This seasonal butternut squash soup is going to kick off my Thanksgiving meal this year. It whips up pretty easily with an immersion blender, but if you don't have that tool, running batches through a blender is a simple solution.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a few summer squash varieties already turning up at my farmers' market last week. These colorful veggies are low in calories, full of flavor and one of the great foods of summer. Try these healthy squash recipes.

As crisper weather sets in, nothing beats a warm bowl of butternut squash soup. There's a bounty of winter squash available at your local market. Try these ideas for cooking ‘em up.

Want something more exciting than bottled beer for your game-day bash? If your friends are Bloody Mary fans, this Mexican cocktail might be a winner. Lime and hot sauce liven up the flavor without adding calories.

Dig in to these delicious frozen treats that are reminiscent of Italian ices. Granita’s are harder in texture than sorbets and contain less sugar. To make a granita, cook up a simple sugar (combo of sugar and water) and add flavors such as coffee, mint, juice and wine along with fruit. Once the mixture has begun to freeze (it takes about 3 hours), scrape the ice crystals every so often as they start to form. Once frozen, scoop and serve.

Chutney is a simmered-down or pureed combo of fruit (or veggies), spices and herbs. Instead of deep frying or drowning your fish, pork or meat in heavy sauces, opt for a tangy bite of chutney instead.

Enjoy a refreshingly cool (and super healthy) soup this summer. Traditional gazpacho is a pureed mixture of fresh tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, onions, celery and cucumbers but don’t be afraid to get creative. Shake things up—blend a batch of watermelon, red pepper or white grape gazpacho instead.