Beauty Detox: Winter Bisque

For the holidays, we're revisiting some of our favorite festive articles from the Beautylish archive. Enjoy!

We all want to stay fit and healthy during winter (which can be hard to do), so a vegetable with low calories, lots of carbohydrates, and plenty of antioxidants sounds like the perfect food. Meet the squash. This humble vegetable is full of complex carbohydrates so you feel fuller longer, plus it’s a great source of beta-carotene (which provides the body with vitamin A) and vitamin C. This week, celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder gives us a recipe for squash bisque, which is a wonderful way to include the vegetable in your diet and absorb more of that beta-carotene. “Squash provides a great source of beta-carotene, which is great for boosting the health of your skin and hair, plus it contains beauty minerals like potassium, fiber, and other nutrients,” says Kim. “This recipe also has the added benefit of being dairy-free, so it’s great for lactose-intolerant Beauties.”

Delicious Squash Bisque

1. 1 medium acorn squash
2. 1 Tbs. coconut oil or vegetable broth
3. 2 garlic cloves, minced
4. 1 large sweet onion, minced
5. 1 tsp. grated ginger
6. Celtic or Himalayan sea salt, or to taste
7. Black pepper, to taste
8. 3 celery stalks, cubed
9. 2-3 carrots, cubed
10. 2 cups water
11. 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Cut the acorn squash open, remove the seeds and the peel, and cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes. Heat the coconut oil or vegetable broth in a large cooking pot. Lightly sauté the garlic, then add the onion and grated ginger. Do not overcook! Use medium rather than high heat. Add salt and black pepper, and stir in.

Add the squash, celery, and carrots, and gently cook over low heat until they start to soften. Add water and cover, simmering the vegetables for 30 minutes or so, or until tender. Pour the mixture into the blender and puree. Add the unsweetened almond milk. Return the soup to the cooking pot and keep on low heat. Serve and enjoy!

This article was originally published on December 5, 2011

 [Kimberly Snyder]6 is a Los Angeles-based celebrity nutritionist and author of The Beauty Detox Solution. She began her work after journeying through 50 countries and six continents, learning about health and beauty from many different cultures. With a philosophy rooted in the belief that outer beauty is a reflection of inner health, Kim now works with clients such as Hilary Duff, Olivia Wilde, and Drew Barrymore. Get lots of health and beauty tips by following her on Twitter at @kimsbeautydetox.