‘Tis the season for a cornucopia of Fall flavors. I can hear Ethel Merman belting out, “Everything’s Comin’ Up Pumpkin!” Have you noticed pumpkin-flavored goodies at your local stores? You know about pumpkin muffins and lattes, but wouldn’t you like a few pumpkin recipe surprises? Here are a few uses to both delight and surprise some important members of your household.
To begin with, why pumpkin? What makes it so healthy?
Here’s an excerpt from my article, Healthy Benefits of Pumpkin:
Pumpkin’s Powerhouse Nutrients:
Pumpkin provides a healthy amount of fiber, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A, E, C, K, folate, choline, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and more. The phytonutrients contained in pumpkin contribute to its anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
You can tell by its deep, rich color that it’s a wonderful antioxidant. It serves as an excellent source of carotenoids (yes, beta-carotene), which converts to the much-needed Vitamin A in the body. This vitamin is vital for eye health, heart health, immune system function, and protection against free radicals.
And, don’t forget the seeds!
Pumpkin seeds (also called, pepitas), contain magnesium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, tryptophan, and more. For a recipe and information on roasting your own pumpkin seeds, check out my Pepita Treat article.
What does this all mean to you?
The fibromyalgia body is often nutrient-deficient. Because of intestinal inflammation, you may have a compromised immune system and a tendency toward poor nutrient absorption. It’s therefore, all the more important to support your body with high-quality, nutrient-dense, and fiber-rich foods. Pumpkin fits all of these categories making it an anti-inflammatory superfood.
There’s much more to the article that you can check out here. Don’t miss out on the Pumpkin Recipes, Tips, Usage Ideas, and More.
For a tasty as well as healthy Pepita recipe (what to do with the seeds when you carve a pumpkin) check out this Pepita Treats article, here.
Now, onto some surprising pumpkin uses!
Years ago, my family rescued an unhealthy and un-cared for Sheltie named Shelby. She’d been unintentionally abandoned by her owners who passed away. But from there on, her mistreatment was cruel and avoidable. She was under-loved and over fed.
By the time she ended up at a local shelter, she was nearly double the weight she should have been. We adopted her and were given a strict diet from the shelter to help her trim down.
It was very simple:
- Canned pumpkin (no, not pumpkin pie filling)
- Cooked green beans
- Kibble (in itty bitty portions)
Did she love it? I really can’t say, but she ate it with gusto.
The good news is that she did trim down to her normal weight. It took time, but slowly she became a healthy version of herself. Her physical health was greatly improved.
And, it’s not just for Fido’s dinner.
Here are several recipes (and a nice infographic) on using pumpkin to make Pumpkin Dog Treats. (Personally, I wouldn’t use wheat flour in any recipe for humans or dogs, but that’s up to you.)
Moving on from your pet, have you ever worn pumpkin? I don’t mean the accidental goop that goes everywhere as you help your kids scoop out pumpkin guts.
Pumpkin is not just good for our insides, but our outsides, too. Here are several recipes you may wish to try.
Are you ready to try some experiments with pumpkins on your own? What are your favorite uses or what would you like to try? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
And – just for fun – if you’ve never heard of Ethel Merman or would like a trip down memory lane, here she is singing Everything’s Comin’ Up Roses. I remember watching her on the Merv Griffin show when I got home from school 😉 Do you?
