SKIN GLOWING SERIES: PUMPKIN SOUP RECIPE

This skin loving pumpkin soup packed full of the essential nutrients required for youthful, healthy and glowing skin. By cooking up this nurturing soup as the cooler weather approaches, notice how much your skin thanks you as you nourish it from the inside out.

When it comes to skin health, working from the inside out is paramount. The health of the skin gives us clues on how our internal body systems are working. Skin issues such as acne, eczema and psoriasis can indicate a hormonal imbalance, high stress levels and/or digestive issues. Looking closely at what we are putting into our bodies is a great step to better understanding the messages our bodies are trying to tell us through the skin, and to better understand the impact of what we eat in helping or hindering the health of our skin.

VITAMIN C

This vitamin is essential in creating collagen. Collagen is involved in making our skin youthful and elastic and the production of collagen declines with age. By ensuring you are eating the building blocks of collagen regularly, you give your skin the tools it needs to help your skin glow. Vitamin C is also involved in the healing of the skin so will assist in reducing acne scarring and wound healing.

BETA-CAROTENE

This is the orange pigment found in pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots and oranges. Beta-carotene is high in antioxidants which help to increase the skin’s defence against UV radiation. This nutrient helps to make vitamin A, which is essential for supple skin and wound healing.

COLLAGEN

Bone broth is rich in animal collagen. Collagen is essential for improving the elasticity of the skin which many assist in reducing fine lines and wrinkles on the skin.

PUMPKIN SOUP RECIPE

GLUTEN FREE | DAIRY FREE

Serves 5

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 butternut pumpkin, cut into 3cm pieces without the skin

  • 2 potatoes, cut into 3cm pieces

  • 2 carrots, cut into 3cm pieces

  • 1 sweet potato, cut into 3cm pieces

  • 2 zucchinis, cut into 2cm pieces

  • 1 tbsp bone broth paste

  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled and finely diced

  • 1 brown onion, peeled and finely sliced

  • 1/2 tsp ginger powder

  • 1 tsp chili flakes

  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika powder

  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • salt & pepper to taste

METHOD

  1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius (180 degrees Celsius fan-forced).

  2. Line a baking tray with baking paper and add pumpkin, potato, sweet potato and carrots to tray. Coat vegetables with olive oil, chili flakes and salt and pepper.

  3. Roast vegetables in the oven for 30 minutes.

  4. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in large crock pot for 1 minute on medium heat. Add garlic and onion and cook until translucent.

  5. Boil water in the kettle and add 1 litre of water with 1 tbsp of bone broth paste to a jug. Stir the jug until the bone broth has dissolved and add the contents to the pot.

  6. Add spices, salt and pepper to the pot, turned the heat up and bring to the boil.

  7. Turn heat back down to medium and add all of the vegetables to the pot. Stir, then cover the pot and allow to cook for 10 minutes.

  8. Using a hand-blender, blend the soup until it is of a smooth consistency.

  9. Turn heat off and serve into soup bowls and share with the ones you love.

RecipesMadeleine Lewinrecipe, skin food, skin naturopath, soup