Mother Earth Living – September-October 2019

Sept/Oct 2019 29

FOOD CRAVINGS

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|^ RECIPE |

CHOCOLATE BUTTERNUT SQUASH PUDDING

A kid-approved way to sneak in vegetables, this chocolate pudding is thick and

creamy, but also satisfies in a way a store-bought pudding can’t. In the summer,

these can be frozen and made into pudding pops.

(^1) ⁄ 2 cup dates
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and chopped
(^3) ⁄ 4 cup unsweetened cashew or coconut milk
(^1) ⁄ 2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoon honey

1. Steam dates and squash in a steamer basket over medium heat until squash
   is tender, about 5 to 15 minutes depending on the size of the chunks. Let squash
   cool completely.


2. In a food processor, blend squash and dates, milk, cocoa, vanilla, and
   honey until smooth. Serve immediately, or let chill overnight.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BOMB: Fold 1 cup of tart dried cherries that have been

soaked in cherry juice into the pudding for little pops of cherry goodness!

AZTEC CHOCOLATE PUDDING: add^1 ⁄ 2 teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne

to the pudding to add depth and warmth to this treat.

about our choices during the darker

months. Getting to bed a little earlier

and being more selective about how

often and to what degree we enjoy

seasonal commitments can make

significant difference in our food

cravings. Additionally, stepping

outside daily — especially on sunny

days — can boost the body’s ability to

produce serotonin in winter months.

Exercising outside in daylight hours

compounds that effect further, because

exercise has the ability to boost

serotonin production as well.

Regulating blood sugar levels, exer-

cising, adjusting sleep patterns, and

addressing nutrient deficiencies work

together to eliminate food cravings.

However, building these habits takes

time, and addressing the immediate

craving combined with supportive life-

style changes is the key to success.

Discovering Substitutions

Just as all carbohydrates aren’t

created equal, neither are all cravings.

While some cravings are generic

and can be satisfied through several

food choices, other cravings are very

specific. A chocolate craving can’t be

satisfied by red licorice, even though

both are considered sweet. When

making substitutions, pinpointing

the type of craving at play — crunchy

or creamy, salty or sweet, chewy or

smooth — allows you to dial in an

appropriate substitute.