Friday, September 25, 2009

Fall Squash Soup

Photo: Oxmoor House

Butternut and acorn squash is cooked in chicken broth, pureed and heated with yogurt to make this soup, that's seasoned with ginger, thyme, & lime juice.
Ingredients:
1 butternut squash (approx. 1 to 1 1/2 lbs)
1 acorn squash (approx. 1 lb)
1-2 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, cut up
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp thyme
32 oz carton (reduced-sodium) chicken broth
1 cup fat-free or lowfat plain yogurt
1 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp sugar
Store-bought garlic croutons
Method:
Preheat oven to 375. Place halved, seeded squash, cut side down, in lightly greased baking dish or pan; bake until squash is soft, about 50 min. Allow squash to cool; scoop out in chunks. Heat the oil in a soup pot; add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is translucent, about 10 min. Add squash chunks, ginger, thyme, and broth. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 30 min. Allow soup to cool to room temp. Puree soup in batches in blender. [At this point, the soup may be refrigerated a day ahead, or it may be frozen and thawed, to complete for serving.] Return soup to pot. Add yogurt and stir to blend. Season soup with lime juice and sugar. Simmer until heated through (but not boiling). Serve with garlic croutons.
Notes: This is my low-fat, lower-sodium adaptation of a very rich pumpkin soup that I had in France. When I first made it, I used a store-bought pumpkin, and it was bland, tasteless. Then I learned that U.S. pumpkins are very different from the French ones! The closest I have ever been able to come to the flavor of a French pumpkin is a combination of butternut and acorn squash. But this recipe works just as well with all acorn or all butternut squash. This recipe has been such a hit that it has become a staple as a Thanksgiving starter. I've tried a lot of different squash soup recipes, but I think I hit on just the right combination of ingredients and flavors with this one.
Number of Servings: 8
Submitted by: lauren-rabinovitz

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Kids Healthy

Kids are taught to share their toys and snacks. Unfortunately, they also share things you’d rather have them keep to themselves — germs. Getting sick is part of growing up, but there are ways to prevent infection and illness. “The best protection is immunization against vaccine-preventable illnesses, good old hand washing, and covering coughs and sneezes,” says Lisa M. Asta, MD, an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California-San Francisco, who practices in Walnut Creek, Calif.

Chickenpox

Getting the chickenpox used to be an expected part of childhood, but not for kids today. A vaccine against the highly contagious varicella zoster virus is now available, making the blistery, itchy rash practically a thing of the past. Dr. Asta says the vaccine protects against 90 to 95 percent of all chickenpox infections. “Children who get chickenpox after being vaccinated generally have a milder illness,” she says. Scratching can infect the skin, so apply calamine lotion to help relieve itchiness.

Fifth Disease

f your child has cold-like symptoms, then develops a rash that looks like his cheeks were slapped, he may have fifth disease. This illness generally affects kids between 5 and 15 years old and is caused by parvovirus B19, says Kimberly Parker, RN, MSN, clinical program manager for illnesses prevention at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The rash can spread to the trunk and limbs. In most kids, it’s a mild illness and doesn’t require treatment.

Measles

Although relatively rare in the United States thanks to vaccines, measles still affects 10 million people worldwide. The illness is a viral respiratory infection that causes fever, a hacking cough, and a total body rash. Measles can be serious and even fatal. The only way to prevent it is by vaccinating your child with the measles-mumps-rubella immunization (MMR). It’s given in two doses and is sometimes combined with the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.

Mumps

he MMR vaccine also protects against the mumps, a viral infection that causes headache, loss of appetite, and fever. The most well-known sign of mumps is swollen, painful salivary glands. Mumps is usually not serious inkids, but in some cases, serious complications can occur. Before the introduction of the vaccine in 1967, mumps was a common childhood illness in the United States, causing more than 200,000 cases a year. That number is now less than 1,000 cases annually.

Rubella

MMR also protects against rubella, or German measles. “Rubella is a mild viral infection for children with fever and rash,” says Asta. However, the infection poses a real risk to unborn children. “If a woman who has not been immunized against rubella contracts the infection in early pregnancy, the fetus is at risk for severe congenital defects,” she says. Women who are not immune and are contemplating motherhood should consider getting a rubella virus vaccine at least a month before conception.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is considered a mild viral infection that generally affects kids younger than 10. Symptoms are painful mouth sores, fever, and sometimes a rash — typically on the palms of the hands and bottoms of the feet. There is no vaccine and nearly all kids are better in a week to 10 days. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is sometimes confused with hoof and mouth disease, which strikes livestock. However, they are not related.

Ringworm

Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm — it’s a fungal infection. It causes a ring-shaped, itchy rash that can affect the scalp and nails, too. Asta says it is important to get a correct diagnosis, so the right medications are used. “Your pediatrician may be able to recommend an over-the-counter treatment,” she says. Ringworm is very common and contagious, so get it treated and make sure your kids aren’t sharing towels.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to people through bites from infected ticks. One distinctive sign is a bull’s-eye-shaped rash; however, not everyone gets this. Flu-like symptoms occur in early stages. Parker says that, when diagnosed early, the illness is usually successfully treated with antibiotics.Lyme disease is most common in the Northeast and upper Midwest. Using insect repellent with 20 to 30 percent DEET is good protection, but consult your child’s doctor first.

Head Lice

Once these tiny bugs make a home on your child’s scalp, they cause itchy heads and can be difficult to get rid of, says Parker, who recommends asking your doctor about medication. Lice and nits (eggs) can be removed with a fine-toothed comb. To avoid getting lice, tell your child to avoid head-to-head contact with other kids and not to share personal items, such as combs, hats, or hair ribbons.