provides antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress that promotes acne, aging, and disease.
Spinach: another source of the antioxidants vitamin A and vitamin C that help promote the production of collagen and cell turnover – which helps improve both elasticity and a more youthful appearance.
Parsley: rich in flavonoid antioxidants to help fight oxidative stress and reduce inflammation + a great source of vitamins A & C.
Grass-Fed Beef: high source of bioavailable protein which provides the body with amino acids needed for hormone production and building healthy skin tissue + provides mood-supporting B vitamins and skin-loving selenium & zinc. *Learn more about food labels, like grass-fed, here.
Pro tip: add the garlic, greens and fresh parsley after you’ve turned the heat off to help retain all their beneficial properties.
Hearty Butternut Squash Pasta
A family favourite, this butternut squash pasta is total comfort food. It's both flavourful and belly-filling. Bonus? It's packed with skin-loving benefits.
4cupsbutternut squash(peeled and chopped into 1/2" cubes)
1lbground meat of choice(grass-fed beef, turkey, chicken, etc.)
2cupsbaby spinach(roughly sliced)
1/4cupfresh parsley(chopped)
1/2tspgarlic powder
1/2tsponion powder
3tbspextra virgin olive oil
1tspsea salt(or to taste)
Instructions
Cook noodles according to package instructions.
In the meantime, add avocado oil to a large pan and warm over medium heat. Add the onion, mushrooms, 2 of the 3 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tsp of thyme, and 1 tsp of rosemary. Saute until onions are translucent and mushrooms soft (about 5-7 minutes).
While the mushrooms are sauteing, bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the squash and boil until fork tender (about 5-7 minutes).
Once the squash is done, strain and add to a large bowl along with the onion/mushroom mixture.
In the same pan, warm 1 tbsp of avocado oil over medium heat. Add the ground meat along with sea salt + remaining thyme and rosemary. Cook through.
Once the meat is cooked, add to the large bowl with the onion/mushroom/squash.
Then add the cooked pasta, spinach, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, olive oil and sea salt to the bowl.
Mix until the pasta is well coated with the veggies and seasoning.
Serve immediately.
Notes
For the pasta, I used one box of Jovial’s Organic Brown Rice Fusilli.For the squash, if you have the time consider roasting it in the oven at 400F for 30-40 minutes (or until fork tender). Drizzle with avocado oil beforehand and sprinkle with your desired herbs/seasoning. This will provide a delicious caramelized flavour to the squash.To save time, purchase pre-diced and frozen butternut squash cubes.
Hint: acne is an external symptom of an internal issue. That's why years of prescriptions, medicated creams and fancy facials haven't gotten you the results you're after. Getting rid of acne is an inside job and we're here to help you do it.
"After a few months, my skin improved significantly."
Now my skin is completely blemish-free, I don’t even have to wear makeup. I don’t even break out around my cycle. I really owe it to Katie for her knowledge, and guidance during this clear skin journey. Thank you, Katie!!
-Jenyne W.
"My scars and blemishes from the past continue to fade."
I'm grateful for the knowledge, strength and support to get current breakouts under control while my body continues to detox and heal.
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"My skin is definitely consistently good now."
I feel like I didn't know why I would go through good spells before and then terrible breakouts. My energy levels and motivation have also returned. This is all so huge for me.
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"I actually enjoy the look of my face with less make-up."
I use to wear a lot of powder and concealer to cover the break out areas, as well as to hide my scars. Both my breakouts and scars are lessening in amount and redness!!
-Nicole B.
Before & Afters
Cupcake ipsum dolor sit. Amet icing candy sesame snaps toffee oat cake jelly I love macaroon.
I love sweet bonbon. Tiramisu I love apple pie. Lollipop macaroon pastry danish. Sweet roll jujubes gummies tootsie roll fruitcake I love liquorice. Wafer chocolate halvah. Liquorice apple pie lollipop sweet roll powder. Oat cake sesame snaps marshmallow cookie jujubes. Croissant pie I love croissant cookie.
Cupcake ipsum dolor sit. Amet icing candy sesame snaps toffee oat cake jelly I love macaroon.
I love sweet bonbon. Tiramisu I love apple pie. Lollipop macaroon pastry danish. Sweet roll jujubes gummies tootsie roll fruitcake I love liquorice. Wafer chocolate halvah. Liquorice apple pie lollipop sweet roll powder. Oat cake sesame snaps marshmallow cookie jujubes. Croissant pie I love croissant cookie.
Cupcake ipsum dolor sit. Amet icing candy sesame snaps toffee oat cake jelly I love macaroon.
I love sweet bonbon. Tiramisu I love apple pie. Lollipop macaroon pastry danish. Sweet roll jujubes gummies tootsie roll fruitcake I love liquorice. Wafer chocolate halvah. Liquorice apple pie lollipop sweet roll powder. Oat cake sesame snaps marshmallow cookie jujubes. Croissant pie I love croissant cookie.