PUMPKIN: A NATURAL SOURCE FOR BEAUTY AND NUTRITION

Pumpkin pie! With whipped cream! Or a la mode… No! That is not what we’re talking about today people. But, there are plenty of healthy, delicious ways to incorporate this anti-oxidant treasure into your diet.

Pumpkin’s Nutritional Benefits:

-Superior source of Vitamin A & C
-High in potassium
-High in Manganese
-High in Copper
-High in Riboflavin, one of the B vitamins
-Considerable amounts of magnesium, phosphorous, iron, folate, vitamins E, and B6 niacin, thiamin and pantothenic acid
-Low in calories, cholesterol and fat
-High in fiber

Eat Your Way to Beautiful Skin:

For a truly glowing complexion, the best way to go is from the inside out. Pumpkin is a primo way to eat for radiant skin because it is loaded with beta carotene, a nutrient essential to growth and repair of tissues including skin..What’s more, the beta carotene in pumpkin actually offers natural skin protection against the sun’s harmful rays.

Eating pumpkin on a regular basis is one of those things that WORKS. You will see a difference in your skin after about two weeks of eating it regularly (2-3 times a week). For me, the most noticeable difference is a prettier color in my cheeks. Bye bye death pallor….

Note: Vitamin A supplements can give you a certain “glow,” but there is a risk because you are overdosing on the stuff. Eating pumpkin is a safer way to get an effective, beneficial dose of “A”.

Do I Have To Carve A Punkin’?

One of the most nutritious ways to get your pumpkin is also very convenient. Canned! Yes, canned pumpkin is inexpensive and has more Vitamin A than fresh-cooked because more water is cooked out before canning.

Look for: Organic Pumpkin or Organic Pumpkin Puree – NOT Pumpkin Pie filling, which contains added sugar. How rude!

Beyond The Pie…

Pumpkin is totally versatile and a perfect way to add moisture to baked goods like muffins, breads and cookies. Some other suggestions:

Pumpkin Mash: You can boil fresh pumpkin as you would potatoes ( the Martha Stewart approach), or be lazy like me and just spoon some into a saucepan. Then, add olive oil and salt and serve along with sautéed spinach or broccoli. This is a great side to serve with fish, beef or chicken.

Pumpkin Curry: Fry up some onions and spices (curry, cumin, cinnamon, salt pepper), add chicken stock and then toss in some Pump about 15-20 minutes before the end of cooking time. Add additional veggies and pieces of chicken or chickpeas and serve over brown rice for a warm, aromatic and nutritious meal.

Pumpkin Oats: You all know I love me some pumpkin pie oatmeal. Add about ¼ C canned pumpkin to warm oatmeal. Sprinkle with Stevia, cinnamon and a dash of salt (pumpkin pie spice is also great). Adding a blob of natural peanut or almond butter adds a fudge-y texture while the healthy fat helps your body to absorb pumpkin’s abundant vitamins.

Pumpkin Smoothie: My mom made a gagging noise when I told her about this one. But guess what? She liked it! Truly, there is no taste, just add a ¼ to ½ cup of canned pumpkin for added thickness and nutrients in any smoothie.

Pumpkin Pie: Yes, you die-hard Thanksgiving fan, you can still have a slice of pie and be allowed access to this site. Just substitute Stevia for sugar in any recipe…

Endless possibilities!

I’d sign off by saying something clever like “GoGet pumped!” but that could be taken the wrong way. So, I’ll just wish you much enjoyment in the Pumpkin Patch.

Love,
Health Sundae