What will your pumpkin turn into after Halloween?
What are you planning to do with your pumpkin after Halloween? Thinking of throwing it out? Think again. This favorite fall decoration is also packed with nutrition and flavor. It’s dark orange color yields high levels of beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant that wards off inflammation in the body. Pumpkins are also loaded with zinc, potassium and fiber which help prevent heart disease, cancer and other illnesses while making you feel great. In addition to it’s nutritional benefits, pumpkin is an essential ingredient in autumn cuisine inspiring recipes from soup to pie. Here are a few of our favorites:
Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
Caribbean Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Raisin Muffins
Pumpkin French Toast
NOTE: Even though some of these recipes call for canned pumpkin, you can puree your own cooked pumpkin.
Looking for more creative uses for that over-sized gourd on your front steps? How about a facial? I happened to walk but a spa a couple weeks ago and dismissed the sign advertising a pumpkin scrub as seasonal marketing. This was before I did a little research. Turns out pumpkins are high in alpha-hydroxy acids which are used frequently in anti-aging skincare products. High levels of zinc and vitamin A add even more benefits to skin. This link provides some ideas for pumpkin skincare including face masks and cracked heel balm. Pumpkin Skincare.
