Tag: autumn harvest

Harvest Apple, Sweet Potato and Brussels Skillet

When the seasons shift to fall and the crispness flows through the air, I love the combination of many fall harvest flavors.  Especially in a delicious, healthy and hearty dish.

My family recently traveled  back to my roots (near our family’s old farm).  Our family enjoyed a weekend of festivals and I came home with a bounty of fresh picked, juicy apples.  We also had a yummy pack of pepper bacon from the local butcher.  These ingredients inspired me to break out the cast iron skillet and have some creative fun.

This gorgeous harvest skillet packs the incredible flavors of fresh apples, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, farm fresh bacon and more.

 

Not only is this harvest skillet dish incredibly delicious, but it also serves up a variety of vitamins, antioxidants, phytonutrients, fiber, minerals and may help with reducing inflammation.

 

With the holidays upon us, this dish would be a great addition to your family or holiday meal.  You could serve this dish as a yummy brunch side, add it to your dinner spread or add protein (chicken, sausage, bison, etc) to make a large skillet meal.  Get your creative juices flowing and have fun while cooking this heart and healthy meal.

 

Harvest Apple, Sweet Potato and Brussels Skillet #holidayfood #healthyholidays #fallfoods

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Harvest Apple, Sweet Potato and Brussels Skillet

ingredients:

  • 1 TBSP Avocado Oil
  • 2 Sweet Potatoes, cut and cubed ( Skins are optional- I left them on)
  • 1 Pound of Brussels, trimmed and cut into quarters
  • 3 Apples of Choice, cored, cut  and cubed (I used Stamen Apples from Virginia)
  • 5 Slices of Farm Fresh Bacon, chopped (Can be modified for more or less)
  • 1 Large Onion, peeled and chopped
  • 4 Cloves of Garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 TBSP Real Maple Syrup
  • 1/2 Reduced Sodium Vegetable Broth
  • 2 tsp Fresh Thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Fresh Rosemary, finely chopped
  • Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions:

  1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a cast iron skillet, toss cut sweet potatoes in oil and roast them in the over for about 10 minutes.  They will be cooked but not golden brown and fully cooked.
  3. Remove the potatoes carefully from the oven.  Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees.
  4. Begin to add the Brussels, apples, onion, bacon, garlic and fresh herbs to the potatoes.  Carefully toss and combine all ingredients.  If desired, mix in the salt and pepper.
  5. Roast in the oven for 10-15 minutes, tossing throughout the cooking process if needed.
  6. Remove the skillet from the oven and add broth as needed while loosening up the bacon and browned ingredients with a spoon.
  7. Drizzle with maple syrup, carefully toss and roast another 5-10 minutes until the ingredients are fully cooked and the bacon is browned.
  8. Enjoy!

 

 

Notes:  I used pepper bacon and don’t usually cook with salt, so you may want to make these adjustments depending on your preference and ingredients.

If you don’t want to use sweet potatoes, butternut squash or pumpkin would make a great addition to this dish.

Additional cooking time may be needed depending on your oven.

Optional Toppings: Nuts (such as pecans), cheese (goat, etc), dried fruit such as cranberries.

Recommended Cooking Items:

12.5-inch Skillet: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

15-inch Skillet: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

Looking for additional healthy recipes this Holiday Season?  I welcome you to check out my Healthy Holiday Guide

XOXO,

Kim

A Season for Change

If you’re like many people (including myself), the summer season was a busy one. Summer is filled with cookouts, vacations, time with friends and family, longer nights, and creating memories. It may have also included choices that didn’t serve you as well. You may feel like it was a busy time of the year and you’re missing some rest and relaxation. Are you feeling stressed or lacking balance? I know that I’ve been feeling the need for change as I move into the fall months.

The autumn season is one of the best times of the year for cleansing and taking authority in life. When I say “cleansing,” I am not referring to a plant-based, drink-only cleanse. The term cleansing (or detoxification) can refer to many things.

A Season for Change #cleanse #fullmoon #autumnharvest #detox

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In my own personal life, I have taken a strong look, especially over the past year, at things, choices, and people that are not serving me well. I’ve considered food choices, toxic relationships, negative thoughts, choices I have made, goals I have set, and options for what I want to see in the future. Have you thought about what may or may not be serving you well and helping you thrive?

With the full moon in Aries just passed on October 5, Aries inspires us to strive and thrive despite any struggles we may be experiencing. The energy is about finding independence, trusting yourself as you move forward, and finding power. The energy from the full moon will help us to use our power from a place of heart rather than ego.

This is a great time to reflect on where you’ve been, what changes you want to make, and how you will choose to move forward.

I am a small-town girl and I love so much about the country. When I think of autumn, I often think of the harvest season. I think of planting seeds and new beginnings. Ways that those seeds can be nourished for growth. When you think about moving forward into the autumn season, I encourage you to think about seeds you can plant and how you can help them grow in your own life, whether they pertain to you personally or to others in your life.

As women, it’s very important to take care of ourselves but also to support and lift up those around us.

As your body prepares for a stressful holiday season and colder weather, it’s important to consider ways to nourish your body, ramp up self-love, and practice stress management. Allergies are higher and the immune system can become more susceptible to illness and exhaustion. Seasonal eating helps to not only nourish the body but also give it what it wants as the season transitions.

Pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes, apples, and pomegranates are all wonderful fall favorites. Not only are they delicious, but they also pack many health benefits, especially when paired with lean meats and healthy fats. Limiting processed foods, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol will help you thrive through the autumn season. Sufficient sleep and personal care will not only benefit your body and mind but also help you as we approach the holidays. One of my favorites is an Epsom salt bath with lavender oil drops. It’s important to figure out what works for your own unique beautiful self.

Toxicity comes in many forms. Consider the foods you are eating, the relationships in your life, stress, environmental factors, and negative thoughts. Look at the level of fulfillment in your career and things you’ve always wanted to do but never tried. This is your time to focus on the positive energy of change. It’s a great time to start fresh, feel empowered, and do what makes you feel healthy and happy.

As the leaves change colors and fall, look at ways you can shed some old and allow for new growth. What changes can you make in your own life to help you thrive?